For the appearance and security of any building, its windows and doors are of utmost importance. Fortunately the householder and end consumer today has a far more reliable and wider choice range than ever before.

The most important factors for anyone having new windows are cost, and a style that’s in keeping with the character of their property. Anyone who is constricted by a tight budget should focus mainly upon upvc. The modern upvc windows are well constructed, secure and still relatively cost effective because the upvc market has the most supplier competition. Although white upvc is by far the most common window, wood grain effect windows in rosewood mahogany and golden oak are also available in upvc plastic. These are more expensive but give added character and weather a little better than the white option.

Aluminium windows were first installed into timber framing surrounds, but nowadays the modern powder coated aluminium windows are a stand alone item that are most commonly used in contemporary homes and commercial buildings. Aluminium is certainly at the more expensive end of the cost scale but probably the most suitable for extremely modern and contemporary homes. These windows certainly do not look like a natural product by any means, and they’re not meant to, but they can be powder coated to any colour and have unquestionable durability.

Having new windows constructed from timber gives the greatest variation of options. Timber does have a budget range but the majority of manufacturers will recommend medium or high quality hardwoods which provide maximum durability to the elements. From all three options, timber is the only natural product, which in itself is extremely appealing. New timber windows can also be moulded and shaped into a range of styles and are by far the most suitable for traditional or period buildings, although the flexibility to mould the timber to any preferred style means that timber can be used for new windows in any building or home. Obviously the natural element means that new timber windows will require treatment every 3-5 years. However, the high quality modern paint and lacquer applications have improved dramatically and are extending this timescale dramatically.

Regardless of the material or style that is chosen to construct new windows in, the finished article should provide reliable security, a total seal from the elements and enhance the character and value of the property they occupy.             

The primary reason for householders installing a spiral staircase in their home is the aesthetic appeal. From a design perspective, a spiral staircase will certainly stand out and may well be the focal point in an overall design concept. Their popularity has been steady for decades. In fact the last decade has seen a noted growth in demand for this style of staircase.

Despite this, there are certain things to consider before installing a spiral staircase. The steps on spirals are angled, with the smallest part being at the centre. We all take the shortest route up and down any flight of stairs, and on a spiral, or even a normal staircase with angled (kited) landing steps this is the area with the least foot space. Whether climbing up or coming down, this limited foot space dramatically increases the likelihood of slipping and falling. So when you have a spiral staircase, and especially one that has a narrow width, it’s very important to consciously take the widest route going up or down and make full use of the handrail. The wider spiral staircase is always the safer one, especially those that have handrails on both sides and don’t pivot around a single central post.

There is also a common misconception that a spiral staircase is a space-saving item. In truth, the area that is occupied by a spiral staircase can, in most cases, easily accommodate a conventional staircase. Often a conventional staircase is actually a better option and will afford a far greater feeling of space in the stairwell. Space saving stairs are steep with paddle steps and are used in extremely tight areas that cannot take either a conventional or spiral staircase.

Anyone who has a narrow spiral staircase or one that takes up the whole area of their stairwell will understand the difficulty in moving furniture between floors. The design may well be appealing to the eye, but as with any product, this does not necessarily mean that functionality will be sufficient for the immediate purpose.

Before purchasing a spiral staircase, ensure you experience walking up and down one that is of same or similar design and size to the one you intend to install.