Recycle Glass

Glass is a really unique element. It is not a well known fact, but glass is the only 100% recyclable material. The fact is, it can be recycled time and time again. This means that less energy and resources are used and that in turn is very good for the planet. London Glazing encourage recycling.

Energy Of Recycling Glass:
The energy or power saved by using one recycled glass bottle is able to provide power for and run:
1). The washing machine for 10 minutes.
2). A TV for 4½ days.
3). A PC for 5 full days. London Glaziers recycle old glass.

Facts:
As stated, glass can be recycled for all time and will never lose its qualities, strength or even its functionality. In other words it is very flexible. The word ‘cullet’ is an industry term that refers to a manufacturer using recycled glass, this means actually that the glass is crushed. This process will actually allow savings of raw material (virgin or unused) of around 2.5 to 3% of saved energy for every 10% of cullet that takes the place of the virgin material. This means that there is no major energy requirements needed to carry out the melting process on the cullet. The increased use of this cullet will also replace carbonates and other raw materials and this in turn will actually reduce the carbon dioxide emissions which is a great achievement. For every tonne of new glassware like jars and the bottle that are made out of recycled glass rather than new materials will save 0.67 tonnes in CO2 emissions. Recycling glass will stop precious raw material wasted by being used and then dumped in a landfill site. It would take 1tonne of cullet to make 1tonne of glass whereas it takes 1.2tonnes of virgin raw material.

Nearly all windows and doors still fitted in properties today are in some cases as old as the house itself. Therefore these are the homes that would really benefit from having new windows and doors fitted. London Glazing can supply and fit all types of glass. They would benefit from the heat retention and draught prevention. Today there is a huge move towards more efficient types of windows and doors. Because of this there is a massive choice of windows and doors for this purpose. These new, energy conscious windows should give a good return for the investment, through low heating, and maybe even the cost of using the lights less in your house. Improvement in the performance of the windows in your home will depend on design, choice, and installation. London Glaziers use skilled tradesmen who can work with all styles of glass.

Energy:
To make the correct choice you have to appreciate the energy performance ratings of windows so you will know what energy performance you need for your windows based on the climate and the design of your home. For the energy-efficient windows, Energy Star ® has created minimum energy performance ratings by climate. This, however does not make allowances for the design, like the window positions etc. These passive types of solar design plans use the glass to maximize solar heat gain in winter and minimize it in summer. In climates that are dominated by heat, major glazing areas should generally face south to collect solar heat during the winter when the sun is low in the sky. In the summer, when the sun is high in the sky, overhangs or other shading devices stop excessive heat gain. It is difficult to control the heat and light coming through east and west facing windows if the sun is sat low in the sky.

The only way to cut any piece of glass to a high standard and also without any damage is to use a glass cutting tool. London Glaziers carry the best quality glass cutters. This is a hand operated tool, that has a wheel specifically made to actually scratch the surface of the piece of glass. The process of scratching or scoring is done on purpose, because it interrupts the tension and makes the glass easier to cut (in other words it weakens it). This is a ‘score line’ in the trade. It is better to start with the best quality cutter that you can afford. This will ensure that your glass is cut correct at the first attempt. If you have the opportunity, look at and try a selection of varoious cutters before you choose. Below is a selection of the glass cutting tools that are available on the market to make sure the glass is cut accurately. Below are two types of cutters:

The Strip-and-Circle.
This type of cutter isn’t necessarily required, but it is very good, especially if you want to make glass boxes or a lampshade. the name gives its function away, you use the strip and circle cutter to cut straight strips of glass and circles. You can adjust the tool to cut almost any size of glass strips from 1⁄2 inch up to 8 to 10 inches It also easily converts into a circle cutter, allowing you to cut circles of glass. London Glazing tradesmen can measure and cut all types of glass.

The Pistol-Grip.
This type of cutter is a real benefit if you have muscular problems or cannot hold your fingers tense for long periods of time. This cutter is custom made to fit very comfortably in the palm of the hand, relieving the pressure from your fingers. The pistol-grip cutter has the same swivel cutting head as the barrel cutter, so it cuts just the same.

To fit your own windows will require, time, patience and quite hard work. The key to success is good preparation, so get all the measurements correct (you can never measure enough). Learn and memorise the names of the various parts of the windows, and what they are for and where they fit. London Glazing can offer advice on all thing glass. If this is the first project you have undertaken, then it is advisable that you begin with something easy, maybe a small downstairs window. however once you have gained experience and your confidence is high you’ll be able to tackle bigger jobs. There is always the back up of callin in a professional service to install for you. Always keep their number handy just in case. Below is a guide to installing a window assuming that the old one is now removed:

This is a basic guide, however it is designed show that fitting your own double glazing need not be difficult.

• Place the double glazed panel moulds into place. London Glaziers use qualified tradesmen for all types of work.
• This may need some heavy treatment. Align the draft proofing strips and begin screwing in the catches and hinges. Fit the glass windowpanes into position.
• Make sure that you consult the planning regulations as permission might be required, because as of April 2002, building regulations have been applied to replacement glazing. Under these regulations, external windows and doors are classed as “controlled fittings” so there are certain standards that will need to be satisfied in order for planning permission to be granted. If in doubt, it would be wise to speak to your local authority or a registered installer. With a little planning, you can save a lot of time and money, and those of you who are confident should have little difficulty installing your own double glazing.

A long time ago it was just a dream to be able to save heat, stop condensation and also keep out noise from our homes. The landscape has changed completely now and it is not now a question of how but how much can we do. Something called the Building Regulation Document ‘L’ is the advocate of heating and energy conservation for every new build home in the UK. London Glazing can provide advice and a first class service for your glazing needs. Below are some benefits of Double Glazing.

Noise Protection.
The sealed double glazed units that are fitted today are very efficient at keeping noises out of the home. This is achieved by the use of varying depths of glass. There is a recommendation that a sealed unit should be made from two different depths of glass for example 10mm with a 6mm second piece. This is said to reduce any resonating frequencies occurring between the two. London Glaziers can supply and fit secondary glass.

Heat Retention.
Heat cannot escape quite as easily if double glazed windows are fitted and draughts are reduced. These attributes are beneficial as they make the overall temperature in the house more comfortable. It’s not just the glass you should look at to retain heat, the casing is just as important, and local climate and indoor temperature will play an important role. The best windows are those that will allow more energy to pass through the glass and into the room, than will be lost through the window. 

Did You Know:

• The life span of a double glazed sealed unit can be from 2 years to over 20 years. This will depend on the quality of the unit installed and the quality of the installation.
• The biggest threat to any double glazing are the sun’s rays and ingress of water.
• These units will fail if they are made from poor materials or are not fitted correctly.

There is an incredible amount of heat lost through windows in the UK each year. The problem lies with poorly fitted windows and glass that just is not good at keeping the heat in the home. The price of the new styles of energy efficient windows has dropped significantly and is now more affordable to the public. London Glaziers use all energy saving glass.

Energy Efficient Windows:
This style of window is made from two single glass sheets that have a gap in between of around 16mm. This is an air gap that will provide the insulation that does not allow any heat to escaping through it. In some styles this gap could also be gas filled. This is called a ‘double glazed’ window, however, there can also be three sheets in thickness or better known as ‘triple glazed’. There is some doubt however as to whether the 3 sheets are better at insulating than the two. These windows also have frames made of different materials which also vary because of the level of sunshine that the window will allow through, the air that is able to escape around the edge of the window and their performance of heat retention. There is a type of Glass that is the best for this and it is ‘Low E Glass’ which is highly energy efficient and uses a very slight metal oxide coating that is normally inside with the air gap. The gap that sits between the panes can also be filled with a gas such as, xenon, argon and even krypton for more energy efficiency. London Glazing tradesmen are experts in all types of glass. Below are some benefits of efficient windows:

– A substantial saving on the quarterly energy bill.
– Little or no formation of condensation, with fewer drafts from the windows.
– Drastic reduction in the noise from outside.
– The green footprint is much smaller.

Is it possible to repair your wooden windows, whilst retaining their style and good looks, while benefiting from modern draught excluding double-glazing. There are companies that specialise in this field, who can repair and upgrade your sash windows and bring them up to modern specifications. In most cases this type of company will take the following steps:

• Take out the window from the sash box and remove any rotten timbers to expose the good wood. London Glazing know sash windows.
• Pieces of wood will be slotted in where needed or the holes will be filled and altered to match the timber.
  The sash cords are replaced and the glass is resealed.
• The window can then be upgraded by adding a bead around all the railings. This will prevent the window from rattling and keep the heat in.
• Secondary glazing can also be installed on the inside of the property. This will mean that the sash window will still look the same from the outside, but the look on the inside may be gone. London Glaziers supply all glass.

DIY:

• Dismantling and removing your sash window can be a difficult task, however, the window can be repaired while still fitted.
• Sand the wood and remove any rotten sections and use filler in any holes and sand so it matches the profile of the sill or rail.
• Cover with a primer and wood preservative and then paint with a quality outdoor paint.
  Scrape away and replace the old putty if required.
• Handles and locks can be bought in DIY stores and can be easily replaced.
  If the sash cords are broken, you can replace them yourself.

Broken Sash:
Take off the beading at the bottom of the sash and cut the cord. The sash will come out in one piece. Remove the old cords from the sash and detach them from the weights. Drop the new cords through the sides of the sash and tie them to the weights. Ensure each cord is the same length and sits straight. Fit the sash back into place and replace the beading.

Two styles of glazing are available to fit today. The first is the sealed glass unit and the second is called the secondary glazing unit that will add to and sit behind an existing windowpane. By its description it is quite obvious that that the send form is the easier to fit, but if you have some credible skills and a “can do” attitude then you could consider the first example also. London Glazing tradesmen can advise.

Secondary Glazing:

• The normal way to fit secondary glazing is to fit it to the frame of the window itself or to a timber framework inside the window frame.
• An ideal width between the original glass and the new glass is around 20mm, making the first option more efficient.
  There is no need for glass because clear plastic sheeting plastic film will work well. London Glaziers supply glass.
• Be careful when placing materials like plastic or glass in front of a window opening and not attached to the window casement, as it can prevent the window from opening.

Demountable Glass:
This type of glass is set in the window casement and secured to the existing window with clear tape or magnets. They will allow you to remove the secondary sheet of glass or plastic if you need to use the window. Or even to take it out in the warmer months.

Operable Glass:
This is a secondary glazing unit that can be fitted into sliding tracks and then attached to the window frame. There are cases where, the window may be hinged to allow it to open. The glass is edged with draught proof strips for added insulation when it is shut. The units are available in kits and are straightforward to fit.

Confirm that the size of the replacement glass pane is correct. Any measurements should be taken from each edge of the frame. Make sure the width is correct. When there is more than one then sketch the window with all the relevant dimensions. Your local glass merchant will advise on sizes and thickness. London Glazing is expert with all types of glass fits.

Prize the old beading material from the window. With the scraper, remove the fixing compound from the frame. If made of wood, then you will have to nail the beading with the nail punch after the glass is fitted. Leave the top part until the end so you can support the glass. Cut away putty if it is a wooden frame. Lay the beading out in the shape that it came out for replacing later. London Glaziers are qualified tradesmen. Offer up the glass pane to the frame to see if it fits correclty, try not to put any force on the glass. Once you are happy that it is done correctly you can now go ahead and fit the pane properly. If the glass is double-glazed then it will have two pieces of sealed glass with an air gap in between to protect against moisture ingress or condensation forming.

Put the whole pane into the frame, and check for markings that tell the correct orientation. Place the spacers around. Refit the beading pieces and snap them in place. Make sure they go back in their original position. Check that the glass is square and tight. Check all around the window frame for squareness and clean away any putty etc.

What You Need:
Tape Measure. Hammer.
Nail Punch. Scraper.
Double-Glazed Unit. Butyl Putty.
Security Glazing-Tape. Spacing Blocks.
Beading Tacks.

Many of the windows fitted in properties are older types that are not too efficient when it comes down to retaining heat and stopping droughts. Today there is a massive movement to the more efficient types of windows and doors to save these influences. This means that there is a huge selection of windows and doors for this purpose. These new, energy conscious windows should give a good return for the money, through low heating and cooling costs, and maybe even the cost of lighting your home. As long as they are sensibly chosen and installed, energy-efficient windows will reduce those heating, cooling, and lighting costs. Improving window performance in your home involves design, selection, and installation. London Glazing will supply and fit this type of glass. You need to understand the energy performance ratings of windows so you will know what energy performance ratings you need for your windows based on your climate and the design of the house. For the energy-efficient windows, ENERGY STAR® has created minimum energy performance ratings by climate. These criteria, however don’t account for a home’s design, such as the window positions. These passive types of solar design plans use the glass to maximize solar heat gain in winter and minimize it in summer. In climates that are dominated by heat, major glazing areas should generally face south to collect solar heat during the winter when the sun is low in the sky. In the summer, when the sun is high overhead, overhangs or other shading devices stop excessive heat gain. London Glaziers work with all types of glass. It is hard to control heat and light through east and west facing windows when the sun is low in the sky.