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Triple glazing technology has advanced significantly over the last decade, changing it from a specialist option to an increasingly common alternative in the construction and refurbishment of energy-efficient buildings.

Triple glazing has evolved as a result of a rising awareness of the need for higher thermal performance, energy economy, and a dedication to sustainable construction practices.

One of the most important areas of advancement in triple glazing technology over the last decade has been the advancement of the materials utilised.

Early triple glazing systems frequently encountered difficulties due to the weight of the glass and the structural stability of the window frames.

However, advances in lightweight yet durable materials, including as composite frames and high-performance glass coatings, have helped to overcome these challenges. As a result, contemporary triple glazing has become more feasible and viable for a wider range of architectural applications.

The insulating characteristics of the gas-filled gaps between the glass panes have been significantly improved. In triple glazing, argon and krypton gases are typically employed to form a barrier that decreases heat transmission.

The development of more efficient gas-filled compartments has resulted in a significant improvement in triple glazing’s overall thermal performance.

This is especially useful in areas with harsh weather, where keeping a suitable inside temperature is vital.

Coating technologies have been crucial in the growth of triple glazing. Low-emission  coatings have improved to the point where triple glazing can selectively block or transmit certain wavelengths of energy. This innovation aids in the regulation of solar heat entering a structure while allowing natural light to pass through. This balance is critical for maximising energy economy while also ensuring a well-lit and pleasant interior environment.

Triple glazing design and manufacturing techniques have also been improved. Precision engineering and computer-aided design (CAD) technology have made triple-glazed units more accurate and consistent. This guarantees that each unit fulfils high performance criteria and contributes to the building overall efficiency.

Historically, cost has been a limiting factor in the widespread adoption of triple glazing. However, as the demand for energy-efficient building solutions has grown over the last decade, economies of scale and improved manufacturing methods have led to a decrease in the overall cost of triple glazing.

Triple glazing has become a more appealing choice for households and builders alike because to its low cost and long-term energy benefits.

The increased emphasis on sustainability and environmental stewardship has spurred the growth of triple glazing.

Carbon footprint and energy use in buildings have become worldwide priorities. Triple glazing coincides with these goals due to its higher insulating qualities, making it a popular choice in green construction programmes.

These advancements have led to the rising popularity of triple glazing as a practical and effective alternative for improving thermal performance and energy efficiency in buildings. As the construction industry prioritises sustainability, the trajectory of innovation in triple glazing, and ayr doors and windows is anticipated to continue, further refining and increasing its position in the future of energy-efficient building practises.

Buying your very first commercial property is exciting, but it can also be pretty daunting.

Unlike when you lease a property, moving out after just a couple of months because you realised the space wasn’t quite right isn’t an option. At least not without a huge amount of hassle.

This is a decision that you need to get right, and will be huge implications for the future of your company. Get it right, and these implications will be incredibly positive and could be exactly what you need to take your business to the next level.

Get it wrong and the negative consequences can be severe.

Buying a commercial property is a big decision and a big investment so it is important to do as much research as possible before you make your final decision.

Fail to prepare or prepare to fail might be a pretty cheesy saying, but it is certainly relevant when it comes to buying commercial property. This is one of the biggest investments you will ever make in your business and one of the most important to get right.

In this guide we will give you some top tips on what to look for on how to find the perfect commercial property.

Identify the perfect location

The perfect property in the wrong location is not the perfect property at all. Location is everything when it comes to buying commercial premises, especially if your business requires your customers to visit you in person.

The nature of the property itself is also important. How big does it need to be to house all your staff? Is there parking nearby? What is the first impression like for any approaching clients? These are all questions that you need to consider.

Identifying WHERE you want your new business premises to be should be the first thing you do, before you even start looking at properties themselves.

Consider Security

Finding the perfect business premises means nothing if you are unable to keep it secure and protect your staff, assets, and customers when they are on site.

Consider the security threats in the nearby area and take the time to research the security risks you may have to deal with. Of course, once you own the property you can install your own security measures in consultation with Select Solutions property services or a similar security professional but you can’t change where the building is.

Consider the transport links

You want your premises to be as easy as possible for customers and staff to get to. Sure, if your services are that much better than your competitors your customers may be willing to go out of their way to come and see you, but this certainly isn’t the recipe for growth.

Consider the transport options nearby your prospective new site. Can you get there by train or bus? Is there sufficient parking nearby? Are you close to where your target market lives?

In a world where convenience is king, if the answer to any of the questions above is ‘no’ you might be better off looking elsewhere.

Sustainability is the watch word of the day in the construction industry.

Construction sites and particularly the manufacturing processes used to create the materials that are used on these sites contribute massively to the carbon emissions produced across the globe.

That said, the industry is also essential to the future of mankind, creating homes to live in, infrastructure to connect the world, and much more besides.

So, we have a problem. An industry that must continue to grow and an impact on the planet that must be reduced if we are to tackle the climate emergency.

There is no one fix all solution to this problem but one thing that cannot be disputed is that the construction industry needs to change to become more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

One of the best ways to do just that is to move to more sustainable materials in the construction process and this is certainly something that has become more and more common in recent times.

In this article we will look through some of the best sustainable materials that can be used in construction projects, without negatively impacting on the durability, safety, or appearance of the finished structure.

Green insulation

Green insulation has a two-fold positive impact on the construction industry. Firstly, it is far more sustainable to produce than traditional insulation and is created from recycled materials such as old Demin or newspapers.

Secondly, it helps to create more energy efficient properties meaning that the new occupants, whether business or domestic, will required less heat energy and therefore have a much smaller carbon footprint themselves.

Energy Efficient glass

Similarly to green insulation, energy efficient glass will help to keep heat within a building during the cold winter months and keep the inside cool during the summer.

This will again help to keep the use of fossil fuels to a bare minimum. Home heating is one of the biggest causes of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK and by helping to take this issue, the construction industry will be able to offset some of the emissions produced in the manufacturing process.

Electric car chargers

All detached new build properties in the UK must now be fitted with an electric car charger. This is something that construction firms responsible for the build have had to adapt to quickly and many builds also include other renewable energy technologies such as solar panels and air source heat pumps.

Building Site Security

Stolen or damaged materials are a serious threat to construction businesses in the UK. Not only does replacing lost goods cost them a whole lot of money, but it also means that more materials have to be manufactured. Reduce this threat and you reduce the emissions produced in production.

For this reason, many construction companies are investing in the latest security technology and construction site monitoring equipment such as CCTV towers and biometric entry gates.

If you run a building site, this is not only effective in reducing your carbon footprint but will also help you keep your project on schedule and under budget.

Waking watch is a fire safety measure introduced to protect high-rise properties deemed at high-risk of fire until construction work is done to resolve the issue.

Introduced following the tragedy of the Grenfell tower fire, waking watch involves 24/7 monitoring of a building by trained fire marshals, looking for signs of fire and raising the alarm when required.

Unfortunately, a lack of funding means that the remediation work that was promised has been shockingly slow in arriving and residents have been stuck paying for waking watch services on a much more permanent basis than was ever intended.

This article will give you all the information you need about the pros and cons of waking watch, as well as exploring the most cost-effective alternatives that are currently available.

Why was waking watch introduced?

Immediately following the Grenfell tower disaster in 2017, 24-hour manned security patrols were put in place on similar high-rise properties found to have similar flammable cladding on the exterior.

In October 2017, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) made this role official by introducing a requirement for such buildings to introduce a ‘simultaneous evacuation’ policy until the condemned materials could be replaced.

Before this point, the recommended action for residents in high-rise buildings was to stay-put in their apartments until the fire service arrived but the risk of fire spreading rapidly was deemed too high for this to continue.

Instead, it was decided that all inside these buildings are evacuated as quickly as possible the moment that a fire is detected.

The only effective ways to allow for such a policy were to either put waking watch in place, or to install a common fire alarm system, and as a result it is now a legal requirement for one of the these to be implemented.

What is waking watch?

Waking watch involves highly trained fire marshals continually patrolling high-rise buildings in the search for fire and fire hazards.

Should a fire be detected, these marshals will alert all residents and ensure the safe and rapid evacuation of the building.

With patrols conducted at least every 15 minutes 24 hours a day, carefully examining both the exterior and all interior floors of the building, by experts who are highly trained to spot the signs of a potential fire, waking watch can be an incredibly effective fire safety measure.

Whilst spotting a fire is thankfully very rare, fire marshals are still valuable in maximising the safety of the building, ensuring that all fire doors are closed, fire hazards are eliminated, and residents are informed on best practice.

Finding a waking watch service

The effectiveness of waking watch varies on a number of different factors including the area requiring coverage, complexities of the site, and the skill level of the guards in question.

To ensure that your property is as secure as possible it is vital that you make sure that those responsible for putting the waking watch in place choose a respected security firm with highly qualified fire marshals.

The cost of waking watch

Whilst waking watches are extremely effective in identifying fires and keeping residents safe, this 24/7 manned service comes at a hefty cost.

Local authorities will provide funding for waking watches to some extent, although this expense will significantly affect the money available for permanent refurbishments and other public services.

Between 2017 and 2020, for example, Camden Council alone spent over £10m on waking watches, across just 9 tower blocks.

Individual tenants are the ones who feel the cost of waking watch the most, however, with fees for leaseholders ranging from an average of £400 a month, to an eye-watering £800 a month.

For this reason, it is recommended by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) that a waking watch service is replaced by a common fire alarm as soon as possible unless remediation working is to be completed imminently.

Alternatives to waking watch

The ideal response to the discovery of flammable materials in the exterior wall system of high-rise properties is ALWAYS to replace the condemned sections as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, however, Government promises of funding for building improvements that were made following Grenfell have not materialised, and many residents have been stuck paying extortionate fees for waking watch services that were only ever intended as an extremely short-term option.

The only other way to remove Waking Watch in buildings waiting on remediation work being completed is the installation of a common fire alarm system.

This system will ensure that all residents are alerted the instant that a fire is detected anywhere in the building, rather than monitoring individual apartments alone, allowing for the simultaneous evacuation required under NFCC guidance at a fraction of the cost of waking watch.

For this reason, the best route forward for the vast majority of high-rise properties is to implement a waking watch ONLY until a common fire alarm is installed, unless remediation work is guaranteed to be completed in just a matter of weeks.

When it comes to luxury outdoor relaxation, nothing compares to a hot tub.

What was once a luxury unobtainable to all but the wealthiest of homeowners is now much more affordable, with quality hot tub options available to suit all budgets.

Whether you are looking for a wallet-friendly inflatable tub, or a more premium in-ground spa or hard-shell hot tub, doing your research is key to finding the perfect addition to your outdoor space.

Hot tubs aren’t all flashing lights, and massage jets (although these are certainly most welcome!) and there are several essential factors to consider before you take the plunge.

Here at Bubble Box, we are Scotland’s leading provider of hot tub spas and have put together this guide to exactly what to consider when investing in a hot tub.

What to consider when choosing the perfect hot tub

What is your budget?

Nowadays, you can find inflatable Hot Tubs for sale Glasgow in many supermarkets for just a few hundred pounds.

If you are looking for your tub to be a permanent feature of your home for years to come, however, and enjoy all the fancy features offered by a bespoke home spa the cost will steadily rise into the thousands.

The first thing to do when starting your hot tub search is to calculate exactly how much you have to spend.

This will allow you to narrow your search perimeters significantly and set realistic expectations of the features you will be able to have installed in your tub.

Although it can be tempting to go for one of the cheapest tubs on the market, be aware that inflatable tubs are far less durable than their hard-shell equivalents and may be unable to operate in freezing temperatures, limiting your use.

What space is available?

The last thing you want is to find the perfect hot tub only to realise that it cannot be installed in the area of your garden you had in mind.

Here are some of the most important things to consider when selecting the ideal location for your tub:

Surface

Hot tubs must be installed on a flat level surface such as concrete, gravel, or brick. Decking is another popular option but make sure to check with a professional that yours is able to take the weight.

Drainage

Hot tubs need to be drained several times each year. When choosing a spot for your tub, make sure there is suitable drainage nearby or ensure that drains can be installed before proceeding.

Electricity access

Depending on the tub you choose you will either need to power it through a wall outlet or by connecting it directly to your property’s central circuit breaker.

Before buying a hot tub, check which one is required and have a qualified electrician make any required adaptions such as installing an outdoor plug socket.

If the location you have chosen for your hot tub is too far from the home, powering it may be impossible and a rethink is required.

Aesthetics

Hot tubs are made for relaxing and locating your tub in a pleasant environment to sit and enjoy is just as important as any practical consideration.

 When scoping out potential locations for a tub take a moment to look around and think about what sitting in a hot tub there would be like.

Is there a nice view? Is it nice and private? Is it far enough away from neighbours to avoid disturbing them?

How much will it cost to run a hot tub?

The installation and initial purchase cost are just one of the financial considerations attached to hot tub ownership.

As with any appliance that requires electricity, and water from your plumbing system, a hot tub will have certain running costs attached.

Hard shell and In-built hot tubs are designed to keep the water of your tub at a certain temperature 24/7 to maximise durability and prevent you from having to go through the costly and time-consuming task of fully heating the water to your desired temperature every time you want to use it.

On average a hot tub will cost you around £1 a day to run but this number can vary widely with poorly insulated tubs costing significantly more and the latest most energy efficient tubs slightly less.

To avoid extortionate energy bills which will certainly challenge your ability to relax in your hot tub, make sure to do your research and select a tub with excellent energy efficiency ratings.

Purchasing a tub with an energy efficient cover is a great way to keep running costs at a minimum as far less heat will be able to escape, and it will take less electrical energy to heat the water to your desired temperature.

Air source heat pumps have become an increasingly popular upgrade for homeowners all over Scotland. Their carbon friendly design has given them a major popularity boost as of recent as people attempt to find ways to cut down on their carbon footprint while still

In this article, we’ll talk about the kind of benefits you can reap by installing an air source heat pump. Not only will they help you to slash your carbon emissions – but keep your home, cut down on energy costs, and save you thousands of pounds in bills.

The Greener Energy Group has over 30 years of experience providing homeowners in Scotland with carbon friendly and green energy options. 

Are air source heat pumps worth it?

If you are looking to save money, then yes; an air source heat pump will in general save about £2,827 over a traditional gas boiler.

There are several reasons for this; the massively rising costs of gas, the ban on gas boilers, the improved efficiency of heat pumps, the government upgrade scheme, and the fact that boilers need to be replaced around every 10 years (whereas modern air pumps last around 20 years).

We’ll look at these factors in greater detail.

Changing costs of energy

Gas Boilers are far more energy efficient than boilers, including modern boilers. A boiler is around 90% energy efficient – but an air source heat pump is 350% to 400% energy efficient – meaning it produces four times the energy it uses. This is an immense benefit, especially given that the price of gas has risen almost 80% this year alone (and is set to rise further). On the other hand, the costs of electricity are only decreasing, and given that air source heat pumps can produce so much more energy than they use, you are effectively guaranteed to get far more out of an air source heat pump than you put in. You can increase these savings further by going with solar panels – allowing you to supply carbon free power for your air source heat pump.

Gas boiler ban

The government has increasingly moved towards policies aimed at a gas boiler ban. While no date has been set yet, the government has consistently discussed the potential for a ban on gas boilers – or the installation of new gas boilers. While the specific date is not yet known, experts widely agree that the use of gas heating will eventually come. Of course, people can’t be left without heating, and the lead up to the ban has seen the implementation of government initiatives to help ease the transition.

Government grants and options

There are several grants and options existing to help people access air source heat pumps. This includes the Renewable Heat Incentive, which is specifically aimed at helping people get air pumps and other green energy options. The government will send you payments for seven years based on how much electricity your pump is set to produce. This is a superb option and can quickly help to recoup the costs of a heat pump installation.

The Renewable Heat Incentive is set to end in March 2022 and be replaced by the Boiler Upgrade scheme. This offers a subsidiary of £5,000 for an air source heat pump, which covers a significant amount of the cost.

The Greener Energy Group can help ensure you access these kinds of benefits.

This is not to mention the long-term benefits when it comes to costs; gas boilers over 20 years will cost you around £17,700 whereas an air source heat pump will cost only £14,900 – providing a saving of nearly £2,800. Likewise, heat pumps only need to be replaced every 20 years – unlike boilers which should be replaced every 10. This alone provides serious savings – since a new boiler will average around £3,200.

Efficiency

People are eager to get the most out of their heating systems, and for those who are still using boilers, they’re finding themselves frustrated. Boilers can at best hit around 90% efficiency – which means the boiler produces 10% less energy than it uses.

Air source heat pumps on the other hand range from 350% energy efficient to 400% efficient – meaning they are always producing more energy than they use. This is because air source heat pumps do not convert energy – they transfer it. The only energy which air source heat pumps ‘use’ are electricity to power the pump, and if this electricity is drawn from solar panels or other green energy systems can be made 100% carbon friendly.

Quiet

Air source heat pumps are incredibly quiet and produce little noise – producing as much as a radiator does. This means they will create no annoying background noise or disturbance.