It's hot here

I should not complain. My conservatory is finally finished. So, when it is really really sunny, I might miss the opaque plastic. But hey, I can still open my big sun shade. Otherwise I am very pleased. I gained a new room.
I learnt something how not to clean it. Don't use a hosepipe to blast water on it from below. The whole system is constructed to protect against rain (that comes from above). Any water from the wrong direction will cause leaks.

Plastic? Me???

Just changed my mind. And all my apologies to the lovely people who sold me the high quality uPVC plastic windows. They led me out of the contract. Main reason is not that I fell out of love with plastic, the reason I am choosing timber is how the windows look in the room. I would loose the lovely frames. And they are so much part of the original look of the house. I ordered timber and will have to paint them every ten years again and again. (Hopefully).

Coldest March since 50 years

My birthday is in March. And never ever has it been so cold on this day. Met Office gave us a severe weather warning for the weekend to come. There will be snow, lots of snow. Partner is very happy, packed his car, and went of skiing.

Let the Sunshine out

For the last nine years I lived with a plastic roof over my conservatory. This made it nicely hot in the summer and freezing cold in the winter. Some days to go and this will get a double glazing, sun shielding new roof. I shall be actually able to use my conservatory in the winter. So I hope.

Rear Windows

Buying windows changes your view how you look at life. When I watch films I concentrate on the glass. I just went to Harrogate. Lovely windows there. I also knock on doors. In  the Cotswolds I spotted a lovely old building with quite beautiful windows. "They are plastic, aren't they?", I asked when a lady opened. "Oh yes", she replied, and looked at me suspiciously. Double glazing is not the best starting line for a conversation.

I am turning my House plastic

I moved into the house because I fell in love with the wonderful sash windows. I loved the slight unevenness of the glass, the old wood. And I spent quite a bit of money to get them restored.
Today, I just ordered uPVC windows, replaced the iron gutter with a plastic one. What happened?
 It just makes more sense. It is not the price of timber windows, which indeed look lovely, but they are giant beasts. Nothing has been learned. I would need a window cleaner with a ladder to clean them.

Beware of cold Bridges

I am learning quite a lot. It is actually not enough to insulate some walls you have to insulate all of them. And don't forget the floor and the roof. It is a bit like a teapot cozy. But beware:  If you leave just one gap open, the cold will squeeze into it with all its mighty force. They call it 'cold bridge'.
My house is actually a collection of cold bridges.