All guides
Windows and glazing in a hot climate: U-factor and SHGC, double glazing, thermally broken aluminium, and safety glass
Windows are one of the biggest sources of heat gain in a home. The thermal performance figures U and SHGC, the role of low-e coatings and gas fills, thermal breaks in aluminium frames, and where safety glass is required.
Common window problems: fog between the panes, dust and draughts, and water leaks
Fog between the panes of a double-glazed window that can't be wiped away means the seal has failed. Why insulated glass fails, the causes of dust and water getting in around windows, and when replacing the glass is enough instead of the whole window.
Protecting a house from solar heat: roof, windows, walls and shading — what actually helps, and in what order
Where solar heat enters a house and what to prioritise: roof insulation and protecting the waterproofing, low-SHGC windows and thermally broken frames, radiant barriers and their limits, and external shading. With figures from official sources and the limits of advertising claims.
Gates, boundary walls and doors: automatic gate and door safety, materials and fixing, sealing, and maintenance
An automatic driveway gate can endanger children if it does not reverse on contact. From an official safety alert: automatic reversing, the electric eye and its height, the reverse test and 30-day inspection, and where to put the wall button; then choosing, fixing, sealing and maintaining walls and doors.