News & Insights

Tilt-and-turn windows are one of the most practical window types available, yet many homeowners in Ireland are still more familiar with the traditional side-hung casement. If you have not used a tilt-and-turn window before, the concept is simple: a single handle controls two completely different opening positions, giving you more control over ventilation, easier cleaning, and a secure way to let fresh air in without fully opening the window.

Two positions, one handle

The mechanism works through a multi-point locking system connected to a single handle. When the handle is in the closed position, the window is fully locked and sealed. Turning the handle 90 degrees to a horizontal position activates the tilt function: the top of the sash tilts inward, creating a controlled opening at the top of the window while the bottom edge remains securely fixed to the frame. This allows air to flow in and out at ceiling level without creating a draught at floor level.

Turning the handle a further 90 degrees to the fully upright position releases the side hinges, allowing the entire sash to swing inward like a door. This gives full access to the opening for cleaning or maximum ventilation. A simple return of the handle to the closed position locks the window securely at multiple points around the frame.

Why the tilt position matters

The tilt position is what sets this window type apart from a standard casement. Because the opening is at the top of the sash, warm moist air rises and exits naturally while cooler fresh air enters below. This makes it highly effective for rooms where moisture builds up quickly, such as kitchens and bathrooms, where removing steam and humidity without a full draught is exactly what is needed.

It also addresses a common concern for families. In the tilt position, the opening is too narrow for a child or pet to climb through, and the sash remains held in place by the frame at the bottom edge. This provides peace of mind for parents with young children, particularly in upper-floor bedrooms, without relying on restrictors that can be overridden.

Rain is less likely to enter in the tilt position because the glass pane tilts inward from the top, creating a natural shield over the opening. In Ireland’s climate, where a passing shower can arrive without warning, this means you can leave windows ventilating without constantly checking the weather.

The turn position and easy cleaning

The full turn position swings the sash inward, giving access to the outside face of the glass from inside the room. For upper-floor windows, this removes the need for ladders, scaffolding, or reaching out of the opening to clean the exterior. It is a simple but significant practical advantage, especially for two-storey homes or windows above kitchen worktops and bathroom fittings where leaning out is difficult or unsafe.

Where tilt-and-turn works best

Tilt-and-turn suits almost any room, but it is particularly well matched to spaces where ventilation, safety, and ease of maintenance are priorities. Bedrooms benefit from secure night-time ventilation in the tilt position. Kitchens and bathrooms benefit from efficient moisture removal. Home offices benefit from controlled airflow without draughts across a desk. Upper-floor rooms benefit from the cleaning access the turn position provides.

Tilt-and-turn is available across Fairco’s Performance uPVC and OMNIA Flush ranges, in a wide selection of sizes, colours, and glazing configurations, including double and triple glazing. Every unit is fitted with multi-point locking and certified to PAS 24:2022 for enhanced security.

If you would like to see how tilt-and-turn works in practice, visit our showrooms where you can operate the mechanism yourself, or book a free consultation to discuss whether tilt-and-turn is the right choice for your home.

When homeowners think about upgrading windows and doors, the focus is usually on comfort, energy savings, or appearance. What is often underestimated is how much impact the upgrade has on the financial value of the property itself. From BER improvements that carry a measurable price premium to the immediate visual impression a home makes on a buyer, new windows and doors are one of the most effective ways to add value to an Irish home.

The BER effect

Research from the ESRI has consistently shown that each one-letter improvement in a home’s BER grade is associated with a 1 to 2% increase in sale price. Homes rated A or B can command a premium of up to 10% over comparable D-rated properties. For a home valued at €350,000, that represents a potential difference of €35,000 or more.

Windows and doors are one of the most visible inputs in the BER calculation. Replacing old single or early double glazing with modern high-performance units can shift a home’s rating by one or two full grades, particularly in older properties where the existing glazing is the weakest element in the building envelope. The improvement feeds directly into the energy performance of the home and shows up clearly on the certificate that every buyer now sees before making an offer.

Since February 2025, a valid BER certificate has also been required before mortgage funds are released, making it an unavoidable part of the sales process for both buyer and seller.

Kerb appeal

First impressions are formed in seconds, and windows and doors are among the first things a buyer notices. Faded, mismatched, or visibly aged windows signal deferred maintenance and suggest hidden costs. New, well-proportioned windows and a quality entrance door do the opposite. They signal a home that has been invested in and cared for.

This is not just an aesthetic point. Estate agents routinely report that homes with recently upgraded windows and doors attract more viewings, generate stronger interest, and sell faster. The visual upgrade is immediate and unmistakable, which is why it carries more weight with buyers than improvements that are hidden inside walls or under floors.

The range of finishes and styles available today means the upgrade can complement any property type. A period home benefits from sash windows that restore its original character. A contemporary property is elevated by the clean lines of OMNIA Flush or aluminium. A well-chosen entrance door can transform the front elevation entirely.

Buyer confidence

Beyond BER and appearance, new windows and doors give buyers confidence that they will not face a major expense in the first few years of ownership. Window replacement is one of the most significant upgrade costs a homeowner can face, and buyers factor this in when deciding what to offer. A home with recently installed, high-quality windows backed by a manufacturer’s guarantee removes that concern and strengthens the buyer’s willingness to pay the asking price.

Products certified to PAS 24:2022 also signal that the home meets the latest security standards, which is increasingly relevant to security-conscious buyers and to insurers.

An investment that works both ways

The value of a window and door upgrade is not only realised at the point of sale. While you live in the home, you benefit from lower energy bills, improved comfort, better security, and reduced maintenance. When you come to sell, the same upgrade supports a higher BER, stronger kerb appeal, and greater buyer confidence. Few home improvements deliver returns on both sides of the equation as clearly as this one.

If you are considering selling, remortgaging, or simply want to understand how a window upgrade could affect your home’s value, book a free consultation with the Fairco team. We can help you choose the right specification for your property and your goals.

Garden rooms, single-storey rear extensions, and open-plan kitchen-diners with large glazed openings have become one of the most popular home improvement projects in Ireland. The appeal is obvious: more space, more light, and a stronger connection between the home and the garden. But because these spaces typically have a high ratio of glass to wall area, the glazing specification has a bigger impact on comfort than in almost any other room. Get it right, and you have a bright, usable space all year round. Get it wrong, and you end up with a room that overheats in summer and loses heat rapidly in winter.

Balancing light and heat

The whole point of a garden room or glazed extension is to bring in natural light. Large windows, full-height glazing, and wide door openings all contribute to that goal. But glass lets heat in as well as light, and in a south or west-facing extension, solar gain during summer months can push internal temperatures well beyond comfortable levels, even on days that feel moderate outside.

Low-emissivity coatings on the glass help manage this. They allow visible light to pass through while reflecting a proportion of the sun’s infrared energy back out, reducing solar heat gain without darkening the room. The balance between light transmission and solar control is something that should be discussed at the specification stage, because it varies depending on orientation. A south-facing garden room needs more solar control than a north-facing one, and the glazing can be tailored accordingly.

Thermal performance in winter

The opposite challenge applies in colder months. A room with large glazed areas loses heat faster than a conventionally walled room if the glazing is not performing well. This is where U-values matter most. Triple glazing is particularly well-suited to garden rooms and extensions because it delivers lower U-values than double glazing, keeping the room warmer for longer without heavy reliance on the heating system.

Frame choice also plays a role. Aluminium frames with thermally broken profiles offer slim sightlines that maximise the glass area while still delivering strong insulation. OMNIA Flush provides a clean, contemporary uPVC alternative with U-values as low as 0.75 W/m²K in triple-glazed configurations. Both are well-suited to the large openings that define these spaces.

Choosing the right door type

The door connecting your extension or garden room to the garden is often the largest single-glazed element in the space, and it shapes how you use the room day to day.

Sliding doors are a popular choice where wall space is limited. They glide along a track without swinging into the room or the patio, making them practical for everyday use and effective at maximising the opening width. For wider openings where the goal is to fully open up the back of the house, bi-fold doors fold back in concertina panels to create an almost uninterrupted transition between inside and outside. French doors remain a strong choice for more traditional properties or smaller openings, offering a wide, clean access point with a classic appearance.

Whichever type you choose, low-threshold options improve accessibility and create a seamless floor-to-floor transition between the interior and the patio or decking outside.

Ventilation and overheating control

Good ventilation is essential in heavily glazed spaces. Tilt-and-turn windows allow controlled airflow from the top of the sash without fully opening the window, which is useful for maintaining background ventilation during warm weather. Positioning opening windows on opposite walls or adjacent elevations supports cross-ventilation, which is one of the most effective passive methods of cooling a room without mechanical systems.

For garden rooms used as home offices, studios, or living spaces, the ability to manage ventilation and temperature throughout the day is a practical priority, not just a comfort preference.

Planning it early

The best results come when the glazing specification is considered as part of the design process, not selected after the structure is built. Orientation, opening sizes, frame material, glazing type, and ventilation strategy all interact, and decisions made early in the project make it much easier to achieve a space that performs well in every season.

Fairco’s team works with homeowners, architects, and builders on extension and garden room projects across Dublin and beyond. Book a free consultation to discuss your project and find the right glazing specification for your space.

Most homeowners have heard of a BER rating. Many have one filed away somewhere with their property paperwork. But fewer understand what the certificate actually measures, how windows and doors influence the result, or why it now matters more than ever when it comes to grant eligibility. If you are thinking about upgrading your windows, your BER is worth understanding before you start.

What a BER rating tells you

A Building Energy Rating is an indicator of how much energy your home needs for heating, hot water, ventilation, and lighting. It is based on the building itself, the fabric of the walls, the quality of insulation, the type of heating system, and the performance of the windows and doors. It is not based on how you use the home or how many people live there. Ratings run from A1, the most efficient, down to G, the least. Most homes built before 2005 fall somewhere between C and F, depending on what upgrades have been carried out since construction.

Since 2009, a BER certificate has been mandatory for any property being sold or rented in Ireland. A registered SEAI BER assessor carries out the assessment, which typically takes one to two hours for a standard home. The assessor measures floor areas, wall thicknesses, insulation types, heating system details, and the condition and specification of every window and door in the property.

The Heat Loss Indicator

Alongside the BER rating itself, the assessment produces an Advisory Report containing a figure called the Heat Loss Indicator, or HLI. This measures how quickly heat escapes through the building envelope, expressed in W/K per square metre. A lower number means the building retains heat more effectively.

The HLI has become particularly important since the launch of the SEAI windows and doors grant in March 2026. To qualify for the standalone grant, your home must achieve an HLI of 2.3 W/K·m² or lower after the upgrade is completed, or the BER Advisory Report must rate both attic and wall insulation as “Good” or “Very Good”. This insulation requirement is the most common reason applications are refused. Understanding your HLI before you apply helps avoid that situation.

How windows affect your BER

Windows and doors are one of the key inputs in the BER calculation. The assessor records the type of glazing (single, double, or triple), the frame material, the U-value where available, and the overall condition of the units. Older single-glazed or early double-glazed windows with aluminium or degraded timber frames will pull the rating down significantly. Upgrading to modern high-performance units with low U-values, warm-edge spacer bars, and airtight installation can shift a home’s BER by one or two full grades.

In practical terms, moving from a D to a C or from a C to a B is not just a number on a certificate. It represents measurably lower energy consumption, reduced heating costs, and a more comfortable home. It also increases property value. Research consistently shows that homes with higher BER ratings sell for more and attract buyers faster.

Getting a BER before you upgrade

If you are considering a window upgrade, getting a BER assessment first is a practical starting point. The Advisory Report will tell you your current HLI, identify whether your insulation meets the grant threshold, and show you exactly where heat is being lost. This allows you to plan your upgrade with full visibility of the starting position and the likely impact of new windows and doors on the final rating.

SEAI offers a €50 grant towards the cost of a BER assessment, which typically costs between €150 and €300 depending on the size of the property. It is a modest investment that can save significant time and money by confirming your eligibility before you commit to a project.

Where Fairco fits in

Fairco’s windows and doors are engineered to deliver the thermal performance that supports meaningful BER improvements. Whether you are upgrading with double or triple glazing, choosing Performance uPVC, OMNIA Flush, or aluminium, every product is manufactured to deliver low U-values and airtight installation that contributes directly to a better energy rating.

If you would like to understand how a window upgrade could affect your BER and your eligibility for the SEAI grant, book a free consultation with the Fairco team.

Not every period home sits within a conservation area. Across Dublin and beyond, there are thousands of Victorian, Edwardian, and early twentieth-century properties that carry genuine architectural character but are not subject to the formal planning restrictions that apply to protected structures or architectural conservation areas. For homeowners in these properties, this creates a valuable opportunity: the freedom to choose heritage-style windows for aesthetic reasons alone, without the constraints of heritage consent or planning conditions.

Choosing character, not just compliance

In a conservation area, the window specification is often dictated by planning requirements. Proportions, materials, glazing bar patterns, and sash horn details may all be prescribed to preserve the streetscape. Outside those areas, the choice is entirely yours. You can select heritage-style windows because they suit the character of your home, not because a planning authority requires them.

This distinction matters because it opens up more flexibility in how the heritage look is achieved. Homeowners can choose the level of period detail that feels right for their property, from a faithful replication of the original joinery right down to run-through horns and slim meeting rails, to a simpler sash profile that captures the essence of the style without every traditional flourish.

Sash windows and the details that define them

The sliding sash window is the defining feature of most Irish period homes. Its vertical proportions, balanced movement, and slender sightlines give a building a sense of craft and permanence that standard casement windows cannot replicate. When done well, a modern sash window is almost indistinguishable from a traditional timber original, but without the ongoing maintenance that timber demands.

The details are what make the difference. Sash horns, for example, are the small projections at the bottom corners of the upper sash. Originally a structural reinforcement in Victorian joinery, they are now primarily a design feature, but one that immediately signals authenticity. Run-through horns, which are formed as a seamless extension of the frame stile, offer the most convincing appearance. Clip-on horns provide a more cost-effective alternative while still capturing the period silhouette. Ornate Seahorse-style horns suit Victorian properties with more decorative detailing, while a horn-free finish is appropriate for Georgian proportions where the original windows would not have featured them.

Other details that contribute to an authentic appearance include deep bottom rails, astragal glazing bars, slim meeting rails, and a natural woodgrain finish on the uPVC profile. Together, these elements create a window that respects the character of the building without requiring any of the maintenance associated with traditional timber.

Two ranges, one standard of quality

Fairco offers two distinct sash window options. The Heritage Sash range is designed for properties where the highest level of period accuracy is required. It features run-through horns with no visible cap or shadow line, an ultra-slim 35mm meeting rail, true end-sealed mechanical joints, and a profile that closely mirrors traditional timber joinery. It is the natural choice for conservation area projects, but it is equally suited to period homes outside those areas where the homeowner simply wants the best possible sash window.

For properties where a traditional look is desired but the full Heritage Sash specification is not essential, Fairco’s standard Sash range delivers the charm of a sliding sash with all the performance benefits of modern uPVC, including double glazing as standard, multi-point locking, tilt-in cleaning, and a choice of period-appropriate colours and finishes.

Performance behind the period look

Whichever range suits your property, the performance underneath is thoroughly modern. Both Fairco sash ranges deliver strong thermal insulation, advanced weather sealing, and PAS 24:2022 certified security. There is no trade-off between character and comfort. A well-specified sash window will keep your home warmer, quieter, and more secure than the timber original it replaces, while looking every bit as authentic from the street.

If you own a period home and want windows that honour its character without the constraints of a conservation area, book a free consultation with the Fairco team. We can help you choose the right level of heritage detail for your property and ensure the finished result looks as good as it performs.

Open-plan layouts have become a defining feature of modern Irish homes, whether in new builds or rear extensions to existing properties. The connection between kitchen, living, and garden spaces relies heavily on how the transition between indoors and outdoors is handled. Sliding doors, bi-fold doors, and large-format glazing are often the elements that make an open-plan design work, bringing in natural light, creating a sense of space, and providing direct access to patios, decks, and gardens.

Choosing the right door type

The right choice depends on the opening width, the available wall space, and how you want the door to operate day to day.

Sliding doors are ideal where wall space is limited. The panels glide along a track rather than swinging inward or outward, which means no floor area is lost to the door arc. They are well suited to kitchens and living rooms that open onto a patio or garden, and can accommodate wide openings with slim sightlines that maximise the glass area.

Bi-fold doors fold back in concertina panels, creating an almost fully open wall when the weather allows. They work best for wider openings where you want the option to remove the boundary between inside and outside entirely, ideal for entertaining or for homes where the garden is an extension of the living space.

French doors remain a popular choice for more traditional properties or smaller openings. They provide a wide, unobstructed access point and pair well with sidelights or fixed panels to increase the overall glazed area.

Light and spatial impact

The primary benefit of large-format glazing in an open-plan layout is natural light. A well-positioned sliding or bi-fold door can transform how a room feels, reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day and creating a visual connection to the garden that makes the interior feel significantly larger.

Fairco’s aluminium systems are particularly effective in this context. Their slim frame profiles allow for maximum glass area, which is important when the goal is to flood a space with light. For homeowners who prefer uPVC, the OMNIA Flush range offers a clean, contemporary aesthetic with strong thermal performance.

Thermal performance in large openings

A common concern with large glazed openings is heat loss. In Ireland’s climate, it is a legitimate consideration. However, modern sliding and bi-fold door systems are engineered to deliver strong thermal performance even at scale. Thermally broken aluminium frames, multi-chambered uPVC profiles, double or triple glazing with low-emissivity coatings, and precision-fitted seals all contribute to keeping U-values low and warmth where it belongs.

Fairco’s door systems are tested for air permeability, water tightness, and wind resistance, ensuring they perform in exposed and coastal locations as well as sheltered suburban settings. Combined with PAS 24:2022 certified security, large openings do not need to mean compromised performance or protection.

Making it work for your home

The best results come from early planning. Orientation, opening configuration, frame material, glazing specification, and threshold design all influence how a sliding or bi-fold door performs in practice. Fairco’s design team can advise on the right combination for your layout, your budget, and your priorities, whether you are building from scratch or adding a rear extension.

Book a free consultation to explore your options, or visit our showrooms to see sliding, bi-fold, and French door systems in person.