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How to soundproof your home from stressful urban noise

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How to soundproof your home from stressful urban noise

From the roar of traffic to the rattle of the Luas, there is no doubt life is getting noisier for those living in urban areas.

More than just a nuisance, noise can become a considerable source of stress, particularly if you live close to a motorway, busy road, tramline or other source of constant background din.

Fortunately, there is a solution that doesn’t involve moving house: acoustic glass.

According to windows expert Jim Toal of Fairco Windows and Doors, acoustic glass dials down the volume outdoors so those indoors can enjoy peace and quiet.

“Acoustic glass is the equivalent of moving the road 28 meters further away from your home. Even if you live beside a busy thoroughfare, you won’t hear the traffic at all,” said Jim.

For those who want to understand the science behind using glass to reduce the racket, acoustic glass consists of two or more panes of glass bonded together with one or more acoustic interlayers.

Depending on your needs and budget, the experts can either greatly reduce or even totally remove background noise from your home environment.

“By varying the thickness of the sheets of glass, different levels of sound insulation can be achieved,” said Jim.

“For ultimate sound proofing in a home setting we recommend laminated glass. This is where two panes of glass are used with a layer of plastic in the middle. The thicker the plastic laminate layer, the more sound will be deflected,” he explained.

The window expert says for serious noise reduction double glazing is not enough.

“It will help to some degree, but as sound operates in waves, to really make a difference you need acoustic glass. Its variations in glass thickness and interlayers are scientifically calculated to disrupt how sound frequencies operate.”

For those seeking the quiet life the good news is the cost of sound proofing your home need not break the bank and acoustic glass can be retro fitted to existing window frames.

“Ideally acoustic glass is best installed when people are getting new windows, but it can be fitted in existing window frames.

“Sound proofing is also more pocket friendly than people think as specifications vary from very high to more moderate. We work with people based on their needs and budgets to achieve the best possible result.”

And it is not only the roar of traffic that you may want to eliminate from your domestic life.

“We recently had a customer living close to a football stadium where matches are played regularly. They couldn’t believe the difference after we installed acoustic glass, the noise levels have been dramatically reduced and now they have no idea who’s scored.” said Jim.

Trust the experts to transform your home. Find out more at Fairco.ie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7 things you should know about sash windows

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7 things you should know about sash windows

 

Nothing adds character to a home quite like a sash window.

Traditional sash windows are a beautiful addition to any building but, unfortunately, age and lack of proper maintenance can see them lose their charm.

The good news is, no matter what the problems are – you don’t need to give up on your sash windows just yet.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about renovating sash windows.

 

1. Ventilation

Sash windows contain a free and noiseless air conditioning system by design.

With both the top and bottom sashes sitting open, cool air will be drawn in through the bottom while warm air will circulate out the top of the window.

This simple system will effectively cool your home during the summer months and is efficient for airing out rooms at any time of the year.

2. Counterbalance

The working system of a sash window is not visible, so it is easy to miss its genius.

A cord connects the sash to a weight hanging in a hidden chamber within the frame of the window.

The weight moves up and down the chamber, and keeps the window sitting in position when open.

This system ensures that the window will never drop closed of its own accord.

3. Double glazing

When it comes to sash windows, it is easy to assume that you must choose between preserving original fittings and the heat retentive benefits of modern windows.

In reality, sash windows can be sympathetically fitted with double glazing while retaining the features of the original window, meaning that you can enjoy insulation while preserving the original features of your home.

4. Compliance

Industry experts can help you to be navigate building regulations and requirements when you replace your windows.

These can be ensuring the correct level of insulation is met and the windows are safe and correctly fitted.

To guarantee compliance with all household insurance requirements, make sure that all of the windows that are accessible from the outside are fitted with key operated locks on both sides of the window

Opening restrictors, which restrict the ability of children to open windows, can also be fitted to comply with new legislation.

5. Installation

Installation is a far easier process than you might imagine.

99% of all sash windows are installed from inside the property, meaning that most installations will not require scaffolding.

6. Draught proofing

Draught proofing your sash windows makes for a warmer, cosier home as well as a significant reduction in heating bills.

Draughts are mainly caused by badly aligned sashes and a lack of compression between the sashes, both of which can be easily addressed by experts.

Even if sash windows are draughty or rattling, they can be returned to all their former glory and even improved upon.

One sash window can also be totally draught proofed in about four hours.

7. Built to last.

Historically, sash windows were made to last for generations.

With a little effort and expertise, even those that look beyond repair can be returned to their former glory.

Woodwork will rot over time, but the rotten timber can be removed and replaced in profiles that are the exact replica of the original.

Frayed cords are also replaced so the sashes can operate smoothly.

It just takes a little care and attention from skilled craftspeople to bring life back to a sash window.

You can trust Fairco’s expert restorers to be mindful of maintaining the beauty of traditional sash windows while bringing them up to modern standards.

If you would like to find out more about restoring your sash windows, visit fairco.ie

 

 

Fairco Windows Prevent Day Time Burglary

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Fairco Windows Prevent Day Time Burglary

 

fairco windows

Fairco Windows are known to stand the test of time, but earlier this week our windows were put through their toughest test of all, an attempted burglary.

We recently received a phonecall of thanks from some Fairco customers, an elderly couple from Dublin, who were recent victims to a daytime intrusion in their home.

On Saturday, November 10th, at around 2pm, the burglar attempted to enter the property while the woman of the house was still at home going about her afternoon business.

Clearly experienced, the thief tried a number of schemes to enter through the windows, including forcing a screwdriver between the opening sash and the window frame. He was able to get purchase and tried to lever the window open.

However, due to the unique locking system which is exclusive to Fairco Windows, the burglar could not generate enough force to pry the window open. It takes approximately 6kN of force to pry a Fairco window open. A human being cannot generate 6kN of force therefore the window wouldn’t open.

The burglar fled the property empty-handed and no damage was done to the house. The couple included in their phonecall  words of thanks and relief at the strength and durability of their Fairco windows.

Here at Fairco, we use a combination of locks including a unique bear-grip locking system coupled with hinge-claws, which allows no weak point on the opening sash.

To find out more about what Fairco can do for your home safety, visit one of our permanent display showrooms at Santry, Terenure or Howth Junction. You can also call us on 01 816 5080, and get your free, no-obligation quote. We do not believe in a “one-size fits all” solution, that’s why we give each enquiry a personal assessment free of charge.

 

House warming – the clever way to better window glazing

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House warming – the clever way to better window glazing

When it comes to making your home warmer this winter, if double glazed windows are good, then triple glazed ones must be better?

The surprising opinion from the experts at Fairco Windows and Doors is no, not necessarily.

In fact, according to Fairco’s Jim Toal who has over 30 years experience in the trade, it takes a thoughtful mix of both double and triple glazing to get the best heat value from your windows.

“The trick is to maximise the amount of solar gain – that is the free heat from sunshine on the window which modern glazing technology will release into your home,” said Jim.

“People may not be aware but if you put triple-glazing in south or west-facing windows, you will lose solar gain and the extra money you spend won’t gain you any extra heat.”

Now for the science bit. The international standard that measures the insulation performance of windows is called the U-value.

The lower the number the better their U-value, and traditional one-pane windows have a U-value in excess of five.

Thanks to improvements in windows technology, any double-glaze windows you install today will have a U-value of no worse than 1.6 and at Fairco they work to a U-value standard of 1.2.

“Double-glazing has made amazing progress in the past five years and double-glazed windows are now capable of being net heat contributors to your home,” said Jim.

“Replacing single-glazing or old double glazing, with new, is simply a no-brainer.

Triple-glazed windows, on the other hand, may not always be worth the investment.

“They are ideal for north-facing windows which get almost no direct winter sun and are usually net losers of energy.

“On the other hand, triple-glazed windows in sunlit south or west-facing rooms will reduce heat absorption and by adding extra weight, increase the strain on hinges.”

The Scandinavians with their very cold winters have led the way in improved window technology and triple-glazing is their ideal choice.

However what works for them doesn’t necessarily work for us.

“In Scandinavia the winter air is cold and dry, while Ireland has a damp, wet and windy climate with a high level of humidity.

“With the wind lashing the windows, an Irish home at six Celsius outside can feel colder than a Scandinavian home where the outside temperature is minus 10,” said Jim.

While that sounds rather chilly the good news is that by combining good insulation with Fairco’s clever use of glazing you can now get a warm and comfortable home with A-rated energy efficiency.

Ireland's first frameless windows bring a wall of light to homes

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Ireland’s first frameless windows bring a wall of light to homes

 

Ireland’s first frameless windows and doors look set to bring a wall of light to Irish homes and revolutionise the residential market.

Lumi by Fairco is a complete range of customisable, matching frameless windows and bi–folding, patio and residential doors which were voted the industry’s new product of the year.

With their completely flat, uninterrupted profile, these radically-styled windows increase the amount of light flooding into homes.

With their completely flat, uninterrupted profile, Lumi windows increase light in your home.
With their completely flat, uninterrupted profile, Lumi windows increase light in your home.

Hidden under the ceramic colour lies the secret to Lumi’s strength – energy efficient triple glazing that has been structurally bonded to an internal core of high strength, glass-fibre reinforced profiles.

This intelligent piece of engineering is the first of its kind on the market, bringing all the design benefits of frameless glazing with all the strength, security and internal styling of more traditional windows and doors.

“The Lumi system is a radical new approach for residential windows and doors, which the judges at the G Awards in the UK recently described as a product that truly reinvents the window,” said Fairco Windows and Doors Managing Director Jim Toal.

“The product has already received widespread acclaim from homeowners and architects through several outings at events such as Grand Designs.

“The complete Lumi system means that anyone can have a combination of windows, doors and bifolds that are an exact match, not just a close approximation as in many other cases.

“Lumi has been specially developed for our weather conditions. Available in six different finishes, all colours are protected from the elements reducing the possibility of fading over time.

“Plus, having no external frames means that maintenance and cleaning are every bit as minimal as the styling.”

Lumi by Fairco has been designed to conserve energy and withstand even the most extremes of weather.

With a state of the art 50mm insulated triple glazed unit, an 80mm draught free double rebate system with a double gasket seal as standard, Lumi by Fairco windows are among the most energy efficient on the market.

The Lumi window brake lock system from Winkhaus allows the window to be locked into any opening position simply by using the window’s handle – adding an extra dimension to Fairco’s already high-end security fittings as standard.