Most people who contact us have already half-decided what they want. Usually it’s a good idea, but there are often a few details they haven’t thought about yet. This is the advice we give on the phone, written down.
Patio awnings installation in Derby
An awning won’t fix the British weather, but it does stretch the garden season. Shade on a hot July afternoon is the obvious benefit. Plenty of people don’t realise it also helps indoors. Keep the sun off the glass and the room behind it doesn’t turn into a greenhouse.
Honestly, it mostly comes down to which way the garden faces. Get plenty of afternoon sun? An awning will earn its keep fast. North-facing, and you may be better off spending the money elsewhere. We’ll say so if that’s the case.
The wall also matters. Brick, render, and timber cladding all take fixings differently, and a bad fixing is how awnings end up sagging after one windy winter. That’s why we survey the wall before we talk fabric colours. Retractable awnings on ordinary houses rarely need planning permission, but listed buildings and conservation areas are a different story. Check with Derby City Council if you’re unsure. More on how we fit them is on our patio awnings installation in Derby page.
Patio doors in Derby
The patio door is normally the biggest opening in your house, which is why skimping on it tends to backfire. You pay for the cheap set once at the shop, then again every winter on the heating bill.
Sliding doors work well where space is tight, since nothing swings into the room. Bi-folds open the whole wall up, which is great in summer, though you get more frames and more moving parts to look after. French doors have that traditional look and usually cost less, but you do need space for them to open.
Whatever style you go for, ask about the glazing’s U-value, the locks and the threshold. The threshold sounds like a small thing until you’re pushing a pushchair over it every day, or using a walking frame. Replacement doors also have to meet Building Regulations, so check the fitter is registered or can certify the work. You’ll want that paperwork if you ever sell.
Frameless glass balustrade in Derby
Got a view you don’t want to lose? Frameless glass is usually the answer. A terrace, balcony, raised deck or staircase looks far better without posts and rails chopping up the garden.
Safety comes first, mind. On domestic balconies and raised platforms, guarding generally needs to be 1,100mm high, with 900mm being typical on stairs. Approved Document K sets this out, and your project may have its own requirements. The glass itself must be toughened and often laminated too. How it’s fixed (channel, spigots or standoffs) depends on what it’s going into. Bolting good glass to a weak surface is a common and avoidable mistake.
On upkeep, you’ll need a bucket of warm water and a squeegee. No repainting, no rust. Have a look at our frameless glass balustrade Derby page for the details.
Toughened glass shop front doors
Walk down any high street and you’ll notice it: people make up their mind about a shop, café or salon before they’ve set foot inside. A clear toughened glass door tells them you’re open, clean and confident.
Toughened glass is heated, then cooled very fast, and that process makes it around four to five times stronger than ordinary glass. When it does break, you get small, blunt pieces instead of long sharp shards, which is why it’s the standard choice for doors people walk through all day. The catch is that you can’t cut or drill it afterwards, so the measurements must be exactly right before it’s made. We measure twice, and then again.
Think about footfall too. A busy city centre unit needs heavier hinges and closers than a quiet studio with a handful of appointments a day.
Quick answers
Do I need permission for an awning? Probably not on a standard house. Listed buildings and conservation areas are the exception, and shop awnings may need advertisement consent.
Is a frameless balustrade safe with children? Yes, with the correct glass thickness and fixings.
How long does fitting take? Awnings and doors are normally a day or two. Balustrades depend on length.
Can toughened glass be altered on site? No. It’s made to size.
Next step
Whatever you’re planning, ask for a proper survey and a fixed quote in writing. If a price seems vague, it usually is.
Get in touch with Derby Shutters Stop with your measurements and budget, and we’ll tell you what we’d do in your place, even when that’s simpler than what you asked for.
