Homeshield

Homeshield is the market leader in manufacturing and installing conservatories in St Helens and surrounding areas providing quality conservatories at the best prices. We always use the best materials to ensure that your new conservatory looks elegant that will last for many years. Homeshield Upvc conservatory glazing is environmentally friendly because of the ‘A’ rated double glazing it is energy efficient meaning that you will not lose heat or energy through your windows and doors.

Having a Conservatory from Homeshield allows you to personalise your new conservatory and design it in accordance to your needs. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will assist you in each process designing the conservatory in the way you want it to look. Call us today for free, and check prices here.

Customised Conservatory Design
Homeshield always looks at the customers requirements as a high priority. We will customise the  design for your conservatory to suit you and your homes needs. We can assure you that your new conservatory will match up your property seamlessly. Think about adding decorative glazing and also look at our variety of colours or textures for PVCu frames.

Conservatory Styles
A Conservatory can come with different styles and colours. When you look at the glazing of your new conservatory, we have a wide selection of options from from plain glazing to textured or patterned double glazing.

Edwardian Conservatories
The Edwardian conservatory, which is also known as Georgian conservatory, is a classic conservatory design. Which has bold, straight lines and they are a very popular choice because the shape allows for so many possibilities.

Victorian Conservatories
The Victorian conservatory has become one of the most traditional and popular style of conservatories which people choose to have. You can choose from three or five facets. You also have the option to be able choose the number of facets, overall size, the dwarf wall height, style of doors and windows according to your requirements and needs.

Lean To Conservatories
The lean to conservatory is also know as a sun room it is a simple but popular design. The Lean-to conservatory can be used in any type of property but is an ideal conservatory for bungalows and  the lean to conservatory will certainly give you more interior space whilst also enhancing the appearance of the outside of your property.

Gable Conservatories
A gable end conservatory gives the impression of a lot of space this is due to the height of the the conservatory because of the pitched roof . The Gable ended conservatory does not require any guttering. The shape of the gable ended conservatory resembles that of the square shape of the Edwardian conservatory.

P Shape Conservatories
A P-Shape or T-shape conservatory is a conservatory which is combination of a  Victorian or Edwardian conservatory with Lean-to conservatory. They are called P-Shaped and T-shaped conservatories because when viewed from above the shape looks like the  letter P or T. The size of  a P shape or T shape conservatory means that you can gain the space of two new rooms.

With underfloor heating it can not be seen it can only be felt you will have a small controller fitted to the wall by which you can control the temperature and timing of which the underfloor heating is on. However it will not heat your conservatory it is purely a background heat, it will heat the floor tiles of your conservatory and take any chill out of the conservatory which from cold if can take up to 4 hours to get warm.

Another way to heat your conservatory is to use a wall mounted convector heater which are easy to operate and will provide a warm room  within 15 minutes, although they do take up some wall space.

Oil Filled Electric Radiators are another option these come in various sizes and shapes and some are portable too. Simply plug  the radiator in and wait for it to heat up the oil once the oil has been warmed up the electricity is cut  off and the oil retains the heat for a long time

Halogen Heaters generate a radiant heat in a similar to the way the sun, which makes it very useful in a conservatory. The warm glow should be a deterrent for children not to touch it and if it gets knocked over the units generally turn themselves off as a safety feature. They are usually light weight and are very popular among elderly people.

The grand opening day – your handed the keys to your new conservatory by Homeshield, and you’ve got the furniture all ready to move in.

Or maybe you just looking at the Homeshield website thinking about adding a conservatory to your home? Your neighbours have got one and they’re in it all the time – having parties, family gatherings, dining, morning coffee’s etc.

Which ever your situation you have probably forgotten one important thing.

The Insurance.

We recommend that you check your home insurance regards to a conservatory you need to make sure that your new conservatory is fully covered in the event of something awful happening as well as contents insurance too. You may have to consider increasing your cover.

If your intending for your new conservatory to be  your office the contents insurance is of particular importance because your computer may be on show.

Your Conservatory is an expensive item – it is an investment in your home that will last many years, giving you  enjoyment and usefulness. It makes sense to make sure they’re fully covered in the event something should happen it also gives you peace of mind too.

Its the day of your double glazing installation whilst we here at Homeshield do our best not to cause too much disruption to you and your home. Here at Homeshield we always bring dust sheets to help protect carpets and other flooring and also your furniture. Some tips before we arrive to help save time would be:

Clear the area i.e. window sills or a room if you are having new French doors that require a wall to be taken out if you put any furniture and ornaments away safely perhaps in a box in another room wrapped in bubble wrap or newspaper. Also clear any curtains and blinds from the area and also move any furniture a safe distance away and cover it to avoid it being covered in dust.

As we have said we do provide dust sheets but if you would like to you can put extra dust sheets down the more layers the better.

Don’t worry about any cables e.g phone or TV we will reroute any cables for you so you do not need to worry about this.

With regards to the outside of your property if you are able to do so please clear any planters and garden ornaments out of the way if this is a problem we will move these for you.

If you have any pets you may want to consider putting them out of the way as we do make a noise with drilling and can cause the animals some distress a little like bonfire night  so its best  for our furry friends if they are as far away from the work as possible.

Double glazed window technology has developed at a rapid pace in recent times with more and more people looking at  environmental issues and security issues. Replacement double glazing is a low cot investment with many benefits.

When you invest in having Double glazing it will save you roughly a quarter of your heating bills which could be hundreds of pounds a year. A home with single glazing is likely to lose two thirds of its heat through their windows. Where as double glazed windows will reduce this heat loss considerably. This is a major issue with home buyers so it will add value to your property.

A major issue with old wooden single glazed windows is the security of them as inadequate locks are used that burglars can easily get past to break in to your home. Homeshield Double glazed windows benefit from multi locking systems as standard. Also the the glass we use for the double glazing is toughened glass which is also a deterrent  to burglars meaning Homeshield double glazing is the best way to secure your home.

Double glazing is also the best way to give your home an instant makeover and give its appearance a modern and updated look. Here at home shield we have the latest frame designs – that can add a touch of class to your property, as well as increasing its value. We can offer you a good variety of styles, from diamond and square lead patterns, to coloured glass and bevel effects. Homeshield frame finishes include white, rosewood and wood grain, and don’t forget it’s not just square windows you can get – We can do Upvc panel doors, French doors and patio doors to match your new upvc windows. Replacement windows and doors are a great way to complement other home improvement work you’re doing.

It is a well known fact that double glazed windows can also help reduce outside noise coming in through your windows. A double glazed window will give your home a peaceful environment if you live near a busy road, train line  or airport. You will notice a huge difference and the double glazing will filter out a lot of the outdoor noise so you will not have to suffer from noise pollution any longer.
A handy feature of Upvc double glazing is the low maintenance that comes with pvcU double glazed windows and doors as you know uPVC will not rot or discolour and the frame will never need painting unlike old and also new wooden windows.

Here at Homeshield we know that a new conservatory is a huge decision to make it is similar to buying a new car you need to know what you want the conservatory for, where you want the conservatory building, consider what colours you want the uPVC to be and also what your budget is for the conservatory. What will make a difference to the style, size and design of the conservatory is what the conservatory will be used for.

If your thinking of using your new conservatory as a dining room you will want to be able to position your dining table and chairs in a way that will allow you to enjoy your garden while you enjoy your meals and allow you to walk around the conservatory comfortably.

Conservatories suitable for a dining room ideally should be wide enough to enable you to position a table across the conservatory so you can arrange the chairs to look into the garden and allow room to walk around the conservatory. What you are best to do is place timber pegs and mark out the conservatory out with string and place your furniture I.e the dining table and chairs with in this area and actually sit to see what the view is like to make sure you are happy with the conservatories position. You can also decide where you would like the French doors and also how high you want the dwarf wall to be. The most popular conservatory style for  a dining room is the Victorian conservatory the shape and style of which lends itself for a dining area.

The good thing about a conservatory is that it can cover a wide range of uses one of which is a play room. Giving your children a room that is bright light and warm to play within. A popular choice for a play room is the lean to / sun room style as it blends into most properties and allows you to make the most of the space it provides. A good typical example lean-to conservatory that would be an ideal size would be 300cm x 300cm x 2.5cm with a polycarbonate roof which will stop any harmful UV rays getting to your children as they play. If you have a dwarf wall you could then put storage cupboards around the edge of the conservatory to accommodate all the toys a set of French doors would allow you to allow a safe and convenient way to access the garden. The polycarbonate roof would also keep the lean- to conservatory nice and cool during the summer. You could also fit a wall heater to the wall for around £100 that would heat the lean to conservatory during the autumn, winter and spring months. To allow your children to enjoy the lean to conservatory play room all year round.

If you own a large home  you will want a conservatory that looks part of your property you will also need to consult a company like home shield that is able to design and build a conservatory to suit your needs. Whilst budget is an issue you do not want to employ a company that has no experience in building a large conservatory installing a 3 metre by 3 metre conservatory is completely different 8metre by 5 metre conservatory without the experience of Homeshield  the other companies would not give you a professional installation they may  make mistakes and cut corners. We have a renowned reputation for specialising and installing a variety of conservatories in various shapes and sizes. Larger properties tend to suit having an Edwardian or Gabled ended conservatory.
The specification of your new conservatory is endless speak to a Homeshield designer about underfloor heating or a modern lighting system to help with setting the mood within the conservatory you may also want self cleaning glass or blinds the list is endless but here at Homeshield we can give you a conservatory of your dreams no matter what the size or style your new conservatory will quickly become your favourite room in you home that you can enjoy the whole year through for many years to come.

Planning permission

In England and Wales planning permission is not generally required any more for a conservatory  (which is 50-70 cubic metres, depending on where you live).

Exceptions to this however include listed buildings and conservation areas. You will also need planning permission if you have added to your property i.e. an extension as you may have used up your allocated space it is always best to check for peace of mind.

Building Regulations

In General conservatories/sunrooms on a home are exempted from Building Regulations. (in England and Wales)
Below are some of the Exemption Criteria – under the Building Regulations 1991. These criteria must be met for a conservatory extension to be classified as exempt from building regulations (however always check to be sure):
a)     The extension has a completely transparent or translucent roof.
b)     The extension walls are substantially glazed. (Should not have more than 25 % of its wall area as brickwork)
c)     The extension has a floor area not exceeding 30m squared.
d)     The extension is sited at ground level.
e)     The extension is permanently separated from the remainder of the property by means of a door.
f)     Any radiator within the conservatory is controllable. (If fixed heating installations are proposed, they should have their own separate temperature and on/off controls).
g)     The glazing satisfies the requirements of part N, Schedule 1 (toughened/safety glass).
h)     The extension does not contain any drainage facilities (i.e. sink, WC, or washing machine).

TIP 1
Marking out the area of your new conservatory manually at the design stage will help give you a rough idea on the scale and how it will effect your home and garden  Try to mark it out as accurately as possible. Some string and a few stakes will be good enough. If you like Homeshield can do this for you to help out at every stage.

TIP 2
Do not go for the cheapest quote. Ask your self why is it so cheap what corners are they cutting. Here at Homeshield we pride ourselves on giving our customers the best products that will last for many years to come  at a fair price that fits their budget.

TIP 3
When you are thinking of the conservatory think about the materials that are being used i.e. do you want a dwarf wall? If you do you will want matching brickwork we can source these bricks for you.  Also you need to think about how many openings you want in your conservatory. You may want to consider glass roofs, Pilkington “K” glass (Low E) etc. instead of polycarbonate roof.

TIP 4
A Good tip for when you go on holiday be sure that you have adequate shading and ventilation in your conservatory i.e. blinds to help keep your house plants alive and don’t forget to ask a neighbour to water them for you.

TIP 5
Inform your home insurers of your new conservatory / sun room. They can arrange your home insurance to cover a complete rebuild as soon as the conservatory is erected to give you peace of mind.

TIP 6
When we liaise with you about your new conservatory we will advise you however it is your choice but try not to design a conservatory with a door on the front of it as it creates a corridor effect and cause you problems with your furniture placement. It is best to have your door to the side thus making the most of the new space that is created.

TIP 7
With regards to planning permission it is always best to check with your local authority most of the time planning permission is not needed but it is best to check before hand.

TIP 8
A conservatory should not be an add on to your home. At Homeshield we try to help you  in the design and style of your conservatory to match your your home by matching the brickwork or render and also the style of your home i.e. Victorian, Edwardian etc. Our aim is to make the conservatory to look and feel as if it is part of your home and that its always been there.

TIP 9
If you are planning a particularly large project it is a  good idea to have your own plans/drawings produced for you by an architect/drafts person. Although it will be an additional cost, from our experience it will save you time and perhaps even money with this method. Here at Homeshield we will do our best to help at every stage of the installation.

TIP 10
Some thing extra you may want to do that is really enjoyed by children and captures their imagination is a TIME CAPSULE. All you need is a water and rot proof container to which you can put what ever information you wish into  i.e. some newspaper clippings, photos a letter from the children may be some drawing the children have done. It allows the the children to be part of what you are doing and can be a special occasion when you as a family place the capsule within the footings or in the wall cavity so that perhaps one day somebody else will find this time capsule in the future.

Yes you can many people have conservatories over manhole covers so you don’t need to move it. You do however need to place a double sealed manhole cover to stop any odour. However please note be prepared for any inconvenience in the future if you or your neighbours need to access the manhole you will need to allow them to do this. This would mean taking up the carpet/tiles and floorboards hence the inconvenience to your home. You do not need planning permission however you will need building regulation approval if you decide you do wish to move the manhole. You would also be best to check local bylaws and restrictions in your property deeds.

Both toughened glass and laminated glass are safety glass. It is a misconception that toughened glass is a stronger glass what would best describe toughened glass is safety glass. Although it is harder to break but it is not unbreakable, The reason its classed as safety glass is because if it does break it breaks into small shards which would give some small cuts and scratches. Whereas when normal glass breaks it shatters into larger pieces which are more likely to cause a lot more harm.

When laminated glass is hit with some force it will only crack and unlikely to smash. This has its pro’s and con’s because on the plus side it is very good for security and because it is 6.4mm thick it is the thicker option therefore a good insulator. The downside to laminated glass is that because it is so hard to smash it could be dangerous trying to escape in the result of a fire and because it is thicker it is heavier and therefore causes more wear and tear to the hinges and hardware when opening and closing your windows. It all depends on what you as a customer are looking for here at Homeshield we will build a conservatory to your requirements.