IMPROVE Magazine · Features & advice
CONSUMER ADVICE
Reliable help and advice for home improvements.
Reliable consumer advice for homeowners investing in extensions and improvements.
Latest from Improve
A homeowner’s guide to planning permission vs permitted development
Considering a major renovation, an extension or a loft conversion? Understand the key planning considerations.
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CONSUMER ADVICE · 5 Dec 2025
Christmas Is COMING
Christmas Is Coming: Is Winter the Right Time for Home Improvements? As Christmas approaches and the pace of the year begins to quicken, many homeowners assume that major home improvement projects must wait until spring. But winter—especially the weeks leading up to the festive season—can be an exce
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CONSUMER ADVICE · 5 Dec 2025
Bounce in Homebuyer Activity BOOSTS Christmas
Post-Budget Bounce in Homebuyer Activity to Boost Christmas Market Momentum The latest research by eXp UK has revealed that the market could be set for a festive surge in homebuyer activity now that the Autumn Budget dust has settled, with the vast majority of prospective buyers preparing to resume
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CONSUMER ADVICE · 5 Dec 2025
A Homeowner’s GUIDE
Planning Permission vs Permitted Development: A Homeowner’s Guide Are you considering a major renovation at home? Perhaps you're looking to increase your living space and weighing up the pros and cons of an extension? Or perhaps you're looking to convert your loft so that you can use it as an additi
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CONSUMER ADVICE · 1 Oct 2024
Make A Career In GLASS And GLAZING
The Fenestration, Glass and Glazing Industry is a great place to make a career. Whether you are a school or college leaver, or someone looking for a career change, with over 120 distinct roles to choose from covering eleven career families, the industry is sure to have something for you.Once you’re
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CONSUMER ADVICE · 20 Jun 2024
The Benefits Of u3a
The Benefits Of Joining u3a It is amazing to learn that even after it was founded 42 years ago, many people have not heard of u3a or know exactly what it is. But through u3a over 400,000 people are exploring new experiences and continually learning – positive ageing in action! The u3a movement encou
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CONSUMER ADVICE · 5 Jun 2024
Make It In PROPERTY
From council house to Spanish mansions, YOU CAN MAKE IT IN PROPERTY TOO! Hugely successful entrepreneur, investor, mentor and international speaker Liam Ryan, co-founder of Assets For Life – the UK’s leading property and business training academy – chats with Angela Sara West about his prolific prop
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CONSUMER ADVICE · 26 Feb 2024
A TRULY Co-ordinated Look
ACHIEVE A TRULY CO-ORDINATED LOOK WITH V33 RENOVATION MULTI-SURFACE PAINT Using several paint colours in your home is fine if you’re confident about what goes with what. But if, like many people, you fancy a streamlined look with a focus on one particular shade, how then do you go about tackling lot
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CONSUMER ADVICE · 29 Nov 2023
Fenestration, Glass & Glazing
50 CAREERS IN ONE DAYHaving announced its intention to launch a series of bespoke industry careers fairs in 2024, Building Our Skills – Making Fenestration, Glass and Glazing a Career of Choice has now formally launched its ‘Career Families’ to help students understand the many career options open t
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CONSUMER ADVICE · EXTENDING YOUR HOME · 22 Nov 2023
The Struggle To Find TRADESPEOPLE
One in five Brits halting home improvements as they struggle to find tradespeople, The Residence Collection reveals4 September 2023: Following increased mortgage and interest rates in the UK, the housing market is under pressure. UK inflation has also hit Brits hard, with consumer prices reaching th
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CONSUMER ADVICE · 14 Sept 2023
Careers, Raising Standards And Training
Fenestration, Glass and Glazing – 50 Careers in one day Having announced its intention to launch a series of bespoke industry careers fairs in 2024, Building Our Skills – Making Fenestration, Glass and Glazing a Career of Choice has garnered backing from an impressive array of industry supporters. L
Read story →CONSUMER ADVICE · 19 Jun 2023
Demand For HIGH-QUALITY Windows Revealed
The Residence Collection reveals demand for high-quality windows among homeowners 19 June 2023: After a few years of turbulence in the British housing market homeowners are still looking to make their next move, and new research conducted by premium window and door designer, The Residence Collection
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CONSUMER ADVICE · 31 May 2023
Home Finance ACCELERATOR
Parity Projects & Partners awarded Green Home Finance Accelerator funding to empower homeowners to retrofit homes Leading expert in the domestic housing retrofit sector, Parity Projects is delighted to announce they have successfully secured funding from the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP) spec
Read story →CONSUMER ADVICE · 16 May 2023
WOMEN In Industry
LEVEL 3 NVQ FOR ELENA GQA Qualifications and its approved centre, Absolute Training Solutions are lauding the achievements of Elena Rezmerita, a 42 year old London based Quality Assurance Manager, having supported her in the attainment of a Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Work Supervision. Comme
Read story →CONSUMER ADVICE · 16 May 2023
Making Fenestration A CAREER OF CHOICE
Do you know everything you need to know about apprenticeships? Addressing the industry’s skills gap has always been one of the core objectives of Building Our Skills – Making Fenestration, Glass and Glazing a Career of Choice. The campaign acknowledges the role of apprenticeships in helping to reali
Read story →CONSUMER ADVICE · 16 May 2023
INSPIRING the Future
Building Our Skills Applauds Kubu ApprenticePart of our Inspiring The Future series A key driver of Building Our Skills – Making Fenestration, Glass and Glazing a Career of Choice is to promote the breadth of career opportunities offered by the industry. The organisation strongly backs apprenticeshi
Read story →CONSUMER ADVICE · 16 May 2023
CHIMNEY SWEEP Qualifications
GQA becomes awarding body for Chimney Sweep Qualifications GQA has recently launched three new NVQ Qualifications for people in the Chimney Sweeping industry. It might seem like an ancient industry to many people, but you’d be surprised at how many people still work in the industry, and how many peo
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CONSUMER ADVICE · 5 Oct 2022
Protect Your WINDOWS This Winter
Expert Tips On How To Protect Your Windows This Winter With temperatures dropping across the UK in recent days, now is the time to take action if we want to protect our homes again this winter. Just like you’d prepare your garden, roof and interior appliances such as a boiler, ready for the cold wea
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CONSUMER ADVICE · 3 Oct 2022
On The Starting GRID
Away From The Fenestration, Glass And Glazing Industry, GQA CEO Mick Clayton Gets On The Starting Grid GQA Qualifications recently answered a rallying call from AutoRaise, a vehicle repair industry charity. Mick Clayton, CEO of the awarding and qualifications-writing organisation teamed up with Crai
Read story →CONSUMER ADVICE · 3 Oct 2022
Breaking NEWS
Breaking News Following the recent statement by CSCS related to the issuing of free Apprentice Cards (see Construction Skills Certification Scheme | Official CSCS Website – Supporting apprentices with free CSCS cards), GQA has considered the rationale for this and has made the decision to support th
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CONSUMER ADVICE · 3 Oct 2022
Nobody Left BEHIND
GQA Helping Youngsters Through The ‘Nobody Left Behind’ Initiative GQA Qualifications is lending its support to a progressive and life-changing initiative for young people called ‘Nobody Left Behind.’ The scheme combines community sports programmes with construction-related training and qualificatio
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CONSUMER ADVICE · 3 Oct 2022
GQA Technical Team VOLUNTEER
GQA Technical Team Volunteer To Take The Fenestration, Glass And Glazing Industry To The Education Sector Building Our Skills – Making Fenestration, Glass and Glazing a Career of Choice has received a further boost to its campaign to the take the industry to the education sector as the starting poin
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ARCHITECTURAL GLAZING · CONSUMER ADVICE · 28 Sept 2022
Get the Most from Your WINDOWS
Get the Most from Your Windows All Year Round The Importance of Energy Efficient Homes.Spiralling energy prices are hitting many households in the pocket, whilst climate change is resulting in hotter drier summers with more frequent and intense weather extremes predicted. The importance of running a
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CONSUMER ADVICE · 6 Jul 2022
NOBODY LEFT BEHIND
GQA In Partnership With ‘Nobody Left Behind’initiative GQA Qualifications, the awarding and qualifications-writing organisation is lending its support to a progressive and life-changing initiative for young people called ‘Nobody Left Behind’. The scheme combines community sports programmes with cons
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CONSUMER ADVICE · 30 Jun 2022
The Dislikes Of GARDENING
They Dislike The Most About Gardening Over the past 90 days searches[1] for ‘local gardening services’ (160%) and ‘gardeners near me’ (150%) have seen a notable increase. As the weather starts to improve, and with BBQ’s and garden parties just around the corner, the nation is scrambling to get their
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CONSUMER ADVICE · 30 Jun 2022
LIGHT A Shaded Garden
How To Light A Shaded Garden How to light a shaded garden Nine in ten (91%) Brits with a south-facing garden are happy with the amount of light their garden receives.• In comparison, just 47% of north- facing garden owners are happy with lighting levels. Brits place a lot of value on a well-lit, usa
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CONSUMER ADVICE · EXTENDING YOUR HOME · 16 Mar 2022
New Building REGULATIONS
New Building Regulations Come Into Force June 2022 Here’s what you need to know The Building Regulations change in June this year and the updates to both Part L and Part F in particular, have great significance to homeowners, when looking to purchase new window and doors, whether in your main proper
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CONSUMER ADVICE · EXTENDING YOUR HOME · 15 Mar 2022
Extending A HOME
Extending a home without breaking the bank COVID has changed the way we all live and how we use our homes, with many people continuing to work from home, either permanently or flexibly. The pandemic has shifted focus onto work/life balance for many of us, with our homes becoming the focal point for
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CONSUMER ADVICE · Interior · 15 Mar 2022
Choosing an ELECTRIC FIRE
Key Considerations for Choosing an Electric Fire There has been a significant rise in demand for electric fires in recent years. A fantastic design feature for modern interiors, and available in so many different styles and sizes, electric fires afford the user a state-of-the-art, ultra realistic fl
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CONSUMER ADVICE · NEWS · 15 Mar 2022
A CAREER of Choice
The Fenestration, Glass and Glazing industry turns over an estimated £4.6 billion per annum, employs tens of thousands of people across over fifty career paths and is a significant contributor to the UK economy. The industry is dynamic and diverse and truly representative of today’s society and its
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CONSUMER ADVICE · NEWS · 14 Mar 2022
Consumer TRENDS
The Double Glazing & Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme (DGCOS), which aims to protect consumers and raise standards in the glazing industry, has recently launched a new series of podcasts that discusses what’s currently happening in the window and door industry. As part of this series, Faisal Hussain, C
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CONSUMER ADVICE · NEWS · 10 Mar 2022
MISCONCEPTIONS About Heating
Misconceptions about heating You should turn the heating up when it’s cold outside – False In a recent BestHeating poll, 42% state they turn their thermostat up when it’s cold outside, but this isn’t needed as the thermostat is there to maintain the internal temperature, whatever the weather. It als
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CONSUMER ADVICE · NEWS · 10 Mar 2022
REDUCING Household Bills
Reducing household bills, expert comment from Darran Smith, Technical Manager for Alpha Heating Innovation. “The easiest thing you can do with your heating system to save on household bills is to simply set your room temperature one or even two degrees lower. By doing this, we estimate that you can
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CONSUMER ADVICE · NEWS · 9 Mar 2022
FLUSH Windows
Combining the style of traditional timber windows and doors with modern energy efficiency and security, the Heritage Flush Collection from Deceuninck is the perfect addition to both period and contemporary homes. What are the most important things to think about when buying new or replacement window
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CONSUMER ADVICE · NEWS · 9 Mar 2022
Educating The HOMEOWNER
Educating the homeowner on ‘plastic’ windowsPVC-U is a highly recyclable building material with a Building Research Establishment Green Guide to Specification A and A+ rating for domestic and commercial application. A new poll reveals almost half of UK homeowners would not purchase home improvement
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CONSUMER ADVICE · NEWS · 9 Mar 2022
IMPROVEMENTS That Will Add Value
The home improvements that will add the most value when you come to sell Research by MoveStreets, the property portal designed for the mobile generation, has shown that garden offices, garage conversions and kitchen renovations are money well spent when it comes to adding value to your home, while l
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CONSUMER ADVICE · NEWS · 9 Mar 2022
Stop DRAUGHTS
Stop draughts around the home, from as little as £100 “One of the biggest draught offenders is your letterbox. Over time, the openings can become loose and let precious warm air out – and of course cause cold air to seep into your home. A simple way to combat this is to invest in a […]
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CONSUMER ADVICE · NEWS · 9 Mar 2022
Save On ENERGY Bills
Energy bills are set to soar by 54% for 22 million households from the beginning of April, adding £693 to the annual bills of a typical household. The average annual bill will now stand at £1,971 a year for their gas and electricity.As Brits will now be looking for ways to save money on their energy
Read story →CONSUMER ADVICE · Liniar · 9 Mar 2022
Liniar Supply Chain EXPLAINED
The UK fenestration industry is many things: innovative, welcoming, creative, friendly, hardworking – and offers a multitude of opportunities. It can also be confusing and complex. The fenestration industry’s inter-dependent supply chain can lead to a lack of understanding about the products themsel
Read story →CONSUMER ADVICE · NEWS · 12 Oct 2021
HOMEOWNER’S Preference
GQA-COMMISSIONED YOUGOV SURVEY REVEALS HOMEOWNER’S PREFERENCE FOR QUALIFIED TRADESPEOPLE A YouGov survey* commissioned by GQA Qualifications has brought to light fresh insights from homeowners into training and qualifications amongst tradespeople in the fenestration industry. The survey took note of
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CONSUMER ADVICE · NEWS · 12 Oct 2021
University Or Into INDUSTRY
Parents share their thoughts about children going to university or into industry A YouGov survey* commissioned by GQA Qualifications has brought to light fresh insights about the attitude of parents to vocational training and careers as an alternative to their children going to university. The surve
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CONSUMER ADVICE · GARDEN ROOMS & PATIOS · 7 Jun 2021
garden BUILDINGS
Get in the know with garden buildings Over the past year, the garden has been a wonderful luxury for homeowners at a time when holidays, day trips and dining out has been off the cards. And now as we journey out of lockdown, many of us are still planning to make the most out […]
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CONSUMER ADVICE · NEWS · 7 Jun 2021
training and QUALIFICATIONS
Training and Qualifications are at the heart of the Fenestration Industry. If you book an appointment for an electrician to come and work in your home, or someone to work on any of your gas appliances you rightly assume that they have been trained and carry the right qualifications to prove t
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CONSERVATORIES & ORANGERIES · CONSUMER ADVICE · 7 Jun 2021
peace of MIND
The market for solid, insulated and tiled roofs is on the rise for both new installations and for the important and emerging conservatory replacement market. However, such product ranges vary widely in terms of design and performance, as do the practices employed by installation companies. Bu
Read story →CONSERVATORIES & ORANGERIES · CONSUMER ADVICE · 7 Jun 2021
imitations not ALLOWED!
If you are looking to replace the existing roof on your conservatory, probably your first port of call is Google, with a search term such as ‘Solid Roofs for Conservatories’. I did this this afternoon and found, on the first page, references to an array of national brands along with some loca
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CONSERVATORIES & ORANGERIES · CONSUMER ADVICE · 3 Jun 2021
conservatory UPGRADES
In the last 2 to 3 years the home improvement market has experienced a surge in interest in conservatory upgrades, in favour of installing roofs that would allow the use of the room all year round As that demand has grown, so have the product options offered to homeowners, which broadly come
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CELEBRITY FEATURES · CONSUMER ADVICE · 11 Feb 2021
let there be LIGHT!
With Channel 4’s Grand Designs making a welcome comeback to our screens this January, Angela Sara West chats with Kevin McCloud MBE about the inspiring new TV series, his own lighting designs for Harrods and Edinburgh Castle, top tips for a smooth build, and how best to bring daylight into the home.
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CONSUMER ADVICE · NEWS · 11 Feb 2021
20 – year MILESTONE
Many homeowners today may be unaware of the high levels of training and certification that are now part of the landscape when it comes to the manufacture and installation of windows and doors. Long gone are the days when the industry worked to self-set standards. Today's industry is governed by stri
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CONSUMER ADVICE · NEWS · 7 Feb 2021
energy efficiency is INVISIBLE
Energy efficiency is invisible, always has been, always will be. So if you can’t see the performance of your windows and doors why would you take the time to think about it? But the truth is, energy efficiency and noise reduction has never been more important. A new generation, who are rightly aware
Read story →CONSUMER ADVICE · NEWS · 10 Sept 2020
keeping CLEAN
How to clean UPVC window frames – Cloudy2Clear Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride (UPVC) is the most popular material for window frames. Why is this? UPVC is not only easy to manufacture, but it’s also long-lasting and relatively maintenance-free. You can even choose the colour and finish to ma
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CONSUMER ADVICE · NEWS · 7 Sept 2020
save ENERGY
How to save energy in your home – Cloudy2Clear We’re all looking for innovative and easy ways to save money, especially in our homes. It’s often the little things that get overlooked, so we’ve outlined our top tips for keeping energy costs down without the hassle. Wash large washing loads at
Read story →CONSUMER ADVICE · NEWS · 6 Sept 2020
fenestration EDUCATION
Entering industry is a truly viable alternative to further education – GQA Qualifications Limited Education is one of the hottest topics of the day. The recent issues surrounding the awarding of grades for GCSE’s and particularly A Levels followed swiftly on the tail of the Universities Minis
Read story →CONSUMER ADVICE · NEWS · 1 Sept 2020
stop CONDENSATION
How to prevent condensation in your home – Cloudy2Clear What is condensation? Condensation occurs when water vapour in the air comes into contact with cold surfaces like window panes and forms water droplets. Essentially, it’s the opposite reaction to evaporation – gas (vapour) turning to liq
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CONSUMER ADVICE · SKYLIGHTS & ROOF LANTERNS · 25 Aug 2020
we need to VENT
Last year saw a 14 per cent increase in fires in England, according to UK Home Office statistics and smoke is the biggest killer in a fire. An effective smoke ventilation system is critical to preserving lives and properties, but with more buildings becoming increasingly airtight to help manage ener
Read story →CONSUMER ADVICE · NEWS · 24 Aug 2020
Green Homes Grant Scheme
FENSA, along with the entire country, welcomed the Green Homes Grant Scheme announcement back in early July. A £2bn investment into making homes up and down the country more energy efficient can only be a good thing. But whilst the initial headline was promising, the September start date that
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