It’s not just a case of choosing the most cost-effective materials here at Carrs Windows. Every supplier we work with has a fantastic reputation, sources material responsibly and we know they’ll ensure your home stays warm and dry. Here’s some examples of timber, aluminium and uPVC being used in other situations to show just how durable they are:

​Accoya (the timber we use to make all of our bespoke products on site)
 
We often refer to our use of Accoya on social media and on this website but just why do we use it and why are we so proud that we do? Accoya is a timber modified using a cutting-edge patent technology which enables it to resist rot, is thermally efficient and lasts for decades despite the seasonal Yorkshire weather. In fact, it’s so hard wearing it’s not just used to make doors and windows. It's even used in wet Penguin Enclosures it's so rot resistant! So you can be confident that by using it on your home, your doors and windows will last a lifetime.
 

Aluminium
 
Sometimes, people just prefer the look and feel of aluminium for their home. It’s perfect for things like bi-fold doors or heavier doors because it’s very strong but lightweight too - a block of aluminium weighs one third as much as a block of steel of the same size.
8% of the Earth’s outer crust is made of the stuff, which shows you how strong it is. Aluminium naturally produces a protective oxide that coats the exterior and regenerates when scratched. This oxide layer is highly corrosion resistant which minimizes maintenance costs as well as preserves the aesthetically pleasing, rust-free appearance.
 
It's so strong and low-maintenance, London’s Millenium Bridge is made of it!
​

​uPVC
 
So first thing’s first: Why add the ‘u’? Well without being ‘unplasticized’ it’s just PVC which is a flexible, soft, leather-like material. By addingplasticizers it becomes rigid and weather-proof. uPVC is used for the majority of plastic pipes in the world, as it is incredibly resistant to chemical erosion and has smoother inner walls that help to encourage water flow. It also functions well in a wide range of temperatures and operating pressures. It is incredibly strong, stiff and cost-effective, and so is often used for sewage lines and exterior drainage pipes. So you can see why using uPVC on your window frames and doors means your home stays dry and warm as there’s no way it’ll let in the nasty Yorkshire weather so long as it is fitted correctly. 

Whatever material you choose we have a good range of samples in our show area for you to look at. Our experienced staff can help you decide which is best for your needs while also helping you to select the style and colour. Can’t call in and already know what you want? We can often provide a quote based on your measurements alone. Call us today on 01756 748 182
 
 
Thanks to the following websites for providing information and images used in this post:
 
Accoya
 
Gator Bridge

Alumeco
 
 
 
 

 

Email us or call us to discuss your options with us and get your perfect doors or windows booked in! Thanks to Tim Mellin for the images of this beautiful cottage we worked on last year.

This Friday, 14th December all of us here at Carrs Windows will be donning our personalised festive jumpers despite a busy workshop, office and show area. It's all in aid of Save the Children UK.

By texting TEAMCARRS to 70050 you'll be giving £2, all of which will go to the charity. Most of us are mums and dads here at Carrs Windows and we hate to think of any little one or young person having a tough time. Save the Children are doing amazing work here in the UK and overseas so follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to see us getting silly and festive and, if you can, please donate!

Terms and conditions: Texts cost £2 plus your standard message rate. All of the £2 goes to Save the Children. By texting you agree to fundraising appeals, campaigns, events, and other ways to support. Include NO PHONE to opt out of calls. Queries? Call 020 70126400. 

​MERRY CHRISTMAS! #ChristmasJumperDay

​It can be really hard to plan a home renovation. Whether redecorating a room or building a whole house, sometimes, you know you want to improve, but where to start is another matter! 
 
It may sound mad, but often, TV programmes and films can have that inspirational look you’ve been thinking about but not quite managed to put together. This makes sense when you think about it though, as location scouts scour the country looking for the right place to film in, while set-designers and stylists dress it once filming starts. Let’s take a look at some of the on-screen houses that have inspired us recently: 

The BBC series Dr Foster had viewers gripped, not just with the drama but the beautiful homes that featured. As Helen Lord explains in this article the kitchen in particular was the cause of envy around the nation. Whether your house is big or small, beginning from the outside and then working in can make your kitchen blend more seamlessly with your garden or patio area like this one. The French doors allowed light to flood the room while working with the mix of contemporary and traditional that filled the rest of the space. We can supply these in Timber, Upvc or Aluminium and they are no longer a security risk. Each French door is fitted with high quality and modern locks and our glazing options mean they can still protect your home from the Yorkshire weather too.​
 
 
Meanwhile the glass fronted home lived in by her husband is not dissimilar to this one we worked on earlier this year. For this, we used Aluminium doors and windows to complement the modern look. You can see the difference it makes from the one that is yet to be replaced in the picture. 
 

​Of course, we couldn’t mention inspiring houses from film without mentioning The Holiday, especially as we get closer to winter. As explained in Hooked On Houses, Kate Winslet’s cottage had people gasping (and for those familiar with London house prices, eye’s watering!) 

​We work on a lot of cottages, as we are based in Gargrave, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. ​We like to use Timber in the Yorkshire Dales because it is so hard-wearing, but as these images show, the green uPVC door still works really well on a cottage, as do these Timber  casement windows and doors.

The colour of the cottage featured in The Holiday is a very popular choice in the countryside. It looks like a colour called ‘Blue Ground’ to us, but we can colour-match to all well-known brands and any RAL colour. 
 
In The Time-Travellers Wife, the front door is framed by a beautiful
​arch-way. 

​This can really change the look of a house from the outside and make an entrance-way really bright. We’ve created this look in our workshop using Accoya Timber before. Creating this shape doesn’t weaken the wood at all and means the door or window frame will last a lifetime.

​If you’ve seen a home that’s inspired you recently contact us to talk about how to recreate the look using our Timber, uPVC or Aluminium products. Or sign-up to our mailing list for more ideas. 

If you've not seen out guide in the latest Aspire magazine, check it out here. We're now helping lots of customers with their renovations and building projects for Spring Summer 2019 so do get in touch if we can help you. 

Make your home beautiful for life, not just for Christmas.
It may feel far away but if you’re planning to improve your home this Spring, Carrs Windows explains how to ensure it’s ready in time to enjoy the warmer weather. 
Get a quote as soon as you can.
People often consider doors and windows later on in the process of a home renovation or extension, but can you imagine how frustrating it is to have everything finished but no front door or windows? “We can give quotes based on plans alone, so don’t wait until the later stages of a project to sort out your doors and windows.” Explains Office Administrator, Kim.
Consider your materials.
Country cottages, listed buildings and period properties often look better completed with timber doors and windows, a listed building may even require it. Other homes really suit windows made from aluminium and some people prefer the look of uPVC. Director Marc recommends going to look at all three options: “We have a show area in Gargrave and always welcome walk-ins. This is also where our bespoke timber doors and windows are made and we love showing people this process.”
Ensure your contractor is FENSA certified.
This ensures the person working on your home has been assessed for their ability to install replacement windows and doors in accordance with the relevant Building Regulations. “Carrs Windows are FENSA certified”, explains Marc, “but if you’re already working with a builder or joiner we can supply our products to them and even work directly with them so you get the exact look you’re after.”
Consider the weather.
As the weather improves builders and joiners start to get busier working on the outside of properties so make enquiries early. Carrs Windows can help with choosing materials, colours and accessories. 

Contact us today to see how we can help you.

When Kim joined our busy office to give support to enquiring and existing customers it was her first administration based-role having previously worked in the health-care sector. Kim, 29, is a mum to two daughters so knowing that like any working parent her life would be very busy we were keen to support her career development as much as possible. That’s why we decided to use our experience training school-leaver age apprentices to help Kim gain some additional qualifications connected to her new role. 

Apprenticeships work for our business because, quite frankly, we’re busy! On-the-job training is essential to ensure our staff are learning new skills that enhance their CV and develop the business as a whole without sacrificing productivity. 

Kim got the role because she was already a people person. There are some things you can’t teach and her previous experience working in a hospital meant she came to us as someone who works well under pressure, communicates with people positively and has a genuinely caring attitude – it’s just now she worries whether you’ve understood all your home improvement options rather than when you last had your dressing changed!

It can be a technical job. Our bespoke software enables us to ensure our products will fit perfectly and a big part of Kim’s role involves using this software to give you the most accurate quote possible. By enrolling on the Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship with North Lancs Training Group she is updating her skills in record-keeping, Microsoft Edexcel and solution development so she can manage her time allowing more contact with customers. This works really well for us as it means she is bringing ideas to the company as to how we can improve efficiency, keep up with demand and support the Directors, without spending time away from the office at the college. A tutor comes to the office once a month to look at Kim’s assignments and at the end of it she’ll have a relevant qualification to her role that’s the equivalent of two A-Levels.
​
Kim will add to a long list of apprentices we’ve trained, with many then being offered permanent jobs in our company and others going on to use their skills to work as Sole Traders. We truly believe that to provide the best service and products, you need the best staff, and that’s why we invest in apprenticeships.

Well done Kim, and thank – you!

If you're considering replacing your doors and windows with something high-quality and stylish, give the office a call on 01756 748182. 

​Has the arrival of summer got you thinking about how you can make more of your outdoor space? We often get asked if putting bi-fold doors in a space where there is currently no opening is a big job. It’s nowhere near as daunting as people often think so in our latest blog post we wanted to talk you through it.
 
Whether the space you want to put bi-fold doors in is a blank wall or currently a window, the first thing you need to do is check whether or not you need planning permission. 
 
If you live in the Craven area, where we are based, you can do that here. Most councils have a function to check this online and also offer drop-in sessions.
 
Most of the time it isn’t needed, but it is best to check and it most likely will be needed if you are changing a listed building.
 
After that, it’s time to contact a builder. At this point, you will probably just want to get an estimate for the work. Your builder will need to knock through the external wall and then tidy it up so that, eventually, it is the right measurements for your new door. 
 
To find a builder, ask friends and family for recommendations. If you can’t do this keep your eyes peeled for builders around your local area, a busy builder is always a good sign, then check the builder's Facebook page or Yell or Google accounts for reviews.
 
Once you're happy with your choice it’s time for the exciting decision, what kind of bi-fold doors do you want?
 
We make our timber bi-folds from our workshop in Gargrave, Skipton. Our skilled craftsmen turn solid planks of timber into something that works seamlessly and looks great. Of course, on dry days you may want to use your new doors in the autumn and winter too so for optimal weatherproofing we design these to open externally.
 
Safety is a priority so we fit them with the latest hardware and multi-point locking mechanisms as standard, giving you peace of mind. 
 
Most importantly to the customers we talk to, there is a huge range of colours and special finishes to choose from including dual colour (when the interior and exterior colour are different), wood stains (especially popular in more rural places) and metallic paint.
 
We can, of course, advise you on what might work best and once you’ve placed your order we can even liaise directly with your builder to save you time and ensure all the measurements are correct when they start the work. 
 
When the time comes to fit the doors, we can do this or we can supply to your builder, the choice is yours. Supply-only can work well as it enables your builder to complete the job all at once and can cut your waiting time down by a few weeks. Either way you still get our manufacturers guarantee.