The Home Improvements Thread (2)

[SAguy]

I’m considering replacing my wooden frame windows with double glazed windows. Same for the back doors.

What are the general costs in this? And are there any reputable companies that do the work?

From a safety point of view; are they that much better than single pane windows / frames? Do I have to have bars on them (I really want to avoid this)

If going aluminium you really should put bars on - the skelms just take the solid glass panes out in a couple of minutes. Not sure if double glazed will make this less likely though

 

[PhireSide]

If going aluminium you really should put bars on - the skelms just take the solid glass panes out in a couple of minutes. Not sure if double glazed will make this less likely though

Imagine that once they detach the first glass and hear the gas trapped between the panes hissing out...just put up a few 'beware of the snake' signs and you're good to go

 

[Priapus]

If going aluminium you really should put bars on - the skelms just take the solid glass panes out in a couple of minutes. Not sure if double glazed will make this less likely though

Reason I ask is because my new neighbour is renovating the whole house before moving in. Changing all doors and windows to aluminium. I don't see any bars. Looks like double glazing too.

 

[ElixirCoder]

Reason I ask is because my new neighbour is renovating the whole house before moving in. Changing all doors and windows to aluminium. I don't see any bars. Looks like double glazing too.

There's a PG glass product called Intruderprufe safety glass. https://www.pgsmartglass.co.za/product/intruderprufe/

Some companies that do double glazing uses that for the exterior pane.

You should not however that it is not a perfect barrier, and also will not necessarily meet insurance company requirements as a substitute for burglar proofing.

 

[ToxicBunny]

There's a PG glass product called Intruderprufe safety glass. https://www.pgsmartglass.co.za/product/intruderprufe/

Some companies that do double glazing uses that for the exterior pane.

You should not however that it is not a perfect barrier, and also will not necessarily meet insurance company requirements as a substitute for burglar proofing.

I've had the conversation with a few insurance companies.

Even things like Armourplate as a glass which is ridiculously strong and difficult to break is not acceptable. You still need either an alarm or burglar guards.

 

[Priapus]

I've had the conversation with a few insurance companies.

Even things like Armourplate as a glass which is ridiculously strong and difficult to break is not acceptable. You still need either an alarm or burglar guards.

What about alarm + the above mentioned double glazing / Armourplate etc

I really hate the bars around the house.

 

[ToxicBunny]

What about alarm + the above mentioned double glazing / Armourplate etc

I really hate the bars around the house.

Depends on the insurer, some were ok with an alarm linked to armed response only, others wanted both or just burglar guards.

 

[Priapus]

Depends on the insurer, some were ok with an alarm linked to armed response only, others wanted both or just burglar guards.

Thanks, I will enquire with them first before researching options.

 

[SAguy]

What about alarm + the above mentioned double glazing / Armourplate etc

I really hate the bars around the house.

What about clear bars, I'm not sure what insurance says about those?
I have clear bars on all my opening windows, but the bars have a wire in them that is connected to my alarm - cut the bar and my alarm trips.

 

[TedLasso]

I just had 6 windows and the front door replaced with double glazed this week. The cost is a 50% premium over regular aluminium windows but so far it's been worth it seeing as I live by a fairly busy road and the sound reduction has been impressive. Total cost for installation, plastering and sealing was R68k vs R43k for the single panes.

If in Joburg, can you provide name. The price feels decent. Two years ago I was quoted nearly 30k for a double door.

Size of windows you replaced would also help if you can.

 

[kanzen]

If in Joburg, can you provide name. The price feels decent. Two years ago I was quoted nearly 30k for a double door.

Size of windows you replaced would also help if you can.

Unfortunately I'm based in Cape Town, used Tableview Aluminium & Glass. These are the measurements:

 

[Fingerlessliz]

We moved into a new house recently and the slate floor needs attention badly. How do I go about fixing it? I was thinking of grinding all the grout out and then regrouting it after sealing the slate. Can I use normal tile grout or must I use something else? Some of the gaps between the stones are quite large.

 

[xrapidx]

There's a PG glass product called Intruderprufe safety glass. https://www.pgsmartglass.co.za/product/intruderprufe/

Some companies that do double glazing uses that for the exterior pane.

You should not however that it is not a perfect barrier, and also will not necessarily meet insurance company requirements as a substitute for burglar proofing.

I had this installed, via said link, took under 5min to break through, so either the branch they referred me to installed something fake - or its not that great.

(And it was me that broke through it.... Very early one morning after we'd accidently locked ourselves out)

 

[ElixirCoder]

I had this installed, via said link, took under 5min to break through, so either the branch they referred me to installed something fake - or its not that great.

(And it was me that broke through it.... Very early one morning after we'd accidently locked ourselves out)

Good to know!

 

[Bikerbob]

We moved into a new house recently and the slate floor needs attention badly. How do I go about fixing it? I was thinking of grinding all the grout out and then regrouting it after sealing the slate. Can I use normal tile grout or must I use something else? Some of the gaps between the stones are quite large. View attachment 1121642

Chip out joint and fill with a mix of plaster sand and cement.

 

[docy]

So I moved into a new flat
I have poor water pressure
Any suggestions to improve water pressure with using a water tank.
I've been looking at the dab box mini
Suggestions please

 

[Steamy Tom]

So I moved into a new flat
I have poor water pressure
Any suggestions to improve water pressure with using a water tank.
I've been looking at the dab box mini
Suggestions please

is it a general area issue or specific to your property or specific to single taps?

 

[Dolby]

We saw this tired house the other day (190sqm) and the 'renovations' that I'd do at the start are :

- Retile
- Repaint (walls / ceiling / roof tiles)
- Skirting (white)

Anyone know a rough cost of these small renovations ?
My head tells me a repaint R30,000+ (excluding roof) and floor R30,000+?
Skirting are cheap ?

I'd remove the railing in the below photo too

 

[Lupus]

Firstly when it comes to both of those you need to find the paint and tile you like.
A good indoor paint can be had for as little as R800 a tin but that'll just be a silk sheen in the colours it comes in, you'll need about 6 tins to paint the entire 190sqm. You could just clean the walls, fix the cracks, patch holes which will save you a lot and then paint over the existing paint.
Don't see that being 30k unless you hire a really expensive contractor to do that who will more then likely just get the guys off the side of the road.
Tiling is where it can get expensive, the tile you chose, the fitting can be R50 to R180 an sqm depending on contractor. Some will do the removal in the R180 some don't. Then it's also disposal some charge for it, some don't, tiles range from R59 to R400+ a sqm.

 

[myBBexpert]

What is the best way to fill up a window from the inside without removing the window? Won't be able to change the outside look as the body corporate are rather fussy.