A property agent working for Sir Cliff applied for retrospective planning permission for the conservatory. It is said to contravene Green Belt area rules because it adds more than 30% extra floor space to the home.

The agent claims Sir Cliff was told by the conservatory company it did not require planning permission.

CR Smith’s architect and drawing office work through all the relevant planning applications for customers. CR Smith also takes responsibility for the structure to comply with building and planning regulations – many other companies pass the responsibility on to the customer.

Velux windows can be installed in the roof to allow even more air to flow into the building and provide plenty of natural light.

To combat this problem CR Smith offers SMARTGLASS™ on its conservatory roofs. SMARTGLASS™ has one pane of solar controlled shaded glass on the inside which will help keep the room cool. On the outside there is a sheet of self-cleaning glass. The self-cleaning glass has a coating which breaks up organic elements such as birds dropping so that rain water can wash off any marks.

But when that condensation finds it way between your double glazed units, then that is a problem.

When CR Smith windows are being made in our factory, we use Cilica gel, commonly found in a small sachet in new handbags and electrical goods, to stop condensation forming at that time. We then seal the windows so condensation should not form.

If you have a unit that has been affected, the CR Smith Fix’ service can rectify the problem by replacing panes of glass rather than the entire window.

At CR Smith, we go to extraordinary lengths to make a conservatory look as if it’s been there since the house was built – even if that was over a hundred years ago.

We have very strong relationships with brick merchants and make enquiries if we hear interesting old buildings are going to be demolished, in order to source brick that is in-keeping with a customer’s requirements. For example, one customer’s conservatory used stone from the former Scottish and Newcastle building. We even matched the original under-build as well as the finish of the house walls.

CR Smith always goes that extra mile – from collating the information, finding the materials, designing the conservatory to suit customer’s specific needs and building a top-class and energy-efficient conservatory.

New doors have a neoprene gasket which goes all the way around the frame and around the door. When the door shuts, the neoprene of the door closes tightly on the neoprene of the frame allowing no gaps to form.

Nowadays, though, there are some quite fetching draft excluders on offer that look good as a decoration.

Teresa and Douglas Stirling loved their new house when they moved in a year ago. With more space and a lovely garden – it was perfect!

One aspect of the house that wasn’t perfect however, was the security.

“The windows were old, wooden and what’s worse,” said Teresa, “they had no locks!” Security was the main concern for the Stirling’s but the couple soon realised this wasn’t the only benefit of choosing CR Smith Lorimer windows.

“The new windows are amazing,” said Mrs Stirling, “apart from the fact they’re secure, it’s so much cosier indoors now and we don’t have to spend time on painting or varnishing as they are virtually maintenance free.“

In fact the Stirling’s were so impressed by the benefits offered by their new windows they decided to have French doors and front door and their porch re-fitted as well. “We loved the look of the front door at the showroom,” recalls Teresa, “and I just said – we’ll take that one.”

New Secure Front Door

When the Salesman came to their home, the Stirling’s were impressed by how helpful he was. “The salesman was very knowledgeable and knew just what to suggest,” said Mrs Stirling, ” he took our particular requirements into consideration by suggesting glass to the floor in the porch in order to brighten up the hall – it worked.”

Secure Windows and Doors

After giving their home a CR Smith makeover, the Stirling’s can’t believe the change in the appearance of their property. “The timber frames which were in it before were a dark, reddish colour,” said Mrs Stirling, “they made the place look so dull. But the American Oak finish that we chose from CR Smith really brightens up the inside whilst still maintaining the original look of the house.”

With the barbecue smoking in the background and guests piling in and out of the house, Vina and Irwin Mabon couldn’t believe they had waited to so long to install French doors in their home.

“What was there before was unbelievable,” said Vina, “it was an old brown door and tiny window and it just looked awful.” Even worse than the aesthetic cost, was the waste of space which the Mabon’s confessed to before their doors were changed; “we never used that downstairs room for anything other than storage,” recalls Vina, “the lawn mower was kept in there and really it was just like a workshop.”

French Doors

Looking at the room now with a tiled floor and comfortable chairs it’s hard to imagine it ever being anything other than stunning. “It’s so light and airy inside,” said Vina, “and because it opens out onto the garden it’s perfect for garden parties in the summer.” Adding to the brightness of the room is the use of a white finish on the inside. This allows the room to remain light whilst the rosewood finish on the outside retains the authentic look of the property.

double-opening front door

The fitting of the French doors in June wasn’t the only visit the couple have had from CR Smith in the last year. In fact every door into the Mabon household is firmly secured by a CR Smith locking system. From the double-opening front door to the etched glass internal doors, all have a rosewood finish and are now practically maintenance-free. Well apart from cleaning that is!

Etched Glass Internal Doors

Two years ago, when Holly came along Susan and Ewen Jenkin knew their house would never be the same but it wasn’t just safety rails and baby monitors that the couple had to consider. Holly it seems is a bit of an explorer. “She’s into everything,” explained Susan, “ so as well as making sure everything is secure and keeps people out we also need to keep Holly in!”

The youngest member of the family wasn’t the only reason for the new interior door and window however. Previous owners had built a sun-porch off the kitchen, whilst it was sunny in the extension, it was anything but sunny in the kitchen; “it was so dark, that’s why we opted for a full glass panel in the door,” said Mrs Jenkin, “ because it’s toughened safety glass we knew it would be fine for the little one.”

With exterior windows, French doors and a front door also installed at the Jenkin’s residence in the last year, its almost as if C.R Smith’s blue and white van has become a permanent fixture in the street. “My mum had used the company for her windows when I lived at home so I knew they were reliable and of good quality,” recalls Susan, “when we had the windows done we didn’t want to go anywhere else for the rest.”

New French Doors

The French doors have also changed the entire make up of the house; “We used to have sliding doors but you could only open one door at a time which was a bit of a hassle, now with the French doors that both open we get easy access to our new patio,” said Mrs Jenkin.

And tiny Holly is a fan of the new easy access patio as well. “Its so easy for her to hop out and play,” said Susan, “I just wish it was that easy to get rid of her fingerprints!”

A blog has identified the top ten most famous doors in the world. This list highlights just how important doors are in story-telling, history and business.

No.1 Famous Door

Unsurprisingly, number one on the list was 10 Downing Street. Monsters Inc and Sliding Doors were both featured in the top ten, as well as the portal to Narnia. And in history, an image of Christ at Heart’s Door was included. For the full list please see: http://thequintessential.wordpress.com/2008/12/12/10-most-famous-doors-in-history/

Famous Monsters Inc Doors

Famous Sliding Doors

Famous portal door to Narnia

At CR Smith, we recognise a door is a lot more than a way to simply keep your home warm and secure. A door adds character to a property and reflects your personal style, and story, as much as any other part of your home.