Easter traditionally marks the start of our domestic DIY season and folding door specialist, Express Bi-Folding Doors, have found that modernising a kitchen and generating as much natural light as possible are top of the home improvement list when it comes to adding value to a home.

 

 

UK home owners have said that their three most desirable features in a property are: a modern kitchen, lots of natural light and an attractive garden area

 

However, it’s important not to neglect a garden as third on the ‘property most wanted’ list is an attractive garden area. Despite property shows and DIY experts claiming that bathrooms are a top priority when it comes to home improvement, it was only fourth on the list.

Gadget lovers should be careful when trying to integrate technology like built-in sound systems and remote controlled lighting into their homes because less than 10% of those surveyed felt that they were important.

 

The survey of 500 home owners across the UK also showed that more than one in six people intend to update their kitchen in the next three years. However, the two main things preventing people from improving their home are time and money. Interestingly, when it comes to spending money on home improvement, more people are worried about cowboy builders than the economy.

 

General Manager of Express Bi-Folding Doors, Steve Bromberg, said ‘The results of the survey reflect what our customers are saying – the current economic climate means that more and more people are entertaining at home, rather than going out, and this means that a modern kitchen with lots of natural light and an attractive garden are the three most important things most people want from their homes.’

Therefore, to make sure an Easter DIY project adds value to a home, it is best to invest money in updating a kitchen, adding more windows / glass doors and improving the garden.

 

For more information on folding and sliding doors that let natural light into a home contact us today

This is the time of year that most people focus on making their bodies healthier; however, a few home improvements can help make you happier, healthier and, in some cases, wealthier.

 

Sliding doors specialist, Express Bi-Folding Doors, has seen an average 43% increase in sales over the past two years despite a tough economic climate, with many clients citing a desire for an increase in natural light and adding long-term value to their property as the two main reasons for adding glass concertina doors to their home.

 

Interestingly, a lack of access to natural light has been singled out as one of the main causes of ‘sick building syndrome’ in offices, which causes symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, skin rashes and irritations.

 

Also, according to the NHS 7% of people in the UK are affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (or S.A.D.), which is also known as ‘winter blues’. Once again, one of the main issues associated with this medical disorder is a lack of sunlight.

 

Professor of psychology, Cary Cooper CBE, says ‘people feel more psychologically positive when they live in a house with lots of windows and glass, with natural light bathing the interior. Anything that brings us closer to the outside world, and in more direct contact with nature, can also make us feel better and more positive. Dark and musty homes may have the opposite effect’.

 

It seems that people subconsciously recognise the affect of natural daylight on their overall health and wellbeing because, according to Miles Shipside commercial director of Rightmove, ‘natural light is one of the most important things to add to a home – sun tubes, skylights, glass bi-fold doors – anything that pours light into your home will help you sell it. Open plan living and design that integrates your garden with indoor living space is becoming more and more important to house hunters.’ This is why sliding patio doors can add value to your home as well as make it a happier place to live.

 

This is reflected in a recent survey conducted by Precision Research, which asked 101 estate agents what the top wish list for a perfect property would be. This included:

 

• Large, open-plan kitchen/living space

• Modern, wood-framed conservatory/ garden room

• Garden with an “outdoor room” area that’s easy to maintain

• Glass doors leading from the kitchen out to the garden

 

It seems that natural daylight is not only scientifically proven to help with your mental wellbeing but it can also help add value to your home financially. So, adding bi folding doors to your home can make your happier in quite a few ways!

Leeds based supplier, manufacturer, fitter and nationwide installer of bi-folding doors, Express Bi-folding Doors have teamed up with the world’s leading building envelope and renewable energy specialist Schuco the leading supplier of hardware for the construction industry.

 

German company Schuco which is active in 80 countries worldwide and has a turnover of £2.8 billion offers a comprehensive range of Windows, doors and facades for energy efficient construction and is now actively expanding its market share into the UK domestic marketplace.

 

John Cooper, Business Development Manager of Schuco comments “Historically, we as a company have been very strong in the UK commercial market having undertaken some flagship projects such as the Sage Centre for Performing Arts in Newcastle and the Met Office building in Devon. However we wanted to replicate the strength we have in the European domestic market in the UK. To do this apart from setting up a dealer network, we wanted to secure two major partners to take the business forward and I am delighted to say that Express Bi-folding Doors is one of these” .

 

Steve Bromberg, Managing Director of Express continues “We are delighted to have been appointed to work with such a well known and prestigious company.The Express reputation and heritage have been built on supplying and installing absolutely the best products available for our customers and working with Schuco will allow us to continue in this tradition.

 

We look forward to many years of successful partnership and contributing to Schuco’s expansion into the residential UK sliding and folding door market”Express Bi-folding Doors are able to offer industry leading architectural aluminium solutions, installations, and service’s to both the residential and commercial markets and are able to provide a completely bespoke service with supply and fitting in a matter of weeks’

Leeds based bi-folding door company Express Bi-folding Doors have been selected by Solarlux to become one of only 2 UK companies chosen as Active Partners for their folding door range.

 

Solarlux invented the concept of folding doors in 1982 and have been the world leader in the design innovation of folding doors ever since. The product range is manufactured in Germany and Solarlux only appoint companies who can offer expertise in design, surveying, installation and aftercare as partners.

 

Steve Bromberg, Managing Director and owner of Express comments “we are absolutely delighted to have been chosen to be one of only two UK partners, however, I believe our philosophy of offering our customers the best possible products and unparalleled service is in line with Solarlux’s own and is one of the reasons why we have been selected”.

 

Express is experiencing a period of extraordinary growth, and having begun to advertise on TV for the first time (Sky Home Interest Channels, January to March) have followed this up with the opening of a new state of the art showroom in Redhill Surrey. Covering an area of over 1700 square feet, the showroom is the only place in the UK where the Solarlux SL82 folding glass door can be seen in operation.

 

The SL82 offers a high aesthetic quality finish, using smooth uninterrupted triple glazed glass panels and high quality stainless steel carriages and rails. The addition of seals running in three different levels provides effective protection from wind pressure and driving rain. It is no surprise that the product has won both the iF Design Award and the Red Dot Award which is a seal of outstanding quality and design.

 

TV Presenter and Architect George Clarke who along with Celebrity Chef James Martin officially opened the new Redhill showroom said “One of the nicest things about this system is that it’s completely flush and super smooth across the entire length of the glass. It’s money well spent for something that looks this good” Steve Bromberg concludes “We at Express are very excited about the future and this tie up with Solarlux, market leaders in this field enables us to offer our customers the very best that money can buy”

Famous architect and TV Presenter George Clarke and celebrity TV Chef James Martin opened Express Bi-folding Doors’ new state of the art showroom in Redhill on the 29th of January 2011.

 

Situated on the Redhill 23 Business Park this new state of the art facility showcases the full range of Expresses’ products from four different types of window to the full range of five different types of folding doors including timber, aluminium and composite, offering a choice of over 200 colours along with wood effect finishes.

 

Covering an area of over 1700 square feet, the showroom features a range of roofing options from ‘Lean To’, ‘Lantern Roof’ and ‘Flat Glass Lanterns’.

 

Steve Bromberg, Managing Director and owner of Express said "The launch of the new showroom went exceptionally well with massive contributions from George Clarke who was available to visiting customers all day and James Martin who rushed over as soon as he finished filming Saturday Kitchen. The really positive thing was that everyone who visited showed a genuine interest in our products.

 

The added bonus for us was that we actually did a significant amount of business on the day, which made the efforts of everyone concerned in putting on the day more than worthwhile. To be able to have two nationally famous TV personalities to officially open it for us was a fantastic boost, and will help this new facility become a flagship for the company going forward."

Hard on the heels of launching their first National TV Advertising Campaign (Sky Home Interest Channels, January to March 2011), and opening a new 1700 square foot ‘state of the art’ showroom in Redhill, Surrey, which was opened on Saturday January 29th by famous architect and TV Presenter George Clarke and celebrity TV Chef James Martin, Garforth based Express Bi-folding Doors have announced a major recruitment drive.

 

The company is looking to employ a whole host of new staff to be part of the team driving the business forward.Express are currently advertising for a Financial Controller, a new receptionist, and sales and installation staff nationally.

 

Steve Bromberg, Managing Director and owner of the company said “These are very exciting times for us here at Express. Over the last 3 years, we have seen dramatic growth in the business which has offered us the platform to accelerate the development of the company. I think it is fair to say that only a couple of years ago, we wouldn’t have dreamed of being in a position to advertise on TV, or open a showroom of the stature of the one we recently inaugurated in Redhill. Naturally, to successfully service all the new business that is being produced by this activity, we need to take on more staff, which in these difficult times is something we are thoroughly enjoying doing.We are looking for people who will really buy in to our entrepreneurial and results based culture who are looking for a long and successful career with Express.”

 

Express Bi-folding Doors have been recruiting in the greater Leeds area and advertising locally, including in the Yorkshire Evening Post.

Famous architect and TV Presenter George Clarke and celebrity TV Chef James Martin are to officially open Express Bi-folding Doors’ new state of the art showroom in Redhill on the 29th of January 2011.

 

Situated on the Redhill 23 Business Park this new state of the art facility will showcase the full range of Expresses’ products from four different types of window to the full range of five different types of folding doors including timber, aluminium and composite, offering a choice of over 200 colours along with wood effect finishes.Covering an area of over 1700 square feet, the showroom will also feature a range of roofing options from ‘Lean To’, ‘Lantern Roof’ and ‘Flat Glas Lantern’ to ‘Seamless Pyramid Lantern’.

 

Steve Bromberg, Managing Director and owner of Express said "Clearly, our company is going from strength to strength and opening a showroom such as this is the next logical step for us. To be able to have two nationally famous TV personalities to officially open it for us is a fantastic boost." He continued "Apart from having George and James, we are aiming to make this a real family oriented gala launch, so we have food available, a bouncy castle and inflatables for the kids along with other entertainment, all of which reflects the family nature of our own company."

 

George Clarke will be giving talks throughout the day about The Home Show, his own house and Restoration Man. The official opening will take place between 1.15pm and 3pm with the cutting of the tape conducted by George Clarke, James Martin and the company Managing Director, followed by Champagne, Canapes and photo opportunities.

A LEEDS firm is set to make an appearance on the small screen with its debut TV advertising campaign.

 

Express Bi-folding Doors, based in Garforth, will be promoting their wares from January 1 on Sky home interest channels including Travel and Living Channel, Home Channel and Style Channel.

 

Steve Bromberg, managing director and owner of the company, said "We have had a wonderful couple of years, with the company going from strength to strength. This TV campaign is a logical step for us and will take Express to the next level. We have been fortunate enough to have had our products featured within TV programmes before, most notably on Channel 4's The Home Show and Grand Designs series, so we know the power TV has in bringing products to the notice of the public."