As a landlord, you understand the importance of maximizing property value while keeping costs in check. Enhancing your rental properties not only attracts tenants but also ensures a steady stream of income. This guide introduces a savvy solution that combines cost-effectiveness with quality: second-hand doors and windows.
Optimising property value while managing costs is a perpetual goal. Second-hand doors and windows provide an avenue to achieve this delicate balance, offering a range of benefits that make them a compelling choice for property enhancement.
Cost Savings without Compromising Quality
When it comes to property upgrades, budget considerations often play a pivotal role. Second-hand doors and windows allow you to achieve remarkable improvements without straining your finances or compromising on quality.
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Choice
In an era where sustainability is a growing concern, opting for second-hand doors and windows aligns your landlord practices with eco-conscious values. By choosing pre-owned fixtures, you contribute to the reduction of waste and the conservation of resources in a circular economy. This environmentally responsible choice helps minimize the ecological footprint associated with manufacturing and disposing of new items, adding to your image and reputation as a landlord.
Immediate Availability and Quick Upgrades
Property management often demands swift decision-making and responsive actions. Second-hand doors and windows cater to these demands by offering immediate availability. Unlike custom orders that can result in prolonged waiting periods, pre-owned fixtures are ready for installation, allowing you to enhance your properties promptly.
Diverse Styles & Designs for Aesthetic Enhancement
Rental properties are as much about aesthetics as they are about practicality. Second-hand doors and windows offer an impressive array of styles and designs that can seamlessly elevate your property’s visual appeal.
Being made from a hardy material, UPVC doors and windows naturally come with a durability that is unmatched by materials such as wood. However, there are other factors to consider when deciding on a fresh asset. You will need to consider things such the level of security desired: does the door have a single of multi-point locking mechanism? We would always recommend a multi-point as it offers a greater level of strength and security against potential ill-actors. Also take the time to look a bit closer at the state of the hardware before you purchase and consider whether it is in suitable working order. Whether it is or not will need to be factored against the selling price, or against your overall budget if a replacement is required in the near future.
Doors of all types sometimes come with windows, either clear, obscured or stained glass. The vast majority of the time this glass will be in perfect condition, but there may be times where the entire door has been replaced due to faults. This could be a crack or if the seal/sealant has deteriorated. Cracks and improper sealing could lead to or cause issues such as the letting in of rainwater and lack of heat retention (which can mean the heating becomes less efficient and costs more money). Check if the glass is single or double glazed.
There is no doubt that choosing the right match for a property is a big decision. For landlords, the external appeal of a house can be as much of a selling factor as the interior, so it is imperative that all of the assets match the appeal of not just the house, but the area as a whole. Certain areas may also have local guidance or restrictions on the type and style of doors and windows that houses need to have. For example, a village in UUWD’s town of Doncaster has a restriction on houses of a certain style having doors of anything other than a stable door in the the colour mint green made of wood.
Pay particular attention to the heat retention reliability of a door, as issues or poor performance can have an adverse impact on properties staying warm and ultimately impact the cost to heat a property. Some doors are particularly well insulated and may feature double glazed glass panels, whereas some others may not. As most people will know, windows typically come in three glazing styles: single, double and triple. The more glazing that a window has the better it generally is at retaining heat.
Also take the time to inspect the door and window for any imperfections, particularly around the sealant and joints areas as these are more likely to have wear-and-tear when buying second hand. Do not purchase an item that has condensation trapped inside the glass glazing as this shows an imperfection.
The last thing you want in any house or commercial property is to reduce the amount of natural light entering. This can have a detrimental effect on a person’s emotional and physical state. Natural light also helps to emphasise the features of a house, particularly where white walls are involved as the light reflects and creates a brighter atmosphere.
Doors don’t typically come with means for ventilation, but windows need a consideration. Ventilations is particularly important to allow air to flow, when desired, to stop condensation forming and allow moisture to escape whilst letting in fresh air. Lots of moisture in a property leads to damp and the formation of mould, which can have adverse effects on health. Look out for top vents and the ability for airlocks on windows.
In conclusion, there are many factors to consider when choosing the perfect new asset for your property — but the right decisions and products can go a long way to adding value both in monetary terms and in terms of appeal. When you’re in the market for a replacement door or window, look no further than UUWD. We’re the leading supplier of second-hand UPVC and composite doors and UPVC windows, delivering across the UK mainland.
