Latest news with #quotes
Reuters
5 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Sterling climbs versus dollar, on track for weekly rise
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The Guardian
6 days ago
- The Guardian
Why do family holidays turn me into a sulky teenager again?
I am not one for aphorisms. I grew up with a water-stained copy of a dictionary of quotations by the toilet and, for the most part, by the toilet is where these things belong. But there is one saying by the American philosopher and yoga teacher Ram Dass that has always cheered me: 'If you think you're enlightened, go and spend a week with your family.' I have no idea if Ram Dass really said this. Just as I'm not sure if the Dalai Lama ever said: 'Don't let the behaviour of others destroy your inner peace.' Or whether Oscar Wilde believed the words he put into the mouth of Lord Illingworth in A Woman of No Importance: 'Children begin by loving their parents; after a time they judge them; rarely, if ever, do they forgive them.' But as someone in the middle of a family holiday, I can certainly attest that any delusions about maturity, levity and inner tranquility are thrown firmly down the proverbial U-bend the moment you embark on a Big Family Trip. If you are lucky enough to have living parents, siblings and children, then the chances are that at least some of your summer will be spent sharing a sofabed with someone who has your eyebrows, if not your surname. A survey by Legal and General found that 46% of those asked think it is important to go on a multigenerational family trip (including immediate and extended family), although 30% of respondents said they feel 'stressed' by the prospect of a family holiday – rising to 47% of parents and guardians of children aged under 18. I can practically smell the Sudocrem, polyester sleeping bags and cheese-and-onion crisps coming off those statistics as I type. Yes, we hire cottages by the sea; yes, we pitch up in fields full of thistles; yes, we slither into new cities, laden down with phone chargers and spare sandals, but we are stressed, sad and sulking while we do it. This is August; this is what we do. Which is where the faltering sense of identity comes in. As inevitable as red wine slopping on to a white carpet, the moment you are in the midst of your family (whether it is the one you grew up with, your chosen family or the ones you have created), you will find yourself reverting to a personality that you thought you had shed decades ago. Perhaps that means standing by the fridge, eating a cold sausage 20 minutes before lunch. Maybe it is taking your sister's T-shirt without asking and promptly covering it in blackberry juice. It could be leaning out of a toilet window overlooking your uncle's water butt, secretly smoking a cigarette and wondering if you should text that person you once snogged outside Morrisons but never slept with. Whatever the details, you will regress. Your temper will shorten. Your healthy eating regime will be blasted to smithereens by custard creams and Kellogg's variety packs. Of course, not everyone aspires to enlightenment. I may have grown up in the sort of family where astrological charts, transcendental meditation and yogic breathing were as much a part of daily life as EastEnders and Anchor butter, but I'm not interested in becoming enlightened, and never have been. Instead of devoting myself to a journey towards universal consciousness and inner peace, I spent much of my 20s and even 30s hoping to one day be cool. And let me tell you, family holidays pretty much scupper that too. Nobody looks sexy on a water slide; it's impossible to feel elegantly rebellious while washing up in a bucket; and you cannot retain an air of mystique when your mum is loudly insisting that she should be given a free pot of hot water in a cafe because she has 'brought a teabag from home'. So, this August, forget inner peace and outer sophistication. If you are going on holiday with your family, my advice is to add some people you are not related to (our best holidays by far have always included friends, their children, partners and other couples) or take up a labour-intensive cleaning schedule. For, as Zinedine Zidane* once said: 'Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.' *It was either Zinedine Zidane or Zen Buddhism – the pages of my dictionary of quotations are stuck together. Nell Frizzell is a journalist and author
Yahoo
11-08-2025
- General
- Yahoo
4 quotes that could permanently change how you see the world
You need only look within to see the power of change afoot. Word economy has always been my foremost goal as a writer. I want to say as much as I can with the fewest words possible. This is why I've been collecting cool quotes for years now. They contain the ultimate power of writing — and the ability to change how you see the world. The worst quality I see in partners Somewhere between age 25 and 30, I grew deeply resentful of people who can't apologize. My ex — and her entire family — were all incapable of saying sorry, no matter how obvious and needed the apology was. I'm convinced that if she even tried to apologize, her lips would tremble and she'd clench her fists and go into a seizure. In her family, feuds never ended. People stopped talking to each other over trivial disputes. I didn't get a single apology across the entirety of our long relationship. She and her brother were in a fight (which I never understood the cause of — a sign it was something insignificant). During Christmas, they stood on opposite sides of the house, avoiding speaking with each other, making the holiday mega-awkward. I'd still prefer someone skipped the apology if the behavior isn't going to change. My friend's deadbeat dad just rattled off apology after apology after never coming through for her. He'd forget to call her on her birthday, always be broke, unemployed, and partying like a frat boy (he was in his 50s). She couldn't count on him for a single damn thing. It was around this time that a friend said to me, 'An apology without change is just manipulation.' Apologies shouldn't be a flare gun to fire off in emergencies to create a distraction. Those words should be seen as agents of change and given the respect they deserve. The importance of progress Does this describe someone you know? They always have something negative to say about other people. They take any opportunity to criticize someone else. Yet when you offer even a minor criticism of them, they blow up. They can dish it out but not take it. These people are a pain in the neck and unless you are related to them, I'd consider cutting them off. There's an old adage, 'Those who can't take criticism need it the most.' These people are frequently in the non-apologizer club too. They fly through life blind and never evolving. One thing experience has taught me with certainty — when people react strongly to criticism, it usually represents insecurity. A deeper and more honest part of them senses guilt. They lash out to protect themselves. A common example: when a girlfriend mentions a woman's hyper-flirty Facebook comment to her overly-jealous boyfriend and he starts shouting about how he's not cheating. Some people seem quite afraid of seeing themselves. It harkens to an old Central American adage, 'If ten people tell you you're drunk, lie down.' Spinning through the air I struggle with indecision. I'm so risk-averse and it's often over laughably low-stakes stuff too. It's not like I'm not on the Bachelor, trying to pick my bride from of a dozen classy beautiful women who are all pining for attention. I spin in circles trying to figure out what's for dinner. I found 'the nuclear option' for when I can't decide between two good options. I discovered it while watching, of all things, No Country for Old Men: 'When faced with two choices, simply toss a coin. It works not because it settles the question for you, but because in that brief moment when the coin is in the air, you suddenly know what you are hoping for.' We secretly know what we want most of the time. It's like when my spouse asks me for my opinion on two pairs of clothes to wear. I give my opinion and she just goes with her own version either way. When all else fails, toss a coin. The act of taking the decision out of your own hands has a way of surfacing what you really want. The strange life of a genius I coached swimming in the mid-2000s and it probably won't surprise you that my most challenging group was the middle school boys. They constantly looked for ways to troll me and push the boundaries. It was lewd humor and madness. Yet while a few of them were difficult — others needed help. They were 'different'. Consequently, they were bullied relentlessly at school. They often came to practice upset about how their day had gone. I identified with them on so many levels. I've spent my entire life having people tell me, 'You are one weird dude.' I would reassure them that they were simply misunderstood and that they were in good company: some of the greatest people to ever live were treated as weirdos. The mega-genius, Friedrich Nietzsche, was in this camp at one point too. He was, by very definition, different than his peers. People tend to attack things they don't understand. Throughout his life, he proposed many wild and brilliant ideas, faced his share of critics, and endured his own moments of social isolation. One line he wrote, that I encourage any who feel misunderstood to remember: And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music. Humanity is filled with wild and shimmering variety. Those who see 'different' and attack are afraid of their own authenticity. Don't shy away from living your own truth. If you haven't been told 'You're weird.' a few times along the way, you aren't doing it right. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
10-08-2025
- General
- Yahoo
4 quotes that could permanently change how you see the world
You need only look within to see the power of change afoot. Word economy has always been my foremost goal as a writer. I want to say as much as I can with the fewest words possible. This is why I've been collecting cool quotes for years now. They contain the ultimate power of writing — and the ability to change how you see the world. The worst quality I see in partners Somewhere between age 25 and 30, I grew deeply resentful of people who can't apologize. My ex — and her entire family — were all incapable of saying sorry, no matter how obvious and needed the apology was. I'm convinced that if she even tried to apologize, her lips would tremble and she'd clench her fists and go into a seizure. In her family, feuds never ended. People stopped talking to each other over trivial disputes. I didn't get a single apology across the entirety of our long relationship. She and her brother were in a fight (which I never understood the cause of — a sign it was something insignificant). During Christmas, they stood on opposite sides of the house, avoiding speaking with each other, making the holiday mega-awkward. I'd still prefer someone skipped the apology if the behavior isn't going to change. My friend's deadbeat dad just rattled off apology after apology after never coming through for her. He'd forget to call her on her birthday, always be broke, unemployed, and partying like a frat boy (he was in his 50s). She couldn't count on him for a single damn thing. It was around this time that a friend said to me, 'An apology without change is just manipulation.' Apologies shouldn't be a flare gun to fire off in emergencies to create a distraction. Those words should be seen as agents of change and given the respect they deserve. The importance of progress Does this describe someone you know? They always have something negative to say about other people. They take any opportunity to criticize someone else. Yet when you offer even a minor criticism of them, they blow up. They can dish it out but not take it. These people are a pain in the neck and unless you are related to them, I'd consider cutting them off. There's an old adage, 'Those who can't take criticism need it the most.' These people are frequently in the non-apologizer club too. They fly through life blind and never evolving. One thing experience has taught me with certainty — when people react strongly to criticism, it usually represents insecurity. A deeper and more honest part of them senses guilt. They lash out to protect themselves. A common example: when a girlfriend mentions a woman's hyper-flirty Facebook comment to her overly-jealous boyfriend and he starts shouting about how he's not cheating. Some people seem quite afraid of seeing themselves. It harkens to an old Central American adage, 'If ten people tell you you're drunk, lie down.' Spinning through the air I struggle with indecision. I'm so risk-averse and it's often over laughably low-stakes stuff too. It's not like I'm not on the Bachelor, trying to pick my bride from of a dozen classy beautiful women who are all pining for attention. I spin in circles trying to figure out what's for dinner. I found 'the nuclear option' for when I can't decide between two good options. I discovered it while watching, of all things, No Country for Old Men: 'When faced with two choices, simply toss a coin. It works not because it settles the question for you, but because in that brief moment when the coin is in the air, you suddenly know what you are hoping for.' We secretly know what we want most of the time. It's like when my spouse asks me for my opinion on two pairs of clothes to wear. I give my opinion and she just goes with her own version either way. When all else fails, toss a coin. The act of taking the decision out of your own hands has a way of surfacing what you really want. The strange life of a genius I coached swimming in the mid-2000s and it probably won't surprise you that my most challenging group was the middle school boys. They constantly looked for ways to troll me and push the boundaries. It was lewd humor and madness. Yet while a few of them were difficult — others needed help. They were 'different'. Consequently, they were bullied relentlessly at school. They often came to practice upset about how their day had gone. I identified with them on so many levels. I've spent my entire life having people tell me, 'You are one weird dude.' I would reassure them that they were simply misunderstood and that they were in good company: some of the greatest people to ever live were treated as weirdos. The mega-genius, Friedrich Nietzsche, was in this camp at one point too. He was, by very definition, different than his peers. People tend to attack things they don't understand. Throughout his life, he proposed many wild and brilliant ideas, faced his share of critics, and endured his own moments of social isolation. One line he wrote, that I encourage any who feel misunderstood to remember: And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music. Humanity is filled with wild and shimmering variety. Those who see 'different' and attack are afraid of their own authenticity. Don't shy away from living your own truth. If you haven't been told 'You're weird.' a few times along the way, you aren't doing it right. Solve the daily Crossword
The Independent
09-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
The best double glazing companies in 2025
If it's time for a new set of windows for your home, we're here to answer all your questions on double glazing work and guide you through the best window installers in the UK. When it comes to replacing or upgrading your windows with double glazing, you have a choice of local and national operators. Make sure to gather a number of quotes to get the best price. We have assessed a number of factors in bringing you our best buy list, including price, guarantee options, national reach and security. We have included a price per window in the table below for most of the companies. As you can see, the range is fairly wide and depends on the window size, material, location and how many you buy. What we can tell you is that the average three-bed house should cost about £4,500 to fit with new double-glazed uPVC windows, depending on location and window sizes. It's important to haggle, perhaps more than many with other purchases. Windows are more of a buyers' market, since unless the panes themselves are broken, it's a purchase you can put off, at least for a little while. This gives you the upper hand and allows some time to research the best price and options. Depending on the installer and how tricky your installation is, you may be able to shave up to half off the initial quote you are given. This may seem unlikely, but it's true. That's because many firms rely on Britons' general discomfort over asking for discounts to make expensive initial offers. They also rely on their competitors doing the same. Smaller outfits that feel they need to be more competitive may not be able to drop by as much – use your judgement. As well as this guide, it is also worth getting personal recommendations. If a company has done a good job at a fair price for a friend or colleague, they will probably do the same for you. Best window installers at a glance Fitter Area covered Founded Guarantee Best for Price range Coral Windows Yorkshire 1990 15 years uPVC windows, 10 years locks Payment terms, but Yorkshire only £400 to £650 for a casement window Britelite Windows London, South East 1970 10 years Good reviews, long history From £550 a window First Home Improvements Most of South England 2008 12 years Good reviews £400 to £750 Clearview Windows The northwest of England 2008 20 years on products Best guarantee and plenty of awards Not disclosed Anglian Home Improvements England, Scotland and Wales 1966 10 years National coverage £600 to £1,500 Safestyle England, Scotland and Wales 2024 10 years National coverage £600 to £1,500 Everest England, Scotland and Wales 2024 10 years National coverage £700 to £1,800 Best overall: Coral Windows Coral Windows was established in 1990 by managing director John Valente, and as such, it's one of the longest continually operating firms on our list. The family-run company covers the Yorkshire region and has its own security technology called SmartFrame, which detects intrusions and sends alerts to a smartphone app as well as triggering an alarm. It also reminds you to close windows ad doors when you leave your home. Coral is notable for not taking a deposit on work. Founder Valente says: 'Whether we do a £4k window job or £50k conservatory or extension, we do not take one penny of deposit. The customer sees the product before they part with a penny. We are family-run, and have survived several recessions and Covid.' These payment terms, together with the firm's reputation, means it snags our top spot in spite of its relatively small coverage. Opting for smaller companies when buying new windows can be a good option since your business is a bigger deal for them than it would be for a national operator. It also means showrooms may be closer – Coral has sites in Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield, Wakefield and Sheffield. The company sponsored West Yorkshire police cars, which helped boost business in the area. Its products have also been accredited by the force. As for products, Coral has a range of styles including casement, sash, tile and turn and bay. One downside is that Coral only offers uPVC windows. If you want timber or aluminium, you will have to look elsewhere. Coral offers interest-free credit on half the value of the work for two years. You just have to pay the first half when the work is done. This is one of the better offers we have seen, although you will need to spend £9,900 or more, so it works only for big homes. The offer isn't valid for conservatories, either. If you want to borrow the full amount with Coral, you will pay 11.9 per cent APR, which is in line with other fitters and cheaper than borrowing on your credit card, but better deals are available through personal loans, and you should probably avoid rates like this if you can. As well as conservatories, Coral offers triple glazing with A+ energy ratings. Triple glazing is a good option for those looking to invest and really slash their energy bills. For most people, insulation and cutting draughts are probably cheaper things to do first. But some homes with good insulation will benefit from triple glazing. Pros: Rare interest-free credit if you spend enough No deposit Good reviews Long guarantee Cons: Yorkshire only Best track record: Britelite Windows Area covered: London, Kent, Sussex, Essex and Surrey Founded: 1970 Guarantee: 10 years Best for: Good reviews and a long history Another long-established firm, Britelite has more than 50 years of experience fitting windows, doors and conservatories. It covers the southeast of England. It has Which? Trusted trader status and the company says chairman Dominic Baxter regularly reads customer reviews in order to keep service levels high. The company's long track record and decent customer reviews helped propel it to silver in our review table. In common with the other companies on our review list, getting a price per window is difficult, but our research suggests that each unit starts at about £550. You will, of course, pay more for aluminium frames from Britelite. The firm also offers doors and flat roofing, as well as green roofs, a relatively recent innovation. No timber frames are on offer, but styles including casement and sliding sash are. Green roofs, as the name suggests, offer removable panels of plants which help insulate the property, slow drainage and look nice. The removable panels mean maintenance is easier. Britelite joins most of the other companies on this list in having regular sales, where up to 30 per cent can be saved on many products. In practice, this shows how much can be cut from most estimates and still leave a profit margin the company is comfortable with, so use this information in any negotiations you have with your fitter of choice. The company's website is unusual in having a map of customers and reviews, so you can cast an eye over the experiences of customers who may be near to you. In common with other vendors, finance is available, but not on great terms, being 12.9 per cent APR. Better loans are available elsewhere so long as your credit is good. Triple glazing, conservatories, cladding and roofline products are also available. Roofline is industry jargon for guttering and the boards that seal the house under the eaves. The cladding is uPVC material that can replace wooden boarding which was a common addition to homes once but requires regular varnishing. Britelite has showrooms in Maidstone, Kent and Wickford, Essex. Pros: Long track record Keen pricing Cons: South East England only First Home Improvements has some of the broadest coverage of England and roots going back to the 1970s, although the company's current iteration was founded in 2008 through a management buyout of the previous owners. If you are after fancier windows made of wood or aluminium, you are out of luck, but if uPVC is your material of choice, and you aren't in the areas covered by Coral or Britelite, then First could be your best choice. There's plenty of choice within the realm of uPVC, including casement, sash, tilt and turn and even Tudor windows. First also market oval, triangle, round and arched windows. The company offers a generous 12-year guarantee and this, together with its keen pricing, puts it third in our league of window fitters. First offers a wide range of colours and textures, so there's no need to stick with white if you want a more contemporary look. As well as windows, the firm will fit porches, conservatories and doors, and it has a nifty online door designer tool, which is a nice touch if you can't make it to a showroom. As well as a generous guarantee, First will stand by its quotes for two years, which could come in handy if you need some time to save up for the job. First joins many of its competitors in the occasional 30 per cent off sale, so it is well worth getting a quote around this time. It also offers financing, although its website is cagey about rates, suggesting they are nothing to shout about. Instead, consider going to a lender. If you want a loan of £7,500 to £20,000, TSB offers a rate of 5.9 per cent over one to five years, Novuna Personal Finance offers 6 per cent over the same period, and M&S Bank offers 6 per cent over one to seven years. Borrowing £10,000 over seven years at 6 per cent will cost £2,271 in interest and mean a payment of £146 a month. Pros: 12 year-guarantee Good reviews Cons: Best for a good guarantee: Clearview Windows Area covered: The northwest of England including North Wales, West Derbyshire and South Lakes Founded: 2008 Guarantee: 20 years on products (roofs and PVC frames doors & glass), 10 years on aluminium and building work Best for: A good guarantee and plenty of awards North West-focused Clearview has a generous 20-year guarantee on many of its products, although the work itself is guaranteed for the more industry-standard 10 years. If you are in the Nort West of England, Clearview is a good choice because of this lengthy guarantee and a respectable haul of industry awards. The firm is proud to have won the Glass & Glazing Federation Installer of the Year award for three consecutive years. Timber frames are again missing, with the company instead focusing on more popular uPVC and aluminium models. The company's Extreme brand of energy efficient windows, which have a A+ rating, have frequent third-off sales that are worth seeking out. Clearview puts a focus on design, and much of its marketing effort is on conservatories, which can be designed at its showrooms or through consultations at your home. They range from the standard white uPVC greenhouse-style designs through to more contemporary styles which look more like an extension. However, the firm also has a good selection of windows, including casement and flush models for uPVC and slimline aluminium frames for a modern look. Flush casement windows, as the name suggests, sit flush to their frame, rather than overlapping it like a regular uPVC model. Showrooms can be found in Preston, Nantwich and Warrington. As always, financing is expensive, and either paying in cash or getting a cheaper loan is probably a better financial choice. If you are ordering a conservatory, a three-month interest-free option is available, but this does not apply to windows or doors. Clearview's products are made at a factory in Yorkshire. Pros: Long guarantee Decent reviews Cons: Conservatory focus North West England focused No pricing data Best for national coverage: Anglian Home Improvements Area covered: England, Scotland and Wales Founded: 1966 Guarantee: 10 years Best for: National coverage and range of styles The first national company on our list and the longest-running, Anglian was founded in 1966. It's changed hands several times since then and is now owned by a private equity firm, Alchemy Partners. It is also the biggest in the country, fitting half a million windows, doors and other products a year. The company covers all of Britain and provides blinds and conservatories ,as well as windows, doors and porches. Anglian offers to match uPVC window prices, which means it is well worth getting a number of quotes. This shouldn't mean that you should just get them to match the lowest quote though. If you have chosen Anglian as your window fitter, then make sure to negotiate and see if any further discounts are available. If choice, reach and longevity were the only concerns in our review, Anglian would top the list. It offers a dizzying selection of UuPVC, aluminium and timber models, with all sorts of sizes and colours. But it has a reputation for being expensive and cost is one of our top criteria, as well as customer satisfaction. Anglian makes its windows at its factory in Ipswich, Suffolk, and they can be made to fit your measurements. It also offers money off if you recycle your old windows through the firm, which might make for a further attractive discount. Like many companies that offer home improvements, you can borrow money through Anglian to help spread the cost. But the firm's offering on this front isn't very competitive with a 12.9 per cent APR. You would be much better off spending savings, since no savings account in the UK can beat that figure. If you don't have the savings to spare, then seeking financing through a personal loan is probably a better bet, with rates closer to half what Anglian is offering being available. A big plus for Anglian is the sheer choice, with wooden options as well as uPVC and aluminium. The firm will also make sash windows, as well as the usual outward-opening casement style. Modern tilt and turn windows – the ones that will hinge at the bottom to allow a small vent at the top as well as hinging on the side – and bay windows are on offer, as is secondary glazing. Pros: Huge choice National coverage Cons: Expensive Mixed customer reviews Best for recycling: Safestyle Famous in North West England for its quirky TV adverts fronted by medieval garb-clad Jeff Brown, who offered regular buy-one-get-one-free deals to customers, and later ones featuring former England goalie David Seaman, Safestyle collapsed into administration in 2023, blaming high costs and weak demand. It was bought by rival Anglian, but the collapse left some customers with worthless guarantees. Its similar, but more limited, offering places it just below its owner on our list. Under its new ownership it offers very similar services to Anglian, with a 10 year guarantee and broad coverage of the UK. There's excellent choice, but all made in uPVC. Those who want wood frames, perhaps to adhere to local planning and conservation rules, will have to look elsewhere. But uPVC is very low-maintenance, and Safestyle offers every design variation under the sun, including sash, bay and triple-glazed. Safetyle will remove your old windows and recycle them. It has the same quote matching as Anglian and quotes are valid for six months. Make sure you haggle, as with any supplier on this list. Interestingly, Safetyle sales are sometimes seen at the 15 per cent mark, rather than the 30 per cent others offer. This should not dissuade you from seeking a bigger price drop, however. As with its owner, Anglian, you can borrow money through Safestyle to help spread the cost. But the firm's offering on this front is the same at a fairly chunky 12.9 per cent APR. You would be much better off spending savings, since no savings account in the UK can beat that figure. If you don't have the savings to spare, then seeking financing through a personal loan is probably a better bet, with rates closer to half what Safestyle is offering being available. Other fitters on this list offer interest-free credit or other favourable payment terms. Pros: Recycle your old windows Good choice, albeit only in uPVC Cons: uPVC only Mixed customer reviews Rough recent history Best for transparent pricing: Everest Everest is one of the more famous names on our list, thanks to a couple of TV campaigns in the 1980s and 2000s showcasing its windows at the Tan Hill Inn, the highest pub in Britain. But the company has had a troubled recent history, going into administration in 2020 in the wake of Covid lockdowns and then again in 2024. It is now owned by Anglian. Its financial troubles left some customers unable to cancel orders and with worthless warranties, although purchases made just before the collapse were fulfilled by its new owners. Everest, like Anglian, offers a huge array of options, including timber and aluminium. The website is very easy to use and doors and conservatories are also available. The company's recent troubled past and some recent unfavourable reviews put it last for us. Unlike its stablemates Anglian and Safestyle – and indeed unlike any other firm on this list – Everest publishes a guide on how much their windows are likely to cost. These costs inform our table further up the page. With the other firms, we have had to use customers' estimates to provide figures. uPVC casement windows cost £700-£1,800 a window, with sash windows costing 50 per cent more, tilt and turn models 25 per cent more, bay windows 150 per cent more, aluminium frames 25 per cent more than uPVC and timber 50 per cent more than uPVC. These prices are the firm's asking prices and should be taken as a starting point for negotiations. Aim to lop of at least a quarter and try for a half if you can, perhaps by offering to pay upfront or add more work. Everest says its windows are now triple glazed as standard, which will make for costlier windows – add 10 to 20 per cent – albeit ones that retain the heat better. Everest, like its sister companies Anglian and Everest, offers financing but the rate is an uncompetitive 12.9 per cent. Using savings first will be cheaper, if you have them. Failing that, there are loans from high street lenders at half that rate. Pros: Unusually transparent pricing Triple glazing as standard for uPVC Cons:
