Double glazing advice

JAZ63

Hi all,

not sure if this is the right place to post

Im thinking of taking the plunge and having some double glazing windows installed.

Due to limited funds ,I am only expecting to get the windows at the front of my home done immediately,although I plan to gradually replace the back windows in time.

I am getting a couple of local firms who have been recommended to me ,to give me a quote at the end of this week.

Im wondering if any of you out there can suggest any questions that I should be asking these companies

I plan to replace :
two large bay windows
three large bedroom windows
Im interested in georgian style as that is the style of the house and current windows

I dont know what guarantee I should expect or anything about standard energy policies ? for glass

Thanks in advance

amcluesent

There's a good buyers checklist by 'the windows man' on t'interweb that's near the top of Google. From memory, you need to check that any deposit is covered and that the guarantee is not tied to the company, IIRC Fensa membership covers this. Also need to ensure that the 10 year guarantee covers glass and frames and stays valid after you sell up.

Glass and frames have A/B/C energy ratings, you may as well go for 'A' now.

unluckychappie

Check if the Pilkington self-clean glass is available, and if there is a premium for it. Failing that see if they offer a window opening configuration that enables you to clean the outside of the upstairs windows while you are inside - all ours do this, no more ladders.

Other than the advise given above, I would look to get the widest width between panes you can afford and check out some of their installations. They should be able to provide addresses and have gained permission to cite, if not avoid them.

Yorkie1

Ask what the profile is (the plastic frame)
Whether they make good afterwards
What glass they use

JAZ63

Hi,
thanks for your suggestions so far,

the people are coming tomorrow so any last minute ideas of questions I should be asking would be much appreciated

Yorkie 1 , what should i be asking about the profile !! ,what glass should they use ?

what is the ideal width between glass panes !! (Im really confused ,and scared now ha ha

Jaz

muskoka

TIP TIP TIP! I just had windows fitted by a local Company. !!!!!! - I asked for square leaded windows - I got lovely square leads on the main windows, but on the top openers (I got striped windows). They told me I should have specified larger than standard top openers if I wanted lead effect squares on top, instead of stripes. Beware! Ask them for a template of the window design before you sign up!

JAZ63

Muskoka,

that is a great tip,will certainly get a template now

had to read your post twice before I realised the company was NOT called !!!!!! !!! lol ...

muskoka

Ya, Thanks - I'm a member of Which Local - I'll be posting a review!:mad:

Yorkie1

JAZ63 wrote: »

Hi,
thanks for your suggestions so far,

the people are coming tomorrow so any last minute ideas of questions I should be asking would be much appreciated

Yorkie 1 , what should i be asking about the profile !! ,what glass should they use ?

what is the ideal width between glass panes !! (Im really confused ,and scared now ha ha

Jaz

Sorry, only just logged on after a few days offline. Hope it went OK yesterday.

I have rehau profile which I was told (by a friend whose family background is DG) is a decent profile. So that's the plastic surround.

I have Planitherm glass. It's very like Pilkington but does not have a tint to it. As I have no south-facing windows it didn't seem worth it. They were the same cost so down to personal preference.

They used special spacer bars between the two window panes, they are black rubber or similar, rather than the silver metal which you will see in older windows and across which the cold could travel.

You will see the energy rating of the window, must be C at least I think. I went for B as the difference in performance between B & A didn't seem much compared to the extra cost.

The overall thing for comparison is the U value. I think the lower it is, the better (but others will correct me if I'm wrong).

Ask to see others' installations and how they made good. Also how they were at getting the old frames out - do they cut them out or smash the glass?

My double glazing was fitted this week. I have a similar sounding house to you. They broke no glass and have made good any damage to plasterwork (some is inevitable). They also put back up my blinds for free.