White uPVC windows - black gaskets

jenny-wren

We agreed to buy new white uPVC double glazing from a local company who use Rehau components. They had quoted for a 70mm profile.

They recently informed us that the 70mm profile comes with an integral black gasket and that, over time, water runs off the black gaskets and can stain the uPVC. They can supply a 60mm profile with grey gaskets but say it would only be £100 cheaper in total (2 doors and 9 windows).

Advice online suggests that we should opt for a profile of over 65mm (and ideally 70mm) with 28mm glass units. The 60mm profile the company supplies (Rehau Tritec) has 24mm glass units.

I'm concerned that because we'd agreed a price for the 70mm units the company can now give us an over-inflated price for the 60mm units.

Can anyone tell me if the price difference should be greater between the 70mm and 60mm profiles and advise if I should be concerned about the use of black gaskets. There is little difference between the energy efficiency of the two profiles but we are on a fairly exposed site on a road which gets a lot of commuter traffic.

We haven't paid any money yet but have agreed verbally to purchase the windows.

Thanks.

SatanicHare

Without seeing the 70mm profile i believe that most modern window systems, including Rehau now have the option of low level gaskets which don't bleed onto the frames the way the old ones used to. Check Rehau's website for more info

capeverde

absolute nonsense, they are blagging you for some reason. Black neoprene gaskets are absolutely fine and wont discolour your frames. Its the paler gaskets that end up getting dirty and looking poor. You can always clean a frame, but try cleaning white gasket. Also re spacer bar gaps in sealed units, with regard to insulation after a 12mm gap you start to reach a point of diminishing returns. Ie it doesnt matter. With regard to soundproofing, the bigger the gap the better, but it should also be combined with different thicknesses in glass, ie 4mm outer and 6mm inner. In most domestic installations it wont make much difference. If you stay at an airport hotel for example, you will find they have double glazing and then further secondary glazing on the inside of the reveal with a different thickness glass.