Are all double glazing frames the same (french doors)?

missprice

the frames are such a small part of the whole door/window that it makes little difference to the heat loss. although warm edge spacers are commonly used now,either wood or rubber iirc
but a better frame is wood frame covered with upvc or aluminium, very little heat loss and very sturdy if you get the right wood.

the windows should have as low a U value as possible.
please don't just go with safestyle or anglian, look into a local company as they will be masses cheaper probably

so ask about the U values and for an e.g mine are 0.9 but triple glazing
I would expect double glazing to be around the 1.5 someone can come and correct that if I am wildly out

n_s_simpson

True, but let's assume that they are all playing fair and are using Argon and warm edge spacers. All we can do is believe what they say.

Does anyone know about the differences in how the PVC frames are manufactured because I can't seem to get a clear answer anywhere.

Thanks

Nick

n_s_simpson

Hi missprice, your post came through as I was typing mine. SafeStyle quoted £820 in the end for 1.8m wide x 2.00 high french doors. That's fitted and included replastering the hole they are being fitted into.

No one else is even close (including two local firms) so I wondered whether their frames were substandard.

One local firm said that their frames are steel reinforced all the way round, making them C rated. They said that if SafeStyle are claiming that their frames are A rated it means that it's not got steel all the way round.

I just wondered if someone knows the truth.

Thanks

Nick

Yorkie1

As another poster said, what is the U-value for the doors (whole package, not just frames) for each company? That is the overall measure of efficiency.

maintenanceman

Regarding french doors on a ground floor. I would expect that safety is the no1 option. Security rating above thermal glass performance and laminated glass is a nust. manufacturers brand is important. I have synergy supplied by a local firm which cost me 720 quid with frosted glass. I like the frames cos they are a ton (not literally) without the glass so I know there is a lot of steel in them.

n_s_simpson

Hi maintenanceman, So are your steel frames A-rated? Just interested in whether it's possible to have the best of both worlds or if it's one or the other.

I also need a new composite front door...

Dimension: 88cm x 206cm
Style: Something similar to SafeStyle's Windsor design
Door Knocker: Yes
Letterbox: Yes (silver)
Opening: In
Hung: Left
Inside Colour: White
Outside Colour: Black
Handle: Silver

Side Glass Panel
Dimension: 37cm x 206cm
Frame: White

If you cover the north west (stockport), what would you charge for install?

Thanks

Nick

n_s_simpson

If not, is there anyone that will fit a high quality french door and composite front door within the Stockport area for a reasonable price?

Thanks

chopps

n_s_simpson wrote: »

He said that you either have very strong French doors or well-insulated weak doors. He said that you can't have both. I just wondered if that was true.

Thanks

Nick

I reckon that says it all.

n_s_simpson

So it wasn't bull? It seemed to make sense but I wondered if they did steel reinforcement with a pvc chambers all around to give both strength and A-rating. Perhaps it would make the doors too thick so that's just not the done thing.

I only want to know because this is phase 1 of trying to get an A-rated house, which I eventually want to try and do.

missprice

don't really know enough about patio doors and only know a bit about windows as I have just done same as you, to find stuff that will last and be as energy efficient as poss.
so the overall thing I found is security is a must on the ground floor . which I assume yours are?
so
mutilpoint locking system
internally fitted, so glass cant be removed from outside
anti lift whatever that means ( I don't have patio doors)
safety glass/laminated
good hinges if fitted (disregard if sliding)
and of course the highest rating you can get.
now ignore the frames for now because its the whole fitting you have to look at, so have you called people back or do you have the exact specs they wanted to fit?
and find out the U value of the whole fitting that will give you the best thing to look at