Double glazing quote

curiosity101

Hi all,

We've had a different set of speil 3 times now from different window companies and have 2 quotes that are very similar to each other that we're not sure about. Neither are from local independants but are from reasonably small local firms.

All windows are standard white, duraflex, A rated windows with shootbolt locking and 150mm cills - I've added any extras to each window just after the room name.

Lounge - Bottom panel is toughened glass



Bathroom - All toughened glass and obscured



Front bed - Egress hinges


Back bed - Egress hinges


We received quotes of:
£1650(Move with the times home improvements ltd),
£1720(Carrington),
and £2350 (Safestyle) for the above windows

We went for the £1720 cause he said that their thermoflex spacer bars were superior to the standard aluminium ones and this was the only visible difference between the two cheapest window companies.

The company is called Carrington and they are based in Derby.

I could buy the exact same windows myself today from http://www.onlinewindowquote.com/ for £1,218.77 delivered if it helps.

smifffy1989

So essentially your paying £500 for fitting and the warranty which seems reasonable to me

curiosity101

I'd imagine they get them alot cheaper than I would as an independent customer though?

And we're still not sure if 'thermo flex' spacers are better than warm edge aluminium ones? Any idea?

smifffy1989

I too have had the same sales patter from a large window company.
The Thermo Flex spacers make sense in that the window pane will essentially be warmer and more efficient.

I think the two questions to ask are is the UPVC 'virgin' or recycled?

What is the energy rating of the frame?

curiosity101

The windows are A rated, I don't know enough about double glazing to say what the frames are if they have their own rating?

He did say they were insulated with polystyrene or something though.

greenface

First two prices are ok for "A" rated frames . soft spacer add to the ratings and ups the u values . To be fair it would be difficult to tell the difference once correctly installed as we don't know what it would have been like with standard bar and hollow sections etc . personally I am more concerned about the fit of the frame and the length of the screws .

curiosity101

Well at the moment we're still talking over the '10 year guarantee'. We read through the terms and conditions really thoroughly and found that they 'seem' to not cover the moving part for more than 12 months even though the 'guarantee' on the website shows that all parts including moving parts are covered for 10 years.

They pretty much said 'Oh it's fine it's a 10 year guarantee on every part they're just old terms and conditions that you signed'.

We pretty much said if they don't give us new ones to sign then we're not interested because the thing we signed is the legally binding one. We have absolutely no proof of the 10 year guarantee otherwise.

greenface

your bang on and most T&Cs will only cover hinges & handles for 12months that's often all the manufactures of the frames get . Locks & letterboxes often for 3 or 5 yrs . The company takes it on chin often for late guarantee calls but often stitch into the T&Cs that you need your frames "servicing" every year at a ££ rate . Bit like a car ..