Opinions on different double glazed window companies please!

Polly05

Hi,
I’m looking for any opinions on these two double glazed windows. Anything at all on the stuff I don’t understand, what questions to ask, etc. Anything will help!


I’m looking to replace my PVC windows; 6 tilt and turns.


I’ve had two quotes from local companies. I’m still trying to find anyone who’s used either of them before to ask if they were pleased with the work or not, so at the moment, I’m going on the windows they supply.


One company said they supply VEKA windows, which I had read on here were a good company. But the brochure they gave me was for ‘Consort’ windows. It has a wee Veka logo on the back, but I’m confused. It appears that Consort manufacture the windows, so what does Veka have to do with anything? What exactly are Veka?


Anyway, according to the Consort brochure, their details are;
- Lead-free 70mm profile
- U-value of up to 1.6
- Aluminimum spacer
- Argon filled
- Secured by design (police preferred)


The other company supply Inliten windows. According to their brochure, their details include;
- 15 year guantantee
- Lead free on all visable surfaces, 70mm profile
- Positive drainage system
- Fully welded
- 100% virgin PVCu
- Warm edge spacer bar
- Soft coat glass
- U-value of 1.4

By the little I’ve learned whilst doing research, I know that argon filled is good and that warm edge spacer is better than aluminimum. So 1 company has an aluminimum spacer, and argon filled. The other company have warm edge spacer, and says that negates the need for expensive gases. So I’m guessing they aren’t argon filled? But they seem to have a better u-value?


The Inliten ones also say things like 100% virgin PVC (what difference does that make?), fully welded and with drainage channel, which the other one doesn’t. But is that just because it’s obvious stuff that maybe is taken for granted that it’s got?


On a side note, one of the companies says it uses soudal gun grade expanding foam whilst fitting and that they offer a free glass breakage repair cover for 5 years.. just in case anyone has any opinions on that...?


Sorry for all the waffling but i want to make the right decision as I don’t want to have to do this again for a good while!



Thanks!

Furts

General observsations are aluminium spacers are obsolete and should be avoided. Soudal gun grade foam fixing suggests either they are cowboys, or the sales people do not have a clue what they are talking about. Either way this is bad news.

A five year glass break guarantee is almost worthless. How many people break their windows after having them fitted, and what is the small print? Again, this sounds like worthless sales bullsh-t.

To compare products, aim for the lowest U Value that you can find, and aim for an energy rating of A Rated, or better. Do not go for a B or C Rated window.

Ideally, you should aim for a minimum of ten years guarantee on everything -glass, profiles, manufacturing, ironmongery...

Ideally, every component of your window should be BS Kitemarked, or similar. That is glass, sealed unit manufacture, profile manufacture, window manufacture, QA, audit trail...

Ideally, look at windows installed by these companies. Two of my neighbours have just had windows fitted - one installation was diabolical, the other installation was probably worse. I will not mention names - most of the products and installations are at best, barely adequate.

If you adopt this approach to sorting the wheat from the chaff I suspect you will reach a decision.

Hope this helps.