Advice needed on double glazing company quality and quotes received

youandiaredominoes

We are currently looking to get our sash windows replaced with double glazing because of a busy road and energy efficiency. I'm finding it a complete minefield!

I have received quotes from 4 companies and all use different materials and claim other companies use inferior products.

I'm looking to get the front of the houses's windows replaces, which consists of a bay window and two large, as well as a composite door and top light. Ideally I would like a wooden frame around the windows to be a bit in-keeping around the uPVC sash. All windows have chrome fittings.

I don't like being put on the spot about anything so stood my ground with pushy sales people (despite one being in my house for 2 hours!). I am asking the neighbours what they've got and interested to gauge from people on the MSE forum whether the prices below represent good value, the quality being offered and any other tips you might have.

Any advice gratefully received! Thanks

Here's what I've received so far:

Company 1
- Local independent
- Windows are Eurocell
- Visited my wife when I was at work
- Quote sent by post. Didn't discuss about wood frames around the windows, so probably not in price
- With door = £5400
- Without door = £4250

Company 2
- Local independent, have used before
- Windows are Vevo
- Quote given via email after I sent measurements and photos. Didn't discuss about wood frames around the windows, so probably not in price
- With door = £6980
- Without door = £5750

Company 3
- One of the major double glazing companies. You might have seen their adverts on TV...
- Windows are Duraflex, quote did include wooden frame around sash
- Quote given on spot verbally, put pressure on me to accept
- With door = £7500
- Without door = £5950

Company 4
- Regional independent, have used before and happy with the work, but it wasn't for sash
- Windows are Rehau, quote did include wooden frame around sash
- Quote given on spot verbally, put pressure on me to accept
- With door = £6900
- Without door = £5200

Furts

The obvious is probably the cheapest quote. You want to avoid any company with sales people and sales pressure exerted on you. This is because you will be paying a huge chunk in commission to such folks.

You have not mentioned quality, energy efficiency, method of fitting, workmanship, after sales, guarantees, FENSA, Buildings Regulations, type of profile - size, sections and so on. Consequently it is not possible to give firm guidance.

Whilst you may know differently your post comes across as one driven largely on price with no consideration on how that price could be influenced or made up.

Kiran

To add a bit more to this, as you appear to want to keep the noise of the main road out, what glazing are they quoting for? Also, there are various size profiles each company use. I'm by no means a double glazing expert but have experience of a few of those profiles. If you like the product but dislike the sales technique there are others who will fit the same frames.

SuzieSue

I've found installers using this site in the past with success:

http://www.certifiedinstallernetwork.org

They have all been small, independent companies who are not pushy.

Furts

Kiran wrote: »

To add a bit more to this, as you appear to want to keep the noise of the main road out, what glazing are they quoting for? Also, there are various size profiles each company use. I'm by no means a double glazing expert but have experience of a few of those profiles. If you like the product but dislike the sales technique there are others who will fit the same frames.

To add a little bit more,there are upvc companies manufacturing sliding sash windows but I do not know if this is what OP is after. The mention of wooden frames/surrounds confuses me here. Equally sliding sashes would not be ideal by a noisy road - fixed windows, or with some side hung casements would probably be better. Then to confuse matters further there is the option of different glass to reduce noise, or the option of triple glazing. All this should have been offered and discussed by all of the companies that quoted, so over to OP here.

Even the composite front door is suspect. If you want to deaden sound then you want mass, and here ordinary composite doors would not be ideal. A solid core/engineered door would, probably, be more suitable. Plus give consideration to the glazing and the letter plate/opening. Again I do not know what each of the companies discussed with OP, so back to them for their thoughts here.

Unfortunately when a decision is driven by price there is a risk the end result will not meet expectations. The devil is always in the detail!

youandiaredominoes

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Price is important but we also want a good job done.

All the windows are FENSA and all A* energy efficient, only companies 3&4 mentioned building regs in terms of using toughened glass due to the low height of the windows.

The 'quality' question is an issue... I am not sure about the quality of the products or how to judge it.

I don't have info on the profiles as company 3&4 didn't leave me any materials, which I think is a little bit dodgy.

Company 4 did a good job with windows in our previous home, but they weren't sash.

The wooden frames I mention are a piece of wooden framing that goes around the outside of the uPVC windows to give a decent finish around and between the windows (instead of uPVC).

I did broach triple glazing with companies 3&4 but they both said it wasn't worth getting and would only reduce noise by about a further 5%....

greenface

Parts have confuddled me here . maybe you too . are you getting up and down sliding sash windows in uPVC to replace your old up and down sliding box sash windows 150mm thick frame . or are you getting lookalikey casement frames maybe with sash horns . your linings and architraves if insulated properly will sort draught and noise issues compared to older style box sash .if toughened is standard then its should be there maybe they have included but not noted. how many windows in total are there . a bay and 2 big box windows for up n down sliding sash windows for 5k is a bargain . timber inc or not . Theyre a grand to buy

youandiaredominoes

Hi greenface

There are 5 windows in total, with 3 of them being a bay. The middle window of the bay will open but the other 2 in the bay will not (which is ok with me). The remaining 2 windows are upstairs in the master bedroom.

We have been offered up and down sliding sash in uPVC, with the horns. The only bit which is made of wood is the window sill and the wood in between the windows to give a decent finish. Similar to this: