Conservatory refurb query

mutley74

I am getting my full existing conservatory upgraded to a guardian warm roof with new frames and glazed units. 

Had a few quotes in and need some advice on:

1. Which brand UPVC windows are the best? 
 Had one quote using Liniar upvc windows (cheapest quote) and the next quote £700 more using Swish Upvc frames. 
Both claim they are A+ rated units with Argon filled. I cant find many independent reviews on upvc manufacturer quality. 

Both installers are on Checked and vetted, checkatrade with a fair number of reviews. 

How does one know which is a decent brand? If i ask the installer they just claim the brand they install is the best. Hard to find much difference between them when checking a physical frame. 


2. Insurance back guarantee - is it essential? Are they worth the paper they are written on?
One installer says they dont offer an insurance back guarantee, but have a reputation of being in business 30+yrs. 
Some other installers offer this. 

 Any other advice appreciated, and what to look out for before I select the final vendor and put down a deposit. 

Thanks. 

TELLIT01

I would look for an insurance backed guarantee.  A company being in business 30+ years doesn't say anything about their future prospects.  Rolls Royce went bust back in the 70's!  It's also possible that a company run by the same person for 30+ years could be coming to a natural end soon anyway if it's a one man band.

Sebi_895

I would recommend to stop for a second and explore other options.
Is this warm roof going to blank out the natural light? Sometimes the frame does not need repalcing, new glazed windows is optional yes but thats perference. Have the folk who have quoted you said anything about the existing structure as in whether it's ok or it has to go?

FreeBear

TELLIT01 said: A company being in business 30+ years doesn't say anything about their future prospects.

Indeed.

Everest for example. Founded in 1965 and went in to administration in 2020. The customers that had been promised "lifetime" guarantees suddenly found them to be worthless (not insurance backed). The assets of the old company were sold to Everest 2020 who now claim that they have been operating since 1965, and gloss over the recent history.

As for differences in quality, one sealed unit filled with argon is going to be pretty much the same as any other. The manufacturers may well make fanciful claims that their frames perform better than a competitor, but the frames only contribute a small percentage to the overall thermal performance of the structure. An A rated frame fitted well is going to be much better than a poorly fitted A+ frame (even with argon filled units). But as we are talking about a conservatory, it is going to be hot during the summer & cold in the winter - The performance of the windows & frames isn't going to make much difference.

mutley74

Sebi_895 said:

I would recommend to stop for a second and explore other options.
Is this warm roof going to blank out the natural light? Sometimes the frame does not need repalcing, new glazed windows is optional yes but thats perference. Have the folk who have quoted you said anything about the existing structure as in whether it's ok or it has to go?

It will block out some light, but we have glazed units in 2 sides plus getting a roof window installed.  The existing structure is over 20 yrs old, and some openers dont close properly, so it will be good to replace the lot with new. 

DRP

mutley74 said:

Sebi_895 said:

I would recommend to stop for a second and explore other options.
Is this warm roof going to blank out the natural light? Sometimes the frame does not need repalcing, new glazed windows is optional yes but thats perference. Have the folk who have quoted you said anything about the existing structure as in whether it's ok or it has to go?

It will block out some light, but we have glazed units in 2 sides plus getting a roof window installed.  The existing structure is over 20 yrs old, and some openers dont close properly, so it will be good to replace the lot with new. 

Can I ask what the quotes have been? and the size of your conservtory?

mutley74

DRP said:

mutley74 said:

Sebi_895 said:

I would recommend to stop for a second and explore other options.
Is this warm roof going to blank out the natural light? Sometimes the frame does not need repalcing, new glazed windows is optional yes but thats perference. Have the folk who have quoted you said anything about the existing structure as in whether it's ok or it has to go?

It will block out some light, but we have glazed units in 2 sides plus getting a roof window installed.  The existing structure is over 20 yrs old, and some openers dont close properly, so it will be good to replace the lot with new. 

Can I ask what the quotes have been? and the size of your conservtory?

Its 3 x 4.5m lean too.  Had all sorts of prices from £10k to £16k for basically the same thing!  As well so much varying advice on building control requirements. 

DRP

Thanks for the info.

My understanding is that these are not BC compliant, as they will fail on thermal requirements at the very least. But i know someone who has had this work done and is very happy with it, regardless.

mutley74

DRP said:

Thanks for the info.

My understanding is that these are not BC compliant, as they will fail on thermal requirements at the very least. But i know someone who has had this work done and is very happy with it, regardless.

A change in roof to a tiled roof (including light weigh types) required BC approval at my LA. Spoken to them last week. Amazing how many installers say one does not need BC approval and not really read the regs properly. It is the home owners who are liable to ensure correct documentation when it comes to any sale. 

TELLIT01

mutley74 said:

DRP said:

mutley74 said:

Sebi_895 said:

I would recommend to stop for a second and explore other options.
Is this warm roof going to blank out the natural light? Sometimes the frame does not need repalcing, new glazed windows is optional yes but thats perference. Have the folk who have quoted you said anything about the existing structure as in whether it's ok or it has to go?

It will block out some light, but we have glazed units in 2 sides plus getting a roof window installed.  The existing structure is over 20 yrs old, and some openers dont close properly, so it will be good to replace the lot with new. 

Can I ask what the quotes have been? and the size of your conservtory?

Its 3 x 4.5m lean too.  Had all sorts of prices from £10k to £16k for basically the same thing!  As well so much varying advice on building control requirements. 

I know costs have gone up since Covid but we only paid £8k for a pitched roof that size last year.  £16k is way too much.  That was a complete roof replacement, including all rafters, glazing, lightweight tiles etc.

Sebi_895

@mutley74 - Ok I see what you are wanting to do but just a query, is that £16k cost and you still won't get a BC approval?