Replacement Windows - how do I get Double Glazing without being chewed up & spat out!

lisap4123

Today I have had an encounter with exactly the kind of vagabond company I was wary of and seeking to avoid. A few days ago I was looking for an online quote for an idea of what to expect to pay and I submitted my details to the Zeneth Staybright windows as they were offering online quotes. However this was deceptive as I didn’t get an online quote – I actually got an internet team representative hounding my landline with calls until she got hold of me, and then said they don’t quote until they have been out to you and measured up. Already I felt deceived. As I hadn’t had time to research my project yet and wasn’t expecting this I put her off for a few days. She called back earlier today again pushing to arrange an appointment for a consultant to come out. I asked her my questions and she couldn’t answer any of them except that they are FENSA registered. She didn’t know the type of glass or energy efficiency rating or whether they are low E (see im all jenned up on what to ask now !). She said the consultant would be able to answer these when he came out. I booked for the consultant to come out next Sat.
Not more than 5 mins later a man from their internet team called me back (her manager?). Low and behold I am the luckiest person ever as guess what – they just happen to have a consultant in my area who could be with me in a hour !! I said no I was going out and it wasn’t convenient. He said they could come out at 9pm tonight – I said no way! I was happy with the appt I had just arranged. I took the opportunity to ask my questions and he didn’t know most of them either other than it was Pilkington K glass. He seemed to be a bit irritated by my questions and said that whatever my queries were about the product it was excellent quality as the only supply the luxury end of the market. I said I wasn’t looking for luxury windows. He then said that he meant the middle section of the market. I said I had had a quote of £1950 and I was looking to beat it. He said that this price was a joke and would not be a quality product and if I wanted windows to last I would have to pay. He said their doors start from £2000 each. I said that I wasn’t looking for luxury, just for functional windows that will open and close and keep the heat in and the cold out for the best price and said that there was no point it having an appt from the consultant as I just cannot afford the type of prices they are charging. He said fine. End of call.
I didn’t like the man – he was pushy, aggressive in his tone when I started asking my questions and quite frankly argumentative. He is exactly the type of person who I suspect would be refusing to leave your house until you have signed up to windows at an extortionate price. Therefore I am assuming the company also to be a high pressure, overpriced rip-off and to be avoided !!
I hope Thursday goes better with Mr local firm guy. I think I have had a lucky escape with Zeneth Staybright Windows!!

Jem8472

where abouts do you live? My GF brother is a window fitter and a really great one. When we have the money saved up we are going to get our flat done.

They are based in Norwich but do a much larger area than that. He has been very far afield to do some work.

http://www.horsfordwindows.com/
That is their website. Hope that is of some help!

sashman

Lisa P

Most "Double Glazing" companies dont make sash windows, lots will suggest you have dummy sash or mock sash windows installed, BEWARE these are generally fitted into the the existing box.

On the up side, thats less mess taking out the old frames, but the downside is you'll lose daylight because they'll be fitted into the box and you'll see all the new frame and opener, you'll drastically change the appearance of the building, and actually FENSA state that sash windows should not be replaced with top over fixed as they do not meet the build regulatiuons.

Additionally, sash windows are proven to be THE most efficient at changing the air in a room (even better than an open hole!), and you'll find them far easier to escape for should the worst ever happen.

Yes they'll cost more to install, however the likely "cost" must include the depreciation of your home, poorly designed (even good quality) mock sashes could knock thousands off the value of your home.

I know sash windows are more expensive, but if you get an experienced company that educated its clients with Free buyers guides to sash windows, then you'll stand a much better chance of getting sash windows that you'll be happy with, that retain the character of your home, and reduces the risk of depreciating your home.

As for online quotes, its just another way to get your details before they send round a sales man.

Best tip, WRITE to them, ask them questions, guide prices, ask for local installation, do you homework well before you ask someone round. Then insist they have a time limit (you can always extend it if you are comfortable) but stay in control of the process.

The pressure salesman has been trained to handle your objections, so you go ahead with them, preferrebly that night. Be confident, be in control, get a neighbour for moral support or arrange for them to call you 45 mins into the "sit" it so they can come round if you're having problems.

A professional sash window installer will want to educate you with the choices you have, provide a written quotation detailing the work they propose doing, offer to show you local points of reference (other clients) and leave you to make a decision in your own good time.

Good luck

Sashman

unsure

Sash windows add to the character and saleability of older houses so they are worth preserving if possible...but replacement double- glazed sashes are horrendously expensive. However there is an alternative halfway house. We are currently having our sashes renovated bya local craftsman. He replaces defective wood and parts and ensures that the sash is properly balanced and opens smoothely and easily.
He is also fitting specially made up secondary doublegalazing (white aluminium) which fits to the inside of the window frame and also slides like the sash, it is designed so that it is almost invisible on the window. In the one room done so far the reduction in noise (we live on a busy road), and hopefully, therefore, also heat retention, is dramatic. These units aren't cheap at apx £3oo-500 each depending on size (we have some big windows!) but the cost is less than half of what we'd have paid for new double glazed sashes and we get to keep the original ones with a whole new lease of life.
Out fitter arranged for us to see some he'd installed in a house up the road which convinced us it was worth the cost and effort involved. Might be worth considering in your case.

maninthestreet

lisap4123 wrote: »

Today I have had an encounter with exactly the kind of vagabond company I was wary of and seeking to avoid. A few days ago I was looking for an online quote for an idea of what to expect to pay and I submitted my details to the Zeneth Staybright windows as they were offering online quotes. However this was deceptive as I didn’t get an online quote – I actually got an internet team representative hounding my landline with calls until she got hold of me, and then said they don’t quote until they have been out to you and measured up. Already I felt deceived. As I hadn’t had time to research my project yet and wasn’t expecting this I put her off for a few days. She called back earlier today again pushing to arrange an appointment for a consultant to come out. I asked her my questions and she couldn’t answer any of them except that they are FENSA registered. She didn’t know the type of glass or energy efficiency rating or whether they are low E (see im all jenned up on what to ask now !). She said the consultant would be able to answer these when he came out. I booked for the consultant to come out next Sat.
Not more than 5 mins later a man from their internet team called me back (her manager?). Low and behold I am the luckiest person ever as guess what – they just happen to have a consultant in my area who could be with me in a hour !! I said no I was going out and it wasn’t convenient. He said they could come out at 9pm tonight – I said no way! I was happy with the appt I had just arranged. I took the opportunity to ask my questions and he didn’t know most of them either other than it was Pilkington K glass. He seemed to be a bit irritated by my questions and said that whatever my queries were about the product it was excellent quality as the only supply the luxury end of the market. I said I wasn’t looking for luxury windows. He then said that he meant the middle section of the market. I said I had had a quote of £1950 and I was looking to beat it. He said that this price was a joke and would not be a quality product and if I wanted windows to last I would have to pay. He said their doors start from £2000 each. I said that I wasn’t looking for luxury, just for functional windows that will open and close and keep the heat in and the cold out for the best price and said that there was no point it having an appt from the consultant as I just cannot afford the type of prices they are charging. He said fine. End of call.
I didn’t like the man – he was pushy, aggressive in his tone when I started asking my questions and quite frankly argumentative. He is exactly the type of person who I suspect would be refusing to leave your house until you have signed up to windows at an extortionate price. Therefore I am assuming the company also to be a high pressure, overpriced rip-off and to be avoided !!
I hope Thursday goes better with Mr local firm guy. I think I have had a lucky escape with Zeneth Staybright Windows!!

You should have visited a LOCAL DG supplier/installer, as I suggested, not one like Zenith. If you have local weekly newspaper, the local DG suppliers tend to advertise in there.

lisap4123

maninthestreet wrote: »

You should have visited a LOCAL DG supplier/installer, as I suggested, not one like Zenith. If you have local weekly newspaper, the local DG suppliers tend to advertise in there.

Yes I have taken your advice and contacted Harpers - they are the local DG firm coming over on Thursday...wish me luck !

[Deleted User]

Lisa, if you are in London I can recommend the sash window company that did mine, they are FENSA registered and the windows are beautiful! Let me know and I'll PM you.

lisap4123

Update on thinking: I'm now also considering proper sash windows if I can afford them. And also contacting a local firm who do sash repairs - mine are pretty bad though - 2 dont work at all, all are rotton wood, and one has cracked glass.

Re preserving the features of the house - im not sure about this. Its just a small terrace in an area which is trying to overcome a historic bad reputation near the centre of worcester. Although it was on 'Location Location Location' as an up and coming area. But who knows - could go either way. The value of the house has increased by a half in the 4 years I have lived here. The other houses in the street
are either original old sash windows or are mock sash upvc- large window split into 2 halves. I will probably stay here for 2 years, poss 3. Then I may keep this property with switch to a buy to let mortgage and have students in (the university is opening a brand new state of art campus 4 streets away) and move, or just sell and move. Either way in 2 years when the new uni campus opens this area is highly likely to become a student area. Not sure that having the original sash windows renovated or replaced with true upvc sash windows will be worth it. Having said that there is also meant to be large renovation of a run down local shopping area 1 mile away with swish department stores like Debenhams. So this may increase the value. Im not sure. I guess it could go either way !! Regarding my windows - again i'm not sure. Its urgent to have them done as they are likely to be no longer keep the weather out for very much longer. I have used temporary interal glazing (the clear film) for the last few years. It helps but it still isnt great. However finances are an issue. Im working now but until recently was a mature student myself. So I dont have a great deal to spare for the windows but do want to have a good job done on them, otherwise its a false economy! What do others thinks about all of this? All views welcome !!

lisap4123

Van1971 wrote: »

Lisa, if you are in London I can recommend the sash window company that did mine, they are FENSA registered and the windows are beautiful! Let me know and I'll PM you.

I live in Worcester in the Midlands - thanks anyway - are they upvc sash? did you notice the difference in draftiness and coldness when they were fitted?

subhan_2

HI there

Just looking through this forum and notice alot of you are complaining about the price windows companies charge you and alsoabout the sales people. You shoud try a company callled your-windows, they are very good and their sales people dont go on for over four hours about how good their windows are. They are very good i had my double glazing fitted by them let me know and i will give you there number.