Getting Double Glazing

TimSynths

After living here for 19 years i'm biting the bullet and having my original wooden framed single glazed windows replaced. They leak heat so bad in the winter its now economically viable to replace them.

I've approached 4 local companies and two have already been round to measure up and I await the quote for 6 windows. I'm going to have to borrow money to do it not sure if im going down the bank loan or interest free credit card route yet, either way I aim to settle well with in the time frame.

Once the quotes come in is there anything I should be asking them, i'm sure not all windows are created equally?

Bendy_House

Ask them to make sure their quote gives the specs of the windows:

Thickness of PVC frame.

Thickness - composition - of DG units (glass-air-glass)

Any 'infill' gas used other than 'air'? (no idea how much difference it makes)

If in a bay, do the PVC frames have Aluminium/steel sections in them in order to fully support what's above?

And, manufacturer of the PVC sections.

Do you know what style you want? If not, ask each for their recommendations to best suit your house.

When I had windows done last time - many moons ago - I got 3 reputable locals out to quote, and one 'National' (just to see if they were still up to their old tricks - they were...). I asked all 4 to also advise on the best layout of openers and general window style to go with the appearance of our '30s bungalow, as I was really struggling to visualise this.

All the three local quotes were very similar (and the National around x3 times more before he started to phone his 'manager' for a 'discount' and I showed him the door), and I'm sure all would have been perfectly good windows with little to choose between them. The one that (easily) won was the actual company boss who spent time discussing the best appearance of the house, and giving very good advice on this, which turned out to be successful, and even explaining details like the type of corner strips and profiles to be used. The other two effectively just said, "Whatever style you want, pal..."

FreeBear

Depending on the age of the property, you may need lintels added to support the outer leaf of brickwork. If they are needed, but not fitted, the brickwork above the doors/windows will start to sag and crack. A decent local installer (not one from the likes of Anglian or Everest) should have the experience to say whether you need lintels or not.

Whilst there are small differences in the performance of frames & sealed units, they should all meet the minimum current requirements for thermal performance - Don't get hoodwinked by a sales pitch claiming that "our A+++ frames are better than A++ from X". The frames make up a very small part of the window, and compared to the glass, add very little to the heat loss.

A well fitted A+ window is going to be a lot better than a poorly fitted A+++ one even if the latter has fancy coatings and filled with noble gasses.

TimSynths

Im on an estate with 92 apartments im one of the few still with the wooden windows from the 60's so nothing fancy just like for like replacements but pvc with 2 panes of glass. No one else has had an issues with lintels so not a concern.

I too avoided the the nationals chains as just cba with all the back and forth and if you sign today discounts etc, one of the reasons why I have never really bothered to do it previously. I will ask them about the glass and what is in the gap. 

Had two companies round already and have two more in the week ahead.

Bendy_House

Cool. Keep us posted, and come back with any Qs from the quotes you receive.

Obviously, ask each installer these Qs too!

NSG666

Check the energy efficiency as (I think) they can be either C or A rated.
Possibly linked to the above, check what glass they are proposing as there different types available for different situations. - Take a look at Pilkington Glass or Saint Gobain web-sites and you should see what I mean.

TimSynths

Quotes are in for 6 windows, £5.7k, £4.7k and finally £4.4k- but can do £4k for cash. A rated glass and £2k deposit paid, approx. 5 weeks for installation. So far I've been thoroughly impressed with the local company doing it- came via a recommendation from a neighbour. Chimney balloon next.

plumb1_2

Also worth asking if they are fitting any escape opening windows in case of 🔥 

TimSynths

Windows were fitted today (took two days) and I'm very happy, they look fantastic, and I can feel the difference already and also its so quiet in here now. Lot of cleaning up though, spent two hours hoovering and I'm cream crackered now. Haven't needed to turn the heating on but it has been a mild day and currently over 19c in this room (15c outside, should drop to 8c by 6am tomorrow) which is the coldest in the home. Looking forward to a cold spell to see what the difference is and also how much heat is retained once I've had the heating on for a short while.

youth_leader

Very glad for you.  I bought this bungalow last March, and two window glasses need replacing as they 'steam up' - and I think I've got too fat to 'escape' out of the one big opener! 

TimSynths

Thought I would add an update as my Gas and eclectic bill is in today. (last three months)

Although the cost is horrific I can see the huge difference the new windows have made. Also last year I made the mistake of just heating the room I was working in with an an oil filled radiator (64p an hour this winter). Worked out that it is more cost effective to have the CH running instead and have a warmer home.



During the freezing spell in December I had the CH on for 10 hours a day and it was costing £5.70 inc standing charge. I feel pretty good about this, ive used less fossil fuel and I have a warmer home. Also paid the window loan off in 5 months rather than two years.