Double Glazing Double Trouble (Double Glazing in General)

Member Name: cmh4135

Product:	Double Glazing in General
Date:	04/02/02 (5358 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: good insulator

Disadvantages: cost and bother

We are currently going through the trauma of having double glazing installed in our house at the moment. I did mean to say trauma. This is the second week that my husband and I have had to rearrange in order that we can have a couple of workmen traipse through our house fitting windows. We don’t have a particularly large house, we have just had a particularly large number of problems. Why then are we putting ourselves through the pain?

Our decision to get double glazing was based on two premises. First, our back door was rotten and needed replacing and although mainly sound the windows all needed painting. The latter should not be too big a deal but we have Georgian windows and the thought of painting every single bar inside and out was just too much to bear. Second, although part of the house had secondary glazing we wanted to insulate the house throughout and try to eliminate condensation. We opted for double glazing.

When you decide that you want to do away with the old wooden windows and trade them in for low maintenance double glazed units take stock. You are about to enter a minefield. I hope, with a little experience behind me, to be able to lead you through some of the common problems and questions you may encounter.

**Plastic Windows?**

Eeek, horror of horrors, plastic windows! These days the choice that is to be made (unless of course you want to replace wood with wood) is a choice between plastic (UPVC or PVCu) and aluminium. Both of these offer relatively low maintenance and good colourfastness. The UPVC windows will be available in white or brown (wood effect) and the aluminium in silver or white. So, what is the difference?

Aluminium windows will tend to be slightly more expensive than their UPVC counterparts. They are slimmer in profile and more “shiny”. Aluminium though does not have such good heat retaining capacities as plastic and as a result will cool quicker and not b
e so good at preventing a build up of condensation.

Most run of the mill companies will only offer you UPVC and, quite frankly, unless there is good reason, it is probably not worth considering the aluminium alternative.

OK, so white UPVC it is. Can I just go and order my windows now?

No

**Get the Look!**

Windows can dramatically alter the look of a property and it is a good idea to have a look at similar houses in your area that have had replacement windows to see what a difference a style can make. One of the biggest questions to answer is whether you want dummy vents. When viewed from the outside, opening windows stand proud of the main frame. If you have a multi-paned window this can cause the window to look unbalanced. Consider having dummy vents fitted so that the window looks even and, from the outside, you cannot tell which bits open and which don’t.

Equal sightlines is another consideration. Some installers will tell you that what I have described above is an equal sightline consideration. Others will tell you that it is the area of glass that is exposed to let light through being the same on all panes within the window. Whatever the true answer is, ask the question.

**How is it made?**

A distinction can also be drawn as to how the window is manufactured. Some windows have transoms and mullions (the horizontal bars and the vertical bars respectively) that are screwed together (mechanically jointed) or that are welded together (fully welded). The latter is thought to offer better security and longevity.

**Internally or externally glazed?**

This refers to the way in which the glass is put into the window – from the inside or the outside. It has long been argued that you should only go for a window that is internally glazed – ie the window is placed into the frame from the inside of the house and sealed on the inside. It is thought that this
offers better protection from someone trying to prise the glass out of the window.

**Security**

While we are on the subject of security you will be baffled by the number of security features offered by the window companies latest offering. Shoot bolts, espagnolette or SAC bolts may all be offered. Companies will sell to you on their 110 point locking system. Truth is, most of the windows out there have more than enough locking points and once you have seen one system you will know what to look out for.

**Get me out!**

One of the most frightening thoughts is that of a fire at night. Most modern windows are designed so as to incorporate easy-clean hinges. These allow you to clean both sides of the window from the inside but have the huge disadvantage that they narrow the opening of the window should you need to escape a fire through a window. For this reason it is a very good idea to have fire escape hinges fitted on some of the upstairs windows which allow the window to be pushed back to maximise the opening available for escape.


There are a whole host of other considerations all of which will be explained in detail by the companies offering the products. In fact, one of the hardest things about getting double glazing is working out who to trust and keeping the salesman off your door.

Double glazing salesmen are notorious for invading your home, refusing to take no for an answer and generally being a pain in the butt! My top tip here is to be upfront with them. Tell them what you want and what you expect from them. Don’t be fobbed off by sales patter but take control. If they want to start telling you how bad their competitors are ask them to leave (they are not allowed to do this under the Glass and Glazing Federation rules). If they want to “speak to their manager” to see if they can negotiate on price again, ask them to leave. They never expected you to say yes to the first
price and are trying to create a situation where you think that you have a discount – you don’t.

Get all quotes in writing and refuse to sign up there and then. Make sure that you have accurate product specifications so that you can compare like with like. Look out for guarantees and what they cover. It may be worth checking whether the fitters are contracted in or employed by the company and if they are paid per day or per job. If the latter then they might be tempted to rush your installation and get on with the next.

It is a minefield out there and one that only the brave should enter. I have, in the past, cold called for two double glazing companies (one national and one rather dodgy!). I have met all sorts from the genuine to the “should be locked up in jail”. Take stock before you venture forth but know that it will be worth it in the end.

CLAIRE’s BOTTOM TEN TIPS when getting double glazing installed:

1 – You get what you pay for, not only in terms of quality but also quantity. Openings cost extra but make sure that you don’t skimp! Too few openings and not only will you be uncomfortable but also you are less likely to recoup the cost of your investment.

2 – Try to view examples of the company’s work actually installed in a house. Companies who refuse to let you know what work they have done could be hiding something.

3 – A company will often look for a deposit prior to carrying out the work. Make sure that you do not pay the whole amount up front – this is your leverage if anything needs fixing.

4 – Consider what glass you want in the windows. Does it need to be toughened or obscure? NB in April all new windows will have to have heat retaining Pilkington glass in them this will not only add to the cost but will affect the look of the window (it will look slightly tinted).

5 – Check to see whether
the fitters will make good any damage they do to the fabric of the house.

6 – Do not accept sub-standard work. That is why I am still of work while faults are rectified!

7 – Be nice to the fitters – offer tea and coffee – if you keep them sweet they are more likely to do a good job!

8 – Do not be pushed into anything and keep a note of all correspondence – it could be necessary if things do go wrong.

9 – Don’t be blinded by science. There are a lot of considerations but they are the same whatever company you go with!

10 – Have a hassle free time and lots of happy hours admiring your new windows!


Claire 040202

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