PVC Windows and doors

reilig

I'm in the process of getting quotes for pvc windows and doors for my new build.

I have all these sales guys coming back to me telling me about quality standards, but it has me a bit bamboosled.

Can someone tell me in simple terms what quality / standard I should be looking for in the manufacture of my doors and windows and what type or quality should the glass be??

Thanks

Dan

sydthebeat

You should be looking to get a low e coating anyway.

The u value of the window (ie frame + glazing) should be at least 1.7.... remembr the lower the figure the better the performance.

Make sure the frames are thermally broken

You should be able to compare quotations against u values to see best values. Then, if youve got it down to 2-3 suppliers, selected based on quality of finishing.

reilig

sydthebeat wrote: »

You should be looking to get a low e coating anyway.

The u value of the window (ie frame + glazing) should be at least 1.7.... remembr the lower the figure the better the performance.

Make sure the frames are thermally broken

You should be able to compare quotations against u values to see best values. Then, if youve got it down to 2-3 suppliers, selected based on quality of finishing.

Thanks Syd,

Just the info I needed!!

wardwil

Be very careful with PVC... these will warp and expand and they collect alot of moisture. The main problem with PVC is the gapping sides which occurs in time. We have them in our current house and they are a disaster.

We are doing a new build and we are going with Aluclad. They are the way to go. Dearer YES but when you are talking about U values - PVC does not work despite what you are told. The energy escapes from the sides in time so if you can stretch to the quality window systems.

Best of luck

blackiebest

Wardwil,

PVC is a material. There is good PVC and bad PVC, good wood windows, bad wood windows. You are possibly more likely to find cr*p windows made from wood as you are pvc and profile, grade, seals, mechanisim, production conditions and manufacturing skills determine the quality of the product you buy. There are amazing Aluclad windows and there are crap aluclad windows. All that said I believe PVC should not be used for window manufacture as is not recyclable (at the moment). Aluclad windows are excellent but expensive windows, Ral (factory) painted, quality engineered pine windows are, IMO, the best value for money, Eco sound window, you can buy. Also simple and cheap to maintain.

There are excellent quality PVC windows you can buy but not for much cheaper than the more Eco friendly warmer option of wood. Aluclad is for bragging ammo .

OP, make sure your windows are well made regardless of material, Standard glass (Argon filled) u value 1.1, Quality mechanisims, laminated not toughened glass, better silicone rather than rubber gaskets if in wood, factory finished kiln baked paint or lacquer if in wood, Good sealing profiles, engineered thermally broken frames, quality atttractive steel handles etc, etc.

Go look at jobs more than 3 years old imstalled by the company trying to sell to you, maybe knock on the door and speak to the punters who bought them.

Good Luck

Someday

Ok lads to bullet point it then what should be sbed to suppliers ?