Experiences of Importing windows

doniepony

Hey Everyone,

Just trying to draw up costings for a new build and have decided on most aspects of the build but am still looking at different windows/doors. I was wondering if anyone has personal experiences with importing windows or using a company to transport and fit them in Ireland. looking at PVC and alud clad or alu wood at the moment.

I would appreciate if people would PM the names of individual companies that they may have had positive or negative experiences in this regard and an estimate on the percentage of savings you felt you have made. I am based in the South of the country but would be interested in any companies who people feel deliever quality service

Thanks in advance for any PM's

ewanalex

I'm curious to know if you ever got a response to your query above?
We just got some quotes back based on recomendations on other threads on Boards and I was shocked, a quote for 18 windows typical dim's 1200 x 900 and it came in at €3000 inc VAT from Poland for triple glazed windows! I got a quote from an Irish company based in the West yesterday for €11500 for the exact same quote for supply only! I have no idea how i would get the windows to Ireland though which is why i'm on here this morning
I have just gone back to the Polish company to ask if they could quote on sash style windows (out of curiosity) and if they do roof lights, might be worth hiring a truck myself!

2sounds

Just received my second and final delivery for windows from Latvia about two weeks ago. Like most people who decide to go down this route the decision was mostly based on cost. I needed some large aluclad triple glazed sliding/folding units and about 18 fairly large windows. The cheapest quote i got here was about 36K. I got them for 19k from Latvia. Now I had to add VAT (via builder at 13.5% - initially thought we might be VAT exempt but after discussions with those in the know we were liable) cost of transport about 1.5k & transport insurance €100. I knew someone who dealt with this firm previously so I had a go between and felt comfortable enough. Overall experience wasnt great , we got all our windows ok but it took 6 months from start to finish. Luckily the build had stopped anyway due to other circumstances but if we were waiting for them to continue building it would have been a disaster. I had no problem with communications, as they spoke good english, but the firm was careless. We only received half the windows on the first shipment in may, as they managed to break some of the windows trying to load them on the truck , so these had to be remade. Also they got some of the sizes wrong on the first shipment so these too had to be remade. In fairness they did correct all their mistakes and paid for the cost of transport on the second shipment themselves (1K)but it was very stressful. I went so far as threatening them with the ECC (european consumer center) at one point but them came good eventaully. Its not that they were going to screw me but they were just very slow and careless. That said the window I received are of superior quality and have been commented on as such by most in the trade who have seen them. Its easy to say I would do it all again now that I have my windows all nice and safe but be warned, its not for the faint harted.

sas

To add to this.

A friend of mine imported his windows directly from germany. He is having an issue with 2 sliding doors letting in water. He will have to pay the travel and accommadation costs to bring someone from germany to inspect the units.

When things go wrong they can go really wrong.

My slider is also leaking but as I purchased from an Irish agent (of a german company) they are on site to attempt to resolve the issue.

Plus if the units are large they can be very difficult to install. There is also the practise of shipping frames and glazing seperately leaving you with the head ache of finding someone that is capable of installing the glazing and installing the silicone seals without making a total mess of them. This is more difficult than you think.

If the savings are large then the risk may well be worth it. Best to go in fully informed however.

2sounds

I saw mention of this issues before with sliding doors and letting in water. My largest single panel is 6 meters in lenght with a 3 meter sliding section. Its currently sitting on a pallet in my neighbours hayshed. Im already having nightmares about the the possibility of the same scenario, as anything that could go wrong did go wrong in my experience. Hopefully I catch a break on this though as im sure my luck is about to turn!
+1 on the installers too, Ive already had one guy who looked at the sections and said the the best thing he could do for me was to walk away. mmmmm, these things always look great on plans and in your head, however the pratical implications of these decisions are ones which are easily overlooked.

sas

2sounds wrote: »

I saw mention of this issues before with sliding doors and letting in water. My largest single panel is 6 meters in lenght with a 3 meter sliding section.

I thought mine was big (;)) at 3.5m wide. That's a fantastic slider.

My slider was tested today by the window company and they didn't get it leaking. They think I may have put the seals under an unreasonable amount of water. It's possible I suppose.

Once the scaffolding comes down the slider will be fully exposed so we will know after a few weeks if its leaking or not.

Seany1981

Just wondering if you have had any issues with your imported windows and doors since your last post. Can you pm me the suppliers details as well please.

Marcin_diy

Hi Seany1981
-snip-

check these guys - they have small showroom in Dublin and order doors and windows from -snip- ( one of best-snip- companies manufacturing windows).

I got patio door and window from them and was happy with price and installation.

I'm not connected to them in any way , I'm just their customer and can highly reccomend.

I searched for prices around and they gave me best quotation. They also look after measuring windows and bringing them from Poland

kieranhr

One problem I have seen with these before is that they sometimes do not comply with Irish building regulations, having been made for a different market. Things like safety restrictors, trickle vents, provision of toughened glass, fire escape areas - important things you need to get right.

tippman79

Anyone every hear of -snip-. The builder I'm thinking of hiring says he can get the windows from them at a fraction of the cost. I reckon I'd be saving at least 10,000 based on the prices Irish companies have been quoting.

owen85

-snip-
did you go with these windows in the end? how did they work out?
i see -snip- are the supplier of their diffusers.

hi we don't mention company names, have a read of the forum charter

linema81

I would say its up to you, if you want to save and get high quality and shop around local windows providers and imported doors. Your choise, ussually people fitting these doors and importing from other EU contries would give you garantee. Bed stuff as good stuff could happens anywhere.

Good luck

p.s. if you need info regards importing the windows send me p.m. not loud to publish

thumper10

Can you please pm me company names that your happy with for your windows please? TIA

galwaytt

tippman79 wrote: »

Anyone every hear of -snip-. The builder I'm thinking of hiring says he can get the windows from them at a fraction of the cost. I reckon I'd be saving at least 10,000 based on the prices Irish companies have been quoting.

I'm not in the window business, and I don't supply them, but we do put up structures where people have bought them and used both domestic and imported suppliers. We have also used, in a small building of our own, some imported windows, whilst our new offices used Irish-made windows. In my own house I imported internal doors.

I have seen entirely successful implementation of both, but I've also seen some disasters.

My 0.02 would be this: unless the importer has people on the ground here, backup, warranty and so forth will be difficult. Think 5 years down the road when you need a replacement handle or hinge. That fits. That's when the fun starts. Or you break a window (kids/football .. ??). Who will make and fit the replacement pane and fit it as per the factory ?

Just like here, there is good & bad abroad, but I tend these days, whether buying anything from a TV to kitchen unit, to value some support and backup. Your house is not a commodity, and you really don't want to revisit some items in a few years time and only then discover you have issues.

Callisto99

Hi all,

We are currently looking to quote around for windows for a 2 storey Self-Build.

Has anyone had any recent experience with importing windows?

Thanks!

Callisto99

Calahonda52 wrote: »

there is ample evidence out there that imported wooden windows and doors don't like the humid Irish winters.
There are also issues with the rubber seals, especially when they need replacing, which they do after 10 12 years in some cases

Hi,
Does the same apply for uPVC windows?
Thanks!

newstyle

Callisto99 wrote:

Has anyone had any recent experience with importing windows?

Hi I was a windows installer in poland for couple of years, if you have any questions just ask.

newstyle

Calahonda52 wrote:

there is ample evidence out there that imported wooden windows and doors don't like the humid Irish winters. There are also issues with the rubber seals, especially when they need replacing, which they do after 10 12 years in some cases

Hi, no ones lacquered wooden windows and doors like humid Irish winter, even Irish made . About seals I think in todays world they can be ordered even from china with no problem.

But seriously, almost all producers doing windows on VEKA profiles system, rubber seals are the same for most of them.

Regards

newstyle

Callisto99 wrote:

Hi, Does the same apply for uPVC windows? Thanks!

Hi all uPCV windows are resistant to the weather conditions
Regards

fatty pang

Calahonda52 wrote: »

there is ample evidence out there that some imported wooden windows and doors don't like the humid Irish winters.

Corrected that for you.

Calahonda52 wrote: »

There are also issues with the rubber seals, especially when they need replacing, which they do after 10 12 years in some cases

There is ample evidence of seals lasting more than 30 years.
I reckon Ruskin probably had been looking to replace his windows and his subsequent interactions with the window industry resulted in his formulating the common law of business balance

fatty pang

newstyle wrote: »

Hi, no ones lacquered wooden windows and doors like humid Irish winter, even Irish made . About seals I think in todays world they can be ordered even from china with no problem.

Only an idiot would lacquer the outside of a window. As with everywhere else, China produces goods of various degrees of quality.

fatty pang

newstyle wrote: »

Hi all uPCV windows are resistant to the weather conditions
Regards

All windows have varying degrees of resistance to ‘weather conditions’. Numerous incidences of the colour in plastic windows being ‘bleached’.

newstyle

fatty pang wrote:

Only an idiot would lacquer the outside of a window.

I know big companies who lacquer them to show natural structure of the wood. I'm far away from saying that they are an idiots.

fatty pang wrote:

China produces goods of various degrees of quality.

I never said they don't.

dean1986

Is it possible to give any names of companies you have imported from, currently researching a few but recommendations would be good.

sheff the ref

I know of a house with Windows of about 10-15 years old from a well known company. A window was broken and butchered a bit. Trying to get replacement slips to hold in the glass was a nightmare

It was a case of old window - no spare parts

galwaytt wrote: »

I'm not in the window business, and I don't supply them, but we do put up structures where people have bought them and used both domestic and imported suppliers. We have also used, in a small building of our own, some imported windows, whilst our new offices used Irish-made windows. In my own house I imported internal doors.

I have seen entirely successful implementation of both, but I've also seen some disasters.

My 0.02 would be this: unless the importer has people on the ground here, backup, warranty and so forth will be difficult. Think 5 years down the road when you need a replacement handle or hinge. That fits. That's when the fun starts. Or you break a window (kids/football .. ??). Who will make and fit the replacement pane and fit it as per the factory ?

Just like here, there is good & bad abroad, but I tend these days, whether buying anything from a TV to kitchen unit, to value some support and backup. Your house is not a commodity, and you really don't want to revisit some items in a few years time and only then discover you have issues.

sheff the ref

I second that!!

dean1986 wrote: »

Is it possible to give any names of companies you have imported from, currently researching a few but recommendations would be good.

dean1986

sheff the ref wrote: »

I second that!!

I researched a load yesterday, PM me if you want details.

newstyle

dean1986 wrote: »

Is it possible to give any names of companies you have imported from, currently researching a few but recommendations would be good.

PM sent

newstyle

sheff the ref wrote: »

I second that!!

PM sent

daizy17

I would appreciate some references of decent window providers from abroad for a new self build.

newstyle

daizy17 wrote: »

I would appreciate some references of decent window providers from abroad for a new self build.

I know just one man in Poland. will send you PM soon

corcadorcha

daizy17 wrote: »

I would appreciate some references of decent window providers from abroad for a new self build.

Same here please.

newstyle

corcadorcha wrote:

Same here please.

Pm sent

nice_guy80

daizy17 wrote: »

I would appreciate some references of decent window providers from abroad for a new self build.

I've heard of sash windows being imported from the north
for a cash price

there is a fella importing them in the Roscommon area

Evil-p

May i have a pm of that suppliers details too please? TIA

BryanF

nice_guy80 wrote: »

I've heard of sash windows being imported from the north
for a cash price

there is a fella importing them in the Roscommon area

We obey the law and pay tax on this forum, please read the charter before posting again
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055036302

daizy17

nice_guy80 wrote: »

I've heard of sash windows being imported from the north
for a cash price

there is a fella importing them in the Roscommon area

Could you pm me details you have please and thank you

nice_guy80

BryanF wrote: »

We obey the law and pay tax on this forum, please read the charter before posting again
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055036302

I didn't suggest anyone do it.

BryanF

nice_guy80 wrote: »

I didn't suggest anyone do it.

your around here long enough to know that If you have an issue with a mod, you should respond with your comments by Pm.

It doesnt mater whether You 'suggest anyone do it', by discussing the black economy you make it seem acceptable - you now have a member looking for a Pm!

Poster will receive Infraction for not reading the forum charter before posting again. Refer to 2.0 & 6.0 before posting again, have a nice day.

Aine11

Could I get some recommendations for a Polish Window supplier please by pm??
Only looking for u pvc windows.
I read back through the posts & somebody said there was a place that had a showroom in Dublin??
Thanks in advance?

briman1983

if someone could pm me the details of tge polish suppliers that would be great, thanks in advance

corcadorcha

Please pm also

briaineo

Could get a pm of suppliers as well pease.

Thanks

daizy17

Could I also get the names/numbers please.

Thanking you

peter_dublin

If I could get the details of the polish supplier it would be great.

Thanks

lownhard

Unless you are very skilled, or order windows in advance of any construction, don't import. Far too many variables, and very little comeback. Measuring, shipping, fitting..who is responsible? I used Irish agent for a Lithuanian manufacturer. Very happy with quality, service and price.

daizy17

lownhard wrote: »

Unless you are very skilled, or order windows in advance of any construction, don't import. Far too many variables, and very little comeback. Measuring, shipping, fitting..who is responsible? I used Irish agent for a Lithuanian manufacturer. Very happy with quality, service and price.

Can you please forward their details, thanks

Robert Allen

If you could send on the details to me id appreciate it also, doing a new build and im dreading what the windows and doors are going to come too....

Rob.

Crimsonforce

lownhard wrote: »

Unless you are very skilled, or order windows in advance of any construction, don't import. Far too many variables, and very little comeback. Measuring, shipping, fitting..who is responsible? I used Irish agent for a Lithuanian manufacturer. Very happy with quality, service and price.

Can you pm the company ? Thanks

codrutz

I know is a old ish post, but anybody can recommend some good windows suppliers. I'm looking for oak frame with aluclad for a house refurbishment.
Thank you very much in advance.

Troy2013

lownhard wrote: »

Unless you are very skilled, or order windows in advance of any construction, don't import. Far too many variables, and very little comeback. Measuring, shipping, fitting..who is responsible? I used Irish agent for a Lithuanian manufacturer. Very happy with quality, service and price.

Could you please PM me the details too?