A few questions on Windows....

Tombo2001

Couple of Questions on Buying Windows for a house refurb:

(i) a conventional wisdom seems to be that you are better off buying in bulk/ doing the whole lot in one go.

Not having a huge budget, i cant do that right now....

Question is.....what is the quantum of discount between say buying / fitting 3 windows and 10 windows....are we talking 10% or 30%+....

(ii) I plan to put insulated plasterboard in some of the rooms where I am also looking at new windows. Which should be done first, and does it make a major difference to do one before or after the other?

(iii) is appearance the major difference between AluClad and uPVC?

(iv) I've been told that good windows affects the value of the house. Does anyone believe that? I dont, to be honest. Unless they are gold plated.

(v) if anyone could supply me with the name of a good quality, good price producer of AluClad, in RoI or NI, I would appreciate it.

(vi) I think Cream uPVC looks very well. Am I the only one?

Obviously I've phone around a bit myself, but I'm looking to use this post to supplement what I've learned.

Thanks in advance.

Wally Runs

I cannot help you on suppliers, but I do know that depending on the time-scale and supplier it may be difficult to get the same windows at a later date, you could end up with different types of windows about the home. This may not be an issue, but it is something to consider.

4Sticks

1. 3 windows or 10 is a small order. So 0 % impact

2. Windows first , plaster second

3. Completely different materials and construction - and cost.

4. Who knows. Buyers differ and some may be put off by poor condition windows , others not.

5. Try google

6. No. I like slate grey too.

tedimc

(i) I'm refurbishing myself at the moment, some companies offering ~30% discount for almost 30 windows/doors. Doubt you would get that on a smallish order. In relation to (vi) below - if you were splitting the order over a long timeframe, you could be better going for something very standard and easily matched. Cream PVC may not be in fashion when you come to order your last set of windows, where as white would be a safe bet. Just something to consider.

(ii) Windows first, but just be careful about how deep the insulation will be around the reveal of the window. You will be limited on depth if you get the window measured to existing opening.

(iii) Thermal efficiency and strength are the main ones for me. Aluclad are basically a wooden window and are (generally) better than PVC on both fronts. Increased strength allows for narrower frames & profiles. Although, I know it is a common believe that the expansion/contraction of older wooden windows can reduce the lifetime of the seals around a double glazed unit. All suppliers are different, but I got quotes from 2 well known brands and there was surprisingly little difference in cost between PVC & Aluclad, but a big difference in U-values.

(iv) It would for me to be honest - I would value a house at less if I didn't like the windows or felt that they weren't good quality. I'd also pay a bit more for a house with good windows. In my mind, I would work the difference out to be very close to what I would estimate it would cost to replace them with ones I liked.

(v) Rationel, Senator, Carlson, True Windows, Harmon, Nordan, <snip>. No connection or real experience with any of above, just the ones I approached for a quote myself. Be careful of what exactly you are being quoted for. There can be big differences in types of sliding doors, triple Vs double, etc.

(vi) Agree they look well, as do a number of other colours - but just will they still look well in 10-20 years time, or will they be like the chocolate brown sanitary ware that I recently removed.

BobMcBob

Do get lots of quotes from the different suppliers, can be big differences in pricing depending on sizes / patio doors. Only had 1 PVC price (though was a very good quality imported window) which was in the same ball park as several of the alu-clad.
Got quotes from several of those companies listed above as well as Eco-glaze and Megrame.

BmB

DoubtingMary72

How Are you all this fine am?
Could I hi-jak this thread for a sec and ask how long it took for these various companies to get back to you with a window quote?

I am newish to this country so I dont know what is reasonable here. In particular the company with the same initials as <snip> came out at the end of November to measure etc, but I have yet to see a quote.

I emailed <snip> again this week and heard nothing. I know things are a little laid back here which is fine but this seems a bit extreme or is it me? Thanks for your thoughts.

bee06

DoubtingMary72 wrote: »

How Are you all this fine am?
Could I hi-jak this thread for a sec and ask how long it took for these various companies to get back to you with a window quote?

I am newish to this country so I dont know what is reasonable here. In particular the company with the same initials as <snip> came out at the end of November to measure etc, but I have yet to see a quote.

I emailed <snip> again this week and heard nothing. I know things are a little laid back here which is fine but this seems a bit extreme or is it me? Thanks for your thoughts.

We had a quote from the same company (but I'm guessing a different rep) a week after she did the measurements.

Have you rang the rep for your area?

DoubtingMary72

bee06 wrote: »

We had a quote from the same company (but I'm guessing a different rep) a week after she did the measurements.

Have you rang the rep for your area?

Bee - thanks for the quick reply. Yep, I called the rep on his mobile a couple of times and left messages but no response. Then recently I emailed the general <snip> email address (i dont have an email address for the rep) but again no response.

tedimc

The local <snip> rep called out to our house as well back in October. I could tell he wasn't really that interested, but proceeded to measure up anyway for a quote.

Said he would be back to me in less than a week - still waiting.

Not going to bother chasing up, every other window company I contacted gave me a quote no problem.

DoubtingMary72

tedimc wrote: »

The local <snip> rep called out to our house as well back in October. I could tell he wasn't really that interested, but proceeded to measure up anyway for a quote.

Said he would be back to me in less than a week - still waiting.

Not going to bother chasing up, every other window company I contacted gave me a quote no problem.

Thanks Ted - I think I will also proceed with someone else then.

martinn123

DoubtingMary72 wrote: »

Thanks Ted - I think I will also proceed with someone else then.

That particular Co. seem to advertise to recruit new Rep's at least twice a year.
<snip>

I would ring the H/O and ask if the individual is still working there, if a new rep has been recruited,they may be more interested in your business.

In any event, the normal turnaround for a quote would be a week, to 10 days, if you don't get a reply within that time frame, be cautious

DoubtingMary72

martinn123 wrote: »

That particular Co. seem to advertise to recruit new Rep's at least twice a year.
<snip>
I would ring the H/O and ask if the individual is still working there, if a new rep has been recruited,they may be more interested in your business.

In any event, the normal turnaround for a quote would be a week, to 10 days, if you don't get a reply within that time frame, be cautious

Thanks Martinn123 - that makes sense. Very best, Mary

kilclon

Some things which need to be considered when comparing windows (that I can think of at the minute)

1. Single, Double , or Triple glazed

2. Air Filled or gas filled.

3. Is there a low E coating on the glass

4. What type of spacer is being used

5. What is the build up of the frame

6. How well are they going to be installed

7. Where are they going to be installed (in relation to insulation etc)

8. What are the reveal details.

Sadie12

Hi,
I'm at my wits end. I need to find a window supplier this week, but I find that pretty much all window companies I have approached have demonstrated little interest in getting my business ....
Co 1. High end window supplier - great follow up to issuing quote... V expensive.
Co.2. Finally received a quote, after 3 emails, called to shop 3 times and 4 calls to sales man. Called on Friday to attempt to get a final quote but told I needed to talk to MD. Who had left the office at 4.30pm, not available to talk until Monday. When I pushed it by saying I needed to choose between them and other company over weekend, I was told they'd try to get him to call me. No response!!!
Co. 3. Verbal quotation received, no opportunity to see their alu clad in a house, but salesman then setup to show me in their factory. No breakdown in quote, worried about the v negative customer experiences with this co.
Co. 4. Still waiting on quote after several follow ups, now 4 wks later.
Co.5. Said no point sending drawings as they can't compete with mj!!!?
Co.6&7. Issued quote 4 months ago.... No follow up!!!!

Our work is in the region of €38k+, so I cannot believe the laid back, shoddy customer relationship we have experienced so far.

Anyone have recommendations for suppliers of alu-clad triple glazed units?

Any experience good or bad with nordan or Marvin?

Many thx!

sawdoubters

start off triple glaze on north face of house,windows will not put value on house if you get em from uk you might be able to afford them all,its better to get the same time so they will be exactly the same windows from Germany or Sweden may be better made as they install triple glaze all the time

No need for link

Tombo2001

A Propos the <snip>.......

Is the issue with the Windows they make, or with the Service they offer.

We are considering Alu Clad from them......

We are considering getting a local builder to do the job for us, on the basis that we have references to show he has fit windows very well in the past, and that he is nearby if there any issues.

martinn123

Tombo2001 wrote: »

A Propos the <snip>.......

Is the issue with the Windows they make, or with the Service they offer.

We are considering Alu Clad from them......

Both issues come up regularly, do a search for <snip>, and you will come across various threads, that said people tend to post when they have a complaint, not when the job goes well.

We are considering getting a local builder to do the job for us, on the basis that we have references to show he has fit windows very well in the past, and that he is nearby if there any issues.

If this is a renovation, get your Builder to quote you for the entire job, supply and fit, you will be able to reclaim the VAT under the Home Renovation Incentive HRI, scheme.