Alu clad window options

derb12

Just starting on an extension which will require about 8m of glazing. This will be partial floor to ceiling fixed panes, partial casement window and a sliding door.
I have narrowed my search down to Munster Joinery, Nordan and Rationel in terms of what I like the look/quality of.
A search on these pages was enlightening, but I'm not sure I want to base a 2015 decision on a "steer clear of **" comment from 2006!
Could anyone PM me recent experiences of these guys? In particular lead times (promised and delivered) and quality of product and service.
Thanks.

Calahonda52

Whats the business case for Alu-Clad in this humid climate.?

I did some work in this area both here and in the US in 2012 where there were issues of moisture being retained behind the Alu, leading to eventual rotting of frames after about 11 years, the g/tee was 10.

derb12

Would it sound really shallow to say I just like the look of them :rolleyes:?
I never thought about humidity and I haven't heard any anecdotals about rotting wood underneath apart from now.
You have set me thinking though because they are for a kitcheny area and with kids that don't always get switch on the extractor fan when they are cooking, condensation on the inside might be an issue.
One of the producers I mentioned doesn't do alu-clad inside anyway so basically the one feature that I thought might help finally make a decision is off the table.
Thanks for your input - very helpful.
BTW what is g/tee?

Calahonda52

Shallow, hell no, for that I watch TV3

Am not familiar with internal Alu-clad, that must be in NAMA land pricing.
The work I did was external Alu-clad.
As for steers, further springs to mind.
meant to say earlier I have a Rationel front porch door with just the pine finish.
Its there 7 or 8 years and all I have done maintence-wise is wd 40 on the mechanism

D_D

PM Sent.

fatty pang

Calahonda52 wrote: »

Whats the business case for Alu-Clad in this humid climate.?

I did some work in this area both here and in the US in 2012 where there were issues of moisture being retained behind the Alu, leading to eventual rotting of frames after about 11 years, the g/tee was 10.

Well you’re not in Kansas now bud.
Alu-clad describes numerous constructions – roll-form alu on timber, extruded alu on timber, dry glazed (drained and ventilated) alu on timber, wet-glazed alu on timber, composite alu-timber, alu-clad UPVC, etc.
With properly designed and installed alu-clad windows rot is not a issue. Windows should be designed for the climate that they are going to be installed in. That doesn’t always happen when windows are imported from here, there and everywhere.

fatty pang

derb12 wrote: »

One of the producers I mentioned doesn't do alu-clad inside anyway so basically the one feature that I thought might help finally make a decision is off the table.

You are inadvertantly comparing apples with ...ahhh… plastic fruit.
None of the manufacturers you’ve mentioned provide 'alu-clad' inside. If you want aluminium on the inside get an aluminium window. Nordan and Rationel make timber windows with an aluminium cladding - the cladding is there purely to minimise maintenance i.e. eliminate the need to paint/stain the exterior frames. Munster Joinerys window is a plastic window with the external aluminium cladding designed to ….errr…. add cost?.... and a cosmetic timber lining internally.

happyoutscan

derb12 wrote: »

Just starting on an extension which will require about 8m of glazing. This will be partial floor to ceiling fixed panes, partial casement window and a sliding door.
I have narrowed my search down to Munster Joinery, Nordan and Rationel in terms of what I like the look/quality of.
A search on these pages was enlightening, but I'm not sure I want to base a 2015 decision on a "steer clear of **" comment from 2006!
Could anyone PM me recent experiences of these guys? In particular lead times (promised and delivered) and quality of product and service.
Thanks.

May I ask who you went with, how did everything go and are you happy with your decision?

We are in the process of getting quotes and Rational are so far the best quote going. Tough decision to make in fairness so I'd be interested to see if you have any suggestions.

mrsWhippy

happyoutscan wrote: »

May I ask who you went with, how did everything go and are you happy with your decision?

We are in the process of getting quotes and Rational are so far the best quote going. Tough decision to make in fairness so I'd be interested to see if you have any suggestions.

I'd love to hear also - it's a big decision, and a costly one at that! Also looking at alu-clad if it's in the budget. Thank you!

FiOT

Hi All,

Just thought I'd throw in my 2 pence as I was in the same place deciding a few months ago! Still haven't totally decided but 98% there...

I was looking aluclad and a few people worried me a little about it; wood + amount of moisture in Ireland = scary stories.

I happened upon internorm windows who do alupvc and it seems to be a great compromise. Still have the lovely look of aluclad on the outside but pvc on the inside. They are also passive certified I think. I think these windows are what we will go with if we can stretch the budget to match them.

Might be something to look into!

Orad

FiOT wrote: »

Hi All,

Just thought I'd throw in my 2 pence as I was in the same place deciding a few months ago! Still haven't totally decided but 98% there...

I was looking aluclad and a few people worried me a little about it; wood + amount of moisture in Ireland = scary stories.

I happened upon internorm windows who do alupvc and it seems to be a great compromise. Still have the lovely look of aluclad on the outside but pvc on the inside. They are also passive certified I think. I think these windows are what we will go with if we can stretch the budget to match them.

Might be something to look into!

Did you go with internorm in the end. I am considering and would love to hear your experience....via PM of course.

FiOT

Orad wrote: »

Did you go with internorm in the end. I am considering and would love to hear your experience....via PM of course.

Think it's OK to talk about products just not suppliers! Stand to be corrected on that though...

Yes we went with aluclad pvc from internorm, totally delighted with them! Inwards opening is a bit awkward but nothing we can't get past to have such a quality product. My boyfriend is in construction for a long time and thinks they are one of the best made products he's seen, there are some products he wouldn't have touched with a barge pole!

Orad

FiOT wrote: »

Think it's OK to talk about products just not suppliers! Stand to be corrected on that though...

Yes we went with aluclad pvc from internorm, totally delighted with them! Inwards opening is a bit awkward but nothing we can't get past to have such a quality product. My boyfriend is in construction for a long time and thinks they are one of the best made products he's seen, there are some products he wouldn't have touched with a barge pole!

Thanks a mill for this info.
We are planning to view this and another well-known, unbelievably keenly priced product tomorrow.....barge pole packed😀
Thanks again