Window supplier recommendations (timber/aluclad)

mloc123

I know this is always a hot topic and people are not allowed to name companies they found bad, but...

Can anyone recommend window companies that will supply/fit either painted timber or aluclad windows? So far I have only managed to get a price back from Rationale.

Trying to get a price from:
-Munster
-DK
-Wrights

Have I missed anyone here? I am based in North Kildare.

dubrov

If you try google you will find plenty of reviews/stories on one of those suppliers in particular

mloc123

dubrov wrote: »

If you try google you will find plenty of reviews/stories on one of those suppliers in particular

Yes.. I am aware of the reputation of one glazing company based in the southern part of the country. Have used them previously for PVC windows in our old house and found them *okay*, window quality not great but they were cheap.

mrsWhippy

Nordan.
Carlson

listermint

Just point of note. I know they are all the rage on design shows but are you prepared for the maintenance on these windows because there is maintenance and you won't enjoy it.

mloc123

listermint wrote: »

Just point of note. I know they are all the rage on design shows but are you prepared for the maintenance on these windows because there is maintenance and you won't enjoy it.

Assume you mean with painted timber? My understanding was aluclad was similar to PVC maintenance wise.

listermint

mloc123 wrote: »

Assume you mean with painted timber? My understanding was aluclad was similar to PVC maintenance wise.

Aluclad is timber claded in aluminium. You will have to maintain the timber ... Fun fun.....

Pvc you don't have any of that problem.

There's a large gap in perception versus reality with these windows

Cyrus

listermint wrote: »

Aluclad is timber claded in aluminium. You will have to maintain the timber ... Fun fun.....

Pvc you don't have any of that problem.

There's a large gap in perception versus reality with these windows

what maintenance do you think alu clad windows require?

and they look much much better than PVC.

Calahonda52

There is also a question mark over the use of timber all clad windows in our very damp and high RH climate due to the moisture being retained behind, and then solar drive pushing the moisture into the timber work leading to premature rotting.
having said that I have a rationel front door, in timber for c 12 years and I have never had too do any maintenance.

listermint

Cyrus wrote: »

what maintenance do you think alu clad windows require?

and they look much much better than PVC.

They need sanding and varnishing or they will rot out. I've seen others and lived in various apartments where they look awful after 10 12 years.

People fall for the sales nonsense they are not maintenance free and yes I agree the look good because of the slim line look but that comes at a price.

mloc123

listermint wrote: »

Aluclad is timber claded in aluminium. You will have to maintain the timber ... Fun fun.....

Pvc you don't have any of that problem.

There's a large gap in perception versus reality with these windows

Do you mean the internal wood? I am interested to know what maint is required on aluclad. My preference is wooden as they can be painted to whichever colour we like.

My parents had rationale windows installed... about 20yrs ago now, they moved house 3-4 years ago but in that time the wooden windows required very little upkeep. Initially a revarnish every few years and later decided to paint them.

I understand wooden windows will need to be repainted and maintained, IMO it is worth that effort every few years for better looking product. I really dislike PVC windows.

Cyrus

listermint wrote: »

They need sanding and varnishing or they will rot out. I've seen others and lived in various apartments where they look awful after 10 12 years.

People fall for the sales nonsense they are not maintenance free and yes I agree the look good because of the slim line look but that comes at a price.

sanding and varnishing what? the internal side?

listermint

mloc123 wrote: »

Do you mean the internal wood? I am interested to know what maint is required on aluclad. My preference is wooden as they can be painted to whichever colour we like.

My parents had rationale windows installed... about 20yrs ago now, they moved house 3-4 years ago but in that time the wooden windows required very little upkeep. Initially a revarnish every few years and later decided to paint them.

I understand wooden windows will need to be repainted and maintained, IMO it is worth that effort every few years for better looking product. I really dislike PVC windows.

Yes and as you pointed to your parents had to maintain them .

It's very common people think they won't have to do anything at all due to the price of them.

There is maintenance. Just for clarity

listermint

Cyrus wrote: »

sanding and varnishing what? the internal side?

Yes, and no this is not an attack on your window choice Cyrus it's a fact of maintenance With these windows. Too many people think they are free from any maintenance

Cyrus

listermint wrote: »

Yes, and no this is not an attack on your window choice Cyrus it's a fact of maintenance With these windows. Too many people think they are free from any maintenance

i might have to re paint mine in 5-10 years but thats not a reason to choose inferior looking pvc for me

mloc123

listermint wrote: »

Yes, and no this is not an attack on your window choice Cyrus it's a fact of maintenance With these windows. Too many people think they are free from any maintenance

ah okay, yes that is a fair point. I am aware that they will need some maintenance. With aluclad I assumed you meant there was some external upkeep (painting etc..) needed.

listermint

mloc123 wrote: »

ah okay, yes that is a fair point. I am aware that they will need some maintenance. With aluclad I assumed you meant there was some external upkeep (painting etc..) needed.

No shouldn't be. The paint will age obviously as time but that goes for any window really.

fatty pang

mloc123 wrote: »

I know this is always a hot topic and people are not allowed to name companies they found bad, but...

In fairness you're often not even allowed to name the good ones either when it comes to windows.

listermint wrote: »

There's a large gap in perception versus reality with these windows

... and a rather larger gap in your knowledge of windows.

Cyrus wrote: »

and they look much much better than PVC.

And because timber windows can be repaired relatively easily in comparison to PVC they usually have a longer service life then plastic windows http://www.woodwindowalliance.com/sites/professional/assets/files/WWA_FF_Final%20report%20SLP%20WLC%20and%20LCA%202%2011.7.14.pdf

Calahonda52 wrote: »

There is also a question mark over the use of timber all clad windows in our very damp and high RH climate

mloc123 wrote: »

. I really dislike PVC windows.

They will eventually make good fish food at some point though.

listermint wrote: »

Too many people think they are free from any maintenance

These windows come with maintenance instructions. Anybody who thinks any window or door doesn't require periodic maintenance is similar to somebody who doesn't check the fluids on their car or bike - you'll get away with it for a while until various bits start failing. Your assertion that internal sanding and varnishing is required is amusing. Once in 30 years perhaps but only to freshen up a dulled surface

listermint wrote: »

No shouldn't be. The paint will age obviously as time but that goes for any window really.

There are different paint systems used for coating aluminium. Some fade noticeably faster then others. Not as fast as some PVC products which display an 'interesting' two-tone effect whem the lower part of the window is bleached white and the upper part, sheltered by the lintel, stays the original colour.

mloc123

After a morning of visiting various showrooms I think we are sold on Rationale, quality in my opinion was far better than anything else we viewed.

Has anyone bought from them and how did they find the installers? I know this is one of the main gripes with one other large supplier based in the south of the country. PM me is necessary.

fatty pang

mloc123 wrote: »

quality in my opinion was far better than anything else we viewed.

What were the criteria you used for judging the quality ?

mloc123

fatty pang wrote: »

What were the criteria you used for judging the quality ?

Look, feel and finish on the units. I understand their U values are not as good as others.

mloc123

To close out this thread with positive feedback. Rationel installed the new windows today, very happy with them. The fit and finish is perfect and the installers left the house cleaner than they found it.

RocoH

Hi mloc123

Since you now have the windows for ~10 months would you mind giving us an update on your Rationel windows? Any issues over that time or the winter. Are you still happy with everything? Any dents/marks or the likes to internal pine timber. Strongly considering Rationel (if builder will agree to build to to exact opening so we have no lead time to wait for delivery).

metricspaces

For anyone coming across this thread, two other manufacturers of aluclad not mentioned are IdealCombi and VELFAC.

mloc123

RocoH wrote: »

Hi mloc123

Since you now have the windows for ~10 months would you mind giving us an update on your Rationel windows? Any issues over that time or the winter. Are you still happy with everything? Any dents/marks or the likes to internal pine timber. Strongly considering Rationel (if builder will agree to build to to exact opening so we have no lead time to wait for delivery).

Yes, still very happy. No dents or marks, the workings are all still tight and smooth to open/close etc... would happily buy them again