Another Windows Thread

Hi all,

Long post warning on windows!

I have benefited from other people's experience and opinions on boards so I wanted to return the favour and hopefully help someone else. You will see that this is my first post but I am not affiliated with any company. I got 10 different quotes and unfortunately, there is no simple answer. Below really applies to a new build as the builder will follow up the fitting with air tightness etc so a renovation might be a different experience. The windows you pick depend on your house / budget / location but here goes...........

1. Seek the opinion of your builder / engineer / architect. My builder recommended going with Irish manufacturers as when something goes wrong (and it will, its a building site) there is a faster turnaround time. If it is a new build, try to work through the builder as he will be responsible for them.
2. Expect approx 20% discount on the original quote if you push hard enough.
3. Try and visit a site where your preferred windows are being fitted. They will all have a site. Showroom windows get a lot of wear in a short space of time. Make sure you look at the colours out of the showroom as the lights in there can play tricks.
4. Do not pay attention to one line reviews such as "company A are rubbish" or my favourite "My brother in law is a builder and he wouldn't let Company B in the gate". Only pay attention to reviews where they actually give some detail. There are still plenty of those to read.
5. I noted that most of the problems people seemed to have related to poor fitting as opposed to a poor product. It might be better to make sure that the fitters are experienced and don't just fit windows as a nixer.
6. Make sure the window QS visits the site and takes the measurements and that you and the builder are there for it. I had 3 companies on site and a European based manufacturer couldn't do the window layout that the showroom said they could and an Irish manufacturer tried to swap in a lower spec window. Both instances meant that they tried to put pressure on us to change our preferred layout.
7. Not every manufacturer can do the large triple glazed slider. Another company added a double glazed unit that slides and hoped we wouldn't notice.
8. Consider how the window will perform on your site. You don's have to be an expert to spot potential weak points. I am on a relatively exposed site that will get driving rain and some windows have noticeable gaps between frame and window that I could imagine the rain driving into.
9. There are different types of alu-clad! If you are going that way, make sure you know what you are getting. Read the posts and articles on the wood window with aluminium cladding type windows, I think that there might be something to that in the Irish climate.
10. Get the best performing windows for your budget. This means sacrificing aesthetics for performance.
11. If you want uPVC, get it. Don't listed to the uPVC haters. Don't be afraid to get a mix of uPVC / alu clad (where you cant see both windows directly beside each other).

In summary;
Best showroom experience was North Scandinavian.
Best quote (most detail, easiest to follow) was North Europe.
Cheapest was Irish - not who most of you would think.
Best on site was also Irish (eventual winner).