Windows and Doors
10 August 2005, 10:21 AM
#1
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 8,021
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Windows and Doors
Thinking about replacing our wooden windows with nice secure PVC.
Bit of a minefield as lots of stories about pressure selling etc, anyone got some advice as to prices, which companies to avoid etc etc.
Bit of a minefield as lots of stories about pressure selling etc, anyone got some advice as to prices, which companies to avoid etc etc.
10 August 2005, 10:26 AM
#2
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 12,304
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
At the cheap end is safestyle. Can be rather high pressure sell, units are of OK quality, looking at under £500 per unit fitted. Quality of the fitters can be highly variable, we had a good bunch and a builder and me watching them like a hawk, but I have heard horror stories.
Everest are supposed to be very good but also very pricey.
Consider independants in your area, or have a look down your road and see if there are any you like the look of, then go and ask the people who did it.
My parents live in the Midlands, but ended up going to some firm in Essex for PVC sash windows.
Everest are supposed to be very good but also very pricey.
Consider independants in your area, or have a look down your road and see if there are any you like the look of, then go and ask the people who did it.
My parents live in the Midlands, but ended up going to some firm in Essex for PVC sash windows.
10 August 2005, 10:34 AM
#3
Scooby Regular
Your local Police Station may be able to recommend some companies who supply secure units upto the latest regualtions. When I had a CPO round to check my new house he was telling me a few stories of how a local firm was contracted to do an entire council estate, and a few weeks later loads of houses with the same windows were broken into. The thieving chavs just used their own new windows as a training course, found the weeknesses and then targeted whoever had the same.
10 August 2005, 11:07 AM
#4
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bonnie Scotland
Posts: 784
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Avoid Weatherseal, Vastly overinflated prices imho, also once you speak to the they will never leave you along afterwards, for years to come.
Local People are sometimes best, It depends on your criteria, safety, style or cost.
Daz
Local People are sometimes best, It depends on your criteria, safety, style or cost.
Daz
10 August 2005, 01:18 PM
#6
Scooby Senior
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: West Yorks.
Posts: 4,130
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Try your local double glazing people. Remember to stipulate you want the window beads on the inside - this prevents people from de-glazing them from the outside, a common burglar's trick. For thermal insulation, the windows should comply with Document L of the building regulations.
[edit] Try the Glass & Glazing Federation website for a list of approved fitters.
[edit] Try the Glass & Glazing Federation website for a list of approved fitters.
Last edited by MJW; 10 August 2005 at 01:23 PM.
10 August 2005, 01:27 PM
#7
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Nobody knows how to tie the simple knots that I know
Posts: 8,010
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Once they're in, make sure you hang onto the receipts and documents since there was some law passed for any windows / doors fitted after April 02 for when you want to sell up.
Trending Topics
10 August 2005, 01:33 PM
#8
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My other half is an ex window fitter. He worked for Staybrite. They are a bit pricey but instist on a good standard of work. He then worked for a local company and they were cheaper and were more worried about the quality of work as it was their reputation on the line. Best go to a local company that has been trading for a few years.
10 August 2005, 02:10 PM
#10
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,701
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Matt,
I used these guys to do mine before I sold my house last year, they're based in the industrial estate behind the Simpsons Subaru service place in Highworth.
Countryside Conservatories (Wiltshire) Ltd
6 Blackworth Court, Blackworth Industrial Estate, Highworth, Wiltshire SN6 7NS
Tel: 01793 766077
They were CONSIDERABLY cheaper than the next cheapest quote I had, and eventually did a top job. I say eventually as they did put one window in crooked, but I pointed it out to the boss/owner (Glen Harris) and he agreed it was totally cack and made the fitters come out and re-fit it again the next day in their own time.
They were all nice and neat. They settled a bit within a few weeks of being fitted (as most new windows/doors will) but the fitters just come back out and adjust the hinges if you give them a call.
Whichever company you use, don't leave them alone in your house - make sure you or the missus are there at all times. I popped home at lunchtime on the first day (just to see how things were going) and found the fitters had the Sky TV on and cranked up super-loud through the hifi, had used my landline phone to ring a mobile, and had used my cooker to cook a meal.
I'd tried to be nice and left some beers out for them too, and had said they could use the kettle to make tea/coffee etc. I guess ANY workmen could potentially do this though, give em an inch and they'll likely take a mile.
Their boss agreed that they'd taken some serious liberties and had a right go at them, reimbursed me for the phonecall, and made them apologise.
Also consider these guys based just down the road in Minety:
Classic Windows & Conservatories Ltd
Station Rd, Minety, Malmesbury, Wiltshire SN16 9QY
Tel: 01666 860736
They did my old next door neighbours house and were only slightly more expensive than the company I used.
I had quotes from the other main companies in Swindon and were all considerably more expensive, like £1k - £2k more for the same job.
I used these guys to do mine before I sold my house last year, they're based in the industrial estate behind the Simpsons Subaru service place in Highworth.
Countryside Conservatories (Wiltshire) Ltd
6 Blackworth Court, Blackworth Industrial Estate, Highworth, Wiltshire SN6 7NS
Tel: 01793 766077
They were CONSIDERABLY cheaper than the next cheapest quote I had, and eventually did a top job. I say eventually as they did put one window in crooked, but I pointed it out to the boss/owner (Glen Harris) and he agreed it was totally cack and made the fitters come out and re-fit it again the next day in their own time.
They were all nice and neat. They settled a bit within a few weeks of being fitted (as most new windows/doors will) but the fitters just come back out and adjust the hinges if you give them a call.
Whichever company you use, don't leave them alone in your house - make sure you or the missus are there at all times. I popped home at lunchtime on the first day (just to see how things were going) and found the fitters had the Sky TV on and cranked up super-loud through the hifi, had used my landline phone to ring a mobile, and had used my cooker to cook a meal.
I'd tried to be nice and left some beers out for them too, and had said they could use the kettle to make tea/coffee etc. I guess ANY workmen could potentially do this though, give em an inch and they'll likely take a mile.
Their boss agreed that they'd taken some serious liberties and had a right go at them, reimbursed me for the phonecall, and made them apologise.
Also consider these guys based just down the road in Minety:
Classic Windows & Conservatories Ltd
Station Rd, Minety, Malmesbury, Wiltshire SN16 9QY
Tel: 01666 860736
They did my old next door neighbours house and were only slightly more expensive than the company I used.
I had quotes from the other main companies in Swindon and were all considerably more expensive, like £1k - £2k more for the same job.
10 August 2005, 02:17 PM
#11
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 8,021
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hmmmm Iwan, and you are still recommending them 
Had a guy come out today from Wessex Windows, seems ok, no hard sell, said all the right things with regard window and frame thickness, no hard sell and all that.
We have PVC windows on the study extension we had done last year. They were supplied by "Garden of Eden" and are top quality, Rosewood with wood grain in and out, leaded lights etc, so ideally want something to match.
Next door but one was burgled last night, removed the window pane as the wooden windows are both internal and external sealed. No alarm on the house like us, but still worrying!!
Had a guy come out today from Wessex Windows, seems ok, no hard sell, said all the right things with regard window and frame thickness, no hard sell and all that.
We have PVC windows on the study extension we had done last year. They were supplied by "Garden of Eden" and are top quality, Rosewood with wood grain in and out, leaded lights etc, so ideally want something to match.
Next door but one was burgled last night, removed the window pane as the wooden windows are both internal and external sealed. No alarm on the house like us, but still worrying!!
10 August 2005, 02:54 PM
#12
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 12,304
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by scoob_babe
Once they're in, make sure you hang onto the receipts and documents since there was some law passed for any windows / doors fitted after April 02 for when you want to sell up.
10 August 2005, 03:19 PM
#13
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not all fitters are like that. Other half was left alone in people's houses all day and he NEVER took any liberties. He sat in the van to eat his dinner and used his mobile, never the house phone. It is the same with anybody working in your home, some good uns and some bad uns. Not all builders etc are crooks waiting to rip you off.
10 August 2005, 03:21 PM
#14
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: West Byfleet, Surrey
Posts: 1,653
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My sister-in-law is an architect so knows a bit about "fenestration"....
She advised us against uPVC replacements as they are not allowed to specify them on new builds. This is for a number of reasons, primarily safety - when heated in a housefire, the uPVC expands and seals the window shut. At the same time, it also gives off highly toxic fumes.
She recommended wood or aluminium, which is what we've gone for. It's powder-coated and to the untrained eye isn't much different visually to uPVC. It was slightly (<10%) more than uPVC, but we are using a local guy who is way cheaper than the national chains (under £5k for a 4-bed house to do the lot). Therefore it's still cheaper overall as you're unlikely to find a national chain who will fit aluminium.
She advised us against uPVC replacements as they are not allowed to specify them on new builds. This is for a number of reasons, primarily safety - when heated in a housefire, the uPVC expands and seals the window shut. At the same time, it also gives off highly toxic fumes.
She recommended wood or aluminium, which is what we've gone for. It's powder-coated and to the untrained eye isn't much different visually to uPVC. It was slightly (<10%) more than uPVC, but we are using a local guy who is way cheaper than the national chains (under £5k for a 4-bed house to do the lot). Therefore it's still cheaper overall as you're unlikely to find a national chain who will fit aluminium.
10 August 2005, 03:27 PM
#15
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 8,021
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Mungo
My sister-in-law is an architect so knows a bit about "fenestration"....
She advised us against uPVC replacements as they are not allowed to specify them on new builds. This is for a number of reasons, primarily safety - when heated in a housefire, the uPVC expands and seals the window shut. At the same time, it also gives off highly toxic fumes.
She recommended wood or aluminium, which is what we've gone for. It's powder-coated and to the untrained eye isn't much different visually to uPVC. It was slightly (<10%) more than uPVC, but we are using a local guy who is way cheaper than the national chains (under £5k for a 4-bed house to do the lot). Therefore it's still cheaper overall as you're unlikely to find a national chain who will fit aluminium.
She advised us against uPVC replacements as they are not allowed to specify them on new builds. This is for a number of reasons, primarily safety - when heated in a housefire, the uPVC expands and seals the window shut. At the same time, it also gives off highly toxic fumes.
She recommended wood or aluminium, which is what we've gone for. It's powder-coated and to the untrained eye isn't much different visually to uPVC. It was slightly (<10%) more than uPVC, but we are using a local guy who is way cheaper than the national chains (under £5k for a 4-bed house to do the lot). Therefore it's still cheaper overall as you're unlikely to find a national chain who will fit aluminium.
10 August 2005, 03:38 PM
#16
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 12,304
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by MattW
You sure, ALL the new builds around here are uPVC. My extension is uPVC too as wood was not an option. All uPVC windows to the 1st floor have to open fully for fire regs etc.
)
10 August 2005, 03:44 PM
#17
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 8,021
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Olly - Please explain, I originally asked about replacement windows, mungo has advised against uPVC stating they are not allowed on new builds, but all the new builds in this area are using uPVC??
10 August 2005, 03:53 PM
#18
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 12,304
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by MattW
Olly - Please explain, I originally asked about replacement windows, mungo has advised against uPVC stating they are not allowed on new builds, but all the new builds in this area are using uPVC??
AFAIK you can have uPVC on new builds, all the places round us are using them. Certainly no issue with replacement
10 August 2005, 04:06 PM
#19
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 16,517
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by MJW
Try your local double glazing people. Remember to stipulate you want the window beads on the inside - this prevents people from de-glazing them from the outside, a common burglar's trick. For thermal insulation, the windows should comply with Document L of the building regulations.
[edit] Try the Glass & Glazing Federation website for a list of approved fitters.
[edit] Try the Glass & Glazing Federation website for a list of approved fitters.
10 August 2005, 04:12 PM
#20
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 16,517
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Mungo
My sister-in-law is an architect so knows a bit about "fenestration"....
She advised us against uPVC replacements as they are not allowed to specify them on new builds. This is for a number of reasons, primarily safety - when heated in a housefire, the uPVC expands and seals the window shut. At the same time, it also gives off highly toxic fumes.
She recommended wood or aluminium, which is what we've gone for. It's powder-coated and to the untrained eye isn't much different visually to uPVC. It was slightly (<10%) more than uPVC, but we are using a local guy who is way cheaper than the national chains (under £5k for a 4-bed house to do the lot). Therefore it's still cheaper overall as you're unlikely to find a national chain who will fit aluminium.
She advised us against uPVC replacements as they are not allowed to specify them on new builds. This is for a number of reasons, primarily safety - when heated in a housefire, the uPVC expands and seals the window shut. At the same time, it also gives off highly toxic fumes.
She recommended wood or aluminium, which is what we've gone for. It's powder-coated and to the untrained eye isn't much different visually to uPVC. It was slightly (<10%) more than uPVC, but we are using a local guy who is way cheaper than the national chains (under £5k for a 4-bed house to do the lot). Therefore it's still cheaper overall as you're unlikely to find a national chain who will fit aluminium.
I work for an aluminium windows system company. We sell our systems on the approved fabricators. Most of the work is for commercial buildings but some is for small residential. The new powder coating finishes you can get eg timber look are making aluminium more popular. Aluminium windows have come on a lot in recent years mainly due to new building regs.
also growing in popularity are wood and aluminium famed windows. Timber externally and aluminium on the inside
11 August 2005, 12:15 PM
#21
Pvc is like butter to a good jemmy. A rental house we were staying in for 6 months while our house was being built was broken into 3 times and each time they just forced the ( hinged) window locks out through the pvc frame. Oh and they look ****e IMHO
Wood all the way for me - if you force it to breaking point it makes a lot of noise
Wood all the way for me - if you force it to breaking point it makes a lot of noise
11 August 2005, 12:35 PM
#22
Scooby Senior
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: West Yorks.
Posts: 4,130
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by STi wanna Subaru
You in the windows game at all?
11 August 2005, 02:06 PM
#26
Scooby Senior
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: West Yorks.
Posts: 4,130
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We do quite a few parts for MC range - custom made spigot inserts, Doc. L rated CW panels, etc. In fact we did quite a lot of work on the units up at Silkwood Park too !
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Mattybr5@MB Developments
Full Cars Breaking For Spares
28
28 December 2015 11:07 PM
Mattybr5@MB Developments
Full Cars Breaking For Spares
12
18 November 2015 07:03 AM