double glazing€¦ · 10 things you need to know before you buy double glazing 1. double glazing...
TRANSCRIPT
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DOUBLE GLAZING
Things you need to know before buying double glazing.
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Contents Howtousethisdoubleglazingguide 3
10thingsyouneedtoknowbeforeyoubuydoubleglazing 4
So,you’rethinkingaboutreplacementwindows? 5
Benefitsofdoubleglazing 6
ReplacementwindowsBuildingRegulations 8
Theneedforreducedenergyconsumption 10
Maintenance 11
Buyer’sguide 12
Choosingasupplier 14
Choiceofmaterials 15
Designissues 18
Typesofglass 19
GoingdowntheDIYroute 21
Ataglanceguidelines 22
WhyuseTheGlazingPeople? 23
Appendix 24
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Howtousethiszerostressguide Ifyou’replanningtochangeyourwindowsor doorsyouneedtobeawareofyourlegal obligationtomeetcertainstandardsinthe government’sBuildingRegulations.Inparticular, energyefficiencyissomethingthatneedsalotof attentionanddictateswhichinstallationsyou canhaveinyourhome. Withplentyofotherfactorstotakeintoaccounttoo,itisnecessarytobeequippedwiththeinformationyouneed,whichiswhythisguidewillbeausefulreferencepoint.ItnotonlygivesyouthebackgroundtothedemandsoftheBuildingRegulationsbutalsodetailsthebenefitsofdoubleglazingaswellasguidingyouthroughthevariousdesignoptions.Weadviseyouoneverythingfromwhattolookforinasuppliertohowtocareforyourwindows.
Therearewarningsofpitfallstoavoidandbookmarkstowebsitesthatwillprovidemoredetailonaspectsoftheprojectinwhichyouareespeciallyinterested.Inshort,weinviteyoutobenefitfromourexpertiseandmakethewholeexperienceasstraightforwardaspossible.Ofcourse,noprojectis100%stress-freebutifyoufollowouradviceyou’llcomeasclosetoitashumanlypossible.Furthermore,getitrightandyoucanlookforwardtoenjoyingthebenefitsofyourdoubleglazingformanyyearstocome.
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10thingsyouneedtoknowbeforeyoubuydoubleglazing
1. DoubleglazingissubjecttostrictBuildingRegulations–makesureyouadheretothem2. Safety,securityandenergyconservationwillbeenhanced3. Yourchosenstyleshouldcomplementandenhanceyourproperty4. Cheaperpricesoftencomeattheexpenseoffeweropeningwindows5. CheckwhetherPVCuwindowsarefullyweldedorifpartsofitaremechanicallyfixed6. Getuptofourquotesbeforetakingadecisionandchecksuppliers’guarantees7. Secondaryglazingisacheaperandequallyefficientoptionforsoundinsulation8. Doubleglazingwillcutenergybillsbyaround10-12%annually9. Checkwhetherwindowshaveanyspecial‘easyescape’or‘fireescape’features.Specialhinges
canbefittedtohelpwiththisbutarenotusuallystandarditemsandincreasethecost10. DIYisanoption–butonlyforthecompetentandconfident.
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Soyou’rethinkingaboutreplacingwindows? Therearemanyreasonsforchangingyourwindowsand/ordoorsand,unlessyougetitdrasticallywrong–eitherbychoosingastylethatisunsympathetictoyourhomeorbydoingit‘onthecheap’andendingupwithaninferiorproduct–youwillimprovethelookandincreasethevalueofyourproperty. Existingwindowsanddoorsneedrepair Whenold,timber-framedwindowsaresufferingfromrotitisoftenmore-cost-effectiveinthelongruntoreplacethemratherthanpayingoutforregularpatching,fillingandrepainting. Toimprovetheappearanceofyourhomereplacingshabby,old-fashionedwindowsanddoorswithnewstylesandshapeswillsignificantlychangeandimprovethelookofyourhomeandgiveit‘kerbappeal’. Toimprovesecurity Burglaryisontheincreaseanddoorsandwindowsareacommonentrypoint.ManyPVCuwindowsystemsincorporateextrasecurityfeaturesincludingspeciallockstoprotectyourhome.
Forbetterprotectionfromtheelements Ifyourcurtainsflutter inthebreeze,yougetachill fromwindowdraughtsorrain leaks inandaroundyourwindowsitnotonlydetractsfromyourcomfortbutalso leaves the fabricofyourhomeopentoweatherdamage. Toreducenoisepollution Ifyouliveonabusyroadwheretrafficnoiseisanirritation,theinstallationofdouble-glazedwindowswillsignificantlydecreasetheamountofnoisetransmittedthroughyourwindows. Forincreasedenergyefficiency Thelatestdoubleglazedwindowsoffermuchbetterinsulationthanconventionalsingleglazedwindows.Thishelpstoretainheatsoyoucanturndowntheheatingadegreeortwoandsaveonfuelbillswithoutcompromisingyourcomfort.
PVCuisthelowmaintenanceoption
TOPTIP: Lookforextrasecurityfeaturesincludingspeciallocks
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Benefitsofdoubleglazing Whateveryourparticularreasonforwantingtoinstalldoubleglazingyouwillenjoythefollowingbenefits: Safety Traditionalsinglepanewindowsaremadefromasinglesheetofregularglass.Whenthisishititislikelytoshatterintolong,sharp,dangerousshards.Doubleglazing,ontheotherhand,offersagreaterdegreeofsafetyonbreaking–afactthatisespeciallyimportantforfamilieswithyoungchildren. Itispossibletofurtherimprovethesafetyofthedoubleglazingbyusingsecurityglass,toughenedglassorshatterproofglass.Indeed,UKlawonlow-levelglazingapplicationsinso-called‘criticallocations’stipulatesthis.Thelegal
requirements(BS6206)applytoalldomesticglazinginstallationswhethernewbuild,replacementorrefurbishment. Suchcriticallocationsinclude: • Doors–anyglazingorpartofglazingina
door,whichisbetweenthefinishedfloorlevelandaheightof1500mmabovethefloorlevel
• Sidepanelstodoors–andglazingorpartofglazing,whichiswithin300mmofeithersideofadooredgeandwhichisbetweenthefinishedfloorlevelandaheightof1500mmabovethefloorlevel
• Windows,partitionsandwalls–anyglazingorpartofglazing,whichisbetweenthefinishedfloorlevelandaheightof800mmabovethefloorlevel.
IntheabovediagramonlyglazingunitsNos.1,4and8fallwhollyoutsidethe'criticallocation‘andneednotcomplywithBS6206.
Energyconservation Modernhomescanloseasmuchas25%oftheirheatthroughthewindows.Theinstallationoflow-emissivityglass(Low-E)allowsthesun'sheatandlighttopassthroughtheglassintothebuilding,butblocksheatfromleavingtheroom,therebyconsiderablyreducingheatloss.Thisnotonlyleadstosavingsonenergybillsbutalsotomaintainingahighertemperaturewithinthehome.Sittingbyalarge,doubleglazedpicturewindowisagreatdealmorecomfortableonacoldwinternight.
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Benefitsofdoubleglazing Doubleglazingcandrasticallychangetheappearanceofthehomebutitdoesn’thavetospoilit.Ifyouareinvolvedinarestoration,agood,reputablecontractorwillworkwithyoutofindaproductthatwillcomplementandenhancethearchitectureoftheproperty. Security Thewindowframesandlockingsystemsondoubleglazedwindowsmakeitagreatdealharderforintruderstogainentrytoyourhome–animportantconsiderationinthesedaysofincreasedcrimerates. Secondaryglazing Internalsecondarydoubleglazingcanbeacost-effectivesolutionifthemainwindowisessentiallysoundandingoodconditionbutthereisarequirementtoimprovethermaland/ornoiseinsulation. Secondaryglazingismanufacturedfromslim,unobtrusivewhiteenamelledaluminiumprofiles,usuallywithsingleglazing.Doubleglazingisalsoavailableforspecialistapplications.Theseunitsreplicatethedesignof,andareinstalledinsidethemain,orprimary,window.
Theproductrangeincludes: • Verticalslidersforsashwindows,witha
tiltingandremovablesashfacilityforeaseofcleaning
• Horizontalsliderswithremovablesashesfor 'picture'typecasementwindows
• Hingedunitsfornarrowcasements,doorsandFrenchdoorsorwindows.Sashescanbeliftedoff
• Lift-outunitsforusewhenonlyoccasionalaccessisrequiredtothemainwindow
• Fixedunits,usuallyonlyusedtoinsulateglasspanelswithindoors.
Secondarydoubleglazingissuitableforallconservationareasand,subjecttolistingdetail,listedbuildings.
Tripleglazing Tripleglazingintroducesanadditionalpaneofglassintotheunit.Thisgivesevengreatersoundandheatinsulationsoisextremelypracticalforthosewholiveinabuilt-uparea,nearabusyroadorclosetoanythingthatcausessignificantsoundpollution.Therewillalsobegreaterenergysavingsfromtripleglazingalthoughthecostistypically20–40%morethandoubleglazing.GenerallyspeakingtherearenotmanysuppliersoftripleglazingintheUK.
TOPTIP: Doubleglazedwindowshaveframesandlockingsystemsdesignedforultimatesecurity
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ReplacementwindowsBuildingRegulations Thankstoworld-wideagreementstoreduceenergyconsumption,therearenowstrictregulationscoveringreplacementwindows. AllreplacementwindowinstallationsinEngland andWalesaresubjecttoDocumentLofBuilding Regulationswhichaffect,inparticular,the minimumlevelsofinsulationthatreplacement windowsmusthavewhenfittedinthehome. TheselevelsofinsulationaremeasuredasU values.ThelowertheUvalue,thebetterthe insulationlevel.Infuturewhatwasinthepast referredtoas‘normal’double-glazing-i.e.two piecesofglassseparatedbyaspacerbar–isvery unlikelytoconformtobuildingregulations.To gettherequiredlevelofinsulationitisalmost certainsomesortofLowEglass(typically PilkingtonKintheUK–althoughthereareother brands)willhavetobeused.Itmayalsobe necessaryforthesealeddoubleglazedunitsto begas-filled(probablyArgon). FENSAself-certificationscheme Withsomanyreplacementwindowsbeinginstalleditwasagreedthattheindustrycouldadoptaself-assessmentmethodforadministeringthemanythousandsofwindowinstallationsthatarenowsubjecttoBuildingRegulations.WhatthismeansisthatitisnotalwaysnecessaryforabuildingcontrolofficertoinspecteachinstallationorforcompaniestomakeseparateBuildingRegulationsapplications.
AcontractorregisteredwiththeFENSA(FenestrationSelf-Assessment)self-certificationschemeisapprovedtocarryouttheworkinaccordancewithrelevantregulationswithoutinspectionbythecouncilandwillinformFENSAwheninstallationhasbeencompleted. Randominspectionsofcompletedworkarecarriedout IfyouarenotusingaFENSAregisteredcontractororifyouaredoingtheworkyourselfthenyouwillneedtoarrangeforbuildingregulationapproval.Thiswillmeanthatyoumustbeabletoconfirmthatyouhavemetanumberofcriteria.YouwillberesponsibleforpayingfortheBuildingRegulationsapplicationandshouldcheckwithyourlocalcouncilforcosts.Thetimetakentoobtainapprovalwilldependonthelocalauthorityconcerned. InadditiontoBuildingRegulationconsentyoumustascertainwhetherornotplanningpermissionorconservationareaconsentisrequired.Yourlocalcouncilcanadviseyouonthis. Forfurtherdetailssee www.theglazingpeople.co.uk
TOPTIP: ThelowertheUvalue,thebetter theinsulation
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ReplacementwindowsBuildingRegulations Scotland’sBuildingStandardPartJrequiresaneven higher performance level from windowsthanthatspecifiedinEnglandandWales. ReplacementwindowsanddoorsinScottishhomesareexpectedtoachieveUvalues10%lowerthanthoseinEnglandandWales,whichmeansadifferenceof0.2ofaUvalue.SoftcoatLow-eglasswitha16mmcavitycontaininganinertgaswillbenecessaryinmostcases. Thismeansthatinmostexistingdwellings,replacementwindowswillneedtohaveaUvalueofnotmorethan: • 1.8forwindowsmadeofplasticorwood • 2.0forwindowswithmetalframes WindowsalsoneedtocomplywithallotherappropriateaspectsofthetechnicalstandardstotheScottishBuildingRegulations–e.g.emergencyescape,safe-cleaning,safetyglassandventilation.
Sellingyourhome Whenyousellyourproperty,surveyorswillaskforevidencethatanyreplacementglazinginstalledafterApril2002complieswiththenewBuildingRegulations.Therearetwowaysinwhichyoucanprovecompliance: • Acertificateshowingthattheworkhas
beendonebyaninstallerwhoisregistered underaFENSA,CERTASSLimitedortheBritishStandardsInstitutionself-certificationscheme
or • A certificate from the local authority
saying that the installation has approvalundertheBuildingRegulations.
If there is any doubt, a glass analysis gaugecan be used to establishwhether or not thecorrectglasshasbeenused. Notethatthisonlyapplieswhenwindowshavebeenreplaced–originalwindowsarenotsubjecttothisscrutiny.
TOPTIP: Proofofcomplianceisrequired whenyousellyourhome
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Theneedtoreduceenergyrequirements TheKyotoProtocolsignedattheearthsummitinJapanresultedintheBritishGovernment,amongmanyothers,signinguptoreducecarbondioxideemissionstopre-1990levels.TheBritishgovernmentiscommittedtoachievingthisandtocontinuetoreduceemissionswhichcauseglobalwarming.Oneofthewaysinwhichtoachievethesetargetsisbyinsulatinghomestoreducetheirenergyrequirements. Itisestimatedthatdomesticpropertiesuseabout25%oftheenergyconsumedintheUK.InrecentyearstheBuildingRegulationshavehadanewsectioncalledSectionLorDocumentLcoveringtheconservationoffuelandpower.EveryfewyearsDocumentLisreviewedandtheconservationrequirementsareincreased. Theimpactonhousingissignificant.AfewyearsagoBuildingRegulationsrequiredallhousestobebuiltwithdoubleglazingandlimitedthewindowareas.AnyonewantinglargewindowshadtotakeappropriatemeasuressuchasfittingPilkingtonKintothem.AstheDocumentLscrewistightened,awholeseriesofchangesaffectingcavitywallinsulation,loftspaceinsulationandfloorinsulationarebeingintroduced.
TOPTIP: Brokensealedunitscanbereplaced‘likeforlike’
ExceptionstonewDocL • Conservatoriesareexemptprovidedtheyare
separatedfromtherestofthebuilding(forexamplebydoors)ortheyareunheated
• Historicbuildingsaremerelyexpectedto‘achievethebesttheycan’althoughanyimprovementinthermalefficiencyiswelcomed
• Brokensealedunitscanbereplaced‘likeforlike’(theregulationsapplytotheentirewindowreplacement)
EnergySavingRecommendedSchemeCurrently,manufacturers/organisationsvoluntarilysubmittheirwindowsforenergyefficiencyaccreditation.Thisisnowveryimportanttotheorganisationsasconsumersaremoreawareofenergysavingproductsandthisiscontinuouslyincreasingwithmanypeoplesomuchmoreconsciousofthefinancialandenvironmentalbenefits.
TheEnergySavingTrustsupportstheBritishFenestrationRatingCouncil’s(BFRC)domesticwindowenergyratingscheme(WER)byaccreditinganywindowrated
‘band-C’orabove,helpingconsumerstoreadilycomparetheenergyefficiencyofcompetingproductsusingarecognisablemark/gradeforeveryonetounderstand. TheBFRC’sWERschemeisbasedonthewholewindow.ThehighertheBFRCratingindicatesamorethermallyefficientwindow.ThewindowisgivenaratingofA-GBFRCbandsofthewindowenergylabel.Itisthisbandthatprovidesthebasisforenergysavingrecommendedcertification.Soit’sveryimportantfororganisationstoensuretheirproductsareassessedandmanufacturedtothehighestgrade. Alsopleasesee: www.theglazingpeople.co.uk
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Maintenance EverythinglastsbetterifitiswelllookedafterandgiventherightkindofTLC.Doubleglazingisnodifferent–anannual‘springclean’willkeepyourwindowsingoodworkingorder. WhilePVCuandaluminiumframesarevirtuallymaintenance-freetheydoneedalittleattentionasoutlinedbelow: • Conservatoriesareexemptprovidedtheyare
separatedfromtherestofthebuilding(forexamplebydoors)ortheyareunheated
• Hingesandmechanicalpartssuchaslockswillneedanannualcleanandlightlubrication
• Donotuseoiltolubricatesqueakyhinges(oranynylonmovingparts),useafurnitureaerosolwaxsprayinstead,whichcontainssilicon
• Neverusewashing-upliquidinthewaterwhencleaningyourwindowsasitattacksanddegradestheseals.UseaspecialcreamcleansertowipedownwhitePVCu(noabrasivesshouldbeusedonwoodgrain),followingtheinstructionsonthecontainer
• Keepslidingpatiodoortracksbrushedcleanofmud,gritanddustbutdonotlubricatethetrack
• Makesurethereisakeyineachroomforundoingsecurity-lockingwindowsintheeventofanemergency.
Timberframeswillneedre-paintingeverythreetofiveyearsor,ifyouareusinghardwood,oilorvarnishasappropriate. SilveraluminiumcanbecleanedwithSolvolAutosolaluminiumpolish,availablefrommotoraccessoryshops. TouchupdamagedwhitealuminiumwithHumbrolwhitepaint Scratchesondouble-glazedsealedunitsarebadnewsandcanbedealtwithby: • Fillinginthescratchinwitharesin(trythe
kitssoldinmotoraccessoryshopstodealwithwindscreenscratches)thathasthesamerefractiveindexastheglass,sothescratchnolongershows.
• PolishingthescratchoutwithaveryfineabrasivesuchasCeria(ceriumoxide)orjeweller'srouge(ironoxide).NeveruseproductslikeBrassoDuraglitoranykindofabrasivepapers.
• Ifallelsefails,replacethesealedunit. www.theglazingpeople.co.uk/
TOPTIP: Anannual‘springclean’maintains
PVCuframesbutbeware,washing upliquiddegradeswindowseals
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Buyer’sguide Replacingwindowsonyourpropertycanchangeitsvisualappearanceconsiderably.It’simportanttoselectastylethatmatchesyourpropertyandenhancesitslooks,especiallywhenfittingPVCuandaluminiumdesignstoolderproperties.Itoftenhelpstolookatsimilar,neighbouringpropertiestocomparetheeffectofvariousreplacementwindowtypes. Planningpermissionisusuallyonlyrequiredinthecaseof listedbuildingsandconservationareasorif, for example, you are converting a flatwindowintoaboworbaywindow.Ifindoubt,checkwiththeplanningdepartmentofyourlocalauthority. Ensurethatyouwillhaveanadequatenumberofopeningwindows.Somesalesmenofferdesignswithveryfewopenings.Thesimplerthedesignandthefewertheopenings,thecheaperthewindowswillbe.Butthecostmightenduphigherthanyouthinkasinferiorwindowscanturnouttobeabadinvestmentandevenlowerthevalueoftheproperty.Itisnotuncommonforpotentialpropertybuyerstonegotiateareducedpriceonthesegrounds.
WhenbuyingPVCuwindowsyoushouldenquirewhetherthewindowsarefullyweldedorwhethersomeparts(transoms/midrails)aremechanicallyfixed.Mechanicalfixingisgenerallyacheaperwayofmanufacturinganditispossiblewithwearandtear,especiallyondoors,thatthemechanical(screw)fixingwillsplitapart,weakeningtheframesandreducingperformance. Whilemechanicalfixingisnotnecessarilyabadthing–especiallyifdonecorrectly–preferenceshouldbegiventofullyweldedstructures,particularlyifallotherelements,suchaspriceandqualityofsupplier,aresimilar.Theonlyexceptiontothismightbeforwoodgrain-stylePVCuframeswhenamechanicalfixingcanlookneater–especiallywithregardtohowthe‘grain’finishonthePVCuframes‘runs’.Yourpotentialsuppliercangiveyouadetailedexplanationofthis. Whenchoosingyourwindows,lookfortheenergysavingrecommendedlogo.Likeelectricalequipment,windowproductsareassessedonaratingofAtoG,Abeingthemostefficient.Theassessmentisbasedonthewholewindow,notjusttheglassorseals,andthegradesareissuedbytheBritishFenestrationRatingsCouncil.
TOPTIP: Chooseastyletocompliment
yourhomeandalwayscheck energyratings
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Buyer’sguide Fittingdoubleglazinginreplacementwindowswillprovidesomeinsulationfromnoise.Howeverifyourprimarymotivationforfittingdoubleglazingistoreducesoundthensecondaryglazing,inwhichanewsingleglazedframeisfittedinfrontoftheexisting(prime)windowframe,willbemoreeffective.Thegreaterthegapbetweenthetwopanes,thebetterthesoundinsulation. Itisprudenttoenquireaboutthetypeoflocksandsecurityfeaturesbeingfittedtoyourwindowsanddoors.Mostmoderndoubleglazedreplacementwindowsfeaturemulti-point,espagnolette-typelocking,whichwillalsolockpartiallyopenina‘nightvent’position.Itmaybepossibletoupgradetoshoot-boltlockingorSACboltlocksforadditionalsecurity.Optionsfordoorsincludethe‘EntryGuard’,atypeofsecuritychainthatallowsyoutopartiallyopenthedoorandviewvisitors.Alwaysenquirewhatcomesasstandardandwhatupgradesareavailable–itisoftenthecasethatforalittleextracostyoucanhaveasubstantiallybetterlockingsystem.
ThereismuchdebateaboutinternallybeadedwindowsversusexternallybeadedwindowsonPVCuunits.Ifthebeadsholdingintheglassareontheinsideofthewindowitwillbemoredifficultforaburglartoremovetheglassandenteryourhome.However,somesuppliersofexternallybeadedwindowswillfitspecialglazinggasketsanddouble-sidedtapetotheframeandsealedunitinordertoimprovethesecurity–someclaimthiselevatesthesecuritylevelstothoseassociatedwithinternalbeading.Alwaysaskifthewindowshaveanyspecial‘easyescape’or‘fireescape’features.Specialhingescanbefittedtohelpwiththisbutthesearenotusuallystandarditemsandwillincreasethecost.Don’tbetemptedtoskimponthis,though,ascompromisingonsafetyfeaturesisafalseeconomy. Finally,askyoursupplierwhowillberesponsiblefor ‘makinggood’ around thenew frameswhentheyarefitted.Mostsupplierswillincludethisaspartoftheirwork-butyoushouldcheck.
TOPTIP: Makesuretoenquireaboutsecurityupgrades
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Choosingasupplier Thereareplentyofchoiceswhenitcomestofindingasupplier–fromlargenationalcompaniesthatwooyouwithTVadvertisingtosmalllocalcompanieswithalowerprofile.Therearegoodandnot-so-goodcompaniesinbothcategories. Beforeyoumakeadecision,visitshowrooms,researchallofthealternativesintermsofproductandstyleandgetatleastthreeestimates.Asalways,askaroundamongfriendsandrelativestoseekrecommendations.Lookout,too,forinstallationsbeingcarriedoutinyourneighbourhoodandwatchtheprogress–oncetheworkisdoneyoucouldvisitthehouseandasktheownerswhattheirimpressionsofthewindowsandinstallersare.Rememberthatanytypeofbuildingworkcanthrowupunforeseenproblems–ifthiswasthecase,didthesupplierrisetothechallengeandsortitoutquicklyandeffectively? AnotheroptionistolookonawebsitelikeTheGlazingPeoplethatlistssupplierswhohavebeenmonitoredandvetted.Customercommentsareincludedaswellasassessmentofqualitieslikeworkmanship,reliabilityandpunctuality. Alwaysaskyoursupplierhowlongthedeliverywillbeandhavethiswrittenintoyourcontract.Alsorequestanestimateofhowlongtheworkwilltaketocompleteonceinstallationbegins.Mostcompanieswillrequireadepositwhenyouplacetheorder.Trytonegotiateaslowapercentageaspossible–10%isusual.Youshouldavoidpayinglargerdepositsthanthisunlessyourworkisunique/bespoke,suchas‘oneoff’timberwindowdesigns.Itisnotunreasonableinthesecircumstancesforsupplierstorequirehigherholdingdeposits.Also
ensurethatafairpercentageiswithhelduntiltheworkisfinishedtoyourcompletesatisfaction. Checkouttheguaranteeandexactlywhatitcovers.Manycompaniesnowoffer‘insurancebacked’guaranteeswhichareactuallyinsolvencyguaranteesandonlybecomeeffectiveifthecompanygoesoutofbusiness.Mostguaranteeswillgivea10-yearcoverontheframesbutyoumayfindthatthecoverforthedoubleglazedunitisfiveyears.Complicationscanbeavoidedifyouensurethatapotentialsupplierisspecificabouttheseissues–andputsitinwriting. Don’tautomaticallygoforthecheapestpriceandwhencomparing‘likewithlike’takeintoaccounthowlongthecompanyhasbeenestablishedandthequalityofitsguarantees.YoumayfindtwosuppliersusingthesamebrandofPVCuextrusionandthesamePilkingtonglass.Howeverifoneisawindowfitterdoing‘privatework’attheweekendsyoushouldbearinmindthathis10-yearguaranteemaybeworthsignificantlylessthanthatfromamoreestablishedcompanywithasupportinginfrastructure.
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Choiceofmaterials PVCu PVCu,uPVC,PVC-U,andPVCUallessentiallyrefertothesamesubstance.Themostpopularchoice,thisisanexcellentmaterialwhichhastheadvantageofneedinglittleornomaintenance.Theleastexpensiveofalltheavailablematerials,itismostpopularinwhitebutisalsoavailableinmahoganyandoakwood-grainstyles. Problemswithdiscolorationarenegligibleandmostsupplierswillprovidewarrantiesagainstthis.Thedesignofthewindowsvariesfromcompanytocompanybutpointstolookforinclude:Internalorexternally-glazedwindows–anoptionofferedbymostPVCusystems.Internally-beadedwindows,wheretheglassisheldinfromtheinside,aregenerallydeemedmoresecureandburglar-resistant.However,therearealsoperfectlysatisfactoryexternally-beadedPVCusystemsonthemarket.Manyfeatureeitherinternalwedgegasketsoradouble-sidedtapethatfirmlyfixestheexternalbead.
ThicknessofPVCuwall–mostPVCusystemsforwindowanddoorconstructionare‘multi-walled’withinternalreinforcementprovidedbyeitheraluminiumorgalvanisedsteelboxsection.Wallthicknesscanvaryfromsystemtosystem,mostbeingaround3mmor3.5mm.Ingeneralthethickerthewalling,thestrongerthesection.Askyoursuppliertoshowyouasamplesectionandestablishwhethertheframesarefullyreinforced.Beaware,too,thatthegreaterthenumberofinternalwalls,thegreaterthestrengthofthebuilding. Depthorthicknessofframe–thedepthofframeextrusioncanvaryfromaslowas50mmtomorethan70mm,althoughmostareinthe60-65mmrange.This,too,hasaneffectonthestructuralstrengthofthewindowordoor. NotethatPVCuisunacceptabletoplannersforuseonlistedbuildings,norisitpopularwithplannersinconservationareas.
TOPTIP: PVCuisagoodbudgetoption
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Choiceofmaterials Timber Amoreexpensivematerial,hardwoodisthe choiceofthoseseekingatraditionaldesignwithanauthenticlookandisaparticularfavouriteforuseinlistedbuildingsorperiodproperties.Ithasthetwinbenefitsofbeingsuitablefortherecreationofvirtuallyanytraditionaldesignorfeature,whileincorporatingthecontemporaryadvantagesofdoubleglazing. Hardwoodisavailableinavarietyofstainssuchasmahoganyandlightoak,aswellasvariouspaintedfinishesand,whileitdoesrequireperiodicmaintenance,thisisnotanoneroustaskthankstomodernpaintsandstains.AswithPVCu,theframethicknesswillaffectthestructuralstrength.Itisalsoimportanttoascertainwhichjointingmethodisused–mostsuppliersuseatraditionalmorticeandtenonjointbutothersystemsdoexist.
‘Framethicknessdeterminesstructuralstrength’ Aluminium ThissharesmanyofthefeaturesofPVCu,althoughaluminiumismoreexpensiveanddoesnotprovidesuchefficientinsulation. Whendoubleglazedwindowsfirstbecamepopularinthelate1960saluminiumwastheusualchoiceofmaterialduetoitsstrengthanddurability.Itismoreresistanttowarping,twistingorstickingwhensubjectedtotheelements.Itisalsovirtuallyintruder-proofandneitherabsorbswaternorrotsorrusts.
TOPTIP: Aluminiumisthebestchoiceforcommerciallocations
ItspopularitydeclinedwiththearrivalofthecheaperPVCu.However,aluminiumremainsanexcellentchoiceforcommerciallocationsandanycircumstancesinwhichstrengthisanimportantfactor.Itisadvisable,ifchoosingaluminium,tospecifyframeswithathermalbreakasthisimprovestheinsulationproperties. Aluminiumwindowscanbe fittedas 'direct fix' –i.e.directlyagainstthebrickworkor,alternatively(andmoreoften)intoahardwoodsubframe.
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Choiceofmaterials Sashwindows Replacementslidingsashwindowsarealsoavailablebutareusuallymoreexpensivethanthemorecommoncasementstylewindows. TheyaremadeinbothPVCuandtimber.ThemaindifferencebetweenPVCuandthemoretraditionaltimberboxsashwindowisthemethodofholdingthesashesinposition.Insteadofweights,pulleysandacord,apairofsophisticatedspringandspiralbalancersprovidesthesashretentionandcancarryweightsofupto40kg. ThetraditionalglazingbararrangementmayalsobereplicatedonPVCubyconcealingtheglazingbarswithinthedoubleglazedunitorbysurface-mountingthebarsontotheexternalfacesoftheunit.
Oneofthebiggestadvantagesoftimberslidingsashwindowsistheabilitytoreplicateanyperioddesignfeature.
Oneofthebiggestadvantagesoftimberslidingsashwindowsistheabilitytoreplicateanyperioddesignfeature.Althoughthisnecessitatestheuseofaspecialistjoinerycompanywithassociatedcostimplications.
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Designissues Thereareanumberofissuesworthconsideringregardingthedesignofyourreplacementwindows. Sightlines Mostmodernreplacementwindowshavesmallerareasofglasswhereverthereareopenings(sashes)fitted.Wheretheframesarefixedtheglassareawillbelarger.Thiscreatesanunequal‘sightline’whichisquitenormalandacceptabletomostpeople.Howeveronalotofolderpropertiesitwasmorecommontohaveanequalsightlinemakingitimpossibletotellfromtheoutsidewhichwindowsopenedandwhichdidnot.Fitting‘dummysashes’or‘dummyopeners’intotheframescreatedthisequalsightline. Someconsumerspreferanunequalsightlinetoavoidtheoverallbulkierappearancethatisafeatureofanequalsightline–which,incidentally,addstothecost.However,anequalsightlineisrecommendedforpropertieswithGeorgianandleadedlightwindowdesignssothatrectangles/squarescanbematchedinsize. Anotheroptionisverticalequalsightlines,inwhichfixedwindowsarealwayspositionedabovefixedwindowsandopeningwindowsarealwaysaboveopeningwindows.Supplierscangivemoreinformationonthis.
Gaskets Mostcompanieshavetraditionallyfittedblackgasketsas,inthepast,itwasnotalwayspossibletogetamatchingwhitenortoofferacolour-fastguarantee.Advancesintechnologyhavechangedthissituationandincreasingnumbersofcompaniesnowofferbothoptions.Whitegasketscanoftenappeargrubbyandshowupdustanddirtandthismaybeanimportantconsiderationisyouliveclosetoamajorroad. Analternativetowhitegasketsisthe‘lowprofile’blackgasketwhichisveryslimandlessobtrusive.However,itisrecommendedthatyouchoosewhitegasketsonwhitePVCupanelleddoors. Neighbours Unlessyouliveinsplendidisolationinarurallocationanychangesyoumaketoyourhomewillhaveaneffectontheoverallappearanceofyourstreet.Forexample,iftwosemi-detachedhouseshavereplacementwindowsbothwillbeenhancedifthesamestyleisusedoneach.Conversely,adoptingdifferentstylescanspoiltheappearanceofboth–andpossiblydevaluethem,too.
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Typesofglass Thereareanumberofoptionswhenitcomestochoosingtheglassinyourdoubleglazedunit–fromplaintopatterned,coloured,stainedandanumberof‘speciality’glasses.Yourchoicewilldependonyourhousestyle,yourbudget,yourtasteandthepositionofthewindow. LowEGlass Low-eglassstandsforlowemissivityglass.Thisglassvariesfromnormalclearglassinthatonesideoftheglasshasaspecialmetalcoating,technicallyknownasalowemissitivity,orLow-ecoating.Low-eglassisatypeofinsulatingglass,whichincreasestheenergyefficiencyofwindowsbyreducingthetransferofheatorcoldthroughglass.Thatmeansinthewinteryourhousestayswarmer,andinthesummeritstayscooler. TherearetwotypesofLow-e(lowemissivity) glassavailable-Pyrolytic(hardcoat)isconsidered tobeamediumperformer,andsputtered (vacuumdepositionorsoftcoat)isconsideredto bethehighestperformer.
PilkingtonKGlass™(AbrandofLow-eglass)ThemostcommonisPilkingtonKGlass™whichhashighlighttransmissionandappearsvirtuallythesameasclearfloatglass.Itisthemicroscopiccoatingthatmakesthebigdifferencetoitsperformance.Glassinawindowabsorbsheatthenradiatesitagainonthecolder,outside,surface.PilkingtonK’slowemissivitycoatingonthesurfacethatfacesintotheairgapofthedoubleglazingunitprovidesapoorradiator.Theheatabsorbedbythecoatedglassisinhibitedfromradiatingacrosstheairgapandthenfromtheouterpanetothecoldoutsideworld.Insteadtheheatisreflectedbackintotheroombythecoating. Itworksinasimilarwaytoasheetofreflectingfoilplacedbehindacentralheatingradiatorwhichbouncestheheatbackintotheroom.HeatlossesthroughdifferentmaterialscanbecomparedbytheirUvalues.ThehighertheUvalue,thegreatertheheatlossthroughthematerial. TheUvalueofasinglepanewindowis5.6.DoubleglazingwithordinaryglasshasaUvalueof2.8.DoubleglazingwithPilkingtonKGlass™hasaUvalueofonly1.9,considerablybetterthanconventionaldoubleglazing,andasgoodastripleglazing.BecausePilkingtonKGlass™issoneutralinappearance,itisrecommendedthatitspresenceinadoubleglazingunitisconfirmedoninstallation.Thiscanbeachievedbytheuseofacoatingdetectorwhichunitmanufacturersorinstallersshouldhaveavailable.
TOPTIP: Chooseaglassaccordingtothepositionofyourwindowandpickselfcleaningglassforlowmaintenance
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Typesofglass Self-cleaningglass Whattookthemsolong?PilkingtonActiv™istheholygrailofglass.Itsactivecoating,chemicallybondedontoitsoutsidesurface,isdesignedtoabsorbtheultravioletlightgivenoffbythesun.Thisabsorptionprocesscausesareactiononthesurfaceoftheglass,whichbreaksdownandloosensdirt.Then,whenitrains,thecoatingcausesrainwaterto'sheet'offthesurfaceoftheglass,whichnotonlywashesawaytheloosenedparticlesofdirt,butalsopreventstheformulationofdroplets,whichcausestreaksandmakewindowslookdirty. SGGPLANITHERM(ASoftCoatLow-eGlass)Thisisaclearfloatglass,whichhasbeencoatedwithmetallicoxidesbymagneticallyenhancedcathodicsputteringundervacuumconditions. Thissputteredcoatingishighlyreflectivetolong-waveheatradiation,otherwiseknownasa"lowemissivity"orlow-ecoating.ThisgreatlyreducesheatlossandensuresthatdoubleglazedunitsincorporatingSGGPLANITHERMprovideexcellentthermalinsulation.SGGPLANITHERMisneutralinappearanceandhasahighlighttransmittancefactor.
Thereareanumberofoptions
whenitcomestochoosingthe glassinyourdoubleglazedunit
NeutralAppearancehasthesemainbenefits: • Nounsightlytint-UnliketraditionalLow-e
coatingsthatsufferfromanunsightlyyellowtint,SGGPLANITHERMlooksveryclear.ThismeansyourcurtainsorGeorgianBarswillnotlookdirtyordiscoloured
• Morelight-lesstintalsomeansmorelightcanentertheroom,makingitmorecomfortableandluminous
• No'haze'effect-SGGPLANITHERMdoesnotsufferfromtheunsightlytintcommonlyassociatedwithtraditionalLow-eproducts
SGGPLANITHERMisaslightlymoredifficult producttolocatethansaythePilkington Products,soyoumayhavetoaskyoursupplierto speciallysourceitforyou,ifhavinganeutral appearanceisveryimportanttoyou.
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GoingdowntheDIYroute Itispossibletofitdoubleglazingyourselfandtakingthiscourseofactionwillenableyoutosaveaconsiderableamountofmoney.However,unlessyouareproficient,highlycompetentandhavealltherighttools,itcouldbeadisastrousdecision. ThefirstthingyouneedtodoisapplyforBuildingRegulationsapprovalfromyourlocalauthority.Oncethisisgrantedyouneedtofindaspecialistsupplierwhocancarryoutasitesurvey.Thecostshouldbereasonableandcouldprovetobeaverysoundinvestment. Thesurveyorwilladviseyouonwhatisappropriateforyourpropertyandyourneeds,giveyouguidanceonopeningsandventilationandoutlineanyrequirementsforsafetyglass,fixedopentrickleventilationforgasappliancesandfireescapes. Equallyimportantly,allmeasurementsandspecificationswillbethesupplier’sresponsibility.Alltheextras–trims,packersandsealants,etc.–todothejobproperlycanbespecifiedandincludedintheprice.Itismuchcheaperandmoreefficienttogetthesefromthesupplier,whobuysinattradeprices.
TOPTIP: DIYsavesmoneybutit’snotfortheinexperienced.YouwillalsoneedBuildingRegulationsapproval
Thingstoconsiderwhenchoosingasupplier: • Don’tbuysolelyonprice • Securea10-yearproductguarantee • Checkwhetherthesupplierwilldeliverto,
andoffloadatyourhomeaddress • Ensurethereisasoundafter-salesand
advisoryservice • Enquirewhethertelephoneandon-site
supportisavailableifyoucomeupagainstproblems
Otherpointstoconsiderwhendoingityourself: • Boworbaywindowsaretrickyandonlyfor
theextremelyproficient • Startwithaconfidence-boosting
smalldownstairswindow • FittingPVCuiscompletelydifferentto
fittingwoodenframes • Neverrestglasssealedunitsonedgeon
concrete,astheyareverylikelyto'shell'andthencrackasyouhandleorfitthem
• Alwayssecureyourladderfirmlyor,betterstill,getsomeonetoholditforyou
• Thinktwicebeforetacklingthistask!
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Ataglanceguidelines Generaladvice • It’salegalrequirementtoadheretoBuilding
Regulations • Ifindoubt,checkwhetheryou'llneed
planningpermission • Ifpossible,viewsomeinstallationsdone
byyourproposedsupplierandtalktotheircustomers
• Considersecondaryglazingoptions • Checkforenhancedsafetyand
securityfeatures • ThelowertheUvaluethebettertheinsulation • Replacementwindowsmustmeet
minimuminsulationlevels • Youwillneedproofofcompliancewhen
yousellyourhome • Checksupplierguaranteesbeforeyoubuy • DIYisanoption–butnotaneasyone! Designtips • Chooseashapeandstylethatwillenhance
thelookofyourhome • Thinkhowyourchosenstyleblends
withneighbouringproperties • Inferiorwindowscandevalueyourproperty • Checkyourproposedwindowshave
sufficientopenings
• Checkenergyratings • PVCuframesaretheleastexpensiveoption • Considerusingaspecialistglass. DIYconstructiontips • Don’tforgettoapplyforBuilding
Regulationsapproval • Chooseaspecialistsupplier • Haveasitesurveycarriedoutbyaprofessional
–andtakehisadvice • Avoidbowandbaywindows • Startonasmallwindowtogainconfidence • Thinkaboutwhetheryoureallyhavethe
necessaryskillstotacklethisproject. Maintenancetips • Useafurnitureaerosolwaxratherthanoil
tolubricatesqueakyhinges • Neveruseabrasivecleanerson
PVCuconservatories • Neverusewashing-upliquidonPVCuframes • Aluminiumpolishboughtatmotorshopscan
beusedasacleanerforsilverframes.
TOPTIP: Choose a shape and stylethatwillenhancethelookofyourhome
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Why use www.theglazingpeople.co.uk? Theserviceis100%FREEtopeoplelookingforatradeprofessional. Youcanuseustomatchyourjobneeds withourqualifiedtradeprofessionalswhetherit’sathomeorwork.Wedon’tchargeyouapenny,Wechargeourregisteredtrade professionalsasmallfeeformatchingyourrequirementstotheirskills. Allourreferencescomefrompeoplelikeyou.Tobecomearegisteredcontractor,tradeprofessionalsmustallowustovetthemandtakethenamesof3refereestheyhavedoneworkfor.Wethenchecktheseindependently.Theirperformanceisregularlyappraisedbytheirnewclients,whothenreportbacktous.TheonlyexceptiontothisiswhenacontractorisamemberofatradeassociationorcompetentpersonschemesuchasFensa,PartP&Corgi Wedoourbesttorecruitnew,vettedtradeprofessionalsifwecan’tprovideanimmediatematchtoyourrequirements. Itispossiblethatsomerequestsinsomeareaswillbedifficulttomatchatfirst.Whenthishappens,wewilldoourbesttorecruitnew,vettedtradeprofessionalstomeetyourneedsasquicklyaspossible. We only give your contact details to amaximumof5tradesprofessionals. Wegiveyournameandtelephonenumbertonomorethanfivetradeprofessionals,andgivetheirdetails toyou.Youcanthencall themtoarrangeanappointment.Theymayalsocallyou.
Weconstantlymonitorourtradeprofessionalsstandardsandperformance. Wemonitorourregisteredtradeprofessionalsperformanceregularlyandiftheirstandardsfall-wecanceltheirregistration.Wedon’twantyoutosufferatthehandsofamateurs.It’sassimpleasthat. Wehaveplentyofprofessionallyregisteredtradespeople. MostofourregisteredcontractorsaremembersofreputabletradeassociationsorcompetentpersonschemessuchasFensa,PartP&Corgi.Ifyouhaveanyissueswiththetradeprofessionalduringthejobwecangiveyouthedetailsofthemembershipbodytowhichtheybelong.Ifanissueisdiscoveredaftertheworkhasbeencompletedandpaidfor,wewillhelpyoutogettheoriginaltradeprofessionaltoputitright. Wetakethehassleanduncertaintyoutofgettingtherightprofessionalthefirsttime. Pickingsomeonefromthephonebookcanbeverytimeconsumingandfruitlessifnoneofyourchosencontractorsareavailable.Itmayevenresultinyouinadvertentlyusinga'rogue'contractorwithalltheassociatedissues.Withusyouknowthateachtrade professionalwhocontactsyouhasbeenvetted,ismonitoredbyhappycustomers,andisavailableandqualifiedtodoyourjob.
We’llgetyouthebest
quotesfirsttimeeverytime.
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