Getting an approved supplier in Kent, for Double Glazing Replacement Windows
Last year alone, 22,000 cases relating to double glazing replacement windows were reported to the Office of Fair Trading, so before heading off in the same direction wouldn’t it be a better idea to find an approved supplier and avoid many of the risks?
So what are the benefits of using an approved supplier in Kent?
What do we all really want to know or need to know when signing up to have our double glazing replacement windows installed?
1. Am I buying a decent product that will do the job and does it conform to standards such as the British Fenestration Rating Council standard.
2. Is it energy efficient and does it have an approved energy rating?
3. Will it be installed properly? Are these installers and suppliers members of recognised Federations such as FENSA and / or Glass and Glazing Federation etc, and have they had product training?
4. What happens if the installer goes bust during the job or after I pay my deposit but before I get the goods? Do I get any guarantee of a deposit indemnity scheme?
5. How do I know the job has been fitted properly? Is it FENSA certificated upon completion
You have to make your own decision as to whether or not you have paid about the right amount as that is simply a private contract between you and the supplier, but the simplest way is to get several quotes first and make sure you are comparing like for like (don’t just opt for cheap1)
You do really want to know that the supplier and installer come under a recognised authority such as FENSA – the Fenestration Self-Assessment scheme and was established by the Glass and Glazing Federation when in 2002 all glazing replacement come under the building regulations. Once an installer is registered and approved by the FENSA appointed inspector the installer can certify that the work is completed to Building regulation standards. Any installation done by a company not registered to self-certify or conducted say by you, the householder, will need full local authority approval.
Both of these two organisations offer a level of security and comfort to the buyer and most of the better known companies with a reputation to protect will be members of FENSA
The Glass and Glazing Federation offer such things as deposit indemnity schemes.
So why do we encounter difficulties of finding a good Supplier in Kent?
Much of the difficulty lays in the complexity of the various levels as shown above, and to be confident of asking all of the right questions, getting honest answers and being brave enough to question some of the answers if not fully satisfied – lets be honest with ourselves – few of us are going to ask for written evidence.
Many of us can get a bit lost in the complexity of the requirements and to be fair half the time we are not really listening – just waiting to hear what the price will be. We are not too likely to demand written evidence of compliance, and neither will we insist on visiting previous installations and I know very few of us who are likely to want guarantees regarding the financial stability of the installation company
Wouldn’t you prefer someone else to do all this for you?
Now let us quickly look at what we are buying and why.
What are benefits and advantages of replacing the windows?
Simply put the main benefits of installing double glazing are:
· Ultimately saving us money by the reduction of energy bills.
· More comfortable home.
· Peace and quite.
· Low maintenance or almost no maintenance.
· Reduced condensation.
· Easier to sell the home, and potentially increases its value.
· Reducing our own carbon footprint
What are the best frames for my installation?
In general terms there are three types of material used to make the frames for double glazed windows:
1. Aluminium
2. Hard wood or soft wood
3. uPVC / PVCu / UPVC (what some of us know as plastic frames)
Aluminium window frames
You tend to mainly see these now on factories and commercial buildings rather than dwellings. The materials are not that easy to get now and that has made them fairly expensive. They are very strong but have a tendency to suffer from condensation. Looks a bit out of place in many areas now
Wooden window frames
Can look very smart and has always been selected by the traditionalist and until recently, those of us who say, live in period style properties. This has changed since the UPVC styles are now also able to offer quality Woodgrain finishes it is not the automatic choice any longer.
Wooden frames tend to be expensive and will require maintenance just like traditional windows.
You will need to make sure about the age and quality of the timbers used – cheaper materials may be prone to warp or split
uPVC / PVCu / UPVC window frames
This is by far the most popular type of double glazing window frame and because of this is has become the least expensive. It is a highly insulate material which is very durable and requires virtually no maintenance. It will not rot, flake, rust or fade.
It is now available in attractive Woodgrain finishes as well as the standard clean white finish.
uPVC frames, PVCu frames or UPVC frames are very trustworthy in terms of security being difficult to break or damage
What types of windows can I replace?
The main types of double glazing replacement windows will tend to fall within the following categories
Casement windows
Either left-hand or right-hand opening, just like a door opening and they most often open away from the house.
Open or closed they can wide panoramic views allowing lots of light in to the room.
They can be used in conjunction with the leaded patterned glass or coloured glass types simply to break the monotony.
Sash windows
Sash windows or sliding sash windows date back a long time, mostly seen Edwardian, Georgian and Victorian houses.
Unlike the original sash windows the modern double glazed sash windows don’t stick or rattle and we do not require a system of weights and cords in order to open them!
Tilt and turn windows
A modern window style designed for very practical reasons.
They have great benefits where, for example, it may be a safety hazard to open a window outwards – perhaps say directly onto a pavement or onto an area where young children frequently play.
They often have a dual function handle which allows the “tilt” for secure ventilation, the “turn” for cleaning, and excellent ratings for fire egress.
Will I get Energy savings from double glazing window replacements?
Yes – is the simple answer but without close examination of your individual; property I would not like to be specific as to the level of energy saving.
Clearly, the better the energy rating of the product the greater the opportunity to generate greater energy savings but it will also depend upon other factors which you should not ignore.
These include:
· Draft exclusion
· Cavity wall insulation (where appropriate)
· Loft insulation
· Roof condition and brickwork density
· Open plan or internal doors?
Search for an approved supplier in Kent – We cover all the following areas:
Arpinge, Ahford, Aylesford, Beckenham, Bexleyheath, Biddenden, Borough Green, Broadstairs, Canterbury, Charing, Chatham, Chislehurst, Cliffe Woods, Cranbrook, Crayford, Dartford, Deal, Dover, Dymchurch, East Peckham, Edenbridge, Erith, Eynsford, Faversham, Folkestone, Gillingham, Goudhurst, Gravesend, Greenhithe, Hadlow, Hawkhurst, Headcorn, Herne Bay, High Halstow, Hollingbourne, Hoo St. Werburgh, Horton Kirby, Hythe, Kennington, Lamberhurst, Leysdown-on-Sea, Longfield, Lordswood, Lydd, Lyminge, Lympne, Maidstone, Marden, Margate, Meopham, Orpington, Otford, Rainham, Ramsgate, Rochester, Sandwich, Sevenoaks, Sheerness, Sittingbourne, Southborough, Staple, Staplehurst, Strood, Sundridge, Swanley, Swanscombe, Tenterden, Teynham, Thanet, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Walderslade, West Malling, Westerham, Whitstable, Woodchurch.
You can also find out more about these products by visiting our partner website for further information on
Double Glazing Windows. |