O/T UPVC double glazing recommendations/warnings

Icy Gull said:

Thinking about replacing my wooden windows throughout the house. Any NSCers in the Worthing area have any experiences of Anglian/Everest or any of the other big players or recommendations for smaller companies?

Much appreciated, it looks like a minefield of hard sell out there from preliminary enquiries.

Thanks!

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Bold Seagull said:

First of all, ask yourself if UPVC is the only option for your replacements. UPVC typically has a lifespan of 20 years depending on orientation and prevailing weather. Some UPVC will last less if say South facing.

The problem being that replacement windows in the '70's made from unregulated timber lasted about the same, so the prevailing thought is to replace with plastic because timber is a lot of work. However many house builders, and housing associations and developers are moving away from UPVC because of the lifespan, you can't repair them if they get damaged, and their environmental impact.

Have a look at timber/aluminium composite windows that are a timber frame with aluminium fascia or casements to the outside.

Are your windows definitely beyond all repair? Sash windows can have whole frame sections cut out and repaired, and glazing replaced with slimline double glazed units.

UPVC isn't the only answer for replacements and not always the cheapest, so worth looking around.

If UPVC is your option, then Shaws of Brighton are good, and they also do other products like above so worth contacting them for like for like prices.

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Westdene Seagull said:

I'd be very careful of Anglian. I had them quote for one of my old houses - all very sales and pushy. They measure up and then come out with the list price. They then go through a ridiculous piece of theatre to give you discounts - 'oh look, there's a postbox opposite your house so if you allow us to put up a board we'll give you a 5% discount as people posting letters will see our board.', 'ah, you've got a cat - I love cats - tell you what I'll give you another 5% off as cats lovers should stick together don't you think - you've got two ? Oh, that's got to be worth another 2%' and on it goes until miraculously they get to a price that is available today only. Strangely when I said no it was available for the next seven days - I know this because they phoned me every day telling me they would hold the price for one more day only.

I've used Brighton Trade Windows and they were very good - measured up and gave me a decent price first go.

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dazzer6666 said:

Exactly this, had a similar experience with Everest and Deceunick (or something like that). Few % for this and that, oh we could use you in our next brochure etc, then called his 'regional manager' to get 'an additional special discount'.......initial price was eventually reduced by half. Got a quote from a highly recommended local company (used by my housebuilder neighbour) which was way less than the reduced quote from the two Nationals.

Some of our UPVC windows are 16 years old and pretty much as good as new. We have had a few handles go and panes 'blow' which seems normal - they are surprisingly cheap to get repaired (there is a company in Burgess Hill that specialises in UPVC door and window repairs).

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Westdene Seagull said:

I'd be very careful of Anglian. I had them quote for one of my old houses - all very sales and pushy. They measure up and then come out with the list price. They then go through a ridiculous piece of theatre to give you discounts - 'oh look, there's a postbox opposite your house so if you allow us to put up a board we'll give you a 5% discount as people posting letters will see our board.', 'ah, you've got a cat - I love cats - tell you what I'll give you another 5% off as cats lovers should stick together don't you think - you've got two ? Oh, that's got to be worth another 2%' and on it goes until miraculously they get to a price that is available today only. Strangely when I said no it was available for the next seven days - I know this because they phoned me every day telling me they would hold the price for one more day only.

Click to expand...

dazzer6666 said:

Exactly this, had a similar experience with Everest and Deceunick (or something like that). Few % for this and that, oh we could use you in our next brochure etc, then called his 'regional manager' to get 'an additional special discount'.......initial price was eventually reduced by half. Got a quote from a highly recommended local company (used by my housebuilder neighbour) which was way less than the reduced quote from the two Nationals.

Some of our UPVC windows are 16 years old and pretty much as good as new. We have had a few handles go and panes 'blow' which seems normal - they are surprisingly cheap to get repaired (there is a company in Burgess Hill that specialises in UPVC door and window repairs).

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Hillian1 said:

Which one pray tell?

I'm looking to have some work done on windows that are draughty as hell, only 8 years old too.

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