Why You’re Not Always Told The Truth About Your Double Glazing?

Push the sales patter to one side and open your eyes. In this article we explore the options available and how to potentially save yourself thousands.

I believe that the customer is the most important person. The customer places their trust in a company at the point of sale and therefore deserves the utmost respect and attention.

Without you there is no order, without your order there is no work for the tradesmen, without work for the tradesmen there is no job for them to fit, and finally without a job for them to fit there is no money or profit for the company. It’s a process that can only start with a customers interest and end in a customers satisfaction.

However, it’s very easy to lose sight of this when caught up in the moment. So let’s break down the process and look at the facts. Are you actually being told the truth by the salesperson you’ve invited into your home for a ‘free quote’?

So my first question is – Do you really need to replace your upvc double glazing?

Now I’m no eco warrior and I’m still occasionally guilty of putting recyclable items into my general waste bin at home but I do firmly believe that if it isn’t broke – why replace it.

Upvc frames are likely to survive another 4-5 generations of human existence once placed in landfill. There are recycling options for companies in the uk who wish to be responsible but you can never be sure who actually does this versus who tells you they do this just to satisfy your concerns in order to make a sale!

The majority of upvc window and door faults lie within the parts attached to the upvc frame and not the frame itself. All these parts that we call hardware can be replaced. Double glazing companies who only specialise in replacement products are unlikely to freely offer this information to you because the man sat on your sofa with the shiny shoes and neatly tied necktie is only going to make his commission from you if he encourages you to believe that the broken or failed parts are obsolete or unavailable in order that you buy new replacement windows or doors from him.

So there lies the first untruth. There is often no profit for a company who specialises in selling new windows or doors to replace a single broken hinge or handle. By the time they’ve paid for the part, paid commission to the salesperson, paid the tradesmen to install that part, paid for the vans fuel, and costed in their own profit the job becomes a loss to them. The pressure then sits firmly on the shoulders of the salesperson to encourage you to look at their shiny new product and so the tendency to bend the truth becomes a battle of conscience over commission.

So you’ve been told your windows are externally glazed and aren’t as secure as an internally glazed modern frame?

Whilst there may be an element of truth in this statement you’re best placed to understand the difference between the two in order that you make an informed and educated decision.

Externally glazed upvc means that your glass and beading are installed from the outside of your home and secured in place using security glazing tape.

Internally glazed casement windows have the glass and beading installed from the inside and the beading is firmly clipped into place.

Most modern Upvc frames are internally glazed as standard these days.

To remove externally beaded glass units that have been secured in place with security tape isn’t as straightforward as you may imagine it to be. It is a time consuming process and there lies a greater chance of the glass breaking or shattering upon removal, thus presenting an obvious forensic risk to any potential burglar. In the knowledge that a high percentage of burglary’s are committed by opportunists, removing an externally glazed unit is somewhere low on the list of potential methods of entry.

It’s worth to note that I’ve personally seen a demonstration of an internally glazed unit removed from a frame to gain access in under 50 seconds with hardware cheaply available to purchase from any diy store so don’t let this stage of a sales pitch weigh too hard on your final decision.

The ultimate confidence in safety and security would be to consider what are known as glass bonded upvc frames which have the glass units bonded into the internally glazed frames at the factory during their manufacturing process. This option can be an expensive one but it is nevertheless an option to consider.

You’ve been told that you’re losing heat through your frames?

This may be correct. Modern Upvc frames will likely have a higher U rating but don’t be fooled by over exaggerated figures, unproven benefits or an ad hoc quote from a tabloid news article that’s been paid for by a frame manufacturer. Remember that your home will likely already have trickle vents installed, extractor vents in your bathroom and air bricks in rooms that have gas appliances so if your Upvc frame isn’t as well insulated as a modern replacement then it’s hardly something that on cost benefit balance you’re really going to notice. The key to heat retention and heat reflection is within the glass unit itself and the weather seal that surrounds your opening sash.

Which brings me to the glass within your frames.

Since April 2002, all new windows and doors installed directly into a residential property had to be fitted as standard with glass that contained a low E coating to the inside of the inner pane. This is more commonly known by the brand name K glass. This ruling didn’t extend to conservatory’s or porches but it was good practice by a company to fit this regardless. This low E coating helps to reflect short wave radiation such as heating, cooking and breathing back into your home keeping it warmer in cold weather and also to reflect long wave radiation that comes from the sun away from your home thus helping to keep it cooler in warmer months.

Glass units have vastly improved over the years and most companies now install glass units with a combination of the aforementioned low E coating, a warm edge spacer bar in lieu of the aluminium one that separates the glass to reduce the conduction of cold air, and are often filled with argon gas which is denser than air and therefore acts as an insulator. These units are commonly marketed as A rated, AA rated or A+ rated but will in actual fact all offer a similar manufactured design. Don’t be fooled into thinking that you’re being supplied anything special, you’re not! It’s a standard that you’re entitled to when expect when parting with your hard earned money.

You can go as far as paying more for your glass than you’ve saved for your retirement but at the end of the day it comes back down to that cost benefit balance.

So what about my weather seals?

The weather seal creates a seal between the opening part of the frame, the sash, and the fixed part of the frame that doesn’t move. All weather seals are made of either a rubber compound or a combination of nylon and foam. They don’t last forever and with the exception of very few can be easily replaced. The same can be said for the rubber gasket seals that create a watertight seal between the glass unit and the frame.

Commonly you may notice gaps in the joins and corners where they were once stretched when fitted and have subsequently shrunk and degraded over the years. They are no different in their make up to windscreen wiper blades. You don’t have to use them for them to deteriorate. But the key point to remember is that they can be replaced.

Have you been told that your hinges have dropped or broken?

Your hinges may have loosened or dropped resulting in the opening part of your window or door to catch on the lower frame or threshold. There is a small amount of adjustment that could be made to them but for a bullet proof solution they can be replaced for stronger and more sturdier ones. All common friction, easy clean, and flag hinges can be replaced. It is unlikely that these parts would be obsolete. If you’re told that they can’t be replaced then remember that it’s likely whoever you have in your home looking at them only wants to sell you replacement frames and give you more reasons to fear their imminent failure should you not heed their advice immediately!

How are your locks and handles?

Locking mechanisms are feared by many homeowners. They are neatly tucked away in your frame and rarely see the light of day. They are the peace of mind that you need in order to sleep and protect your family. So if you’re told by someone that you consider to be a professional because they work for a double glazing company that they’re failing, then what do you have to compare this claim with? They may well be telling the truth, but if they tell you that this mechanism cannot be replaced and you need a new door then it’s time for a second opinion. A locksmith survives on this type of repair so why would you all of a sudden need a new door? Likewise window and door handles can be replaced and can make a huge difference to the confidence you have in feeling secure.

I’m sure by now that you can see the pattern?

A double glazing salesperson is there to sell you new products. But if after reading this you’re heart is still set on new glazing and you can see past the sales patter then go ahead and look at what’s out there.

Don’t discount smaller local companies close to you. Often larger companies will charge you more in order to cover their own overheads and marketing costs. Larger companies also often rely quite heavily on providing finance. Their prices may appear reasonable but should you wish to extend the finance repayment period you could be faced with a hefty interest rate. Smaller companies are also more likely to offer a reasonable rate to replace one or two windows at a time, thus helping you to not only budget better but to also provide you an opportunity to test the company out. I’m a great advocate of keeping business local within regional areas so if a company has an office or showroom that you can walk into then take advantage of it. A local showroom or office also means that should you have a query, question or complaint then you can deal with it in person rather than through a call centre. Take your time and choose carefully.

Asking each company what you’ll get for your money as opposed to asking if they would fit the same standard that the last company described to you is advisable and avoids the stock response by the salesperson of ‘yes’ we do all that just to please your curiosity. Ask them to tell you about the frame, to tell you about the glass, to explain the terms of the guarantee etc without divulging the details of other information and quotes that you may have received. For a further and more detailed guide of what questions to ask see the post ‘what questions should I ask when buying new windows or doors?’.

If after reading this you’re now starting to doubt the need to replace your windows and doors then you may benefit from asking a specific Upvc restoration company to quote for repair work. However, ALWAYS read their reviews and ALWAYS take note of your gut instinct. Finding a company who both replaces Upvc and who offers a full restoration service will undoubtedly be your best assurance of an unbiased opinion.

“Finding a company who both replaces Upvc and who offers a full restoration service will undoubtedly be your best assurance of an unbiased opinion”.