Any Window Fitters about?

[GBX]

I'm in the process of having double glazed timber sash windows installed and it's evident that some of the DG units have been installed upside down into the frames - logo upside down and the manufacturer's details are on the bottom spacer bar, making them highly visible. The fitters are trying to persuade me this is normal and happens all the time whilst I think it looks ridiculous. Am I being over fussy? They also say it's too tricky to take the units out (they were factory made in Poland) and turn them the right way up as there would be too much silicone etc on the unit from the initial install. Any guidance would be great. With thanks.

Edited by GBX on Sunday 31st July 13:29

[J114rvy]

Yes your being to picky - it is normal, you should see the stamp (if they are toughened units) so the building inspector knows they meet with regulations as for them being upside down that is the norm no right way or wrong.

[GBX]

Thanks for responding - that's very helpful. Is it the same for the manufacturer's marking on the spacer bar? Just a shame as it would have been as easy to spin the dg unit around so it didn't show. But again, I could be staring at them too much. Thanks again - appreciate your input.

[mikeiow]

You are being picky....but I know EXACTLY what you mean! We have a unit with 10 panes in, and I can't look closely now, it raises the hairs on my neck to see those logos in different corners!!

Of course it doesn't matter....but this why I end up doing some jobs myself that I KNOW I should pay someone else to do!!!

[squicky]

Out of interest, as I'm considering replacing some (victorian terrace) single glazed sash windows with double glazed ones.

Any companies I should look into for this - only two windows to be done so not a 'huge' job.

[GBX]

squicky said:

Out of interest, as I'm considering replacing some (victorian terrace) single glazed sash windows with double glazed ones.

Any companies I should look into for this - only two windows to be done so not a 'huge' job.

Whereabouts in the country are you? What I can tell you is that prices vary enormously -as does quality. I went to a couple of homebuilding shows which helped compare the different manufacturers and options - leaded v spring etc. Gowercroft windows seemed good quality (I didn't use them though as I'm London based so can't comment on service).

[WinstonWolf]

GBX said:

I'm in the process of having double glazed timber sash windows installed and it's evident that some of the DG units have been installed upside down into the frames - logo upside down and the manufacturer's details are on the bottom spacer bar, making them highly visible. The fitters are trying to persuade me this is normal and happens all the time whilst I think it looks ridiculous. Am I being over fussy? They also say it's too tricky to take the units out (they were factory made in Poland) and turn them the right way up as there would be too much silicone etc on the unit from the initial install. Any guidance would be great. With thanks.

Can't they just pop the trims and turn the units over?

[GBX]

mikeiow said:

You are being picky....but I know EXACTLY what you mean! We have a unit with 10 panes in, and I can't look closely now, it raises the hairs on my neck to see those logos in different corners!!

Of course it doesn't matter....but this why I end up doing some jobs myself that I KNOW I should pay someone else to do!!!

Yes, it is driving me slightly insane. It's not even a random shape - it's the name of the manufacturer so there's no doubt it's upside down. The print on the spacer bars is also troubling me - again, just as easy to shove that part of the spacer in the side/top, never to be seen again.. Having paid £££, I now can't wait to get them covered up!

[squicky]

GBX said:

Whereabouts in the country are you? What I can tell you is that prices vary enormously -as does quality. I went to a couple of homebuilding shows which helped compare the different manufacturers and options - leaded v spring etc. Gowercroft windows seemed good quality (I didn't use them though as I'm London based so can't comment on service).

I'm in north herts so trying to avoid London premium based suppliers but Gowercroft would be too far too. Cost is high on my list - need to make sure price is kept sensible, Good enough is what I'm aiming for but not premium. (ie why I'm not interested in replacing with upvc/non sash).

[GBX]

Winston: You'd think. They say this isn't possible as the units would be marked after removal but I don't agree. I've even looked up how to do it myself and it doesn't look difficult (famous last etc.) If it was just a random logo design that was upside down, wouldn't be so bad but it's two words so really obvious.

[GBX]

squicky said:

GBX said:

Whereabouts in the country are you? What I can tell you is that prices vary enormously -as does quality. I went to a couple of homebuilding shows which helped compare the different manufacturers and options - leaded v spring etc. Gowercroft windows seemed good quality (I didn't use them though as I'm London based so can't comment on service).

I'm in north herts so trying to avoid London premium based suppliers but Gowercroft would be too far too. Cost is high on my list - need to make sure price is kept sensible, Good enough is what I'm aiming for but not premium. (ie why I'm not interested in replacing with upvc/non sash).

I was looking for 'good enough' too - slightly regretting it now! There were huge differentials in the quotes I got - the Polish/Lithuanian companies came out roughly half the cost of the specialist UK joinery companies. I'd go for a FENSA company to save hassle of building regs should you decide to sell. I didn't use them but I've heard New House supplies have very keen pricing - might be worth pinging them an email with rough sizes.

[johnnywgk]

Would this be better in the OCD thread, only joking. As long as the toughend part is on the right side all should be ok

[Wozy68]

squicky said:

Out of interest, as I'm considering replacing some (victorian terrace) single glazed sash windows with double glazed ones.

Any companies I should look into for this - only two windows to be done so not a 'huge' job.

Unless it's for noise suppression reasons, you are wasting your money. You will never save enough on heating costs v expenditure.

Just a heads up

[WinstonWolf]

GBX said:

Winston: You'd think. They say this isn't possible as the units would be marked after removal but I don't agree. I've even looked up how to do it myself and it doesn't look difficult (famous last etc.) If it was just a random logo design that was upside down, wouldn't be so bad but it's two words so really obvious.

I'm not a window fitter but I did an engineering apprenticeship. Took five minutes and all I needed was a paint scraper to pop the trims. They went back in by hand when I put the unit back in.

[Thorodin]

These windows are line-assembled and speed of throughput is critical, so the occasional lapse is expected. They, most of them anyway, are easily stripped in situ to replace blown/condensed units, might be worthwhile calling a 'window doctor' from your local free paper - they abound. Bear in mind there is a difference between back-to-front and upside down!

[GBX]

Thanks to all for the input. I assume they're only upside down and not back to front, too. The manufacturer's name is on the inside (albeit upside down as I keep telling anyone who will listen). Three out of 11 are like this - the others are OK. I reckon it is going to be a window doctor jobbie. Off to find that OCD thread where I clearly belong.