We had a new experience the other day with a typical double-glazing window salesman…
We’d already had some general costs for different sizes and types of replcement glazing from a local window company, so we knew roughly what sort of figures to look for, but the whole 30 mins was quite interesting.
We’d never had to deal with these issues before, but (at least) the glazing needed replacing given most had been installed 11 years ago and had failed. The prices from the local window guy were for the glazing panels only, whereas the guy from Safestyle Windows wanted to sell us all new frames as well (surprise surprise). Safestyle are the ones who have that really annoying advert with the bald buy in a kings outfit who says, ‘you buy one, you get one free!’ (in a northern accent).
The company are based in Burnley and make all their own doors and windows, so they have the complete sequence from manufacture to installation, which I like. Also a major local manufacturing employer in Burnley, with 600 staff. Because they make their own products, they make each window to fit each opening exactly, whereas most companies buy in wondows, which may not fit so well.
It was a good job i’d already worked out the total cost of the replacement glazing from the other local guy, as we wouldn’t have had any figure to compare to this one. The local guy had said to replace all the frames and glazing, it would be between 3 and 4 times more than just the glazing, given extra work and materials etc.
The problem with the Safestyle approach (as with many other similar companies), is that they give you a price, based on a quick measurement of the existing windows, then ask you what you think of the figure. We said it seems very expensive (as everyone knows you’re meant to), then he called the office to get a better ‘today only’ price. What happens is you have to make a decision on the spot, otherwise it reverts back to the higher price, which is open for 12 months. The ‘today’ price worked out as 28% cheaper as well.
So, after writing down and working out some figures, we went for it. We’re getting all the front windows done, with the Argon-filled K-glass types, which are caegory ‘B’ on the new energy chart. The U-value (basically the rate at which heat passes through the glass, or any material) is 1.3 for the new windows. The lower the U-value the better, meaning less heat passes through the glass. Our existing windows are around 3.0, meaning the new ones will be maybe 56% more efficient.
Building regs also state that the minimum now is 1.8 for new windows, so we’re well within that as well. Anyway, they’re sending someone over this week to measure up, then middle of next month the work will take place – quite exciting!
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