How has the double glazing trade changed in the last 20 years?
12th September 2019
The Double Glazing Industry in Edinburgh and the Lothians is almost unrecognisable from 20 years ago, with huge advancements in technology and improved thermal performance, particularly in glass.
Energy Efficient double glazing means no more being too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer and it can even help you save money on your heating bills!
Thanks to the bespoke nature of our products and the fact they are all pre built off site, means that installation of larger products, such as solid roof extensions or conservatories can be completed in a fraction of the time and in certain cases, can be substantially cheaper than more traditional build methods that include architects, builders and other stand alone trades.
And if your conservatory is feeling tired, old installations can easily be refurbished and brought up to date with new Energy Efficient double glazing and solid roof products.
With the consumers ability to research and compare quickly thanks to online resources, the old fashioned sales techniques of inflated prices hidden within huge discounts are almost a thing of the past.
Where some companies still opt for hard sell techniques and over inflated offers, Bryant and Cairns have always pride themselves on only offering straight forward prices and the best customer experience available.
And with our free no obligation quote service and no penny paid until the final installation is complete.
When researching suitable installers, knowing the right questions to ask is not only important but essential. Buying from the wrong company can be a very costly mistake and one we want to help you avoid.
Key Qualities to look for in a Double Glazing Installer
- Established (trading for over 10 years)
- Reputable
- Offers a personal service
- Professional
- Demonstrates quality workmanship
Here are some key questions that you should ask your double glazing installer.
Are your windows energy rated? It is important to know what rating the supplier’s windows are graded, as this lets you know how much acoustic insulation and thermal efficiency you will obtain from the new windows. The grading is set out by the BFRC (British Fenestration Ratings Council) and is graded alphabetically G is the lowest rating and A is the highest.
Your home is in safe hands when you choose High Performance ‘A’ Rated windows from Bryant & Cairns. Not only will you benefit from real savings on your fuel bills, but you will also be helping reduce the impact on the World’s natural resources.
What accreditation do you have? This allows you to assess the reputation of the installer. Installers must meet certain standards set by the organisations to be awarded any accreditation.
ACCREDITATIONS
- BS7412 PVCu Plastic Windows (CEN3269WDS)
- PAS23-1/PAS24-1 Door Security (KM85377)
- BS7412/PAS24 Enhanced Window Security (CEN3269WDG)
- Profiles extruded to BS EN12608 specs
What warranties do you offer? A good double glazing company will offer a 10 year guarantee on the products they supply. So if you are in the unfortunate position of having an issue you will be covered under the warranty and the company will resolve the issue for you at no extra cost. Check to see what is excluded in these guarantees.
For more details relating to Bryant and Cairns Accreditations and Guarantee, visit our main site here
Request the company’s full details. You will want to see proof of the companies; Full postal address Land line number Company number Show room address (not essential but a sign of an established thriving company)
Can you supply testimonials? It’s just as important to check testimonials as this achieves a few things; 1 it shows if the standard of work has been consistently good and 2 shows the company has been established over a long period of time. Bryant and Cairns Testimonials can be read throughout our main website www.bryantandcairns.co.uk
How long have you been established? A double glazing company that has been in business for over 10 years clearly shows that it has good business practice, has made its mark in the industry and therefore demonstrates it has good workmanship, reputation and provides a good service. Bryant and Cairns are excited to have just entered our 20th year as suppliers and fitters of windows, doors, conservatories, orangeries, verandahs, garage conversions and refurbishments throughout the Lothians, Edinburgh and Fife.
How do you invoice for the work? Avoid at all costs a company that wants to be paid up front or demands a large deposit. A reputable, professional company will not demand such payment terms. Ensure that all payment agreements are included in your contract.
Bryant and Cairns will not request a penny until the installation has been completed.
What is exactly included in the quote? When looking over the quotations check to see what is exactly is included and what the extras may be.
Top Tip – Always make sure the quality of the product is like for like so for example the energy rating of the window is the same. This then gives a fair comparison and a possible indication of any hidden costs that may appear with some companies. Don’t compromise on good quality and service for the sake of saving a few pounds. At the same time make sure that timescales are also documented so you can plan around the small but necessary disruption when the company is on site.
How do you dispose of the old frames? Nowadays the majority of old upvc window frames can be recycled so to help conserve the environment it is a wise choice to go with a company that recycles the old frames in order to keep the home improvement industry more sustainable.