uPVC window suppler and fitter recommendations

mattman_iflaf

Hi,

I've read through numerous posts on this site on window suppliers and fitters, some are quite outdated so looking for some fresh advice.

I'm replacing old aluminium windows and front door, my preferred choice is to get uPVC replacements. From the various threads/posts I read the following names keep cropping up :

- Wright Window Systems
- Bonner Windows
- Fairco
- Senator
- Royal Windows
- Rationel
- Isothermal

Would people recommend any of the above ?

I've got a quote from DK Windows, whch on the surface appears very competitive, anyone used these people before ?

cheers

Matt

makfli

Try Carroll Doors and Windows in Bluebell Industrial Estate, D12. They manufacture and also act as agents for major suppliers. They are very knowledgeable and have great showrooms where you can check out your options.

Rusty Cogs 08

For the love of God, just don't go for Munster Joinery.

martinn123

mattman_iflaf wrote: »

Hi,

I've read through numerous posts on this site on window suppliers and fitters, some are quite outdated so looking for some fresh advice.

I'm replacing old aluminium windows and front door, my preferred choice is to get uPVC replacements. From the various threads/posts I read the following names keep cropping up :

- Wright Window Systems
- Bonner Windows
- Fairco
- Senator
- Royal Windows
- Rationel
- Isothermal

Would people recommend any of the above ?

I've got a quote from DK Windows, whch on the surface appears very competitive, anyone used these people before ?

cheers

Matt

Hi Matt,
I have been following various posts, on this subject over the past weeks, and would make a few points.

you state you want uPVC, the last 2 Co's you mention are specialist in Timber and Alu-Clad so may not be what you want.

i would suggest first decide if you want a Co who makes there own windows and also installs, or a local Fitting Co who buy in windows.

using a window manufacturer will bring certain advantages, as if a problem arises, it can be sorted at the factory in short time.

so from your list thats Wrights, Senator, and Royal, where are you based? Wrights are in Miltownpass, Senator, Wexford Royal, Swords.

The other Co's you mention all buy in windows and fit. So who do they buy from, you might get 3 quotes for the same window, all different prices.

These are questions you should ask the Sales rep.

DK make windows in Garristown, and a previous poster has mentioned Munster.

My advice would be to get as`many quotes as you have time to get, and research are they making or buying windows.

post details of quotes here, or Prices/Costs in Construction Forum and you will get lost of information.

good luck

mattman_iflaf

Rusty Cogs 08 wrote: »

For the love of God, just don't go for Munster Joinery.

No worries i don't intend doing so, they've got somewhat of a pasting in these forums.

mattman_iflaf

martinn123 wrote: »

Hi Matt,
I have been following various posts, on this subject over the past weeks, and would make a few points.

you state you want uPVC, the last 2 Co's you mention are specialist in Timber and Alu-Clad so may not be what you want.

i would suggest first decide if you want a Co who makes there own windows and also installs, or a local Fitting Co who buy in windows.

using a window manufacturer will bring certain advantages, as if a problem arises, it can be sorted at the factory in short time.

so from your list thats Wrights, Senator, and Royal, where are you based? Wrights are in Miltownpass, Senator, Wexford Royal, Swords.

The other Co's you mention all buy in windows and fit. So who do they buy from, you might get 3 quotes for the same window, all different prices.

These are questions you should ask the Sales rep.

DK make windows in Garristown, and a previous poster has mentioned Munster.

My advice would be to get as`many quotes as you have time to get, and research are they making or buying windows.

post details of quotes here, or Prices/Costs in Construction Forum and you will get lost of information.

good luck

Martin, thanks for all the advice, so far I've had a quote from Fairco, 4725 which seems a tad on the high side, but admitedly their product does look pretty impressive. I'll post more as I get them. I

Wyldwood

I have to jump to the defence of MJ. I replaced 25 year old teak MJ windows three years ago with Oak effect UPC double glazed MJ windows. The only reason the teak were replaced was because they were single glazed, the frames were still perfect. The new windows are to my complete satisfaction. They weren't the cheapest quote but the service was excellent, the job cleanly done & very well finished off. The workmen were very careful & the after sales service was very good. I had small scratches on a couple of panes & they were replaced very promptly.
I have recommended MJ to family & friends and will continue to do so.

jar18

had munster windows fitted lately. avoid them like the plague . the workmanship on them is pathetic. stay clear.

bhickey

jar18 wrote: »

had munster windows fitted lately. avoid them like the plague . the workmanship on them is pathetic. stay clear.

Definitely avoid Monster Joinery. I've had the misfortune of having 2 houses that were fitted by them and I'd say there's not a decent window or door between the 2 houses. Draughts & broken handles abound.

paddy147

TSL windows in Tallaght make windows and doors to any spec and size.
I got a tour of their factory and got to actually see my windows being made and how the large sheets of glass are cut by the machines.

They did my house very recently and I couldnt be happier with the quality and the price.I went for cream windows and black georgian 6 panel insulated front door.

I went for tripple glazed and also had custom hand made stained glass fitted in the porch too.Hand cut and laid stained glass panel which is then fitted inside 2 panes of glass for the porch windows.Not that cheap stick on stained/lead effect stuff.

Id just like to add,that it was a stained glass friend of mine who actually did the stained glass windows and not TSL.My friend is a genuine craftsman and a genuis with working with glass and stained glass.Hes based in Dundalk but does work country wide.He does all aspects of glass work,even coloured glass kitchen splashbacks.His companies name is called "A Touch Of Glass".

http://www.tslwindows.ie/gallery/TSL+Windows/2/

mattman_iflaf

After quite some time I've finally made a decision on supplier, Asgard Windows just Off Kylemore road, for two reasons, price was right and we've some previous knowledge of their work that we are happy with.

Quotes that came in were from as low as 2600 up to a high of 4750, Asgard quoting 3300 so not the cheapest and not the dearest either.

If we have issues I'll post here.

CBYR1983

mattman_iflaf wrote: »

After quite some time I've finally made a decision on supplier, Asgard Windows just Off Kylemore road, for two reasons, price was right and we've some previous knowledge of their work that we are happy with.

Quotes that came in were from as low as 2600 up to a high of 4750, Asgard quoting 3300 so not the cheapest and not the dearest either.

If we have issues I'll post here.

Sounds like you made the right choice. I have used Asgard before and they were very good, yer man John is a long time in the business.
In fairness, I have used another crowd on a different occasion due to price of a seemingly homgenous product, and was unpleasantly surprised by the result.

If I'm getting PvC, I'd be sure to go to Asgard again.

NZ Blaa

mattman_iflaf wrote: »

After quite some time I've finally made a decision on supplier, Asgard Windows just Off Kylemore road, for two reasons, price was right and we've some previous knowledge of their work that we are happy with.

Quotes that came in were from as low as 2600 up to a high of 4750, Asgard quoting 3300 so not the cheapest and not the dearest either.

If we have issues I'll post here.

Hi there, just wondering how you got on with Asgard Windows, we are getting them in do some work for us too.

mattman_iflaf

Very pleased with Asgard, all windows and front door fitted really well, they arrived when they said they would and did the job in one day.

Only slight issue but a real nit pick is the quality of the skimming around inside of windows once the window was installed. It's a little rough in places and could be more polished. But other than that quite happy.
Photo of New Windows : http://www.flickr.com/photos/30093577@N00/5164459486/

cheers

Matt

NZ Blaa

mattman_iflaf wrote: »

Very pleased with Asgard, all windows and front door fitted really well, they arrived when they said they would and did the job in one day.

Only slight issue but a real nit pick is the quality of the skimming around inside of windows once the window was installed. It's a little rough in places and could be more polished. But other than that quite happy.
Photo of New Windows : http://www.flickr.com/photos/30093577@N00/5164459486/

cheers

Matt

Thanks for that, I really appreciate you gettin back to me, windows look great too!

pipelaser

Have a look at Global Windows.
Very neat tasty work, and window fitters that Know what they're doing. Great guarantees aswell.

makfli

Looks well and good value, Just wondering how many units you got for the money. Windows look very substantial, any doors ?

Joey the lips

Hi Folks.

I am looking for a job done...Replaceing my front door. I have used International Glass before for small jobs like replaceing glass etc.

Has anyone any experience on larger jobs like this....

Much appreciated.

CBYR1983

mattman_iflaf wrote: »

Very pleased with Asgard, all windows and front door fitted really well, they arrived when they said they would and did the job in one day.

Only slight issue but a real nit pick is the quality of the skimming around inside of windows once the window was installed. It's a little rough in places and could be more polished. But other than that quite happy.
Photo of New Windows : http://www.flickr.com/photos/30093577@N00/5164459486/

cheers

Matt

Yes, my job similarly - not as polished as a really good plasterer would make them (as they were before). I would advise not to use a brush when repainting - use a small roller and it will improve the finish on the reveal.

That said, much more preferable than use of pvc cladding or wood, the bonding and skim provides a good airtight seal.

CBYR1983

Joey the lips wrote: »

Hi Folks.

I am looking for a job done...Replaceing my front door. I have used International Glass before for small jobs like replaceing glass etc.

Has anyone any experience on larger jobs like this....

Much appreciated.

Whatever you do, don't get a dark coloured pvc composite door if it's south facing - it will warp no end.

Joey the lips

CBYR1983 wrote: »

Whatever you do, don't get a dark coloured pvc composite door if it's south facing - it will warp no end.

Thats interesting....

Is it just theres or everyones.

My house is south faceing. It has warped the wooden door and i actually need to get a brown one you know the tan looking ones...

mackeminexile

Go back to Fairco and say that you've had a quote for €x. They'll probs match it/. Their stuff is very good quality and the fitting teams are great.

CBYR1983

Joey the lips wrote: »

Thats interesting....

Is it just theres or everyones.

My house is south faceing. It has warped the wooden door and i actually need to get a brown one you know the tan looking ones...

Mine is an apeer pvc composite door - it's one of the higher end NewWorld doors - or it was sold as that to me. It's burgundy - in a white frame.

The brochure said it wouldn't warp - it does - fairly badly - and the seals are poor. It resettles quickly after sun has receded but then the rubber seals don't decompress fully.

It is very hot to touch during the day. It's only burgundy on the outside, white on the inside. I think it's because of the "skin" on it.

In fairness, it hasn't discoloured, which is one good thing.

Maybe a panelled door (non-composite) wouldn't be as bad. My back door has insulated panel at bottom and glasss at top and it's brilliant, though never exposed to sun. Pity it looks like a back door, otherwise I would have got one fitted to the front, at a far cheaper price. Try to get advice from an experienced supplier, and one who will provide good after sales.

Joey the lips

CBYR1983 wrote: »

Mine is an apeer pvc composite door - it's one of the higher end NewWorld doors - or it was sold as that to me. It's burgundy - in a white frame.

The brochure said it wouldn't warp - it does - fairly badly - and the seals are poor. It resettles quickly after sun has receded but then the rubber seals don't decompress fully.

It is very hot to touch during the day. It's only burgundy on the outside, white on the inside. I think it's because of the "skin" on it.

In fairness, it hasn't discoloured, which is one good thing.

Maybe a panelled door (non-composite) wouldn't be as bad. My back door has insulated panel at bottom and glasss at top and it's brilliant, though never exposed to sun. Pity it looks like a back door, otherwise I would have got one fitted to the front, at a far cheaper price. Try to get advice from an experienced supplier, and one who will provide good after sales.

So its still weather prrof come winter...

tinofapples

jar18 wrote: »

had munster windows fitted lately. avoid them like the plague . the workmanship on them is pathetic. stay clear.

+1

Idbatterim

my dad just had 35 munster joinery windows fitted! no wonder they were so cheap! He got very cheap UPVC windows from Topglass in Dublin, the frames are made by a german company I believe, they might be worth a try. I dont see the point in paying insane amounts for windows, for example you could probably upgrade your gas or oil boiler if they are old for the cost of one expensiveish window, and that would make a much bigger difference!

anthonyos

hello i bought a new front door 2 years ago soon after it was fitted and paid for we discovered a big gap between the door and the frame and the door isn't hanging straight so it closes on its own he have contacted the suppler isothermal window systems in the greenogue industrial estate and he came back adjusted the door but is only a botch fix up job so we made several more attempts to contact him with no success we do not have a receipt for the job only a quotation .... what can i do now any advise greatly appreciated this is what you have to watch out for when getting windows and doors supplied i rand isothermal today inquiring about windows and doors and asked the girl in the office about the isothermal window systems garnentee and was told is was for 'years and years' which is rubbish considering the way i have been treated so know what your buying and don't part with cash until your happy

NZ Blaa

We are getting these guys bck again next week to finish off the house, couldn't be happier with them...

anthonyos

have you paid them

bowierocks

Hi all,

After very strong recommendations from many friends and colleagues, I used TSL Windows during the summer, and was absolutely delighted with the work they did. We got triple glazing all round, and they came in much cheaper than five or six quotes which we got (both Munster and Keane were a lot dearer).
We had researched for a while before deciding who to go with and which windows to buy, and value for money wise, you will not beat TSL Windows. The level of professionalism with which these guys carried out their work was next-to-none, and their attention to even the tiniest detail was truly incredible. Spotless clean and very thorough in every aspect of their work, combined with excellent prices, make TSL Windows, by far, the best company around.
Many thanks, TSL,
Dave D.

groom

Excuse the resurrection of an old thread but how are the Asgard windows faring a couple of years down the line. Have you had any occasion to judge their after sales or have they been completely problem free? I'm thinking of using them