Re: UPVC Double Glazing
 

nope sealed units in new hardwood frames in my own conservatory windows and those of my family and friends.
also seen them in the field when I worked in building defects in the early 90s.
just remember scandinavian climates are colder and drier (less condensation) than UK and NZ and so the SUs are more likely to end up in a puddle inside the frame and so suffer the dreaded "mist up". that is the main cause of SU failure in timber frames - inadequate drainage/water contact on the SU.
Velux SUs blow as well and within the warranty period.
but then you know better of course........so I'll keep any further advice to myself......clearly it is out of date ;)

Re: UPVC Double Glazing
 

The units, UPVC, fitted to my UK house started breaking down within 10 years. This was in two seperate fittings by different companies. After much investigation I found this was the norm and pulled this piece out of a leading newspaper article...

Most people who have double-glazed replacement windows fitted to their homes do so under the impression that they will last till the end of their days. Unfortunately this is often not the case. Sealed double-glazed units have a limited life-span, and the seal will eventually fail, resulting in misting-up between the two panes of glass. In the highest-quality installations this may not happen for 30 years. Some experts say 20 years is a reasonable life expectancy. But poorly- installed windows can fail much sooner - sometimes within a year - which can come as quite a shock to people who swallowed the sales pitch that their new windows would be maintenance- free forever.

:sneaky:

Re: UPVC Double Glazing
 

All UK Installations come with a FENSA cert (or should do). When the SU's break down you call the original fitter and have them replace for free. We certainly have done on a number of units in the 6 years since we had them.

Does anyone know if there is a similar scheme in NZ?

Re: UPVC Double Glazing
 

I remember hearing in the UK that uPVC units were meant to last about ten years, basically keeping the replacement window industry going :)

Re: UPVC Double Glazing
 

So you had quite a few units break down very quickly too ?

Re: UPVC Double Glazing
 

Several members of my family have had their replacement windows in for 30yrs or more with no problems ... ever!

Re: UPVC Double Glazing
 

Yep. 5 units within 6 years on our replacement UPVC. But the installer came out and replaced within a few weeks each time.

Re: UPVC Double Glazing
 

It's a terrible amount of money to invest in pot luck! hence I am in no rush to go along the same path in NZ. You were lucky with a good tradesman FENSA is not much help with a bad one I,m afraid :(

Re: UPVC Double Glazing
 

my advice is to choose the installers wisely, avoid the big names, look for those who install for builders and sift these. no matter how well the window system is designed if it is badly installed then you are likely to suffer.
we were lucky as we had a friend who sold window components (to uPVC window manufacturers) and he came up with a local name of a company that made and installed, I checked them against others I knew from building reinstatement work and we got them at trade (our friend's price). far cheaper than all of the big names and better installed
local window cleaner always said they were the best windows in the village. and he was right :)

Re: UPVC Double Glazing
 

That shouldn't happen with a decent fitter - the usual cause of it is fitting the units too tight with packers. As soon as the wood moves the glass takes the strain and problems happen. Have fitted green oak windows with double glazed units in the past and not had problems.
Being honest windows aren't hard/ time consuming just to fit, however making a decent job of doing it takes time, experiance and some common sense...

Re: UPVC Double Glazing
 

Nope you can just do them on Building regs and have the work inspected and signed off no need to pay FENSA extra money.

Re: UPVC Double Glazing
 

yeah my old man did the same, he sourced and then fitted windows himself - one was about 18 feet long, not bad for a pensioner.
no need for inspection from local authority as I recall, may have been from suppliers....but that was a while ago...

I agree that frame movement shouldn't happen to cause them to blow if well fitted but even if they are well packed water build up from poor drainage (design or maintenance being the root cause) will blow the SUs as it will in other frame materials, just more common (in my, out of date, experience) in timber than PVC, thats why we went for foiled PVC - white inside, foil outside, Belgian profiles, french glass and british workmanship to fabricate and install. Worked well - or at least till the house was sold and windows 10 years old - far better than the hardwood conservatory.