Not knowing how exactly to go about buying double glazing is something of a Great British cliché. The very notion of a door-to-door salesman or a cowboy builder are so very tongue-in-cheek these days that when any business genuinely tries to offer its advice, it’s hard not to react with a sly smirk. But at the same time, never has double glazing been more affordable or readily available up and down the United Kingdom, prompting an era in which more homeowners are arranging upgrades than ever before.
From double glazed sash windows to ultra-modern aluminium doors with double glazed panes, the UK really is enamoured with high end hardware.
Nevertheless, the simple fact of the matter here is that just like in any other instance of a major purchase, those that blindly grasp for the first straw within their reach are doomed to disappointment. There are just too many glazing providers out there today for a fair few of them to be anything but untoward, which is why it’s not just recommended, but crucial to go about the selection process carefully.
So with this in mind, here’s a quick overview of the simplest and most important tips of all for those approaching a double glazing purchase for the very first time:
1 – Take Your Time
If you were to believe most of the ads out there trying to sell windows and doors, you’d be left thinking that every decent offer in the UK was valid only for the next 24 hours. These kinds of gimmicky deals have been around since the 80s and have never changed – they’re still used today to dupe buyers into making rushed decisions. The long story short here is that double glazing isn’t going anywhere and nor are the bog-standard deals being peddled day in and day out. As such, you can take as much time as you need and never, ever worry about missing a deal having not rushed yourself.
2 – Take Photographs
These days, there are so many different colours and finishes up for grabs it’d be a shame not to consider at least a few of them. So here’s a great tip for seeing which has the biggest impact for the right reasons – take pictures of your home from the outside and use the computer to add a splash of colour to them. It’s easy to do and will give you a great visual reference of what to expect from the colour you choose.
3 – Consider a Door Upgrade
Prior to making the first phone call, decide whether or not you want or need replacement doors to match the windows. The reason being that nine times out of ten, the first thing they’ll try to do is get you to upgrade your chosen service package to one that also replaces your doors along with the windows. Decide whether you want this and stick to your guns – no matter what the deal it won’t be offered for free.
4 – Shop Around
Feel free to take advantage of as many free consultations and quotation services as you like – that’s what they’re there for. Every seller will make you think that they are the way to go and the only way to go, but you’ll soon learn after checking out a few that this isn’t the case. The trick here is to collect a series of offers, then get back to the providers you’re interested in and challenge them to beat the offers of their rivals.
5 – Materials
Don’t necessarily assume that UPVC is the way to go for the modern home or that your classic country cottage must have wooden window frames and nothing else. These days, every material choice out there has its unique benefits above and beyond its rivals – UPVC, wood and aluminium are all very worth considering. Think about things like security, overall aesthetic finish, lifespan and the budget you have while making up your mind.
6 – Time to Think
Even when you’ve found the windows you want from a provider you have full trust in, it’s still a good idea to take a few days to mull things over. If nothing else, this will help you find out whether or not they’re the types to try and rush you – you’ll know exactly what to do if this is the case!
7 – Service Promises
And finally, just as long as they are willing to back what they do with guarantees and assurances, there’s really not a great deal to worry about. If, for example, they guarantee the lowest price, the best result and the fastest possible installation service or your money back, chances are they aren’t going to risk letting you down. If on the other hand they offer no guarantees at all, you’re on your own if anything untoward happens.