[zsj]

Hi Guys,

We have bought a house that needs gutting and re doing. I would like to take the opportunity to double glaze. Anyone got any experience / recommendations of firms in Wellington?

Thanks,

Sarah.

[M-Squared]

I have no recommendations, I'm afraid. Just hope you bought it that way on purpose... :eek:

[zsj]

Yes we did. Thanks for asking though!

[PaddyPADI]

We got double glazing installed about 2 years ago by ThernalFrame (http://www.epcsheerframe.co.nz/). Had to wait 7 months to get it installed which was frustrating, but they did a good job - took about 3 days to replace all the windows in the house (14 windows and 2 doors). They work from the inside so no scaffolding was required, which helps when your house is on the side of a hill :o)

I'd love to say that I could recommend them as the windows are great and the difference is amazing, however their after sales support has been terrible - they have just too much business and no incentive to help you once they've installed.

If you want more details, just PM me.

D

[zsj]

Hi. I would PM but I don't know how!! Maybe you could PM me if I ask the questions?! Have you needed much after sales support? Did you get quotes from any other companies or not? I am wondering how their prices compare as they do uPVC and everwhere else seems to only offer aluminium or at best aluminium with a thermal break. Am also considering wood frames.

Thanks for the help, much appreciated.

Sarah.

[mikey and tor]

Me to. Just tell the whole forum. Remeber there are people who just read the forum who are not aware/able to post for some reason. Knowledge is power lol

[JandM]

Hi. I would PM but I don't know how!!When you click on somebody's username above their post, a drop-down menu appears. One of the options is 'Send a private message'. Click on that and you'll get a screen to enter your message.

However, in this case as the next poster said, lots of people may be interested in the replies!

[PaddyPADI]

Sorry for not getting back sooner.

When I started looking about 2 years ago I struggled to find anyone that was installing uPVC in the Wellington region. We did have a company arouind called Nu Look but the cost of installing the aluminum windows with breakers was pretty much the same as uPVC. Metro Glass were making moves to get into the double glazing market but nothing was happening at the time.

The ThermalFrame stuff is assembled in the Hutt but AFAIK it comes in from the UK and that's what increases the lead time.

A couple of things that caught us out:

1) you need to get toughened glass for windows that are set to below a certain or in a toilet - read more expensive
2) as the work is done from the inside out, you don't need to get the whole house done, rather select the rooms that you use the most and look at getting other rooms done later

The only issue that we had was a door that needed to be re-packed, which can happen, but it took ober 6 months to get them around to do a 10 minute job.

For a cost idea (and remember this quote is from Nov-06):

Window 800 x 1400 -> $760
Window 1400 x 2400 -> $1250
Door -> $1500

I've just rechecked the quote and it came to $22K for the 14 windows and 2 doors all uPVC, the doors and 3 of the windows were toughened glass.

Hope this helps but let me know if there are other questions that I can answer.