Need some double glazing advice.

AdamD · 09-02-2010, 10:56

Howdy all, I'm seeking advice on behalf of my mother.

She had new double glazing installed by a local company about 6 years ago, several rather expensive windows were installed (The leaded light variety).

Since that time, 2 main windows have gone misty inside, as has a smaller window on the kitchen, which I believe is down to faulty/failed seals?

Given that the windows are under 10 years old and most windows have a 10 year or more warranty, I'd like to try and find a way to get them replaced under warranty, but, how do I find out who to contact?

The original installer (Ferring Windows and Conservatories) has gone awol, doesn't answer the phone and letters sent to the address get returned.

So I'm concerned as to what her options are, any suggestions?

**Chris** · 09-02-2010, 11:00

If the warranty was provided by the installer, and the installer has ceased trading, then I think your mum is a bit stuck unfortunately.

**Kymmy** · 09-02-2010, 11:06

If the glass itself is a factory sealed unit then you probably have a claim against the manufacturer for replacing the unit, but not for the removal/reinstalation of the unit within the frame. Does it have any manufaturers name on it?

AdamD · 09-02-2010, 11:12

Yea we're going to check the windows again on Friday, the only name we found was Trojan, but that's on the metal frames/openers.

**Chris** · 09-02-2010, 11:12

I don't think there are grounds for a claim against the manufacturer, unless the units were sold with a manufacturer's warranty (and that's not very likely). After 6 years she would also have a hard time trying to use the Sale of Goods Act.

I really think she has no option but to put this down to experience and arrange replacement herself. It's very unfortunate that they're leaded windows though, as standard double-glazed units aren't as expensive to replace as people generally assume, but leaded ones are going to be more costly.

AdamD · 09-02-2010, 12:06

Yea I agree, that's what ya get by going through a "friend of a friend"
heh, ah well.
We're going to see if anyone local here can advise in the mean time.

**Rob** · 09-02-2010, 13:21

As is often the case with any warranty, they are only as good as the paper they are printed on. I always suggest to people that they need to have warranties independently backed by insurance. With the building industry being so volatile they number of failures of companies is high.

Most double glazing companies will use an extrusion system from one supplier that they assemble in their own workshop. Similarly the glass panels are cut and sealed in their workshop. I'd be surprised if there was a head manufacturer out there that you could claim against. But if there is a head manufacturer or supplier out there that fabricated these windows for the company that installed, I beleive (I'm not a lawyer) that that comany might have some form of liability for supply of satisfactory goods, but that liability would not have been as good as a 10 year warranty, more along the lines of fit for purpose.

**Kymmy** · 09-02-2010, 13:30

But if there was a manufacturer then she could have a claim under the EU warranties rules where a manufacturer can not limit to a time other than the expected life of the windows.. Surely in this case it would be a lot longer than 6 years

If though as Rob says the installer would probably be the ones that extruded/sealed the panes then as they're out of business you have no avenue of warranty

Julian · 09-02-2010, 15:02

It may be covered under the FENSA warranty.

You can enter the postcode HERE and see if it is registered.

EDIT hmmm that might not be an actual warranty - just a building regs thing.

martyh · 09-02-2010, 17:13

The company i used to work for manufactured the frames and the sealed units ,they offered a 10yr warranty and it was honoured (i was the customer service manager for a while),the complete window (glass and frame)was covered by the manufacturers warranty .when the company had to cut costs about 4 years ago they bought the sealed units in from an outside manufacturer(pilkington)this meant that the warrantyfor the sealed units(5yrs on most sealed units)was held by the manufacturer of the window NOT the end user ,the customers warranty for the complete window was still through the company they buy the window off ,this also counts for any locks ,stay and handles ,the manufacturer of these items gives a warranty to the manufacturer of the window usually 1 yr and if the window manufacturer increases the warranty to 5 or 10yr they do so at their own risk If a window company goes bust then all warranties are useless unless backed up by insurance and only then if another company chooses to undertake the repairs

---------- Post added at 16:13 ---------- Previous post was at 16:07 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julian

It may be covered under the FENSA warranty.

You can enter the postcode HERE and see if it is registered.

EDIT hmmm that might not be an actual warranty - just a building regs thing.

FENSA is nothing to do with warranties as you say not really a fat lot to do with building regs either it is a company owned by the glass and glazing federation set up to ensure that new windows and doors meet correct manufacturing and installation standards regarding fire escapes ,safety glass and 'u' values of the window

**Rob** · 09-02-2010, 17:19

Most replacement windows have needed Building Regulations Consent since about 2005 (I think that's the date). Rather than the local authority inspecting and approving every installation, some trade associations are able to certify compliance and register the installation with the Local Building Control Authority. The FENSA scheme does that.

A similar situation applies to some works for electrical and gas installations.

banjo · 09-02-2010, 17:29

I have a misty unit and am thinking of giving these people a try

martyh · 09-02-2010, 17:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by banjo

I have a misty unit and am thinking of giving these people a try

i wouldn't bother just get a local glazier to change the glass the process they sell isn't that effective and wont clean the water marks of the inside of the unit so the glass will still be misty ,not as much but it will drive you nuts

and i'd like to see them put vents in a toughened unit

Scrubbs · 09-02-2010, 17:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by banjo

I have a misty unit and am thinking of giving these people a try

The guy who came round to "de mist " my window said a lot of double glazing companys advertise they can de- mist but are just using it to sell you a new unit
About a year ago I went through the misty window saga and found that the ONLY way to de mist a window properly is to take the unit apart and reclean the glass put it back together and refit . This usually costs more than a new unit hence the double glazing spiel.
I did try the hair dryer trick but it doesn't last long

I also drilled through the side and pored silica gell inside and resealed .....didn't work

beeman · 11-02-2010, 08:54

AdamD If your mum brought the windows via finance (either credit card OR finance arranged by the double glazing company, but not a private 'cash' loan) The company supplying the credit is "equally liable" for the contract you had with the suppler (this includes the warranty) under section 75 (i think it is) of the consumer credit act.

So it was brought via credit then you can claim via the credit provider