Misted double glazing

[iBozz]

Age (of the windows, not mine!) has caused condensation to build up in my south facing double-glazing units.

Conventional wisdom seems to be to replace the panels completely but I have recently seen TV adverts for a company called 0845 Glassman (http://0845glassman.com/) who claim to be able to repair this sort of problem.

Does anyone have any experience with their process, either from them or other suppliers of this service? The site seems fairly upbeat about the results, but then it would wouldn't it!

However, there's nothing like an independent view (no pun intended !), and if you'd prefer not to comment in the public forum so as not to worry poor Legal Eagle, please PM me.

Oh, and if you check out their site, have your volume on low as there's a fairly cheesy audio commentary which might disturb the slumbers of nearby co-workers if played at full volume as I did the first time!

Thanks.

[LFC Muppet]

Just replace the glass, safer and not that expensive now a days.

Go to a supplier and buy and fit them yourself. Easy as saying 1 2 3.

[iBozz]

Thanks, gavinlfc, I had been thinking along those lines except that money is a seriously limiting factor right now, the cost of the panels required, if new, is somewhat more than I can currently afford. In addition, even if supplied, fitting them is not an easy job partly through health and partly through the limited and awkward access to the windows themselves.

On the assumption that Glassman's system works (it is a franchise operation originally from the USA) it has the advantage of being up to 75% cheaper than new panels and it get's "cheaper" the more you do - in that there is a fixed cost on getting the equipment on site and an additional marginal cost of doing the windows, so the more you do the more the marginal cost per panel falls.

But, of course, if it doesn't work then it certainly won't be cheaper and would be a false economy!

So, I was hoping that someone had experince of the system - for good or for bad - or may know about double-glazing well enough to know if their central premise of what causes misting is correct, in that it may not represent a "leak" or broken seal but may merely be moisture already between the panes spreading over the years, especially on panels facing south that heat and cool more than others.

I'm getting a survey and quote done by them against which I shall compare full replacement quotes from three local double-glazing firms for both supllying panels and supplying and fitting panels.

I'm merely attempting to get facts right now, no decision has been taken, but current finances make the Glassman approach an attractive one - if it works and does exactly what it says on the website.

Thanks for your input.

[Legal Eagle]

Hey

I have read the companies website and it does contradict itself. Quite strange.

Firstly, it says the cost saving over replacement is 70% GUARANTEED, but the brochure says that the savings can be 50 - 70% and no mention of a Guarantee.

Furthermore, they offer a 5 Year Warranty, but I could find no mention/explanation of this on the website, other than that they offer it.

The warranty needs to be Underwritten for it to be of any use and that needs to be done by a large reputable insurer and cover all costs, not just labour or materials or call-outs.

Regards

Legal Eagle

[iBozz]

Well, they came yesterday and decided that my windows were beyond repair - apparently if there is just moisture between the panes then they can deal with it - but if the "deposit" between the panes is white and permanent, and not obvious condensation, then this indicates slight acid erosion which will have pitted the surface and thus negate any "cleaning" work that the process does.

The guy was quite "up-front" and offered instead to replace the panels with new ones - it turns out that the Glassman franchise is held by an existing glazing firm who have traded locally for 25+ years, so they are no fly-by-night. He offered a discount because I had originally asked for a quote for their cleaning service and they weren't able to use it this time.

I got a quote from him and have today got five more from other local firms to act as a comparison and he indeed quoted a reasonable discount based on the opposition. All that remains now is a little consumer reseach to check out their reputation and, if it holds up, I should be placing an order fairly shortly.

A big selling point is that he can also replace 21 window catch handles throughout the house, whereas two local firms previously approached said that it was impossible to get the handles any more - yet Glassman showed an identical new one straight from the back of his van!

Thanks for the advice, mon tres bon amis.

[urbsy]

We rented an industrial unit to a double glazing manufacturers for years and before they moved out we got them to replace all of our glazing units in the house as the majority of them we had fitted previously had blown.

The markup on glazing is shocking tbh and it's piss to fit, her indoors threw a spoon at the sink once and it smashed our kitchen window, the sealed unit at cost was 8 sobs.

It's nice to find that some 'quick fix' franchises are held with reputable companies and not redundancy money morons as in quite a number of cases, good on them imo.

urbsy

[SatanicHare]

Just thought add some etra info, i repair double glazing for a living (pays almost enough to live on) if your changing the units make sure that you sit the new units on plastic spacers, (about 100mm from bottom corners) stops the unit from drawing water, also make sure both inside and outside panes are sitting on spacers, failure to do this is one of the major reasons units fail, because the glass will "slip" and break the seal. Remeber to also to insert spacers between the glass and top of the frame to stop windows sagging in the middle. Finally if your replacing glass in your door or side opening windows always put spacers in "heel and toe" to stop doors dropping. Not meant to be a comprehensive guide just a few pointers

[B B Leo]

how much do it cost ???
600 x 600 should cost roughly £25-£30

[Kev]

how much do it cost ???
600 x 600 should cost roughly £25-£30

If your buying it yourself to fit.

You will not need K glass therefor just standard anealed glass should be around £18 - £22 /metre so it wont cost much say £8 - £12.


Fitting cost could be anything from £50 - £200 depending on the firm ..

The firm i work for wouldnt do it for less than a 3 hour call out charge which is £42.50 / hour plus VAT..