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"cheap double glazing"
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Extent to which Windows & Glazing technologies are deployed in EU markets: In the 15 European Union member states almost 60% of the dwellings still have single glazing. Market deployment figures of energy efficient glazing (i.e. double glazing and low-E) are indicated hereafter. Apart from the size of the building stock, penetration rate is largely affected by the status of glazing in national building codes for new construction. "Are there any GOOD double glazing companies?" The answer to this is no. There are some truly awful national companies - [Safestyle and Coldseal (now gone - thank the Lord) are two good examples] however the industry seems to operate according to its own set of peculiar rules which I'm sure most customers find rather disconcerting and unattractive (and which I'm sure do more harm than good to company profits in the long run). Examples are, list prices which bear no relation to actual costs, this price only holds tonight' approaches, other high pressure sales techniques, salespeople who lie, disrespect for property at fitting & poor after sales service. The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF), is the recognised leading authority for employers and companies within the flat glass, glazing, window, door, home-improvement, plastics and film industries. GGF Members can be found throughout the UK. Membership of the Federation is not automatic. Companies must have been trading for three years, and there is a strict vetting procedure that includes looking at company accounts and site visits. The Federation represents more than 60% of the industry's turnover. Snowglobes are those things you buy from tourist shops with models of e.g the Eiffel Tower or the Parthenon inside. You shake them and it sort of looks like it's snowing. This would be liquid- filled double glazing. Plastic 'snow' would fall through the clear liquid to the bottom and pumped back up the top through a pipe running down the side of the window panel. To imagine what it would look like, think of one of those early films where snow was applied as a special effect during editing and it looks like a thin sheet of snow is falling between you and the character. Low E glass is a form of glass which when added to double glazing allows you to save even more energy. Typically double glazing using Low-E glass has energy conservation properties as good as normal triple glazing but without the 50% increase in weight. PRACTICAL STUDIO SOUNDPROOFING: If you don't have double glazing, your windows will almost certainly be the biggest cause of sound leakage. Even double-glazed units are of limited use, and will leak far more sound than the surrounding walls, so additional internal glazing behind the original windows is still strongly recommended Double glazing can be expensive. But if it's a good job, it can help you cut down on your heating costs. Unfortunately, there are some bad jobs and complaints about double glazing still arise. What The Law Says? A double glazing contractor is providing a service and so his work must be done with reasonable skill and care. The glass and frames must be of satisfactory quality, fit for any specified purpose and as described. Unless you agreed a price before he started his work, the contractor must charge only what is reasonable. Where no time limit was agreed in advance, the work should be finished within a reasonable time.
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