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"double glazing review"
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You have nagging thoughts, or have heard stories about a particular company having gone bust, and then started up again under a similar (seems like the same) name. It concerns you that they may have done this before, and could possibly do it again and not honour their guarantee, yet again (and to you this time), and you want to check them out, particularly as you might be tempted to buy from them (and of course their price and the deal is so good). I would want to check them out if I were in your shoes - so how do you do that? There are a great many well known names, familiar in the public eye, in the double glazing industry who are not quite what they seem. You know the name, as you have 'heard' of them over the years, they have most probably been on the radio as well, but are they really 'who' you think they are? Fitting double-glazing in replacement windows will provide some sound insulation. However if your primary motivation for fitting double-glazing is to reduce sound then secondary glazing, where you fit a new single glazed frame in front of the existing (prime) window frame, will be better. The greater the "air gap" the better the sound insulation. Double glazed unit failure: It is a well-known fact that double glazed units are of significant value in reducing energy loss and offers other benefits such as lower energy consumption, perfect transparency through the reduction of the condensation on the warm air side and the possibility of using larger glazed areas without increasing energy consumption. However, when this type of unit breaks down, most of its characteristics are compromised. Double-glazed window: A type of window having two layers (panes or glazing) of glass separated by an air space. Each layer of glass and surrounding air space reradiates and traps some of the heat that passes through thereby increasing the windows resistance to heat loss. Is it possible to repair units that have misted up, or need to be replaced altogether? Can the glass which has misted up be used again, or does it become useless? Once the glass unit has broken down (misted up) it is no longer any use, you can not repair it. it needs to be replace with a new unit. Internal or External Glazing? Some suppliers say that internal glazing is more secure since there is no beading on the outside. However other suppliers say that external beading is more secure because the fitter will push the glass against the beading from the inside, which effectively locks the beading onto place. One supplier says that it is possible to simply "kick" out internally fitted glass panels. 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. 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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