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[pscocoa]

How on earth do you choose when it as all BS this and that?

BS7413, BS7950, BS5713, BS6262, 28mm argon gas sealed units, BSI PAS 011 then someone specifies BSI PAS 023/024.

Impossible

[Rods2]

And don't forget the installer has to be FENSA approved or you will need building regs. 

All these regulations mean that vested interests and local authorities have taken over the building industry, so they are all on a nice earner at our expense. 

If you want the windows to insulate your house as well as the walls then go for quad glazing nut they are expensive and heavy. They are also meant to be excellent for sound insulation.

[MR MISTER]

And don't forget the installer has to be FENSA approved or you will need building regs. 

All these regulations mean that vested interests and local authorities have taken over the building industry, so they are all on a nice earner at our expense. 

If you want the windows to insulate your house as well as the walls then go for quad glazing nut they are expensive and heavy. They are also meant to be excellent for sound insulation.

Quad glazing nut?? 
That's tickled me. Small things amu...............

[Shackeng]

I'm just replacing all my 35 year old windows. Amazing how the u-values have dropped since then.

[Phil]

PAS 24 has taken over from secure by design.

Basically it means a man with a crow bar hammering at it for 30 mins cannot get in. Different PAS ratings for severity and length of attack.

24 is the highest rating

BS are mainly for the plastic manufacture and finish etc, some are just 'codes of practice' and just thrown in there by the salesman trying to make it look good. For instance BS952 relates to optical quiality of glass!

You can call their bluff and ask to see the test report confirming it meests BS7950 (enhanced security of windows and doors) - wait for the WTF look and some quick excuses!!

Glass will be standard DG unit, Argon filling is an inert gas and supposedly you will get better thermal efficiency, as will coated glass. Coating location is important

28mm is standard DG thickness, generally for domestic use 6mm inner and outer with a 16mm air space

End of the day the DG unit will be either float, laminate float, laminate tougned or toughed glass and they all 'perform' pretty much the same.

Location will define what type of glass

If its toughned make sure its heast soak tested (HST) as this will remove the chance of breakage due to nickel sulphide inclusions, reduces from 1 in 100 to 1 in 10000, or something like that, and make sure its kite marked.

Ask for silicone sealed units not polysulphide

Self cleaning glass is not worth paying for. In 10 years I've never seen it perform any different to 'normal' glass.

Each supplier will tell you their white plastic does not go yellow with age like everyone else's does but with modern plastics thats balls.

If its an aluminium frame window or door then find out who the system manufacturer are. If its Schuco its expensive but very good, Reynaers is middle of the road and Metal technology is on the cheaper end of the market but all perform well. Others will be Comar or Kawneer. The extrusion will be owned by someone!

If its aluminium check the PPC guarantee

In all fairness if its multi point locking and the company you are buying off have been around for more than 10 minutes you might as well ignore the hype and go for the cheapest option!!

[pscocoa]

What a fantastic response - many thanks. One supplier uses the WHS Halo range and company is well known in our area. He is also using hardwood step.