Doh! How did I miss that!

AIUI, this is something additional they do to their standard windows so it is available in all styles, or have I got that wrong as elsewhere it mentions casement windows.

I have generally been adverse to UPVC, but this may change my mind.

Posted By: fostertomYes - the Q is - from http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=7861

Posted By: jamesingramIs the use of upvc getting similar to the natural/petrochemical insulation debate , where the priority of energy saving and affordable cost starts to over rule the selection of production materials ?

Another factor possibly being over-looked is the once-off use of a hydrocarbon that constitutes over 40% of the plastic.
Save a tree use UPVC

Monty

Posted By: Monty GerhardyAnother factor possibly being over-looked is the once-off use of a hydrocarbon that constitutes over 40% of the plastic.

How dya mean? Knowing that PVC is a one-off use of petrochemical feedstock (how come only 40% - what makes up the other 60%? - recycled stuff?) is the downside that we all see. The Q is whether that use as material is insignificant compared with the petroleum consequently saved as fuel, over the window's lifetime - whether that use of petrochemical as 'seed' for great nett saving is more beneficial, therefore justified, than making the windows out of something else, like timber.

Posted By: Monty GerhardySave a tree use UPVC

Is that serious? The only thing that trees need 'saving' from is dying and rotting, or cutting and burning. The need actually is not the tree's, but the planet's - a UPVC window is a missed opportunity to securely sequester-away CO2 removed from atmosphere.

Posted By: borpinS706 or Edge

are the basics - Geneo is heavy duty/commercial - all 3 can be 0.8'd.

Same, but Edge has trad moulding section instead of modern square-cut (or vice versa)

Did we get to a conclusion wrt wooden/ali-clad or did we settle on UPVC?
In talks with Skaala and Russel at the mo. Both decent quality. Russel seem a little better on price and seem to offer anything you want up to quad glazing. Skaala closer to us is suffolk but don't seem passive certified.
Any suggestions?

Also trying to source quad / mirror glass panes on a glass only option to fit into large 2900 x 2000 aerogel lined frame

Point taken. Apologies
Was not sure what consensus had developed wrt 4-12-4-12-4 timber windows which I am specifying?
The thread had also drifted into upvc v. timber. It was also the only thread that mentioned Skaala which I am specifying.
Thought it was appropriate to try to revive and get some consensus but apologies none the less.

Posted By: fostertomAll the prices are now in on the quote invite that occasioned this thread, and I'll report asap.

Did you make a decision?

@haiydude - Munster would not quote me in Scotland.

I started this thread, promising results of quote-invitation round then happening - but the results were inconclusive and we ended up going uPVC - ugh. I've just sent out another round on a fresh job - will report back. Mainly Alu-clad, but some all-timber.

As Andy hints above, some cos are offering a new breed, intermediate between the great-value 4-12-4-12-4 open-out flush-frame type, and expensive full PH; that is a 'stretched' 4-16-4-16-4 open-out window often with 2 lines of rubber seals instead of just one (a weak point). I have invited alternative quotes. Also asking for matching pressed Al subcills.

Albo Edinburgh have indeed disappeared but googling the .cz site shows a new agent in Devon, who are apparently in business, so I've included them.

The cos I've invited this time are:
ecomerchant.co.uk; uniwin.co.uk; munsterjoinery.co.uk; rawington.com; greensteps.co.uk; russelltimbertech.co.uk; aston@albo.cz

Posted By: fostertomThe cos I've invited this time are:
ecomerchant.co.uk; uniwin.co.uk; munsterjoinery.co.uk; rawington.com; greensteps.co.uk; russelltimbertech.co.uk; aston@albo.cz

A wise to choice to ask so many cos for quotes, good luck with Russell I’m glad that part of our build is over it was the most stressful by far and that’s including PP

Posted By: djhNot looking at the new GBS windows then?

Done! thanks

Posted By: michaelmaguireAfter reading on this forum and in a few others, we saw several window providers and got several quotes. In the end, we put our money down (in June 2012) for Adpol. It wasn't the cheapest quote but neither was it the most expensive.

It's October now. I'd like to tell you how the windows are, but we still haven't received them yet. ;-)

I've written about our experiences with Adpol here:

http://my-experiences-with-adpol-windows.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/why-i-am-creating-this-blog.html" rel="nofollow" >http://my-experiences-with-adpol-windows.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/why-i-am-creating-this-blog.html

in case it's helpful to others.

Just read your blog and really feel for you having earlier this year ordered from Poland. It is always an extra risk factor ordering from overseas and your story demonstrates what extra checks you MUST do before ordering. I would add that not all Polish companies are the same, as ours arrived on time and exceeded our expectations. I wish you the best of luck in resolving this.