I can email you the pdf unless I can upload it?

Currently awaiting pricing from:

Nordan
Velfac
a few different SMART systems suppliers


The Senior Architectural systems supplier said the smallest they can do in 2G is 28mm (4-20-4) and their 3G they can price in (4-16-4-16-4)

I think we will go for a self install due to mounting in EWI envelope and I can ensure a bit more detail is spent on the fitment (and for my own enjoyment and satisfaction)

The question - Powder coating in RAL9005 (black) on a South facing elevation - will it fade?

Doesn't surprise me Tom I won't be whispering anything truly private on here, that's for sure.

As I said above:

Posted By: fostertomAlso to say that despite previous alerts about 16 being optimum gap, I generally do settle for 12 gap 3G, both with Russell's super-value range (they charge premium for basically the same window but 'PH grade' with 16 gap and double seals) and with Vrogum (with all-opening lights - I have no need of their fixed lights with 8 gap). Even with 12 gap 3G, at U1.1 they beat any aluminium window at U1.4 unless you spend more on exotic fill gas.

That's the answer to 'why settle for ...' - for value for money with Russell, or for best-available traditional-style performance, with Vrogum. And

Posted By: fostertomAlternative to 12 gap 3G, 16 gap 2G is prob almost as good, so I'll be doing that in future, for minimised embodied carbon, with either Russell or Vrogum.

(note 16 gap, not sure about 20) confirms your last sentence. This is quite a climb-down from my 20yr (?) insistence on 3G, thanks to new insight in e.g. https://islandpress.org/books/build-beyond-zero#desc .

Hi Victorianeco. You started this thread by mentioning Ali Vu windows. These are slimline frames with sight lines of 39mm fixed and 66mm casement. They are claimed to have a whole window U-value of 1.4 double glazed and 1.0 treble glazed based on CEN sized windows at 1230mm x 1480mm. If you want a slimline aesthetic, or have small windows and want to maximise daylight then these are a leading contender. However if you do not have these requirements then they make no eco sense because many chunkier frames are better insulated.

The 28mm Triple Glazing (4-8-4-8-4) glazing you mention makes no sense unless you are constrained for window thickness and are opting for the most expensive Xenon gas, but the frames you mention can all accommodate 44mm (4-16-4-16-4) glazing using argon gas. There is a good explanation of glazing gaps and gasses on the Saint-Gobain website here: https://www.saint-gobain-glass.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Solar-Thermal-1E-Thermal-Insulation-19-09-2018.pdf

I'm still waiting on final prices to get back to me.

Rationel - too expensive

So we have so far:

SMART 400
Senior Ali-Vu
Nordan
Allan Brothers
Vrogum (timber only)

Need to ensure all are 'like for like' pricing then I will look to specify

Thanks

The wife needs to finalise the colour