UPVC windows?

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jjnz1

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#2385268 5-Jan-2020 08:11

mattwnz:
These PVC windows have apparently been tested with Branz for UV http://homerit.co.nz/why-choose-homerit/branz-appraised/ . It does say that low quality, low UV stable PVC-U profiles may discolor and become brittle in several years’ time. So it pays to check that the UV rating on them.

Would highly recommend their BRANZ endorsed premium brand,

We ordered through these guys, I even took a flight up to Auckland to see their factory. We ordered lots of windows and a 4m sliding stacker, with double glazed Argon glass and we are very happy with insulation and noise (we live next to main trunk train line).

The two best features for me, easy cleaning/maintenance, and no condensation on the frames unlike aluminum.

The outside looks just like our wooden windows, both have a thick white frame. From 10m back they look like our wood windows.

jjnz1

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#2385270 5-Jan-2020 08:14

mattwnz:
timmmay:

Thermally broken frames cost more than without. PVC are meant to be priced between the two aluminium options, but I've never checked that.

I was told thermally broken alum are around 30% more than non thermally broken alum. Although to be honest I don't know why they are that much more as they are exactly the same depth etc as the non thermally broken version. I would expect pricing to drop as more and more people shift to them.. Not sure about PVC pricing, but there don't appear to be as many manufacturers to choose from to compare pricing between PVC manufacturers.

Our houseload of uPVC windows and doors cost quite a bit less than thermally broken Ali. And almost on par with standard Ali fyi.

From memory, a standard non-opening windows with low e glass was about $450+GST. (1400mm wide by 800 high) when we ordered ours 2 years ago.

Dynamic

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#2385278 5-Jan-2020 08:53

We replaced half windows and doors in our 1950's house in Auckland with uPVC from Homerit in September, and couldn't be happier. We'll do the second half in 1-2 years when budget allows. A fellow GZ member was kind enoigh to show us their retrofit,which really sold the Mrs on them. We also took advantage of the change to change the massive lounge window from 8 panes to 5, resulting in a large pane in the centre for an unbroken view (of the road, alas, not a beach).

The frames are a little thicker than the old wooden windows (some were rotting), but the quality, insulation, and accoustics are all brilliant. We went with a tilt and turn in the bathroom and one of the high lounge windows so we could have airflow while out, but the house is still secure. The new front door does have a 'lip' which is a minor annoyance, but you learn to lift your feet. In a new build this could be set lower, I imagine.

I was unaware of the recommendation to spray the mechanism with silicone every couple of eyars, and will add that to my maintenance list. :)

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timmmay

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#2385280 5-Jan-2020 09:29

We went from thick wooden windows with retrofit second plastic pane to PVC. All in all, good, but we've found a couple of things:

More noise gets in. The glass double glazed pane sits on top of spacers, so all that's keeping the noise out is two thin pieces of PVC
The edges that get filled and painted keep cracking. Every year we have to scrape the sealer off a few windows corners, re-seal, prime, and paint. It's pretty annoying. We have a very old wooden house that probably moves a lot, which is great for earthquakes.

rscole86

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#2385284 5-Jan-2020 09:38

jjnz1: Would highly recommend their BRANZ endorsed premium brand,

Can you please clarify what you mean by this? I thought Homerit only had the one brand/product.

We ordered lots of windows and a 4m sliding stacker, with double glazed Argon glass and we are very happy with insulation and noise (we live next to main trunk train line).

Did you go for the Low E Max or Low E Xcel (had a thermal break) also did you go for laminated for them as well? We're thinking of improving the sound properties on the bedroom windows and trying to decide between the choices.

neb

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#2385402 5-Jan-2020 15:49

Thanks for all the reccos! Looks like we'll go with Warm Windows.

Jase2985

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#2385406 5-Jan-2020 16:02

timmmay:

We went from thick wooden windows with retrofit second plastic pane to PVC. All in all, good, but we've found a couple of things:

More noise gets in. The glass double glazed pane sits on top of spacers, so all that's keeping the noise out is two thin pieces of PVC
The edges that get filled and painted keep cracking. Every year we have to scrape the sealer off a few windows corners, re-seal, prime, and paint. It's pretty annoying. We have a very old wooden house that probably moves a lot, which is great for earthquakes.

i think you might have just gotten poor preforming/made UPVC ones.

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timmmay

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#2385572 5-Jan-2020 19:11

Jase2985:

i think you might have just gotten poor preforming/made UPVC ones.

Done by ThermalFrame in Lower Hutt, who have a good reputation. I don't know why the window pane sits on a plastic spacer, maybe the old house isn't level, but it must impact noise transmission.

The old windows though, inch thick wood around, with glass and a 3mm plastic sheet, was great for noise insulation.

jjnz1

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#2385618 5-Jan-2020 22:27

@rscole86

When I visited them in AKL, and we purchased a house load from them they had two ranges.

One was their top premium range, German hinges and locks and uPVC imported from Europe - this was BRANZ appraised.

The other one was not BRANZ appraised, didn't offer German hinges locks etc, but was cheaper. Not sure where they imported this uPVC from though. We didn't go for this.

Re:glass, good question, we went for the Metro Argon double glazed safety glass. Stops UV light too apparently, from memory was 80 percent transparent, but we don't notice it at all. Just looked at the invoice, was Low E Xcel.

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