Need help with double glazing, UPVC windows

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Kaleen Bhaiya

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My window wall length is around 2 metres which is currently occupied with a 3 independent sliding windows. I want to fit a new double-glazed window/sliding window. Can anyone tell me how effective are double-glazed windows? Also, which solution would be better, sliding windows or inward/outward opening doors? I live in Mumbai. If anyone can provide me with the contact details of a dealer with whom they had good experience it would be very helpful.
I did go through this thread http://www.techenclave.com/communit...ith-so-much-noise-around.121094/#post-1497970 and it helped me clear some doubts.
 
My window wall length is around 2 metres which is currently occupied with a 3 independent sliding windows. I want to fit a new double-glazed window/sliding window. Can anyone tell me how effective are double-glazed windows? Also, which solution would be better, sliding windows or inward/outward opening doors? I live in Mumbai. If anyone can provide me with the contact details of a dealer with whom they had good experience it would be very helpful.
I did go through this thread http://www.techenclave.com/communit...ith-so-much-noise-around.121094/#post-1497970 and it helped me clear some doubts.
Anyone!! I am sure there are some who might have tried to soundproof the room,houses given the level of noise pollution in our country.
 
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Casement type are far better at soundproofing than sliding. I got Rehau for my hospital. Half the price of Fenesta, and as good quality. Fenesta dealer was a presumptuous asshole too.
 
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You also have the option of getting it in aluminium...

http://www.eterniawindows.com/
I currently have a cheap aluminium 3 track 3 window sliding pane which, it seems, has lot of gaps and I can easily hear the whistling of the winds when they are strong. I live nearby creek so strong winds depending on time of the day are common. My current window system does lead to seepage of water during monsoon, not to mention they being corrosion prone. The windows are situated along the west side which leads to rise in room temperatures during afternoon/late afternoon. Does the aluminium solution you suggested provide protection against all of these?

Casement type are far better at soundproofing than sliding. I got Rehau for my hospital. Half the price of Fenesta, and as good quality. Fenesta dealer was a presumptuous asshole too.
I had almost singled out Fenesta since Aparna ain't available in Mumbai until I read your post. Fenesta website explained me almost everything and was content with their solutions. By ***hole did you meant he was inflexible during price negotiation, arrogant?

The above queries are for everyone. Any other service provider offering similar solutions to Fenesta given the range of issues faced.
 
These are prefab hence must be better than cheap aluminium out there...

I've personally experienced uPVC window in a Hotel & they were pretty good... Though I don't have any experience with Eternia but suggested only as an option since its from Birla so quality would be better than local alternatives...

Aluminium is resistant to corrosion & if painted upon, but if you are in a high rise then uPVC would be a better alternative as well... Aluminium gives a sense of security... Not foolproof though...

Evaluate & then only make a decision... :)

Also can you find out if you can use existing window grill with them or do you have to discard those grills...
 
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Are there any provisions to setup mosquito nets? Besides, my current sliding windows have sun film coating to prevent excessive sun glare and provide privacy as well. Are there any provisions to do the same with the UPSV windows?
TIA
 
^^ if your uPVC windows don't have any factory-applied coating then yes, you can 'stick' an aftermarket sun/heat reflecting film on it. and you can install a mosquito net on a separate channel.
 
^^ if your uPVC windows don't have any factory-applied coating then yes, you can 'stick' an aftermarket sun/heat reflecting film on it. and you can install a mosquito net on a separate channel.
I intend to shift from 3-track sliding(which already has a seperate mosquito net frame on a separate channel as you mentioned) to a casement type since I feel it would provide better insulation from air gaps. Any suggestion for mosquito nets for the same?
 
^^ yes. for casement windows all you need is a double-frame. your glass/uPVC windows will be on the outer frame (will open outwards) and mosquito mesh windows on the inner frame. you'll need to open the mesh window inwards in order to operate the glass/uPVC windows. this kind of set up is very common in northern india.

here, older homes have the mosquito mesh installed on the outside frame on a permanent basis (unmovable). glass windows open inside the house and therefore take up extra space, whenever left open. i like sliding windows because one can place any kind of furniture in front of it without obstructing the window operation. casement windows need extra space and they take little extra time to operate. just as an example, today evening we had a dust storm for 15 minutes and by the time i could close all the "casement" windows, the storm subsided and my house was full of dust. sliding windows, on the other hand, would've taken few seconds to close.
 
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^^ yes. for casement windows all you need is a double-frame. your glass/uPVC windows will be on the outer frame (will open outwards) and mosquito mesh windows on the inner frame. you'll need to open the mesh window inwards in order to operate the glass/uPVC windows. this kind of set up is very common in northern india.

here, older homes have the mosquito mesh installed on the outside frame on a permanent basis (unmovable). glass windows open inside the house and therefore take up extra space, whenever left open. i like sliding windows because one can place any kind of furniture in front of it without obstructing the window operation. casement windows need extra space and they take little extra time to operate. just as an example, today evening we had a dust storm for 15 minutes and by the time i could close all the "casement" windows, the storm subsided and my house was full of dust. sliding windows, on the other hand, would've taken few seconds to close.
It seems there are two people suggesting casement, I am considering your opinion neutral since you suggested both. Did you have any personal experience with uPVC sliding windows? The reason for me being a lil hesitant is that I already have sliding ones and it does its job for the price. But I don't know how the uPVC windows in sliding ones would fare or perform. I am looking at long-term prospect so the problems faced with my current arrangement makes me little hesitant to go for the same solution. I hope you get my case.
 
Have seen sliding uPVC.... Only major problem I found is that it must be harder to clean those channels...

Also can you find out if older grill can be used in a new uPVC setup...
 
Have seen sliding uPVC.... Only major problem I found is that it must be harder to clean those channels...

Also can you find out if older grill can be used in a new uPVC setup...
How was your experience? Did the windows fit tightly after closing or were there any gaps?

I suppose its a common issue with cleaning the channels. I tried to clean mine using Vacuum cleaner, couldn't get better results, dropped the idea to clean it :p
As far as my knowledge goes, I think it would be better to go with an entirely new channel and the window frame as trying to fit the new frame into the old channel would leave gaps thereby allowing the air to flow freely, including corrosion defeating the purpose of the uPVC windows to provide noise, weather insulation. Still I would enquire about the same but it would take time since I am currently in New Delhi, would be going to Bombay in August.
Btw, when you said old grill, did you mean old grill of casement or sliding one?
 
It seems there are two people suggesting casement, I am considering your opinion neutral since you suggested both. Did you have any personal experience with uPVC sliding windows?...

For noise treatment, I consider all pre-fab window types to perform the same. Whether you need casement or sliding windows, that depends on your taste and design of the house. I like sliding windows for their ease of use. If you don't have any experience with casement windows + mosquito net then you should see them first at some shop or house before installing one for your house. You'll need to temporarily open one part of the window inside and you need clearance for that.

BUT if you keep your windows open for ventilation then how it's going to help you in blocking the noise? Or you'll use them occasionally?

The main advantage of uPVC doors and windows is their low maintenance. Rest of their features can be matched by high quality aluminium or wooden windows.

I've used double glazed gas filled uPVC windows and they are good for weather protection. If they are open then you can expect no noise protection. Here, casement windows have an advantage: you have an option to choose the direction to let the noise in ;-) e.g., left side of my house is more noisy, so I keep the left pane of the casement window open to block/deflect some noise. Opening the right side would reflect more noise inside.

You can expect good weather and sound insulation only from pre-built windows made by good manufacturers. Most probably, you'll have to go with a standard size.

You can also consider and combination of fixed and movable portions. This setup will be easier to manage:
uPVC.png
 
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How was your experience? Did the windows fit tightly after closing or were there any gaps?

I suppose its a common issue with cleaning the channels. I tried to clean mine using Vacuum cleaner, couldn't get better results, dropped the idea to clean it :p
As far as my knowledge goes, I think it would be better to go with an entirely new channel and the window frame as trying to fit the new frame into the old channel would leave gaps thereby allowing the air to flow freely, including corrosion defeating the purpose of the uPVC windows to provide noise, weather insulation. Still I would enquire about the same but it would take time since I am currently in New Delhi, would be going to Bombay in August.
Btw, when you said old grill, did you mean old grill of casement or sliding one?

I had experienced the sliding ones... Good noise insulation... But dirt trapped in the slide mechanism... Though they would be perfect in a smaller room where space constrains would hinder opening in a casement type (personal opinion)...

As for grill, I meant old grill from my existing windows.. I've one of those designer grill & it would be hard for me to get rid of them..
 
I had experienced the sliding ones... Good noise insulation... But dirt trapped in the slide mechanism... Though they would be perfect in a smaller room where space constrains would hinder opening in a casement type (personal opinion)...

As for grill, I meant old grill from my existing windows.. I've one of those designer grill & it would be hard for me to get rid of them..
I think it should be possible. Can you share a snap of your grilled window? This would help me explain your situation better to the concerned person. Btw, are we talking about sliding windows or casement ones?
 
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