If you have decided to install wooden windows, take the
following advice into consideration.
A mediator firm is unlikely to have manufacture license. But the license for installation
of wooden constructions and products is necessary and compulsory. In some cases the qualification of the firm’s workers may
be not as high and this is sure to have a negative effect on your windows. They will get misted, damp and rot. The casements
won’t close tight or won’t close at all. In most cases the reconstruction is impossible, but if it can be done it will
cost half the windows’ price.None of the mediator firms can fulfil its obligations in full scale: dispatcher – coordinator
– manufacturer chain is too long. The elimination of any defect will amount to 20-30 days.
With the beginning of cold season the number of complaints of wooden
windows quality overflows Moscow Consumer Union. Here are experts’ conclusions after examining the typical complaints (the firms are not mentioned):
1. Window blocks and balcony door have not been fastened to the walls by anchor bolts or any other support;
2. Filling of the joint between the window block and the wall was of low quality, required heat protection of joints
had not been achieved, which caused cracks on the slopes;
3. Some window blocks miss plastic plugs from outer side, holes for plugs are covered with plaster... Balcony door locks
do not work. Locks, used only for inside doors, have been installed into the balcony door.
4. The installed window blocks have different size from aperture of the windows (125 mm narrower and 30 mm shorter), which
means that serious mistake was made when making measurements.
5. The hermetic sealing of the double glass pane had been broken, as a result water condensate appears on the inner surface
of window panes and flows down the windowsill and casing. Sealing seatings do not adjoin the profile tightly and the water
gets inside.
| Examples of inexpert installation: |
| Inexpert installation spoils the windows irreparably. |
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Inexpert installation: protective film
hasn’t been glued, the solution
damaged the
paint. | Inexpert installation: the window glass pane has split. | |
The firm must produce the certificate and the record of
wooden windows’ testing, which is also required.
Take care:
- the minimum amount of orders, which lets the firm work, is 100-150 sq.m. a month. If you are the
first client in two weeks just stop and think it over;
- look about the office. In a reliable firm you are sure to see
the table of orders, information table, succession of installations and so on. Good organization of work shows the firm’s
stability;
- accessories. The firm should not buy all possible windowsills and
climate-boxes, but you must have an opportunity to see their wide range;
- photos of the objects, , videotapes,
book of comments. What is the firm’s “window history”?
- can you visit the manufacture? It’s a stumbling block for
mediator firms and shady cliques. Serious company is sure to grasp at the opportunity – the client, who visited the
manufacture, is very likely to become a customer. Unreliable firm will start mumbling about reorganization, temporary
reconstruction, remote regions.
- the trademark is the name of the
windows. “Wooden windows are sold under a trade mark. Every wooden window must have its name!” – says the famous wood
specialist, “Shteinbock” general director, Dr Jurgen Brausevetter. Besides, the trade mark patent can’t be bought (even in
Russia). It only can be got after a long, expensive and difficult procedure.
I see. But how can I differ a low
quality window from a high quality one? Low quality wooden windows are not made by mediator firms, are they?
First of all, the wood.
Wooden pitch can’t be used for window beam manufacture. Of
course you can’t saw up a complete wooden window, but a reliable firm must produce wood
in any aspect: from beam to unpainted wooden windows. If you don’t have an opportunity to see the angle or to
visit the manufacture, be on your guard. Wooden pitch in a wooden window is a delayed-action bomb. It’s easy to differ the
wooden pitch: look for growth rings.
Knots and tar pockets in the beam are not allowed. Angar pine, which is
used for window beam manufacture, is different from usual pine: it’s firmer and growth rings are situated near each other.
Secondly, the quality of processing.
It’s quite easy: either you like it or not. The surface must be even, silky, no paint stains must be seen, glazing
bead must be tight. Reliable firm usually states in the agreement, that the quality of complete products corresponds to the
exhibited samples
(it’s a German rule).
Dangerous and intolerable defects:
- glazing bead, nailed to the casement;
- unprocessed rusts (joints of vertical and horizontal parts of casement);
- sealing agent, which gets out of the grooves;
- low quality sealing agent is oily and sparkling;
- fake accessories don’t have a trademark. Open the casement: if the locks are of uneven color or have stains –
stop! Such locks may crack and the casement will tumble inside.
Objectionable defects:
- the beam width less than 78mm (freezes through at low temperature);
- the width of double glass pane less than 26 mm;
- common accessories (only specially made accessories can suit Russian climate);
- use of cheap paints. High quality window painting is possible, when Glazurit, Remmers, Zowosan,
Sikkens paints are used;
- windows from southern regions of Russia. Southern manufactures economize on the beam and use cheaper wood and
accessories.
“D.O.M.” Windows have 3 years’ warranty
period. No other Russian firm can offer such long warranty period. But after the warranty period has run out, you are not
left to yourself: we guarantee permanent service.
Some people ask: “What will happen to wooden windows in 3 years? What if they fall apart and the paint peel off?” Of course
not. If the wooden window has some manufacture defects they will become apparent in the first year, in the periods of
winter-spring and summer-autumn.
The other frequent question is about guarantees: “You say that you
have been manufacturing wooden windows for several years. How do your first wooden windows look?”
As our company is private client oriented, it would be incorrect to
give the addresses of apartments and houses to “appreciate the quality of the windows”. That’s why we suggest you coming
to: Novodevitchi proezd, 4. Picturesque restaurant “At Pirosmani’s” has an outside porch glazed by “D.O.M. Company”. In
2003 these windows will outlive the 8th winter. You don’t have to enter the restaurant to see that all these years haven’t
left any significant damage on the surface of the wooden windows. And if Georgian food is not to your taste you may travel to
Studencheskaya st., 19/1, where “Fat Mo” restaurant is situated. It was decorated in the style of America of the 30-ies and
our wooden windows were made in quite a different style. They were installed several years ago.
As a rule, the windows don’t need any additional care but oiling
and regulating the hinges. Any home equipment may be set as an example (including cars). If you don’t find any faults during
the warranty period it works for a long time and needs minimum care. We do not insist: “Our wooden windows are ideal, you’ll
have no problems.” We only insist: “Our wooden windows are of high quality. You can always phone us and we’ll solve all the
problems, might they occur.”
If you are building a house your life is full of troubles and concerns. Unwillingly you have to become a
specialist in building field, handle problems with socle and stud, quality of roofing and sewerage system and so on.
Wooden windows are one of the worries. What can happen to them in frosty weather (the climate in the country is more severe
than in Moscow); how will the shrinkage effect the wooden windows; what kind of care will they need in a few years? If two
windows do not close tightly it’s a problem, then what can be said of twenty two, thirty two, forty two?.. Anyway, be sure
that your wooden windows are our concern. That is why we offer special kind of service to cottage owners.
We carry out monitoring of wooden windows state, make photos and anonymously place them in our site, and you
have permanent service (with no time limit). We get valuable information about the conduct of different types of wooden
windows in different conditions, in houses that differ from one another, and you get free permanent service.
Any of us has found himself in a situation when a purchase, which
looked so appealing, suddenly stops working right, the warranty period is over and any calls to the seller seem useless. To
prevent this kind of trouble, we offer these special conditions.
