Salesmen love to talk.
Argon gas. Warm edge spacers. Thermal breaks. Multi-chamber profiles.
It sounds impressive. But half the time, it’s just noise designed to justify the price.
Cut through the waffle. Ask for one thing.
“What is the U-Value?”
This is the only number that actually tells you if the window is any good.
The Golf Rule
Think of U-Values like a golf score.
The lower the number, the better.
You want the lowest score possible. If a salesman tries to sell you a high number, he is selling you a dud.
Here is the cheat sheet:
5.0 (Single Glazing): Terrible. You might as well have a hole in the wall.
2.8 (Old Double Glazing): Poor. This is what we rip out of 1980s houses.
1.2 (Standard New Window): Good. This is building regs standard.
0.8 (Our Target): Excellent. This is Passive House standard.
Why It Matters
It’s simple physics.
A high number means the heat is passing straight through the glass. You are paying to heat the garden.
A low number (like 0.8) means the heat hits the glass and bounces back into the room.
The “Stutter” Test
Next time you get a quote, ask the guy for the U-Value.
If he answers straight away with “1.2” or “0.8,” he knows his stuff.
If he stutters, or tries to change the subject back to “lovely handles,” walk away. He is hiding something.
Most companies hate talking about this number because their windows aren’t efficient enough. We shout about ours.
Check the Specs
Don’t take our word for it.
Come down to 78 Alma Road. We have the spec sheets right there. Compare the numbers. See exactly what you are getting for your money, or give us a call on 01202 533126.
