Rationel Window Failed sealed unit

[dnoble]

One of my triple glazed Aura plus windows appears to have failed. Condensation and water pooling within one of the spaces

The distributer I bought them through 7 years ago appears not to exist anymore.

Rationel have agreed to replace and supply an engineer but want me to pay for scaffolding etc

Where do I stand here legally. 

Natural justice suggests they should pay all the costs of making it right if fit fails within warranty  or a reasonably short length of time (for an expensive window!)

What do people think?

[marshian]

Your contract was with the installer - I'd say the manufacturer was being rather reasonable (unless they warranty the windows for longer).

[Alan Ambrose]

Yeah ditto.

[Nick A]

Have to say I agree with Alan & Marshian that if Dovista are prepared to replace outside their (5 year?) warranty, I’d accept their offer. Unfortunately, from personal experience I can say that Rationel durability is poor. We spent £20k+ on 17 Rationel AuraPlus Windows and Doors for our new home in the Western Isles and within 3 years we’ve had 3 quality issues, that’s an 18% failure rate. The distributor has been good but Dovista, the supplier has been unhelpful and reviews on Google and Trustpilot show that we are not alone. 

Edited March 29 by Nick A
My error!

[DownSouth]

@Nick A were any if your issues related to the internal pane edges? One of ours has failed just 4 months in, but we don’t know the cause. Two other Rationel aluclad windows have leaked around the seals since installation. Another issue has been the paint on the interior (wood) which has been badly affected by low tack tape. When I called Rationel to ask how to protect them they said they can’t advise on this. 

Edited March 29 by DownSouth

[Gus Potter]

On 27/02/2025 at 16:20, dnoble said:

One of my triple glazed Aura plus windows appears to have failed. Condensation and water pooling within one of the spaces

The distributer I bought them through 7 years ago appears not to exist anymore.

Rationel have agreed to replace and supply an engineer but want me to pay for scaffolding etc

Where do I stand here legally. 

Natural justice suggests they should pay all the costs of making it right if fit fails within warranty  or a reasonably short length of time (for an expensive window!)

What do people think?

Hello all.

 

For my sins I was briefly a director in a double glazing company in my early 20's. I'm now 60. I was a daft lad back then with lots to learn. .  I think that comes out when you do a director search on me on companies house! So in that context.. I write the following..  as I'm a bit of a poacher come game keeper.

 

I work with some good glazing providers. Now we know that BC et al  are getting totally anal about this environmental stuff and they have no clue as to the cost off that.

 

Three or so years ago I spent some 20k on getting some sliding doors., windows and a roof lantern in my own house. I did my own SE/ Architectural and U value calcs.. as it is my day job.

 

Now I know these suppliers so we share information. The latest wheese is that gas filled units are good for 7 years and the frames for 10.

 

"Rational have agreed to replace and supply an engineer but want me to pay for scaffolding etc"

 

That seems like a good offer. Don't push your luck .. there is often no natural justice in the building game!

 

Look at the other side of the coin.. say Rational engaged me to evalutate your build.. I might find enough evidence to suggest that your build may have contributed to the faIlure, so now you get nothing.

 

Recommendation is to accept thier offer if you are of pragmatic mind.

 

OR you can go full pelters.. but you'll need to have at least 10- 15 k in the bank for my fees to try and fight what looks like to me like a lost cause. I would not even take you on as a Client as I don't do ambulance chasing.