Choosing Windows!

[Stable3]

I’m looking for help again please! Does anyone have any experience of:

 

Residence R9

Timberlook

Rehau Rio

 

Originally I was looking at alu clad and had almost decided on Rationel when our builder (also a friend) said he could get upvc wood effect windows. The price difference can’t be ignored as he gets them trade price.  We’ve seen the R9 at Swindon and were surprised that we actually preferred them (to look at and operate) to Rationel.

 

As usual I’m currently hyper focused on this decision and am struggling to make one and move on! 
 

I really wanted pebble grey outside and white wood grain inside. Residence charge an extra £1700 for that colour so would have to go with Painswick which is similar but wouldn’t be my first choice.

 

Rehau apparently can do pebble grey outside but can’t do wood grain foil inside so insides would look like normal upvc which I’m not keen on.

 

No perfect answer but any opinions or experience gratefully received!! 
 

[JohnMo]

  On 07/03/2025 at 08:00, Stable3 said:

said he could get upvc wood effect windows

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I had the same discussion, myself and wife went to a big showroom with many different windows, wife commented after about 5 mins, plastic does look rubbish, think again. We went hardwood painted, grey outside, white inside, made by a local company.

 

See them, feel them, then make a call. My opinion and anyone else's are just our opinions, you are paying and so you should choose.

 

Most important is U_w this is the whole window U value, many window companies will give you U_g which is just the glass. Also discuss how the window is installed, do they use airtight expanding foam etc around the opening to seal and get rid of the thermal bridge.

[Stable3]

  On 07/03/2025 at 08:17, JohnMo said:

We went hardwood painted, grey outside, white inside, made by a local company 

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Thank you for your reply, I would love this but my husband is very anti maintenance! Plus he thinks they expand/contract, get stuck etc. 

 

How have you found them so far? 

[JohnMo]

  On 07/03/2025 at 08:29, Stable3 said:

Thank you for your reply, I would love this but my husband is very anti maintenance! Plus he thinks they expand/contract, get stuck etc. 

 

How have you found them so far? 

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No they do not stick, they are also well sealed. My bigger windows are around 2.5m high so not small. A well design window will have no issues.

 

Our last house was built in 1820ish and many of the windows were the original ones. Obviously they were wood. So 200 years old, uPVC has a 10 to 30 year life span - depending on maintenance and quality.

[Nick A]

Hi - 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. We still have about a year of guarantee and then we are on our own, so expecting some hefty repair bills.

The distributor has been good but Dovista, the supplier has been unhelpful. Have a look at Google and Trustpilot reviews. I would very strongly caution against buying Rationel. They look good but my experience is there is dodgy quality. 
 

[Stable3]

  On 29/03/2025 at 09:27, Nick A said:

Hi - 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. We still have about a year of guarantee and then we are on our own, so expecting some hefty repair bills.

The distributor has been good but Dovista, the supplier has been unhelpful. Have a look at Google and Trustpilot reviews. I would very strongly caution against buying Rationel. They look good but my experience is there is dodgy quality. 
 

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Thanks for your reply Nick always good to hear real life experience 

[Thorfun]

Norrsken Alu-clad. Zero maintenance, great windows and excellent service. 
 

you get what you pay for!

 

good luck.