I know this has been discussed in the past, but I wanted to ask if anyone had recently investigated sourcing triple glazed aluminium or aluminium timber clad windows from Europe. We are currently lined up for a mixture of Velfac / Norskken, but the 50k spend and the recent "Oh, the price has increased emails" is now getting me thinking whether to have another shop around attempt.

I think I answered on your previous thread, but have a look at Allan Bros' Alu Clad offering (made in Denmark).https://www.allanbrothers.co.uk/ab-product/alu-clad-timber-windows/

I probably mentioned that I got a long way towards an order only to find that they had given me the lead time for their UK-produced timber windows, which was about half the wait time for the alu-clad at the time. Had I not been in a rush I would not have minded. It's worth double-checking, though, that they are quoting the lead time for the right range.

Would check your tax liability when you import, will need to VAT and import duty, not sure of the rates, may not be as cheap as you think

What johnmo said.

Its cost of windows, plus duty (not sure of rate) cost of shipping plus the same duty rate. Add up the windows, duty, shipping, duty, then add vat to cumalative total. Plus pay an agent to clear it through customs for you. ( careful with finding an agent, plenty preying on the gullible)

Plus anything gets brokrn or damaged, thats your problem.

Dont let me put you off. Beeen importing product for years, but never glass!

@flanagaj dropped you a message, I may be able to help.

we have Unilux, although they were included as part of our build via our main contractor. I did get prices from Norskken and IdealCombi, but our guys do some volume with Unilux so they were comfortably the best price.

Quality seems very good, and the reps are responsive.

Has anyone come across https://www.sparwindows.co.uk/
AI suggested them as an alternative to Velfac and Norrsken. When I put the dimensions in for a 2.2m * 2.1m 4 panel guided casement with exactly the same spec as Velfac, it comes in considerably cheaper.

Velfac quote (Plus VAT)


Sparwindows (inc VAT)


That's basically a £1000 cheaper for one window.

Interested to hear if anyone has any experience of this company.

Given the global economic uncertainty and the fact the building industry looks like it is slowing up. The price rise emails I keep receiving from suppliers is an interesting one.

Is the glass the same on both? I see they are both rated at roughly the same u value. But the velfac mentions it's solar glass. I thought that was normally a fair uplift, so maybe not comparing like for like?

Same concern occurs about other details of the quote. Velfac mentions lots of details that might or might not be included with Spar. Get those wrong on the order and fixing it later is gonna add up fast.

You probably wont thank me for the suggestion, but if you were to block up the lower half of these windows, it would reduce the cost considerably, increase the options for furniture placement, reduce overheating and improve privacy. The extra section of wall that replaces it will have better u values and airtightness.

14 hours ago, flanagaj said:

Has anyone come across https://www.sparwindows.co.uk/
AI suggested them as an alternative to Velfac and Norrsken. When I put the dimensions in for a 2.2m * 2.1m 4 panel guided casement with exactly the same spec as Velfac, it comes in considerably cheaper.

Velfac quote (Plus VAT)


Sparwindows (inc VAT)


That's basically a £1000 cheaper for one window.

Interested to hear if anyone has any experience of this company.

Given the global economic uncertainty and the fact the building industry looks like it is slowing up. The price rise emails I keep receiving from suppliers is an interesting one.

The traditional price is marked up and not the true cost, the web price is near reality. They’re also not showing spec of glass etc, I’d be wanting to know exact specifications for a true comparison.

The windows are from Jab group owned by Inwido.

Edited 16 hours ago16 hr by craig

19 hours ago, Mr Punter said:

You probably wont thank me for the suggestion, but if you were to block up the lower half of these windows, it would reduce the cost considerably, increase the options for furniture placement, reduce overheating and improve privacy. The extra section of wall that replaces it will have better u values and airtightness.

Couldn't agree more. We have some lovely floor to ceiling windows in our kitchen diner that make it impossible to position furniture without partly blocking them. We'd have had a far better result if they started roughly the height of a sofa above the floor. It would also have looked neater outside not seeing the back of furniture.

The glass spec is the same, eg solar control and laminated. The screenshot image just does not show it.

The idea of having the bottom part of the window blanked off is interesting, but I think it will detract too much from what we are trying to achieve.

5 hours ago, jack said:

Couldn't agree more. We have some lovely floor to ceiling windows in our kitchen diner that make it impossible to position furniture without partly blocking them. We'd have had a far better result if they started roughly the height of a sofa above the floor. It would also have looked neater outside not seeing the back of furniture.

Hmm food for thought. In our new place we are planning 2 sets of patio doors. But the we are quite limited on layout anyway so its pretty much a given where the furniture will go in kitchen diner.