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FAQ: The abbreviation FENSA stands for FENESTRATION - SELF ASSESSMENT. The uk dictionary definition of the word fenestral or fenestrate is " belonging to or like a window" The word fenestration is "the arrangement of windows in a building". FENSA is used by double glazing uk trade companies to certify that their replacement windows and doors installed comply with Building Regulations Document L (and more), actually checking av. 1% of all replacement windows installations. Did You Know?
This is a long page and in three parts A) B) and C). A) To start with - what 'make' are your windows/doors, and who actually 'makes' them: Lengths of profile to make windows/doors out of is extruded in a number of shapes to make up a 'system'. System suppliers then supply the suite of extrusions to window and door manufacturers, who cut up the lengths of profile, weld them up and fit the locks etc., that make them into windows/doors. Therefore manufacturers who 'make' their own windows are in fact mostly just 'fabricators' of a system that they buy in. That means that you could easily have two competitors quote you, both of whom 'make' their own windows, offering you exactly the same window/door system, not different 'makes' at all really! Ten years ago there were something like 90 odd systems suppliers around, today through mergers, acquisitions and some gone bust, there are around 30. This is becoming more of a game for the biggest players only, and in five years time it is reckoned that the number of system suppliers will be down to about 12, and 'branding' by the few left will become more important as they will all want, as far as possible, to become household names. A world shortage of polymer is also 'sorting the men out from the boys' and significant price increases can be expected across our industry in the not too distant. Likewise, a great many small fabricators are getting out of manufacturing as they cannot compete on either economy of scale or accuracy against the 'super fabricators', who make thousands of windows/doors a week as part of the supply chain for the trade only. B) The pages below cover the many and varied house building styles through the decades of the 20th century, with the focus being on the windows and doors of the era, and suitable replacements. Each of the eight pages starts with an individual insight entitled "An understanding of the times" and all will be illustrated with a lot of photos I have taken myself. Half the total housing stock in this country was built after 1945, which is the prime mass market for replacement window and doors, and a large part of this has now already been done. A further quarter of the housing stock was built between the wars, which is rapidly having all of it's windows and doors replaced as well. Much of the remaining quarter, older pre - 1914 housing stock is available to be replaced, but is much less amenable to a mass-market approach as the original character and style of these properties is being retained in an 'untarnished' a state as possible. This last quarter of the housing stock is fast becoming a target for the replacement window industry with the recent introduction of 'reproduction' sliding sash windows and other look-alikes, all nicely double glazed, and made with PVC-U framework. I am often asked "what would your own 'must have shopping list' be for buying new double glazing". See it here. IT IS AMAZING HOW BUILDING STYLES (AND WINDOWS/DOORS) HAVE CHANGED! The decades, then and now - a journey through the ages:
Edwardian/Victorian - Pre First World War Late 1920's/Late 1930's - Pre Second World War Post War - 1940's through 1950's C) Read up about: Dummy Sashes / Equal Sight Lines Arched top, circular, and unusual shaped windows and doors All about hardwood and softwood, and wooden windows. Not STILL making steel windows are they - and double glazed as well? |
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