Slightly blue coloured tint to the glass
To ensure that our windows keep your home as warm as possible and achieve an A-rating we take additional measures in making them energy efficient. The glass we use has a special coating on to reflect heat back into the room whilst also letting in free heat from the sun. This coating helps to improve your homes energy efficiency and can help to reduce your energy bills. The coating is very fine but it may cause you to notice a very slight blue haze or tint in certain lights. As with all glass, there is potential for your double glazing to display 'haze' at certain times throughout the year, particularly when the sun is out and shining directly on your windows. This is completely normal and will never cause damage or lower the permanent visual quality of the glass.
Windows and doors sticking in warm weather
As with the majority of materials, uPVC expands and contracts slightly in more intense weather conditions. You may find that in extreme warm and cold weather your windows and doors are becoming stiff and not opening and closing properly. uPVC is known to expand in the heat; at 40°C it is possible for uPVC frames to expand by up to 2.4cm. This is a perfectly natural element of the material and absolutely nothing to be concerned about but it can cause temporary problems and difficulty with opening your windows and doors.
When the temperature cools you should find that your windows and doors return back to normal and no permanent damage will be caused. Unfortunately there is not much that can be done except to wait for the uPVC to cool. However if the swelling does become too extreme you can always try to spray it with cold water or use a cold, damp cloth to pat it down. This should help to cool the plastic and allow it to return back to a normal temperature quicker. We advise that you never attempt to heat up the uPVC if it is very cold as in extreme cases this may cause it to crack.
Natural oxidisation of leaded windows
Any decorative glazing we manufacture will usually use leading to complete the design. We hand finish our glass so you have the option to add a range of lead designs to really customize your glazing. As with any natural lead product the lead on the windows and doors will be subject to a process called oxidation when it is first exposed to the outside environment. Some people may be concerned at the changes that occur but please be aware that this is perfectly normal and will eventually settle.
We use pure lead to provide a superior performance and longevity. Please note that it is a natural process of lead to undergo the oxidation chemical reaction when it is first exposed to the atmosphere. The lead surface gradually oxidizes to form a natural protective film called patina and eventually produces the familiar grey colour lead it known for. During the initial months after the installation the lead can be expected to appear various colours such as blue, bronze, gold and green.
Also when the lead first comes into contact with moisture (rain, water or condensation) it can result in a temporary discolouration, spotting and the appearance of white powdery deposits which will be basic lead carbonate. Please note that these affects are only temporary and they will disappear once the lead has gone through the oxidation process. The time required to complete the oxidation process will vary depending on the purity of the lead, it's location, the time of year and weather conditions. You do not need to do anything and the affects do not mean there is a fault with your leaded windows, the process will occur naturally and then return to the expected colour.
Why is the inside pane of my double glazing so cold?
If the inside pane of your double glazing feels cold it is actually a very good sign that your windows are working correctly to keep your home warm. The reason the glass is cold to touch is because glass is actually an insulator and will not allow heat to transfer through it easily. The double glazing unit has been specifically design to trap in the cold air and keep warmth inside the room. Argon gas is also injected into the space between the two double glazing panes to provide the optimum level of heat efficiency. So there is no need to worry if your double glazing is cold to touch it means it is helping to trap the heat within your home and keep the cold air out.