19 replies to this topic

[Nev]

Based on the remarkable success of FLD's postal farce thread I thought I'd throw this one up in the air, as someone might have some useful info:

 

I have an existing double glassed patio door, installed new 3 years ago. Yesterday I was in my study and my girlfriend came running in from the garden to say the door had shattered into 1000 pieces. It is the inside pannel of the door (the outside one is fine). I can see that the glass has failed from a central point about 4 inches up from the bottom corner.

 

The door has not been hit by us, so the shattering was completely spontaneous without any obvious/direct human cause. My guess is either repeated thermal stress or some ding in the glass from transporting it to site caused the problem.

 

Even though the doors are warranteed for 5 years the company that supplied them is trying to wriggle out of the wranttee with "you may have hit it and caused it".

 

What can I do? Do I have a leg to stand on?

 

Thx in advance.

Edited by Nev, 20 April 2017 - 09:43 AM.

[Stevie Dubyah]

Try citizen's advice.

 

We had the same issue (exactly) a few year's back. I recall we used a template letter giving them a set time to respond and informing them we'd get an independent engineer's report (naming the company to give them time to object) and we'd be taking to small claims.

 

The company sent round a thuggy type but eventually folded, fitting the new panel a few weeks later.

 

Then they sent me an abusive note accusing me of bullying them.

 

It has to be done correctly from the start, if you are going to end up in small claims.

 

That's why the companies regularly go bust, then spring up a week later, if you ask me. Gets them out of the warrantee

[dave-m]

It's unusual for a toughened unit to break like that,they normally go from the side.If its possible to remove the bead on the bottom and see if its touching any fixings.If its no been packed correctly and is touching one,with the expansion and contraction could cause it to break.If this is the case they should replace it as it was fitted incorrectly.

[-Dab-of-Oppo-]

Can't see you having much luck with a claim tbh. Unless like dave said there is an obvious sign of incorrect installation that you could argue was to blame it is just your word against theirs that you have not hit it. The glass won't necessarily react straight away to an impact either so could it be a delayed response to you or a pet etc having done something to it recently? A few years ago we hit one of our interior door panes with the butt of a snooker que, didn't think anymore of it until about 8 hours later when we where sat in the other room the heating had started to come on and we heard an almighty bang followed by several hours of the still self contained window crackling away. One for the household insurance I think.

Edited by -Dab-of-Oppo-, 20 April 2017 - 12:59 PM.

[james.a]

Am in the process of getting new windows and this sort of thing has come up in conversation. The 'man in a van' companies used to pop up and disappear all the time to avoid warrantee claims, I think a while back though the government tried to stop this by making all glass companies have insurance backed guarantees. Check the documentation that came with the windows. Also I see you dont mention a supplier - for obvious reasons - but if they have been around for a long time they may be better placed to deal with this and not want the hit on their reputation, personally I would start with a call and a conversation with an engineer before bringing out the big guns. I don't know about you but I'm far more likely to help someone if they are nice rather than threatening from the start.

[james.a]

Deleted - multiple post

Edited by james.a, 20 April 2017 - 01:21 PM.

[Stevie Dubyah]

Ours was in a conservatory and we're pretty sure it was down to heat expansion (it can make 40c in there) allied to incorrect fitting - that was why we were getting the independent assessment. The inside pane went and shattered into a million bits.

 

We were out when it went, but it must have been quite forceful as the glass went into every corner of the room.

 

As a footnote, most of these panes aren't actually that expensive to get made up and the fitting isn't too difficult, so it may not even be worth your time and aggro. I only pursued ours as far as I did because the attitude of the company annoyed me.

[Wolfstone]

Bizarrely, one of the double glazed doors at my mum's Doctor's surgery (and the inner of two sliding doors) suddenly shattered overnight 2 nights ago. No reason. No one around. No break in. Very similar.

[Nev]

As a footnote, most of these panes aren't actually that expensive to get made up and the fitting isn't too difficult, so it may not even be worth your time and aggro. I only pursued ours as far as I did because the attitude of the company annoyed me.

 

Hmm, I might get one priced up and stick it myself then.

 

My first all inclusive quote for supply and fitment was £220.

 

[darronwall]

It's because the unit hasn't been equalised when it's been sealed,when they pump the hot melt that sealed the unit together it's done at a great heat, if they don't leave the unit open so the air pressure inside can reach the same pressure as the surrounding air the hot air inside the sealed unit is less dense and as it cools pulls the 2 panes together and eventually one pane will give in It's not uncommon at all,if the co that fitted it are decent they should swap it,a toughened unit in one side of a slider,let's say 1000 by 2000 will cost them about 65 quid This normally happens when it's extremely cold or hot

[Nev]

The original installation company sent me a quote for £330 to supply and fit the new unit yesterday.

 

I rang up one of the partners this morning and applied some pressure over the phone and he has now agreed to fit the new unit for free but expects me to pay for the glass (though goodness knows how much this is).

 

 

Edited by Nev, 21 April 2017 - 12:35 PM.

[chickendippers]

expects me to pay for the glass (though goodness knows how much this is).

 

 

 

Pay for the glass at their cost price, or their selling price?

[Nev]

 

expects me to pay for the glass (though goodness knows how much this is).

 

 

 

Pay for the glass at their cost price, or their selling price?

 

 

They didn't say.  

[siztenboots]

change in atmospheric pressure would apply quite a large force , last few days we have seen 1036mbar

[ArticMonkey]

Just pointing out how you spelt glazing in your thread...... What a wasted education you had.

[hairy]

Just pointing out how you spelt glazing in your thread...... What a wasted education you had.

 

and "wranttee"

 

[Nev]

Just pointing out how you spelt glazing in your thread...... What a wasted education you had.

 

There is a difference between a typo and not understanding the basic differences between fundamental words like "their" and "there".

 

Thanks to my education (and using it) I semi retired at 32.  

Edited by Nev, 21 April 2017 - 09:15 PM.

[Nev]

 

Just pointing out how you spelt glazing in your thread...... What a wasted education you had.

 

and "wranttee"

 

 

 

Double shame.  

[darronwall]

Just pointing out how you spelt glazing in your thread...... What a wasted education you had.

  There is a difference between a typo and not understanding the basic differences between fundamental words like "their" and "there".   Thanks to my education (and brain) I semi retired at 32. Lets see where yours gets you...  

Well if all you got was shitty Vauxhall and a Casio I'd rather be a thick doodah

[ArticMonkey]

Just pointing out how you spelt glazing in your thread...... What a wasted education you had.

  There is a difference between a typo and not understanding the basic differences between fundamental words like "their" and "there".   Thanks to my education (and brain) I semi retired at 32. Let's see where yours gets you...  

Only you and your (special brain) could turn the above into a willy waving contest. I hope when I'm mid 50's that I'll be arguing with people half my age over pointless sh*t. You make semi retirement look so appealing. . P.s Use your (special) brain and stop editing your post to sound less condescending. Your original post has been quoted twice!