Our Process
How we can help you
We offer some simple guidelines and tips to be taken into consideration when planning your new home, addition or renovation and how our aluminium and glass products will fit into the process.
The information contained in this page is only a brief overview of some design and technical issues that will arise during the building process and is derived from the experience we have in the industry. It is merely provided to enable our clients to ask some of the right questions prior to spending any money but should be discussed with the professional consultants (architect/engineer/project manager) before final decisions are taken. We are of course available for meetings to assist in any way we can.
Please feel free to give us a call if any information contained here is unclear, or if you need problem specific assistance.
1. Design phase
Many factors should be considered while designing the window and door schedule of a building and although architects are proficient in this, the following points should enable the client to ask the right question in time for the design to be altered.
A. Is the area of the windows in relation to the area of the walls aesthetically pleasing and in proportion? Ie. Large windows in large walls etc. And, do you favour traditional style openings, or something more modern?
B. Bearing the above in mind, could the window size be reduced to be less than 15% of the floor area? This will have a significant cost implication due to the energy regulations contained in SANS 10400-XA and SANS 204.
C. Do the windows provide sufficient ventilation, natural light and appropriate viewing for the rooms it is in?
D. Could the height of the window sills and transoms (horizontal crosspiece of the window frame) align throughout the specific elevation of the building? Same with the mullions (vertical members)?
E. Glass selection – Consider some of the following requirements your windows might have. Privacy? Insulation? UV Protection? Sound infiltration? Light infiltration? Safety glazing (SANS 10400-N)? Here our expertise will really come into play to help you make the right choices, and a free consultation is just a phone-call away.
2. Estimating phase
When acquiring various quotes from different suppliers it is sometimes difficult to ensure that one is comparing apples with apples. Ask the the following questions.
A. Have all the quotes got ALL the items in the building listed (sometimes window and door schedules do not correlate exactly to floor plans)?
B. Are systems on all the quotes the same? This refers to the type of casement, shopfront, stacking and sliding products quoted on.
C. Is the colour of the aluminium frames and the glass specification of all the items the same?
D. Were the products you will be receiving tested for inertia requirements (wind load deflection resistance), air infiltration and energy insulation? (AAAMSA Approved)
3. Ordering phase
To ensure that the project will be completed without any discrepancies between the client’s expectations and the end result it is important to have the appropriate paper work in place. We will offer you a comprehensive quotation with itemized prices, descriptions and drawings on. This documentation will form the basis of our dealings with our clients. It has easy to understand terms and conditions to be signed off by the client, and prior to the signing thereof a final site meeting is requested to provide the client with one last opportunity to modify any designs, configurations or glass specifications. Once the finalized quote is signed it is time to take final measurements and get the products into manufacturing.
4. Site preparation, final measurements and installation phase
Here, less of the client’s involvement is required but certain points are critically important to confirm with the building contractor. In our experience the most effective way to install aluminium windows and doors are as follows but we will always try and accommodate a client’s request should they prefer alternative methods.
A. Walls should be plastered to avoid excessive waste on products but the reveals (opening in which product will be fitted) should be left un-plastered.
B. Final measurement will be taken to bricks and installed prior to plastering of the reveals.
C. Reveals should then be plastered and sealed by the building contractor as illustrated below. It is important to have the Damp Proof Course installed correctly during the brick laying process.
D. Final measurements for doors are best taken after the screed is in to ensure the door sills are flush with the FFL (Finished Floor Level). This can also be accomplished without the screed present if the building contractor can mark the FFL prior to measurements but the second method carries some risk as level do not always turn out as intended. See illustration for door installations.
5. Invoicing, certification, and maintenance
If all went according to the agreed upon quotation and methodology we would at this stage be able to provide you an invoice exactly matching the signed quotation as well as a glazing safety compliance certificate and warranty. We will also commit to a last service of all installed products that should be done just prior to occupation of the building.
The only thing left for you to do is enjoy the superb fenestration products that came with our superior service and fitment. But of course, as with all the things in your new building a touch of maintenance now and again will go a long way.