R
rennschnecke25 Sep 2025 23:06Hello,
we want to replace the windows in a timber frame house—12 windows plus 1 balcony door. The current windows are 25 years old. Apparently, there were significant installation errors: the windows are not properly sealed or secured. As a result, it is quite noisy inside. Because of the close proximity to a street, you can hear every passing vehicle.
While searching online, you naturally find many affordable window suppliers. But without installation, that wouldn’t help. One online supplier offers installation services through local companies. We also obtained a separate quote from one of these highly rated local window companies, independently of the online supplier. The on-site consultation from three companies (1 window installer, 1 carpenter, 1 installation service) was by far the best and most professional from the local window company.
The windows currently have double glazing. We would probably stick with that. We already heat very little despite noticeable drafts around the windows and sills in winter, so I don’t see any advantage in triple glazing here.
The German window supplier offers Veka SL76 MD profile, white on white, insulated glazing with a U-value of 1.1 W/m²K (U-value 0.19 Btu/h·ft²·°F), with muntins, window dimensions about 130 x 95 cm (51 x 37 inches), and a standard balcony door. The price is about 12,200 euros. With soundproof glass, it is about 12,800 euros.
Alternatively, instead of the German supplier, the same local company offers Oknoplast windows with the same Veka profiles for about 1,000 euros less. According to Oknoplast, soundproof glass is not possible with muntins, whereas the German supplier can provide this without issues.
What do you think of this offer? Since we lack experience, are these prices usually fixed, or is there room for negotiation? Honestly, we had expected somewhat lower prices since there is no “extra” installed—just standard windows.
Best regards
we want to replace the windows in a timber frame house—12 windows plus 1 balcony door. The current windows are 25 years old. Apparently, there were significant installation errors: the windows are not properly sealed or secured. As a result, it is quite noisy inside. Because of the close proximity to a street, you can hear every passing vehicle.
While searching online, you naturally find many affordable window suppliers. But without installation, that wouldn’t help. One online supplier offers installation services through local companies. We also obtained a separate quote from one of these highly rated local window companies, independently of the online supplier. The on-site consultation from three companies (1 window installer, 1 carpenter, 1 installation service) was by far the best and most professional from the local window company.
The windows currently have double glazing. We would probably stick with that. We already heat very little despite noticeable drafts around the windows and sills in winter, so I don’t see any advantage in triple glazing here.
The German window supplier offers Veka SL76 MD profile, white on white, insulated glazing with a U-value of 1.1 W/m²K (U-value 0.19 Btu/h·ft²·°F), with muntins, window dimensions about 130 x 95 cm (51 x 37 inches), and a standard balcony door. The price is about 12,200 euros. With soundproof glass, it is about 12,800 euros.
Alternatively, instead of the German supplier, the same local company offers Oknoplast windows with the same Veka profiles for about 1,000 euros less. According to Oknoplast, soundproof glass is not possible with muntins, whereas the German supplier can provide this without issues.
What do you think of this offer? Since we lack experience, are these prices usually fixed, or is there room for negotiation? Honestly, we had expected somewhat lower prices since there is no “extra” installed—just standard windows.
Best regards
rennschnecke schrieb:
but simply regular standard windows Standard windows are now only available at hardware stores. Otherwise, everything is custom-made according to your specifications.
rennschnecke schrieb:
We are at about 12,200 euros. With soundproof glass, 12,800 euros I have already seen a window invoice for a renovation exceeding 35,000 euros. However, the wide sliding door alone accounted for 15,000 euros. I consider that a reasonable price, although I’m not from the window industry.
M
MachsSelbst26 Sep 2025 17:40You shouldn’t imagine custom-made windows as a handcrafted product... the machine is simply set to slightly different specifications; it’s still standard, off-the-shelf quality.
Whether you can negotiate this depends. It depends on whether the contractor relies on the job, how tight their estimates already are, how you approach them, and so on. This isn’t a large volume order that would keep the company busy for weeks, so you can probably expect a discount.
For the 12 windows plus the balcony door, it will take 2 or 3 workers about a (long) day to complete.
Whether you can negotiate this depends. It depends on whether the contractor relies on the job, how tight their estimates already are, how you approach them, and so on. This isn’t a large volume order that would keep the company busy for weeks, so you can probably expect a discount.
For the 12 windows plus the balcony door, it will take 2 or 3 workers about a (long) day to complete.
R
rennschnecke26 Sep 2025 17:45ypg schrieb:
Standard windows are now only available at hardware stores. Otherwise, everything is custom-made according to your specifications. I don’t mean this in a negative way, but rather that the windows are without any unnecessary extras.
MachsSelbst schrieb:
For the 12 windows plus balcony door, it takes 2 or 3 people about a (long) day to finish. I think he meant that including removal and installation, it takes about 2 to 3 days. But yes, I also initially thought it would take longer.
N
nordanney26 Sep 2025 18:21What window sizes?
Where will they be installed in the house?
Price including installation?
Price including removal and disposal?
How will the installation be carried out?
Are the muntins (grilles) internal or attached on the outside?
What does soundproof glass mean?
What hardware, how many mushroom head locks, security resistance class (RC-class)?
...
There is not much to say about your offer. I would only assume the following:
- With that surcharge, it doesn’t matter whether it’s standard or soundproof glass
- Installation will be 100% defective
- Soundproofing is not only about the glass. Installation is extremely important
You could also ask if $12,000 is a good price for a green car. If it’s red, it costs $500 more.
P.S.
What does “very little heating” mean? With 25-year-old, drafty windows and comfortable temperatures (20-22°C (68-72°F) throughout the house), that is physically impossible.
Therefore, the statement
is just pub talk.
This is not a problem with any of them — only the question is whether the muntins are internal or attached. Window manufacturers buy the glass anyway from European companies. You get German profiles from a Polish company with French glass delivered to Germany. A €600 surcharge for 12 pieces of soundproof glass is initially a joke (price-wise). Or, as the saying goes: “you get what you pay for.”
In the end, the window manufacturer should be totally irrelevant to you (Poland naturally has an issue with warranty cases...). What should matter to you is the installer. That is where the quality ultimately depends.
Where will they be installed in the house?
Price including installation?
Price including removal and disposal?
How will the installation be carried out?
Are the muntins (grilles) internal or attached on the outside?
What does soundproof glass mean?
What hardware, how many mushroom head locks, security resistance class (RC-class)?
...
There is not much to say about your offer. I would only assume the following:
- With that surcharge, it doesn’t matter whether it’s standard or soundproof glass
- Installation will be 100% defective
- Soundproofing is not only about the glass. Installation is extremely important
You could also ask if $12,000 is a good price for a green car. If it’s red, it costs $500 more.
P.S.
rennschnecke schrieb:
We currently have to heat very little, even though there are significant drafts at the windows/window sills in winter,
What does “very little heating” mean? With 25-year-old, drafty windows and comfortable temperatures (20-22°C (68-72°F) throughout the house), that is physically impossible.
Therefore, the statement
rennschnecke schrieb:
I wouldn’t see any advantage in triple glazing here.
is just pub talk.
rennschnecke schrieb:
Alternatively, instead of a German window supplier, he also offers Oknoplast with the same VEKA profiles at about €1,000 less. According to Oknoplast, soundproof glass is not possible with muntins, but with the German supplier, that would be no problem.
This is not a problem with any of them — only the question is whether the muntins are internal or attached. Window manufacturers buy the glass anyway from European companies. You get German profiles from a Polish company with French glass delivered to Germany. A €600 surcharge for 12 pieces of soundproof glass is initially a joke (price-wise). Or, as the saying goes: “you get what you pay for.”
In the end, the window manufacturer should be totally irrelevant to you (Poland naturally has an issue with warranty cases...). What should matter to you is the installer. That is where the quality ultimately depends.
M
MachsSelbst26 Sep 2025 18:26Poland often, but not always, struggles with quality in general and/or consistent quality over a certain period of time. You can be lucky or have really bad luck. Then good luck if you happen to have a German branch office nearby that tries to help... or if you have to speak directly to a Pole in Warsaw who speaks German brokenly...
I bought a bathroom mirror from Poland with Bluetooth, weather display, and mirror heating... the support was poor, and I was only able to get it working after a lot of effort and my own research. Windows? Absolutely not from Poland. To this day, I still don’t understand what the third setting on the heating control does. It exists, but it’s not explained in the manual...
I bought a bathroom mirror from Poland with Bluetooth, weather display, and mirror heating... the support was poor, and I was only able to get it working after a lot of effort and my own research. Windows? Absolutely not from Poland. To this day, I still don’t understand what the third setting on the heating control does. It exists, but it’s not explained in the manual...
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