Hello,
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
N
nordanney26 Sep 2025 18:41Addendum: Test your window supplier with the following...
DIN 1946-6 states that for all new builds or renovations where more than one-third of the windows on the building are replaced, or in single-family houses more than one-third of the roof area is sealed, a ventilation concept must be developed.
Interior doors I prefer from the Czech Republic. Sapeli – great manufacturer.
DIN 1946-6 states that for all new builds or renovations where more than one-third of the windows on the building are replaced, or in single-family houses more than one-third of the roof area is sealed, a ventilation concept must be developed.
MachsSelbst schrieb:Okay. Then you must have had bad experiences. I have been sourcing windows from Poland for almost 20 years now (installation either by myself or by professional companies from Germany) and have never had problems. The communication with the manufacturer was always very good as well.
Windows? Never, not from Poland.
Interior doors I prefer from the Czech Republic. Sapeli – great manufacturer.
R
rennschnecke26 Sep 2025 18:45nordanney schrieb:
What window sizes?
What installation locations in the house?
Price including installation?
Price including removal and disposal?
How is the installation carried out?
Are the muntins installed internally or mounted externally?
What does soundproof glass mean?
What type of fittings, number of mushroom-head locks, RC class? Window sizes are listed above, approximately 130x95cm (51x37 inches).
Price includes delivery, removal and installation, as well as disposal.
Muntins are internal, as they currently are.
There is no information about the fittings on the windows, but the balcony door states: Siegenia TITAN AF.
Since the windows are on the first floor (1 OG), we agreed that no special RC class is needed. Therefore, I assume "standard."
nordanney schrieb:
There isn’t much to say about your offer. I would just assume the following:
- with that surcharge, it doesn’t matter whether it’s standard or soundproof glass
- the installation will be 100% defective
- sound insulation is not just about the glass. Installation is extremely important Why do you assume that the installation will be 100% defective?
Yes, there is a special soundproof installation method for soundproof glass.
Why should the surcharge make it irrelevant which glass is used? I think soundproof glass does make a difference.
nordanney schrieb:
What do you mean by "little heating"? For 25-year-old drafty windows and comfortable temperatures (20-22°C (68-72°F) throughout the house), that is physically not possible. The energy certificate for the house states a value of about 80 kWh/(m²·a).
We heat the living room, dining room, and kitchen only with the fireplace; the bathroom is heated with a radiator. I would have to check, but our gas consumption is very low for the living area.
nordanney schrieb:
That’s not a problem for any of them – the question is only whether the muntins are internal or glued on. Window manufacturers buy the glass from European companies anyway. You get German profiles from a Polish company with French glass delivered to Germany. A surcharge of €600 for 12 units of soundproof glass is initially a joke (in terms of price). Or, as the saying goes, “you get what you pay for.”
In the end, the manufacturer of the windows should be irrelevant to you (Poland does have a problem with warranty cases, of course…). What should be important to you is the installer. That’s where the quality really depends on. As I said, internal muntins. The German manufacturer says it is no problem; the Polish manufacturer cannot do double glazing including soundproof glass.
As mentioned, this is an experienced window installer who made a better impression than some carpenters. He was also the only one who mentioned a "soundproof installation."
M
MachsSelbst26 Sep 2025 18:46Then you are probably a major client and will be treated differently in Poland than the typical German retail customer. This should not be underestimated.
R
rennschnecke26 Sep 2025 18:48MachsSelbst schrieb:
Poland generally has, though not constantly, issues with quality in general and/or consistent quality over a certain period of time. You might get lucky or have very bad luck. And good luck if you have a German branch office nearby that tries to help... or if you have to directly communicate with a Polish supplier who speaks German poorly in Warsaw... I personally wouldn’t buy in Poland. Instead, I would go through the window manufacturer directly, using the same Veka profiles as the German manufacturer. Delivery, installation, warranty, etc. are exactly the same as with the German window manufacturer.
M
MachsSelbst26 Sep 2025 18:53I didn’t buy my mirror in Poland either, but from a German branch in the Ruhr area.
The idea that it was manufactured in Poland only occurred to me when it arrived 16 days after delivery via DHL Express, with about six stops in Poland... and when I inquired, all emails were answered in... let’s say basic German, from a .pl email address 😉
I’m sharing my experience with products from Eastern Europe. Nothing more, nothing less. There are definitely people who were very satisfied, no question.
The biggest problem arises when it comes to warranties or damages... like when the window leaks and your house is flooded during the first heavy rain. Then the clever window installer will refer you to the manufacturers in Poland... and then... good luck...
The idea that it was manufactured in Poland only occurred to me when it arrived 16 days after delivery via DHL Express, with about six stops in Poland... and when I inquired, all emails were answered in... let’s say basic German, from a .pl email address 😉
I’m sharing my experience with products from Eastern Europe. Nothing more, nothing less. There are definitely people who were very satisfied, no question.
The biggest problem arises when it comes to warranties or damages... like when the window leaks and your house is flooded during the first heavy rain. Then the clever window installer will refer you to the manufacturers in Poland... and then... good luck...
R
rennschnecke26 Sep 2025 18:58MachsSelbst schrieb:
The biggest problem arises only when it comes to warranty or damage... if the window is leaking and during the first heavy rain your house floods. Then the clever window installer refers you to the manufacturer in Poland... and then... good luck... I don’t want to make this a long discussion, but that is incorrect. The window installer is your point of contact, not the manufacturer in Poland. I have nothing to do with the manufacturer in Poland.
The window installer will also not refer you to the German manufacturer if the windows are leaking.
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