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9 Essential Questions to Ask Your Joiner About Your Windows and Doors

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9 Essential Questions to Ask Your Joiner About Your Windows and Doors

Reading Time: 6 Minutes
Published on: October 3rd, 2024

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When choosing timber windows and doors, aesthetics are often the first thing people think about. You want products that look beautiful and complement your building’s character, whether it’s modern or historic. At Gowercroft, we understand that, and that’s why our wooden beautiful windows and doors have been featured in multiple RIBA award-winning projects. We’ve mastered the balance of traditional aesthetics with modern performance. So, while beauty is important, it shouldn’t be the only consideration.

Windows and doors also need to perform well, providing excellent insulation, durability, and low maintenance. Ours do, which is why we have won numerous industry awards for our craftsmanship, innovation, and sustainability. Beyond looks, you need products that will stand the test of time. At Gowercroft, we combine cutting-edge technology, sustainable materials, and precise craftsmanship to deliver windows and doors that are not only stunning but also built to last.

1. How Long Will My Windows and Doors Last?

Why it matters: Not all timber windows are created equal. You want windows and doors that will stand the test of time with minimal maintenance, especially in challenging environments like coastal areas or high-traffic urban zones.

How Gowercroft excels:
At Gowercroft, we specialise in timber windows, doors, and roof lanterns. Through careful design and product development, our products all last 50+ years with minimal maintenance (60+ for accoya). We onlyy use Accoya and engineered Red Grandis—two of the most durable and stable timbers available. Our microporous paint coatings ensure the finish doesn’t crack or flake, so you won’t need to sand before repainting. Many local joiners simply don’t have the product development process or expertise to match this kind of longevity.

We have case studies that showcase windows installed over 12 years ago, which still look as good as new today. These long-term results demonstrate the durability and high quality of our products.

A two-storey brick house in Wimbledon featuring four grey-painted hardwood sliding sash windows installed by Gowercroft Joinery. The windows are framed by green ivy climbing across the front facade. A white scooter is parked in front of the house, and the property has a grey door and skylights on the roof.
Windows and doors installed in Wimbledon 2012. Photograph taken September 2024.

2. What Testing Has Been Done on Your Products?

Why it matters: Rigorous testing ensures that windows and doors will perform in various conditions, from extreme weather to noise reduction in busy areas.

How Gowercroft excels:
Our windows undergo extensive weather testing to ensure they provide exceptional weatherproofing and air permeability. We’ve also completed acoustic testing to ensure our products significantly reduce noise, perfect for city environments or near main roads. This kind of testing ensures that your windows will not only last but also perform at their best for decades, something you may not get with a local joiner.

3. What Kind of U-Values and Energy Efficiency Can I Expect?

Why it matters: The energy performance of your windows can greatly impact your heating and cooling costs, as well as the comfort of your home.

How Gowercroft excels:
Our windows offer excellent U-values, starting from 1.2 W/m²K, with options down to 0.8 W/m²K (lower means better insulation). We’ve also pioneered vacuum glazing for heritage window applications, providing outstanding thermal performance while maintaining traditional aesthetics. If you’re working on a PassivHaus or Enerphit project, our windows and doors are designed to meet these high-performance standards.

4. What’s Your Track Record on Quality Control?

Why it matters: You want assurance that the products you’re getting are consistently made to a high standard.

How Gowercroft excels:
We take pride in our 99.5% right-first-time rate on products leaving the factory. This exceptional quality control is backed by our standard operating procedures (SOPs), ensuring that every element of your window or door, from creation to installation, is perfect. Our commitment to precision and attention to detail far surpasses what you might find with a local joiner, who may not have the same robust quality processes.

5. What Happens If I Have an Issue with My Windows and Doors?

Why it matters: Even the best products may require maintenance or repair over time. You want to know that the company will handle any issues efficiently and to a high standard.

How Gowercroft excels:
If you experience an issue, Gowercroft has a dedicated servicing team that will complete any remedial work needed to the highest standards, all covered within our 10-year guarantee. Additionally, customers can join our Timbacare programme, which extends the guarantee indefinitely. This ensures that your windows and doors are always protected, and any issues are handled promptly and professionally.

6. What Guarantee Do You Offer?

Why it matters: Many window companies offer guarantees with fine print and exclusions, leaving you vulnerable to extra costs in the long run.

How Gowercroft excels:
Our industry-leading guarantee is clear and comprehensive, without hidden small print or confusing caveats. Unlike many companies that add exceptions for paintwork, installation, or specific parts, our guarantee ensures full protection for your investment. You can trust that your windows and doors are covered, providing complete peace of mind.

7. Who Will Handle the Installation?

Why it matters: The quality of installation can be just as important as the quality of the windows themselves. A poor installation could lead to problems with insulation, weatherproofing, and even functionality.

How Gowercroft excels:
We have highly experienced survey, installation, and servicing teams, ensuring every element of your window or door performs as expected. Even if two joiners use the same components, differences in assembly and installation can lead to vastly different insulation values. At Gowercroft, we follow carefully written procedures to ensure that every installation is consistent, precise, and designed to last.

8. Are Your Windows and Doors Sustainable?

Why it matters: Sustainability is an important consideration for many customers today. You want to be sure the materials used in your windows and doors are responsibly sourced and that the company has eco-friendly practices.

How Gowercroft excels:
At Gowercroft, we are deeply committed to sustainability. We only use FSC-certified Accoya and Red Grandis timber, which ensures both longevity and environmental responsibility. These timbers not only have extended life cycles—Accoya lasts over 60 years and Red Grandis over 50 years—but also contribute to our carbon-negative impact.

We collaborate with Derby University conduct lifecycle assessments to evaluate the environmental impact from raw material sourcing through to the end of their life of all of our products. This data-driven approach helps us continually refine our designs and processes, improving the sustainability and performance of our windows and doors. The results have allowed us to develop products with minimal environmental footprints and enhanced durability, ensuring they meet both high-performance and sustainability standards.

In addition, we implement sustainable practices in our manufacturing, such as recycling timber waste, reducing energy consumption, and developing products that offer exceptional energy efficiency. For example, our vacuum-glazed windows offer U-values as low as 0.4 W/m²K, helping buildings retain more heat and reducing energy usage.

9. How Can I Be Sure Your Windows Will Stand the Test of Time?

Why it matters: Many joiners can make windows that look great when they’re first installed. The real question is how they will look and perform years down the line.

How Gowercroft excels:
We have a range of examples of windows that have been installed for over a decade and still look as good as the day they were fitted. This is a testament to our commitment to quality and longevity.

Riber Castle in Matlock. Windows installed in 2011 and images taken for sale by Dales and Peaks in 2024.

Customers consistently leave positive reviews, praising both the aesthetic and practical performance of their Gowercroft windows and doors. With us, you’re investing in products that are built to last decades.

Conclusion: Choosing Gowercroft Joinery for Your Windows and Doors

When it comes to creating the perfect windows and doors, asking the right questions is essential. At Gowercroft Joinery, we don’t just meet expectations—we exceed them. Our award-winning products, precision craftsmanship, and industry-leading guarantee make us the best choice for long-lasting, beautiful, and high-performance windows and doors.

We invite you to visit our factory and experience the precision and craftsmanship that sets our windows and doors apart. From our cutting-edge technology to our meticulous quality control, you’ll see why Gowercroft Joinery is the trusted choice for high-performance, sustainable windows and doors.

Arrange your visit todayContact us to schedule a tour and discover the difference for yourself.