5 Top Tips For Choosing a Windows & Doors Supplier

Choosing the right partners to work with on each element of your self build, renovation or extension project is the key to realising the home you want on time and on budget. Working with reliable suppliers that offer quality products will benefit you both during the build and after.

Windows and doors are a case in point – after all, these will be among the biggest-ticket items you will purchase for your new home. So, here are some of the key factors you should investigate before investing.

1. Look For Quality

Product quality is a great place to start when it comes to finding a supplier you can trust. A simple way to understand the quality of a product is by checking for guarantees. For instance, at Origin, we offer a guarantee of up to 20 years on our products if you use one of our Accredited Partner installers.

The materials used have a big impact on a product’s durability and functionality. Ask for accreditations and try products out yourself before purchasing. All of Origin’s doors and windows are manufactured using the highest-grade aluminium, which is strong and resistant to the elements yet lightweight.

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Origin’s bifolds feature large expanses of glass set within an ultra-strong aluminium profile, with two sleek sightline options

2. Company Reputation

Interrogating a company’s reputation will also help you to better gauge the quality and longevity of its windows and doors. This is all about researching what other people are saying about a given supplier.

Check online reviews and testimonials to find out more about real people’s experiences with their products, for instance. You can also ask to speak to past clients and visit recent installations to get a sense of the quality of the products and how well they’ve been installed. It’s worth checking if the company has won any independent awards, too.

3. Environmental Impact

We’re all becoming increasingly aware of our own impact on the environment, and it’s important to opt for suppliers who can be trusted to operate sustainably. A great way to determine a company’s eco credentials is by checking its accreditations. For instance, at Origin, we’re incredibly proud to hold both the ISO 14001 and BES 6001 accreditations.

These demonstrate that we are constantly working in order to minimise our impact on the environment by sourcing materials responsibly, working with sustainable materials, reducing energy and fuel consumption, bettering recycling rates, and through carbon offsetting.

This stunning extension and renovation project features Origin’s OW-80 windows and six sets of Origin’s OB-72 bifold doors, all in anthracite grey, delivering a cohesive look and transforming the owners’ living environment

4. Lead Times

Delays are the bane of any self build project, so it’s critical to choose a supplier you can depend on to deliver on time. When it comes to doors and windows, standard lead times tend to start at six weeks. Always talk this aspect through with your chosen supplier, so you can look to factor delivery timescales into your build schedule.

The trouble is, we all know that project timelines can go off course for a variety of reasons – and having a hole in the wall for that long leaves the building exposed and, in some cases, void of insurance. That’s why Origin offers a unique “your lead time, not ours” promise, meaning we can deliver products whenever your chosen installer needs them, even if that’s in as little as 24 hours.

5. Security Features

The safety of your home is crucial so, when you’re choosing doors and windows, make sure you look for a supplier that prioritises security. Again, accreditations are a great way to check this. Seek out systems that meet PAS 24 and Secured by Design levels of security for ultimate peace of mind.