The experts at IDSystems reveal how to order and install glazed doors

There are so many decisions to make when choosing products, materials and fittings when self building, renovating or extending — it can seem overwhelming at times. Even once you have made these initial decisions, you still need to find the right suppliers and work out how the ordering process and installation will work.

"When you begin to research products for your project it can sometimes be difficult to work out the differences between suppliers and individual systems and that is especially true when you are considering glazed doors," explain the experts at  award-winning glazing specialists IDSystems.

To provide advice and help you choose the right company to work with on your project, IDSystems have put together a four-part series of blogs. In this, the final part of the series, they aim to help you understand the installation process for your doors and windows.

If you are not quite at this stage you can start at the beginning at take a look at their article on how to choose the right glazed doors for your home.  

Do I need a survey to measure for doors and windows?

Having chosen the best door system for your home, you will need to finalise the sizes of windows and sliding or bifold doors and there are two options available to you: for your supplier to send out a surveyor to measure the openings; or for them to manufacture them from the sizes shown on architects’ drawings.

Ultimately the choice is yours. Having a surveyor measure the aperture is more accurate but it means the opening for the aluminium window and door needs to have been created already for the measurements to be taken. Opting to order based on planned sizes is more common because manufacturing can begin weeks before the opening is actually created, meaning by the time it is the doors and windows can be available to fit almost immediately – meaning the process of making the building watertight can happen sooner.

There is no right and wrong answer to whether you need a survey, but if you need further advice, you could take a look at IDSystems' blog on what to consider when it comes to surveys. 

Ultimately it will depend on what you are building and how complex the configuration of doors and windows are. For more straightforward systems a survey isn’t always needed but for larger and more complex designs a survey will sometimes be insisted on. 

How do lead times on glazing doors work?

If you have already read part three of this guide on choosing the best glazing supplier for your doors and windows you will hopefully already have a list of suppliers.

When planning your build schedule, knowing how long it is going to take for doors and windows to be installed is crucial because there are so many things on the project that can only take place once the glazing is fitted. With this in mind, understanding glazing lead times and how they work is important because it can help avoid issues further down the line.

Firstly, and most importantly, it is crucial to understand that lead times change. The glazing industry, on the whole, follows periods of higher and lower demand during the year, meaning that lead times will vary over time. Just because you were quoted a lead time when you initially requested a quotation doesn’t necessarily mean that the same lead time will apply when you come to place your order. Lead times can also vary depending on the products you choose and the specification of the doors and windows so it is always best to double check as your order progresses.

Secondly the lead time you are quoted doesn’t typically start when you pay your deposit to confirm your order. Normally the lead time will only commence once the survey has been completed (if you have one) or once final specifications, drawings and/or contracts are agreed. Any changes or delays up to this point could potentially push the installation back. 

How do you prepare for glazed door installation?

Having decided upon your doors or windows, placed your order and signed off your contract there are still a few bits that you need to be aware of in preparation for the products being installed. At IDSystems we are happy to liaise with a homeowner or directly with a builder or architect to understand what we are installing the doors and windows into, i.e. how the opening has been formed, how wide the base is, what we are fixing the head track on to etc. 

Having this information is crucial to allow for a straightforward installation, as is knowing how our installers are going to gain access to the property. This is especially critical for sliding doors with large panes of glass where glass lifting equipment may be required. Knowing there is clear access down the side or from the rear of the property avoids delays on the day of installation. 

What happens on the day of installation?

At IDSystems we only ever use our own, fully employed fitters just like we only ever manufacture our own products. We never subcontract installation because we believe it is the only way to guarantee the quality of workmanship and finished work that our products and our customers deserve. Our fitters only fit IDSystems’ products so they are fully experienced and knowledgeable about every detail of the system. 

When they arrive on site they’ll make an initial inspection of the openings before getting to work putting together and fixing in the outer frames before working to fit the panels. Depending on the size and scale of the project this could mean one team complete the work in a single day or it may mean multiple teams are on site for a longer period for larger and more complex jobs.

Once the doors or windows are installed and you are happy with everything, the fitters will spend some time with you to show how the doors operate and how to care look after them — this is particularly important where products are fitted whilst external and internal works are still on going.

What do you need to know about warranties and after sales support?

Any reputable glazing supplier should offer you a warranty on your doors and windows, but it its worth reading the small print to understand what that actually covers. Some merely cover replacement parts so you would be liable for labour charges to install those whilst others, like those offered by IDSystems, are fully comprehensive.

After more than 23 years of fitting premium aluminium glazing systems we know more about our products than anyone else in the industry and we offer a comprehensive after-sales support service to ensure the doors to continue to operate perfectly time-after-time, year-after-year.

Get in touch with IDSystems

For more information about IDSystems and their multi award-winning range of aluminium framed glazing systems visit www.idsystems.co.uk, call 01603 408804 or email info@idsystems.co.uk