We often expect perfect airtightness or even zero emissions from buildings. The wood-wood-aluminum doors and windows we manufacture can meet even these expectations, but it is important to know that the existence of the technical parameters of the doors and windows is not enough in itself. The nodes created jointly with other specialized industries are decisive for the final result. In other words, a poorly prepared opening or an incorrect layering greatly impairs the desired insulation properties, causing long-term dissatisfaction and additional costs for the Customer.
That is why installation is at least as important element of ordering windows and doors as the production itself. In order for premium doors and windows to offer truly premium quality, it is important that the installation process is preceded by thorough preparations. A number of conditions must be met in order for the installation to bring the desired result.
Below, we share our own experiences and working methods, which have resulted in many successful installations over the years.
Installation begins with the survey
Many points are discussed with the customer and/or his construction manager during the survey, such as the desired thickness of the wall openings, the expected degree of completion of the building, etc. It is important that if these are not implemented as agreed, the parties communicate with each other. As a manufacturer, we visit the construction process several times, also before the installation, in order to personally check the realization of what was discussed. During the visits, our colleagues make notes, which are sent to the parties concerned in writing via e-mail. It is important to emphasize that this is also necessary so that the responsibility of the individual trades can be segregated, tracked and documented in order to avoid later disputes.
The installation cannot be started until the conditions according to the plans are realized. By definition, doors and windows cannot be re-manufactured for a poorly constructed wall opening. We are not talking about centimeters here, but millimeters. During the installation of the doors and windows, a difference of half a centimeter, or 'curvature', can be technically remedied, but it can already compromise the desired thermal insulation values!
Making offer content available to other trades
Elements such as the type of running track of the selected shading or whether there is an integrated mosquito net for the blind are also decisive at the junction of the window and the related structures. Knowing what is described in the accepted offer during the survey, but especially before and after it, is essential information for the related trades.
Openings prepared according to the desired installation
In order to achieve the required heat and sound insulation values, the primary condition is that the doors and windows can be installed by our colleagues based on the technological rules. For this, a load-bearing, smoothed and dust-dry frame with a continuous surface and crack-free (hairline cracks over 0.2 mm are not acceptable) is essential for all openings to be installed. In addition, our experts also strongly recommend insulated openings in order to make perfect use of the features of the windows.
Accessible openings
During the installation of the doors and windows, the Customer must ensure that the openings to be installed are accessible and that parallel work and tools and raw materials stored at the construction site do not obstruct it. In the case of manual transport of doors and windows to the construction site, the route and its safety must also be ensured by the Customer.
Installation work can only be carried out properly if no other professional work is taking place in the construction area. This primarily applies to the surroundings of the openings to be installed, i.e. electrical installation, tiling or any work directly related to the location of the doors and windows cannot be carried out at the same time as the installation. Ensuring this is the responsibility of the Customer and his on-site representative.
In the case of demolition installation, our installation colleagues not only undertake the delivery and installation of the ordered doors and windows, but also the professional dismantling and removal of the old doors and windows. In this case, it is the Customer's duty and responsibility to ensure the protection of the potentially inhabited living space and the movables contained therein (packing or covering furniture and carpets, coverings) and, at the same time, to ensure access to the openings. About a demolition installation we must be notified by the Customer in advance. We always include this cost element in our installation offer based on what was discussed and seen on site.
Safe entry and crane operation
During the installation of doors and windows, in many cases 'special' vehicles, machines and cranes are needed. Access must be ensured at the installation site, which includes a designated route adapted to the weight and size of the mentioned vehicles and its non-slip surface. In the case of crane operation, it also includes an extra 3-meter strip around the crane at the planned location of the crane operation, which is necessary for footing the crane's stability. Securing the construction site is the responsibility of the Customer, and the contractor is responsible for providing the vehicles and special equipment.
It is the Customer's responsibility and duty to procure and ensure the necessary route permits for the transport of the doors and windows to be installed and the delivery of the vehicles required for the installation to the site, as well as the land occupation permits required for the work carried out in the given area.
Installation of mosquito nets and other accessories
The mosquito nets and plush seats ordered together with the doors and windows must be installed by our specialists at the same time as the doors and windows are installed to check their correctness of operation and dimensions. Since these may even be damaged during construction, we recommend that they be covered until the end of construction or that the detachable parts of the mosquito nets are removed and stored in a safe place. Their installation cannot be postponed until a later date, as it is important that the final size and location of these products be seen during subsequent professional work.
In most cases, the programming of motorized products cannot be solved on the day of installation, so our colleague can do it at a later date.
Infrastructure at the construction site
At the site of the installation, the Customer is responsible for ensuring the minimally expected technical and health conditions necessary for the work, which includes the provision of water and electricity in the accessible vicinity of the installation and the provision of washrooms for those performing the installation.
Personal acceptance of work
After the installation is completed, the customer or the representative appointed reviews, tests and takes over the installation works together with our colleagues. A written record of this is made in the form of a handover document, which is signed by the parties. The notes made in this way serve to protect both parties. Errors and deficiencies that may be found are also recorded and, of course, replaced and repaired within a short period of time.
Successful installation is not only in the interest of the manufacturer and the Customer, but also of all parties involved in the construction. Taking the above into account must therefore be a common goal for all stakeholders. However, in our opinion, the most important thing is the clear, followable communication - where the parties involved cooperate in agreement and respect each other's work, all obstacles can be overcome and success is guaranteed.
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