Low prices are attractive. And low prices on expensive products are particularly attractive. This is the case with products from all areas and all price ranges: Why should I spend more if the items I see on the screen look just as good as those from my local supplier?
This post will focus on the interesting topic of windows offered on the European market by Chinese suppliers. This issue is somewhat controversial, because, alas, there are supporters of importing and using Chinese windows – however we would like to present this issue to our customers clearly and warn against excess optimism.
The thing about windows from China…
China. One of the world’s biggest economies, a country of so much potential… and just as many mysteries. The history, culture and nature of China are, as is well-known, interesting and breathtaking, and the Chinese are famous for many inventions that were devised in other parts of the world only much later: Printing – and in connection to this: paper money – gunpowder, the use of crude oil, the chain drive, as well as many more further developments, in particular in the area of warfare (for instance, exploding bombs and grenades) as well as medicine (for instance, tooth fillings).
The way the Chinese industry looks now – we all have a specific and robust bild provided by mass media: Factories like fortresses, where countless people work, questionable work conditions, lacklustre quality control. The actual reality is not to be discovered at all. One thing is certain, however: There must be some production facilities that can boast at least average product quality – else there would not be those ever-so-popular Chinese online shopping platforms that are making the rounds these past few years – allowing customers to purchase products made in China.
Windows, and in particular – made-to-measure windows, which have to conform to specific standards and fulfil certain expectations, are a completely new thing. During new construction or refurbishment projects, where new windows or entrance doors are planned, communication, understanding, care for details and top quality are important. In this regard one could have doubts – and with good reason! – that it can be all agreed and properly arranged with a provider from Asia. Let’s take a look at all these issues.
Making contact
The use of AI tools for the development of websites and their translations is by and large not a new topic any more, and in any case it is quite straightforward to create a website that, superficially at least, would seem legitimate – even including products and example completed projects. The potential customer may be attracted by this – the internet, just like paper, will accept anything and let anybody write and present whatever they would want. One cannot be always certain that what one sees is the same as one will get.
When purchasing windows, however, it is necessary to contact the supplier or retailer personally in order to discuss all the details: the measurements, opening directions, any additional equipment. All questions and details may be sent by e-mail, and one will also get more or less reasonable responses (which may or may be not AI-supported). However, if one would like to telephone China and discuss things with a representative – there may be problems at this point.
We don’t mean to say that the Chinese don’t speak English, French or other european languages – however, we would be afraid of certain technical details getting lost in the translation. One must remember when ordering construction materials, and windows and doors in particular, that a lot of things need to be discussed that necessitate precise and clear understanding. Anyone looking for advice should rather look elsewhere.
Taking measurements and choosing parameters
It is obvious that when one orders windows from China, there won’t be a team from Asia that will fly to Europe just to measure your window openings – one would need to do that by themselves (this is not really complicated – measuring for new windows can be quite easy, as can be measuring for new doors), or contract a specialist company locally to do it (that you will have to find and contract yourself).
However, what happens next? We send the measurement values to the supplier, representative, or maybe directly to the manufacturer on the other side of the world. It is clear that it will be better to provide these numbers by e-mail instead of on the phone. Will they me taken into account during production? Will they be properly considered? And what happens if they manufacture something different than one wanted? No idea.
In case of windows, and in fact, in case of all construction and refurbishment projects, one chooses the important properties for the project to work, so that the new windows and doors would correspond to our requirements and needs: The colours, glazing, the opening styles, the design – not to speak of the expectation that if one spends money on construction materials that are suppose to last twenty years or more, they should last at least these twenty years in a satisfactory and functional condition.
And what happens if the colours and styles you choose are not properly produced? Then one would be left with a pile of windows that don’t fit one’s home, which are probably not only awful, but also low quality? What then?
Contract signing and payment
The signing of the contract is an important step. It is obvious that one would want to read the contract fully, especially if one would be burdened by uncertainty. Are you afraid that the contractual stipulations would not be honored – or that they are not legally enforceable at all? What happens with the money you will pay? Sending money to a recipient that is far away – if you are uncertain as to what will happen next? Will I even get the products in the first place? We do not know that, and hopefully you won’t have to find out for yourself.
When you conclude a contract with Fenbro, you should also read it fully. We will adhere to the contractual provisions – without any reservations. In terms of payment – we are all in Europe, we are always in contact, and you may rest easy – just as hundreds of our customers were calm and certain – that your money will not disappear.
The question of quality
We are coming to an important point, one decisive for professionals: The product quality. In Europe, we have testing laboratories, certifications and standards, and the European testing system with notified bodies and institutes, as well as other testing bodies like Which allow one to be certain that the products are as good as possible, and that the customer will get the best quality. Consumers and customers may see this in the form of certificates as well as, additionally, relevant signs and seals.
Certificates and similar documents are issued by appropriately certified and licenced bodies. The CE mark is affixed by manufacturers after they get permission. May it be so that one would, of their own volition, affix a sign saying that a product is certified? Are the testing labs at the other end of the world sufficient? We do not know that. In fact, it would be very difficult to confirm that the relevant foreign manufacturer actually conforms to the demanding energy efficiency standards, norms for construction materials and safety.
However, it’s not all about certificates – alas, one checks the product quality when one already has the goods in hand, or one can see the product quality at first glance any way: If one sees that the colours don’t match or quickly fade, or if the products do not fit in with the openings. What to do when the paint peels or doesn’t work at all, or if the materials are thinner than they should be?
To illustrate, we will quote a story here that we heard:
There was a project, with the investor going with Asian-sourced glazing for a facade of a building over 20 storeys tall. After they were installed, the glass panes proceeded to literally explode at random. What happened is, the glass had tiny contaminations that expanded and contracted differently than the glass itself, causing the glazing to just plain explode. In the end, they had to replace the glazing on the entire facade.
This may or may not be all true – however, why would one want to take such a risk? This would never happen with windows from Fenbro – products from Poland are subject to strict quality controls, and are fully certified – and enjoy the good reputation of world-class products they actually are.
Transport, logistics, customs and all that jazz
Asia is quite far from Europe, and the road is also not necessarily what you would call easy. Transport damage may take place even if you’d be driving from your nearest Argos to your own home – imagine the distance being a thousand times greater.
Expensive, intense and most likely complicated – those are the words that best fit transport of windows from the other end of the world. And when one considers all the important issues in the area of customs, one would be best prepared for unexpected additional fees that would certainly need to be covered.
It is clear to us that Polish factories are not exactly round the corner – however, the distance between Poland, the UK and Ireland is, however, much shorter than, for instance, between London or Dublin and China – with no vast expanses or deserts in between. Transport from Poland is simpler, without hassle, and quicker (and it’s always insured).
Installation and warranty
There are quite a few window installation teams in the UK and Ireland – we know that. Smaller and larger companies will be keen to install your windows – in this regard, there should basically be no problems. A different question is, whether the windows, of unknown quality, will function properly when installed.
And to conclude all this, we think that it would not be so easy to make use of a warranty from a supplier whose factory is found only on the other side of the Earth – and what would happen if one actually had a problem with the windows or doors they bought or installed? Any warranty claims would be difficult to enforce, we believe, and after-sales-service could be just as murky.
With proper companies – like Fenbro – the products are covered by a warranty, and in case of any claims we are responsible for shortcomings as in the warranty conditions. Depending on the case, we will provide help in the form of advice, spare parts or repair. In case of difficulties or issues a message or call is sufficient – we will take care of the rest!
The better choice: Windows and doors from Poland
Having said all that, however, we do not want anyone to think that we believe windows and doors from China are a worse choice in terms of finances, safety and long-term profitability. No, to put it clearly into words: We want to expressly and clearly state this to avoid any misunderstandings. And the greater the construction site, the better one would be off protecting oneself against possible difficulties or problems.
Windows and doors from Poland are characterised by certified quality, and have proven themselves already hundreds of times across countless projects. And Fenbro, your trusted partner for windows and doors manufactured in Poland, will prove themselves exactly where manufacturers from the other end of the world will fail: Hassle-free contact in your language, professional advice, so that we can provide you with certified, reliable and durable products to keep your home warm. We also provide top After-Sales service in case of any issues.
Summary: Better buy from your European neighbour
If you would be searching for new windows and doors from Poland, we’ll make it clear: We’re waiting for you. We will be by your side and always provide advice if you are not sure what to choose or what you can choose in the first place – and there are diverse solutions that can be used across a great variety of projects. By phone, Messenger, Whatsapp, e-mail or via our website chat – contact us any time.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth it to buy windows from China?
There are so many questions, issues and risks involved that it’s best to say: No, it’s not worth it at all.
Where do the Chinese get their windows?
It is quite possible that the Chinese source their windows from China. However, this does not say anything about the reliability, quality and conformity of these products.
The website, however, shows certificates and seals, so they must be good, right?
One can paint and print anything one wants, and to put it bluntly it is not possible to check whether the quality indicated in the certificate is actually ensured.
Is it a good idea for me to buy windows from China and install them with my brother-in-law?
One cannot exclude the fact that you may well encounter no issues during installation at all, and we congratulate you on your skills and abilities; in our opinion, however, long-term quality and reliability of Chinese windows remains at least questionable.
I recently bought a shirt that comes from China, what do you say to that?
In this regard we want to stress the differences between shirts on the one hand, and windows and doors on the other. We confess that it is not that easy to sew a fine shirt, however, it still remains simpler than making really good windows.
I am certain that nothing’s gonna go wrong – after all, they are under warranty, right?
Chinese windows may be covered by warranties. The way your warranty claims could be enforced or processed against a manufacturer from the other side of the world will most likely be problematic, though.
