What to check when your windows arrive
Five minutes of checking while the driver is still there protects the whole project. Windows and doors travel well — they're crated and edge-protected — but glass is glass, and the time to spot anything is at the tailgate, not when the fitter unwraps them a week later.
Before the driver leaves
- Count the items against your order confirmation — every frame, every sealed glass unit, and the loose cills and vents
- Check each frame's label against the confirmation: sizes and colour
- Sight down each frame for impact damage to corners and faces
- Inspect every sealed unit in good light: look across each pane at an angle for cracks, chips and deep scratches — the glass travels separately from the frames, so check units individually
- Check obscure patterns and toughened-glass kite marks match what you specified
- Note any damage or shortage with the driver before signing
Storing windows before fitting
- Store frames and glass units upright, on edge, on timber bearers — never flat
- Lean at a slight angle against a solid wall, heaviest items at the back; keep sealed units separated with soft packing at the edges
- Keep out of direct sun if stored in wrapping — heat builds under film, especially on foiled colours
- Keep each window's glass units, cill and vents together with its frame so nothing is missing on fitting day
Scheduling the fitter
Book installation for after the delivery has arrived and been checked, not the same morning. A day or two's slack costs nothing and means any issue is resolved before a tradesperson is standing on your drive. Old-window removal and new-window fitting for a typical room is comfortably a one-day job for a competent fitter.
Frequently asked questions
- What if I find damage after the driver has left?
- Contact us as soon as you find it — but check at the point of delivery whenever possible; noting an issue with the driver makes everything simpler.
- Do windows arrive glazed?
- No — frames arrive assembled with hardware fitted, and the sealed glass units travel separately. A frame has to be fixed into the opening unglazed, then the units are fitted and toed-and-heeled in place; cills and trickle vents also come loose, ready to fit during installation.
- How is the delivery charged?
- By straight-line distance from our Manchester factory to your postcode — the exact charge shows at checkout before you order. See the delivery page for bands and coverage.
- Can someone else accept the delivery for me?
- Yes, but brief them with this checklist — whoever signs should count the items and check the glass.