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Find out if Essex-based Crystal Windows and Doors is one of the best double glazing providers in the UK. In this review, we’ll help you decide if the company is a good fit for you and your home.
Crystal Windows and Doors is one of the largest privately-owned double glazing windows and home improvement companies (and employers) in the South East of England. Crystal Windows started in Rainham, Essex, in 1995, offering a window and door replacement service. Today, the company has expanded considerably and now operates three showrooms in Hertfordshire, Essex and Epping. According to the company’s website, it has carried out more than 90,000 installations since its launch.
All windows are backed by a standard 10-year guarantee. In addition to the standard warranty, Crystal Windows and Doors is a member of the Glass and Glazing Federation’s (GGF) insurance-backed guarantee scheme, which provides protection and independent insurance for deposits and guarantees.
Customers can choose between casement, sliding sash, tilt and turn and bay windows. There are several colours available for double glazing, as well as decorative glass options.
Crystal’s uPVC double-glazed windows are a good choice if you want to replace old windows that have timber or metal frames. Installing these types of windows can be tricky. Choosing an experienced company like Crystal helps ensure you get a high-quality finish.
Crystal Windows and Doors offers a range of finance packages, helping you to afford your new double glazing.
Crystal Windows and Doors installs double-glazed windows across the South East region of England. By double glazing, an air gap is created that insulates against the transfer of heat between the inside and outside temperature zones. Two panes of glass are sealed in a single unit.
Installing uPVC windows. (image credit: FMB)
The company offers a selection of casement, sliding sash, tilt and turn and bay window styles. They come in several colours and you can choose decorative glass. All windows are backed by a standard 10-year guarantee.
Highlights: A wide variety of high-quality products and a reputation for excellent customer service and installation.
Key benefit: Personal attention and good customer service, according to online reviews.
Memberships and certifications: FENSA, TGAS, TrustMark, GGF and HIES.
Styles: Casement, sliding sash, tilt and turn and bay windows.
While there is a lot to like about Crystal Windows and Doors, it’s always important to consider all the pros and cons before settling on a provider for your new windows.
Here are some advantages of choosing Crystal Windows and Doors:
There are some drawbacks to choosing Crystal Windows and Doors, including:
Double glazing windows in the UK are typically made from either uPVC, aluminium or wood. (Image credit: Adobe)
Crystal Windows and Doors specialises in uPVC windows in a number of styles. uPVC is much easier to maintain and more durable than timber frames. Timber is prone to warping or twisting, particularly in the harsh British climate, often causing the windows to stick or rattle. The traditional weight, cord and pulley mechanisms of older windows are also prone to deterioration, while the timber itself usually needs painting, staining and priming.
Crystal has experience with uPVC to create and install beautiful and innovative windows that last much longer and are easier to maintain than traditional timber or metal frames.
Crystal Windows and Doors is one of the most popular double glazing companies in the South East, but it faces stiff competition from other brands.
For those who live in Yorkshire, consider Coral Windows as an alternative to Crystal. Coral offers a friendly service (including in-depth after-sales support), several attractive glass and uPVC framing options, finance plans and warranties.
We can also recommend a more premium brand, Everest. Everest is a well-known window manufacturer and its products are high-quality. Unlike Crystal, Everest’s uPVC Exclusives range comes with 20-year standard guarantees and you can also purchase a lifetime guarantee for an additional fee. Another added bonus is that you can choose aluminium, composite and timber frames.
The cost of your uPVC double-glazed windows will vary depending on the size of your windows, the complexity of the installation and the type of glass you select. While we can’t tell you exactly how much your new windows will cost from Crystal Windows and Doors, we can give you an estimated price range based on online comparison sites.
| Material | Cost (excluding installation and labour) |
|---|---|
| Casement | From £250 to £570 |
| Sash | From £500 to £1,050 |
| Bay | £400+ per section |
Crystal Windows and Doors specialises in uPVC window frames. This type of frame requires virtually no maintenance. Unlike timber frames which need to be sanded down and repainted every few years, you can get away with a little elbow grease, soap and water to keep your uPVC frames in tip-top condition.
Don’t use abrasive or harsh chemical cleansers as these can degrade your frames. Additionally, you should prevent damage and discolouration by avoiding the use of paint or bleach.
Keep your glass panes clear using newspaper or a soft sponge or cloth and commercial glass-cleaning sprays.
“Our new windows were fitted, as set out, from start to finish it was fantastic. Nothing was too much trouble. Two minor problems were resolved before the completion of the work and the final payment. Our fitters were one of the best, if not the best, crew. Well done, everyone at Crystal went the extra mile… Thank you, our home looks even better now!”
“[The fitters] arrived nice and early and waited for my go-ahead; they set up and waited before making any work noise. The old windows and door were taken out quickly without any damage to the interior of the home. A larger opening was made to accommodate patio doors, and Mark/Ben replastered the brick wall and replaced the skirting (if I wasn’t there to see it, I would say it has never been moved ). The eye to detail was second to none; the mastic work was clean and tidy. Once the windows were installed, it was all cleaned down. Any mess (not that there was much) was cleaned up and removed; the site was left clean and tidy.”
“Although our windows are beautiful, there were several damages made to our property which, two months later, have not been rectified. Plants pots smashed, rubbish strewn over the garden, an entire piece of corrugated roofing was trashed and we have been told it may not be replaced. Spillages on our carpet, and parts of the windows we ordered and paid for have still not been fitted despite a second visit! Plus our house smelt of cigarette smoke which took a week to get rid of, and a lighter was left on our table to be found by my young child. No compensation, just staff who cannot wait to get off the phone! So disappointing, and based on previous experiences that has us as firm loyal customers, this time we would say: BUYER BEWARE!”
Crystal Windows and Doors has the expertise and experience you need for a high-quality installation at a fair price. It is a particularly good choice if you have a traditional home.
The company grew from just a small business into one of the largest installers in the South East of England. This success can be attributed to Crystal’s dedication to customer service and its ability to produce quality products in-house using the best manufacturing techniques.
The company’s online reviews are generally positive, as reflected in its 4.3-star Trustpilot rating. The brand is particularly well known for its ability to tackle difficult replacement windows in older, more traditional homes where timber and metal frames need to be removed. This is a tricky process that can lead to foundational damage if not properly managed.
The downsides are that the company is only operational in the South East of England and Crystal’s selection is quite limited compared to other brands in terms of styles and colour options.
The cost for double glazing windows largely depends on the type of window frames you choose, uPVC windows are the cheapest and wood is the most expensive. The average price per window is £250 and the average household in the UK requires 10 windows. The cost also varies depending on the type of window you choose, casement is the most common type of window installed in the UK.
Double glazing windows can last between 20 and 35 years, but it also depends on the type of frame that you have installed. Double glazing windows also last longer with a bit of maintenance and can far outlive this timespan if they’re maintained regularly.
Double glazing, although a worthwhile home improvement, does not come without any issues. Sometimes, double glazing can get condensation due to too much moisture in your home, to combat this use a dehumidifier or open your windows for a short while. If there’s condensation on the inside panes of glass this could indicate that the seal is not working properly and you should call a professional.
To objectively put together this Crystal Windows and Doors review, we assessed hundreds of online customer reviews, forums, technical documentation, brochures, media articles and other sources. This allowed us to form a clear picture of the company and how its customers rated its services. We then evaluated Crystal against a 100-point scoring system.
Our scoring system includes ratings based on: