Some Popular Questions

• FAQ - Who manufactures the best timber windows and doors in the UK?

  Dale Joinery is a leading manufacturer of high-quality, bespoke timber windows and doors. Our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and customer service has earned us a well-deserved reputation for excellence in the industry. We partner closely with self-builders, developers, architects and contractors to create outstanding timber windows and doors that homeowners love.

• FAQ - Why do you use multi-layered, or engineered timber?

  Our engineered timber is the strong backbone of our products, all new windows and doors benefit from the rigidity and strength. Resistant to warping and twisting, the timber is formed from layering sections of European Redwood in a specific way, this increases the natural properties to produce a material that has been used to construct large structures for many years worldwide. Creating large buildings such as churches and used in areas with water – such as bridges and poolside buildings. Multi-layered timber has each section of wood with the grain running in the opposite direction of its neighbour’s preventing any movement and counters any warping or twisting, the fit in the frame stays as exact as the day they are installed.

• FAQ - Can I buy windows like these from my 'local joiner'?

  Your local joiner should indeed be able to make beautiful timber windows, but our windows are not just timber frames, sashes and casements they are packed full of innovations and performance which your local joiner will not be able to replicate, also they may not glaze the windows or paint them. Our windows and doors have the protective paint and stain factory applied and arrive fully glazed, all that remains is installation and the job is done. Our range of timber windows and doors, sealed double glazed units, hardware and workmanship are covered by comprehensive guarantees.

• FAQ - Are wooden windows and doors high maintenance? How often will I need to decorate them?

  The beauty of our low maintenance timber doors and windows is in the factory-applied paints. The paints and stains are guaranteed for 10 and up to 6 years respectively but obviously, this depends on location and weather conditions. With such a well-applied protective layer and so beautifully finished, all that is required is an occasional clean and inspection to ensure that the paint is in top condition. When the time comes to redecorate it is a very simple matter of a thorough clean and a fresh coat of paint – a thirty-minute job per window.

• FAQ - Are timber windows and doors good for the environment?

  According to Greenpeace “As long as timber is sourced from properly managed forests…timber windows are by far the best environmental choice” (Greenpeace Briefing: Installing New Windows 1997). We use sustainable European Redwood from managed forests in all our timber windows and doors making all our products a very healthy environmental choice – for further information please visit our sustainability page for details.

• FAQ - What is the normal delivery period?

  We have competitive, consistent and guaranteed lead times – please speak to our team to discover more about the process and timescales.

• FAQ - Can I buy unfinished windows and doors?

  We do NOT sell our timber doors and windows unfinished. Our thorough factory-applied paints and stains add more than just a wide range of stunning colours, the protective coats of micro-porous paint and stain are paramount to the longevity of the windows and doors.

• FAQ - What aftercare do you have in place and what if something goes wrong with my order?

  Whilst our entire process is set up for smooth sailing, sometimes things just don’t go to plan. Controlling mother nature isn’t normally possible, and when working with a natural product set in an external environment, we have to accept it is us that has to adapt.  Our product range has been designed to work within these parameters, to ensure the complete confidence and satisfaction of our customers.  If something does go wrong, you can be assured that we stand by our products, as demonstrated by our cast-iron guarantees and inclusive service engineer package.

• FAQ - How expensive are timber windows?

  Timber windows and doors do cost more than PVCu initially – but our strong and reliable timber products last longer, are a better choice environmentally and match or surpass performance with the added beauty of real wood. Plastic windows are a cheap fix that cost more in the long run, carrying out very easy maintenance can ensure the longevity of your windows beyond the guaranteed years. Many centuries old windows are still found worldwide, proving the natural strength of wood which, when combined with ingenious manufacture, materials and technology, it is easy to see how this natural strength is enhanced and magnified. As a rule of thumb, replacing double glazing with timber windows will cost around 5% of the property value. Dale Joinery offer a more affordable timber product without a compromise on performance. An independent study comparing various windows and frames was conducted by Dr Gillian Menzies at the Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh. Focusing on Life cycle, cost and service of timber and PVCu window frames, the results found timber had twice the lifetime than PVCu and cost less over the lifetime despite a lower initial cost (Whole Life Costs PVC Vs Timber Windows). It is worth noting that the way the wood is protected using paint or woodstain is absolutely vital in the longevity of the windows.

• FAQ - Will timber doors and windows add to the value of my property?

  The wrong choice of window can reduce the value of your property whereas real wood windows and doors can add value to your home. . Naomi Cleaver of the Daily Telegraph writes: "While uPVC windows might be cheaper upfront… if you live in anything other than a new building in a contemporary design those uPVC windows can cost you dear. Taste might be subjective, but it still has a price… a quick call around to agents up and down the country – from Peter Shaw in the Fulham office of Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward to Mark Rimell of Strutt & Parker, nationwide specialists in country properties – indicated this overwhelming view: the majority of buyers find uPVC windows a turn-off and typically when making an offer on a property with uPVC windows will reduce it by the several thousand pounds it will cost to replace all those “ghastly windows” with “nice timber ones."

• FAQ - What styles of front door are available?

  Your home is your fortress and the twenty-one front door designs that we offer with the Dale collection are all named after castles, the Bevington, Bolingbroke, Burgh, Chalfont, Framlingham and Hadleigh, Harlech, Lulworth, Lydford, Orford, Peveril, Polstead, Pomeroy, Stanhope, Stirling, Tregenna, Tintagel, Wardour, Whitstable, Wigmore & Windsor. Each design based upon a particular style and period, there is a door design to suit any property, choose from partially glazed to solid wood.

• FAQ - What are the guarantees?

  Fungal & Insect - 30 years guarantee Sealed Unit - 10 years guarantee Hardware - 10 years guarantee Workmanship - 10 years guarantee

• FAQ - Where can I view the timber range of products?

  We have a UK-wide network of distributors with products on display. Please contact us for details of your nearest distributor.

• FAQ - What is FSC?

  FSC stands for ‘Forest Stewardship Council’ and is a globally recognised certification that the timber element of a product has been cut from responsibly managed forests that ensure environmental, social and economic benefits for all stakeholders.

• FAQ - Are timber windows and doors sustainable?

  To put it simply, yes - timber windows and doors are sustainable. The timber we use for our windows and doors is carefully sourced from managed forests. Timber is a natural insulator, as it absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere and has a life span beyond all other materials. It helps to insulate your property, add value and be more mindful of the environment.

• FAQ - What is WWA?

  WWA stands for Wood Window Alliance, and it is a scheme that is a part of the British Woodworking Federation. It is a scheme that helps individuals and organisations source timber windows and doors packed with comprehensive warranties. Dale Joinery is a proud member of Wood Window Alliance.

• FAQ - What are the standard sizes of windows and doors?

  Windows and doors come in a range of shapes and sizes. There are standard UK sizes for each type of window you have and we’ve listed these below in mm: Standard casement sizes: 1045 (h) x 1195 (w), 1195 (h) x 1765 (w), 745 (h) x 625 (w), 895 (h) x 910 (w) Standard tilt & turn sizes: 1045 (h) x 1195 (w), 1195 (h) x 1765 (w), 745 (h) x 625 (w), 895 (h) x 910 (w) Standard sash sizes: 1200 (h) x 1350 (w), 1200 (h) x 1500 (w), 900 (h) x 1050 (w)

• FAQ - What are Cavity Closers and Cavity Formers?

  Cavity closers are insulated sections that slit into the open cavity to close the cavity space around apertures for windows and doors. They reduce the possibility of cold bridging, where cold surfaces can create internal condensation under the plater and then mould will form. Cavity formers are made from cavity closers as a three-sided frame, bottom and sides, which are then braced at the top. You remove the top brace when you install the window or door.