Most Perth homeowners delay window replacement longer than they
should. The reason is rarely cost. It is the unknown of the process: the
disruption, the timeline, the noise, the holes in the wall, the question
of where to put the cat for two days. The fear of the install is bigger
than the fear of the cost.
This article walks the process end to end, from the first phone call
to the moment the install team drives away. Drawn from the Penot Double
Glazing five-stage process and the AGWA Guide to Residential
Installation (July 2020), it covers what happens, when it happens, and
what to plan around. Most of the things people worry about turn out to
be smaller than the worry.
Why So
Many Perth Homeowners Delay Window Replacement
Three concerns dominate the delay.
Disruption. People imagine the house torn apart.
They imagine plaster dust through the lounge, exposed openings
overnight, weeks of plastic sheeting over kitchen surfaces. The reality
is each room is opened and resealed within the same day in most cases,
and the home stays secure overnight if the install does need to spill
over.
Lead time confusion. The “how long will this take”
question gets vague answers. The reality is more structured than vague:
a consultation, a manufacture window confirmed by your supplier, then an
on-site installation phase. Knowing the actual structure reduces the
open-endedness.
Quote opacity. Two suppliers can quote the same
windows and arrive at very different numbers because they are specifying
different products. The fear is choosing the wrong supplier and
inheriting the problem for the next 15 years.
The honest answer to all three concerns is the same: pick a supplier
that gives specific information at quote stage, run the consultation
early, and let the actual timeline replace the imagined one. Our choosing a double
glazing company Perth guide covers what separates a good supplier
from an average one.
Stage One: The In-Home
Assessment Visit
The first consultation typically happens at the home. The assessor
measures the existing openings, looks at the surrounding finishes, and
discusses orientation, sun exposure and access. The visit typically runs
60 to 90 minutes depending on the project size.
What gets measured:
- Opening dimensions: width, height, sill height from
finished floor, head height to ceiling - Surrounding finishes: internal architrave, external
cladding, render condition, sill material, threshold detail at
doors - Frame condition: for window replacement installs,
whether the existing frame can stay or needs full replacement - Orientation: for each opening, the compass
direction and shading from eaves, neighbouring buildings, or trees - Access: ground floor vs upper floor, parking for
the install truck, sequence of room access
What gets discussed:
- The rooms where the upgrade matters most (typically west-facing
living rooms, bedrooms with noise exposure, and rooms with persistent
condensation) - Glass spec by orientation (low-e for west and unshaded north,
standard double for south-facing) - Frame system (standard or thermally broken aluminium)
- Hardware preferences
- Timeline constraints
For homeowners doing a wider double
glazing Perth refurbishment, the consultation is also where the
order of priority gets sorted. Sometimes the right answer is two stages:
the worst rooms now, the rest later. The Penot Double Glazing free in-home assessment is
the standard route into this conversation.
Stage Two: Product
Selection and Quote
The quote follows the consultation by a few days to a week, depending
on the size of the project and the complexity of the spec choices.
The choices to make at this stage:
- Frame system: standard aluminium or thermally
broken. For Perth’s climate, thermally broken is usually the right
answer when the upgrade is a serious thermal upgrade. - Glass spec by orientation: typically a
per-orientation decision. West windows get solar-control low-e double
glazed at the low end of the SHGC range. South windows get standard
double glazed. - Frame finish: standard Dulux powder-coat range or
custom, woodgrain foil, dual-colour (different inside/outside). - Hardware: standard locks or multi-point, soft-close
on sliding doors, pull-handle style on entry doors. - Configuration: for doors, whether to specify
French, bifold, lift-and-slide or sliding (our lift and slide vs bifold
guide covers this).
The quote should specify each of these per opening, plus the AS 2047 water and wind ratings,
the WERS-listed Uw and SHGC values, the warranty terms (10 years on the
frame is the Penot standard; ask about IGU seal, hardware and
installation warranty terms at quote stage), and the total price
including install.
For projects that need finance, the conversation happens at this
stage. Our guide to
financing double glazing in Perth covers the humm90 options. The Penot Double Glazing windows
range covers the spec choices in detail.
What Affects the
Lead Time and Why It Varies
Lead time varies by project and is confirmed at the quote stage. Four
variables drive the outcome.
Custom sizes. Off-the-shelf standard sizes
manufacture faster than custom dimensions. A non-standard reveal size
adds time relative to a standard opening.
Custom finish. Standard Dulux powder-coat colours
have stock availability. Custom colours and woodgrain foils require a
paint or foil batch run, which adds time.
Glass spec. Standard double glazed clear units run
fastest. Acoustic laminated units, solar-control low-e, and triple
glazed take longer because the glass is sourced separately and the IGU
is built to order.
Supplier capacity. Spring and early summer are
typically the busiest periods for whole-house projects in Perth. Booking
the consultation early gives the most flexibility on the manufacture
slot.
The supplier confirms the specific lead time at quote stage so it is
in writing rather than estimated.
Stage
Three: Preparing the Home for Installation Day
Two weeks before install, the supplier confirms the date and provides
a preparation checklist. The standard preparation:
- Clear the work zone around each opening to 1.5
metres. Furniture moved or covered. Curtains and blinds removed. - Move valuables away from windows. Decorative items,
electronics, anything fragile. - Plan for pets. Cats and dogs need a secure space
away from open doorways during the install. Birds and fish stay
covered. - Plan for kids. Schools or grandparents during
install hours. Older kids can be in the home but not in the rooms being
worked on. - Park elsewhere. The install truck needs the
driveway or a clear kerbside spot near the home. - Power and water access. Installers need 240V access
and water access for cleanup.
For multi-day installs, the home stays secure overnight via temporary
closure of any opening that has not been resealed. This is agreed at the
start of the install rather than improvised.
What Happens on
Installation Day, Room by Room
A typical install day for a whole-house project runs from
approximately 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM with two to three installers on
site.
Morning (7:30 to 10:30 AM): Existing windows removed
from the rooms scheduled for the day. Openings cleaned and prepared. New
frames brought in from the truck.
Late morning (10:30 to 12:30 PM): Frames installed
plumb and level. Head and sill flashings dressed. Frames sealed to the
surrounding wall structure.
Early afternoon (12:30 to 2:30 PM): Glass IGUs
installed in the frames. Hardware fitted. Locks and seals checked.
Late afternoon (2:30 to 4:30 PM): Internal
architrave reset or replaced. External cladding patched if required.
Trims painted. Debris cleared.
For a 10-window project, two to three days is typical. For 15-plus
windows, four to five days. The team works room by room rather than
opening every window simultaneously, so the home remains liveable during
the install.
Post-Installation
Cleanup and What the Team Leaves Behind
Standard post-install:
- All packaging removed from site
- Window and frame surfaces cleaned of install residue
- Sticker labels removed from glass
- Site swept and vacuumed in work zones
- External patches inspected and touched up
- Internal architrave repainted if matching existing finish
Final walkthrough with the homeowner: operating instructions for each
window and door, key handover, warranty documentation, and an AS 2047
compliance summary. Any snags are noted and scheduled for follow-up.
The Penot Double Glazing
process page covers the five-stage flow in the company’s own
words.
What the
Warranty Covers and How to Make a Claim
The following are industry-standard positions for AGWA member suppliers. Penot Double
Glazing carries a 10-year warranty on frames; ask about IGU seal,
hardware and installation warranty terms at the quote stage.
- IGU seal: 10 years against seal failure (fogging or
condensation between panes) - Frame: 10 years on the powder-coat finish,
structural frame typically lifetime - Hardware: 5 to 10 years depending on the product;
hardware manufacturers supply their own warranty terms - Installation: workmanship is covered for a warranty
period; confirm specifics at quote stage
To make a claim: photograph the issue, contact the supplier directly
(not the manufacturer), and the supplier coordinates the repair or
replacement. AGWA members commit to a code of conduct that includes
warranty service.
How
to Plan Window Replacement Around a Busy Household Schedule
Three planning tips:
- Book the consultation early. Lead time on quotes is
a few days to a week. Once the quote is firm, the manufacture clock
starts only after order confirmation. Booking the consultation well
ahead of the desired install date is comfortable. - Coordinate with other trades. If the project
involves painting, plastering or flooring, sequence the trades so the
windows install before painting and after plastering. - Pick the right week. School holidays are a good
window for whole-house projects because the household routine flexes.
The week before a family event is not.
Where Penot Double Glazing
Fits
Penot Double Glazing is a full AGWA member based at 92 Beechboro Rd
S, Bayswater WA 6053. The five-stage process from consultation to
handover is documented at the our process page. Every
install is run by the Penot Double Glazing team rather than
subcontractors, which keeps the certification and warranty position
clean.
For a quote that maps the upgrade against your actual rooms and
timeline, book a free in-home
assessment. Compare options across the double glazing Perth range, call 1300
121 603, or visit the Bayswater showroom at 92 Beechboro Rd S.
How
Long Does Double Glazing Installation Take in a Perth Home?
Project run depends on project size, product spec and supplier
capacity. The supplier confirms the timeline at the quote stage. Most
whole-house projects involve a consultation and quote, a manufacture
window, and a multi-day on-site installation phase.
Do You Have
to Move Out During Window Replacement?
No. The home stays occupied during install. Each room is opened and
resealed within the same day in most cases, with the home secure
overnight. Furniture near windows is moved or covered. Pets, kids and
valuables need a plan but the household functions through the
project.
What
Does Penot Double Glazing’s Installation Process Look Like?
Five stages: in-home consultation and measure, specification and
quote, manufacture, site installation, and handover with warranty
documentation. The full process page covers it in
detail. Every project is run by Penot Double Glazing’s own install team
rather than subcontractors.
