Sunsquare Skyview glazed unit blown: any ideas what to do now?

[creamola]

This is a bit of a weird one:

We have a 1000 x 1500 Sunsquare Skyview (both glazed unit and accompanying Skyview insulated upstand) installed in 2013.

The glazed unit has blown such that:

a) It seems to have lost it's thermal integrity and streams with condensation in the winter (didn't before it blew).

b) The soft coat Low E has kind of misted and clumped - such that looking up through it from the house, all we see is clouds, whether it is a bright sunny day or not.

Sunsquare warranty their glazed units for 25 years - which would be fine, if Sunsquare hadn't gone into administration in March 2023.. [The Administrator says that if I replace the unit myself, I can make a claim as a Creditor but, what could possibly go wrong with that?]

Sunsquare have now been purchased out of administration by https://surespancovers.com/ who won't honour the warranty (obvs) and have quoted £2,412 to come along with a replacement glazed unit and install. So, sharp intake of breath, and a few moments spent considering my options..

I know (from the old Sunsquare web site) that the glazed unit is:

6mm toughened soft coat low E outer pane.

14mm Argon filled silicone sealed cavity with a

black warm edge spacer bar.

8.8mm laminated safety inner pane.

So, a couple of questions to the experts here, if I may:

1. Do you know of anyone who would manufacture a replacement glazed unit to the above spec? Bearing in mind, that all dimensions need to be the same as the original, otherwise it won't fit in the upstand and/or maintain the same thermal integrity.

2. I am not a double glazed unit expert, but I am bemused, that although this is a 1000 x 1500 Skyview, the outer glass in the glazing unit is actually 1005 x 1505 - i.e. 5mm wider than the nominal advertised measurements. Is this normal? i.e. if I order a replacement glazed unit, should I order 1000 x 1500 or 1005 x 1505?

3. The glazed unit sits in what appears to be a dense rubber/neoprene type of 2cm wide "frame" (see photo). I guess, that when ordering the unit, this doesn't come with it, so does anyone know what this edging is called? (for requesting at the time of manufacture or adding once manufactured).

All suggestions gratefully received - thanks!

 

[creamola]

Unfortunately, I think I am about to answer my own question...

I have just discovered the installation instructions for the Skyview, and while I presumed that this was a double glazed unit dropped into a frame at the top of the upstand, it is not. The entire upstand top, comprising of glazing, neoprene edging AND aluminium extruded cap, is all manufactured as one complete unit.

i.e. that entire glazed unit and aluminium sides, is manufactured as one complete unit - so I don't think that the glazing unit is replaceable on it's own:

I think that this is about to get really expensive...

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Possibly, I would see if there are any specialist glazing people near you, I suspect you will know within about 30s of speakiong with thm if they can assist or not.

 

[creamola]

Possibly, I would see if there are any specialist glazing people near you, I suspect you will know within about 30s of speakiong with thm if they can assist or not.

So this is the challenge..

I am based in Wiltshire and there are three Double Glazing Repair specialists in the vicinity: blown units, replacement locks/hinges, that sort of thing. All said, that they just don't do this work.

So, I will need to get a glazed unit made (but see above - that might not be the answer if I can't retrofit it) and the only folk who manufacture glazed units in the locality (although I suspect they outsource it) is Roman Glass.

So if anyone can recommend a Wiltshire/Somerset/Dorset based glazed unit manufacturer - who could turn their hand to something a bit bespoke, I would be very grateful!

Thanks.

 

[God]

We just changed a complete flat roof light as the unit had smashed. Most of these flat roofs can’t be reglazed. See if your insurance company will change it.

 

[creamola]

We just changed a complete flat roof light as the unit had smashed. Most of these flat roofs can’t be reglazed. See if your insurance company will change it.

That is tempting, but it is only cloudy - no other damage - and as one of the panes is laminated, it would take a 747 to smash through it I suspect.

Sunsquare (the new version after administration) still says that the glass can be replaced BUT I asked them to quote for a brand new pre-manufactured unit (without the upstand - as I already have that bit) and it comes to £1531 inc VAT and delivery - still a lot of money, but better (although I would have to replace it myself).

So I am now debating whether to leave it as is until I win the lottery. Sure, it means my outlook is always going to be cloudy, but the sun is still shining in my heart .

 

[mrrusty]

If it was manufactured, it can be taken apart. Go to your local window company and ask them if they can quote for the new DGU with mixed glass. They will be able to. Personally I would have thought just specifying toughened glass would be OK - its fine for a conservatory roof, so can't see why it wouldn't be here. Shouldn't be any problem getting it made up.

Your local supplier may well make roof lanterns, in which case they should have suitable profiles to sit on an upstand.

Take it apart, block the hole and make watertight. Get new glass, and possibly frame. Reassemble. It's only a frame with some glass in.

99% sure my local supplier would help - but they're not very local to you. http://lostockhallglass.co.uk/ Based on stuff I have bought recently, I would expect the DGU to be <£300

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

edit

 

[creamola]

@mrrusty appreciate that - you have made my day!

Right, I'll get cracking trying to find a manufacturer locally.