exported windows and doors

lastrik · Post by **lastrik** » Mon Oct 05, 2015 10:17 am

Hi there,

I was wondering for a while what do you think about the windows and doors imported from different country?

Would that be a profitable and quite well recognised if somebody wants to start a business selling imported windows and doors?

**Sponsor:**

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Mon Oct 05, 2015 3:50 pm

Who will you sell them to?

FinnGuyHelsinki · Post by **FinnGuyHelsinki** » Tue Oct 06, 2015 7:19 am

I'm guessing you mean selling to private customers (home owners and such) and I'd say it's a no-go, unless for some special niche market (if one exists) that doesn't currently have much if any offering. The doors and windows will have to meet the local standards and regulations, even if nothing extraordinary, that is what all the competitors do, in many cases in addition to "Made in Finland" badge, which also carries some weight. In order to succeed you would have to be able to sell similar or better quality (quite a bit) cheaper and more conveniently. The latter has its own challenges as with the competition one can often walk into a physical store, see samples and place an order. Also having ready-made doors and windows shipped from abroad probably isn't very speedy nor cost-efficient. At the very least you will need to study the market and the competition, then think it through whether you will be able to offer something that is in demand.

Rip · Post by **Rip** » Tue Oct 06, 2015 1:06 pm

If they are not made to OP's specifications couple of local 'peculiarities' that are at least often different elsewhere. Triple glass windows and doors that open outwards.

riku2 · Post by **riku2** » Tue Oct 06, 2015 1:27 pm

I think customers would only consider it from a cost point of view (the doors and windows would have to be cheaper than finnish made ones) and as pointed out you are fighting against the belief that locally made doors and windows are needed to cope with the climate. Most people will think "cheaper" means not as good as the local ones. Finland is not like England where people will fit out their houses with cheap rubbish that rots and lets in draughts.

Upphew · Post by **Upphew** » Tue Oct 06, 2015 2:37 pm

riku2 wrote:I think customers would only consider it from a cost point of view (the doors and windows would have to be cheaper than finnish made ones) and as pointed out you are fighting against the belief that locally made doors and windows are needed to cope with the climate. Most people will think "cheaper" means not as good as the local ones. Finland is not like England where people will fit out their houses with cheap rubbish that rots and lets in draughts.

I agree that consumers think only about cost. Then there are the rules and regulations. CE markings won't tell if the windows are ok by local standards. We also tend to use MSEA and MEKA windows here.

Tiwaz · Post by **Tiwaz** » Wed Oct 07, 2015 11:47 am

riku2 wrote:I think customers would only consider it from a cost point of view (the doors and windows would have to be cheaper than finnish made ones) and as pointed out you are fighting against the belief that locally made doors and windows are needed to cope with the climate. Most people will think "cheaper" means not as good as the local ones. Finland is not like England where people will fit out their houses with cheap rubbish that rots and lets in draughts.

It is not belief, it is by and large fact.
In how many countries around the world you will get by default 3 layer selective glass windows? Not a lot, as the conditions do not require it. Or actually require you to vent heat OUTWARDS instead of trying to keep it inside.

Making requests for such glasses to manufacturer abroad, then having them shipped to Finland in one piece... Cost is going through the roof as you are speaking of small manufacturing quantities and long and troublesome trasnportation.

Same with doors. External doors in Finland require good bit more than your average cardboard excuse you might find down south. House built along lines of what you find in Spain or even UK would be practically uninhabitable in Finland.

Upphew · Post by **Upphew** » Wed Oct 07, 2015 12:02 pm

Tiwaz wrote:House built along lines of what you find in Spain or even UK would be practically uninhabitable in Finland.

Only in eyes of rules and officials. Old log houses don't keep the heat in, but that is not a problem, as you can burn more wood.

Tiwaz · Post by **Tiwaz** » Wed Oct 07, 2015 12:08 pm

Upphew wrote:
Tiwaz wrote:House built along lines of what you find in Spain or even UK would be practically uninhabitable in Finland.
Only in eyes of rules and officials. Old log houses don't keep the heat in, but that is not a problem, as you can burn more wood.

Old log houses hold heat quite well if built properly. Of course some parts of them are going to be poorly made, but log in and by itself is good insulation. Just have to plug holes between them properly.

Often additional insulation to floor and attic make drastic change. Along with bit better fitting of windows.

And when we get to modern housings... Well, for good and bad they are tight as hell.

Upphew · Post by **Upphew** » Wed Oct 07, 2015 12:33 pm

Tiwaz wrote:but log in and by itself is good insulation.

Good insulator as it is homogeneous and doesn't have problem with dew points being in the structure. Fulfilling the current base regulations? Not. RakMk D3 demands 0,17W/m2K for walls. 0,40 if the wall is made from log. You'll need closer to 300mm to meet that requirement. Granted you can do compensation with other structures. Like better windows and doors..

edit. on topic: door should be compatible with Abloy locks too. That is no standard, but how many forumers can confess to live in house or apartment that _doesn't_ have Abloy's locks?

riku2 · Post by **riku2** » Wed Oct 07, 2015 1:17 pm

Upphew wrote:
Tiwaz wrote:door should be compatible with Abloy locks too. That is no standard, but how many forumers can confess to live in house or apartment that _doesn't_ have Abloy's locks?

I confess that I replaced my exterior doors a couple of years ago and deliberately did not choose Abloy locks. My doors only lock from the inside or when I use the key outside to lock it. it's impossible to lock yourself out. The locks don't have that lever you flip up on the side to switch the locking mechanism on/off .. the lever which does double duty as locking yourself out if you have it in lock mode and shut the door without taking your key with you.

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Wed Oct 07, 2015 2:34 pm

Is that OK with your insurance company or don't they ask about those kind of things?

DMC · Post by **DMC** » Wed Oct 07, 2015 2:47 pm

Upphew wrote:how many forumers can confess to live in house or apartment that _doesn't_ have Abloy's locks?

Not many I guess, though I am one. Old house, old locks. I see no real reason to change except that the only way to lock or unlock the doors is with a key, even from inside, but I can live with that.

Upphew · Post by **Upphew** » Wed Oct 07, 2015 2:53 pm

Rosamunda wrote:Is that OK with your insurance company or don't they ask about those kind of things?

They don't ask unless there is a reason to ask. Like claim. "No signs of forced entry. Claim denied."

riku2 · Post by **riku2** » Wed Oct 07, 2015 5:12 pm

Rosamunda wrote:Is that OK with your insurance company or don't they ask about those kind of things?

So your logic is that insurance companies consider Abloy to be the only approved manufacturer of exterior door locks?

This is the system I have. The locks don't have the lever on the edge of the door. And I can lock the door inside without needing the key.

http://www.dorma.com/fi/fi/tuotteet/luk ... 39973.html

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