Questions Every Homeowner Should Ask Before Ordering Timber Windows or Doors

Before Ordering Timber Windows or Doors

Ordering bespoke timber windows or doors isn't something most homeowners do very often. Unlike decorating a room or replacing flooring, it's an investment that's expected to last for decades. The decisions you make before placing an order will influence how the joinery performs, how much maintenance it requires and how well it suits your property for years to come.

It's easy to compare quotations based on price alone, but two companies can offer products that look almost identical while using different materials, construction methods and installation techniques.

At Wood.ED Joinery, we believe informed homeowners make better decisions. Asking the right questions at the beginning of a project often prevents expensive surprises later.

If you're planning to order bespoke timber windows or timber doors, here are some of the most important questions to ask before making your decision.

1. Which timber are you using, and why?

Not all timber performs the same way.

The timber should be chosen to suit the property rather than simply keeping costs down.

Ask whether the joinery will be manufactured from:

• Accoya

• Engineered hardwood

• European oak

• Sapele

• Another hardwood species

Each material has different characteristics when it comes to stability, maintenance and long-term performance.

For example, homes close to the Cornish coastline often benefit from highly stable materials such as Accoya because of the constant changes in humidity and exposure to salt air.

A good joinery company should be able to explain why they've recommended a particular material.

2. Are the windows or doors genuinely bespoke?

Some products are manufactured individually for each property.

Others are adapted from standard production sizes.

Ask:

• Will every opening be individually measured?

• Are the frames made specifically for my house?

• Can original mouldings be matched?

• Will the proportions match the existing joinery?

This is particularly important for period properties where small changes in glazing bars or frame dimensions can noticeably alter the appearance of the building.

3. How will you deal with uneven openings?

Very few older homes have perfectly square window or door openings.

Stone walls settle, lintels move and previous alterations often leave irregular masonry.

A good survey should identify:

• Out-of-square openings

• Uneven reveals

• Structural movement

• Existing drainage issues

The solution should involve designing the joinery to suit the building—not forcing the building to suit the joinery.

Real project: asking the right questions before manufacturing began

We recently worked with homeowners renovating a 1930s house near Liskeard.

They had received three quotations for replacement timber windows.

All three prices were relatively close, but one important difference emerged during our discussions.

The homeowners asked how each company would deal with the uneven masonry revealed during survey work.

Their existing windows had openings that varied by as much as 16mm across the diagonal due to gradual settlement over the years.

Rather than manufacturing identical windows, we explained that each frame would be individually templated and adjusted to maintain consistent external sightlines while accommodating the irregular openings.

We also recommended Accoya because the south-west elevation received constant exposure to wind-driven rain.

During installation we:

• Used stainless steel A4 fixings throughout

• Installed breathable sealing tapes around each frame

• Adjusted cill angles to improve water runoff

• Packed each frame individually rather than relying on expanding foam

  
  

The homeowners later told us that asking those questions gave them far greater confidence in the process because they understood not just what they were buying, but how it would be fitted.

4. How are the joints constructed?

Most homeowners never see the structural joints inside a timber window or door.

However, they play a major role in long-term durability.

Ask:

• Are mortise and tenon joints used?

• Are engineered timber sections incorporated where appropriate?

• How is movement managed?

The answers will tell you a great deal about how the joinery has been designed.

5. What glazing will be fitted?

Not all glazing specifications are the same.

Ask whether the quotation includes:

• Low-E glass

• Toughened safety glass where required

• Laminated security glazing

• Slimline double glazing for heritage properties

• Warm-edge spacer bars

The glazing influences comfort, thermal performance and appearance.

6. How will the windows or doors be finished?

External coatings are part of the protection system, not simply decoration.

Ask:

• Are the products factory finished?

• What paint system is being used?

• Are end-grain areas fully sealed?

• What maintenance will be required?

Understanding the finishing process helps you plan future maintenance realistically.

7. What does the installation include?

Installation often determines how well bespoke joinery performs over the long term.

Ask whether the quotation includes:

• Final site survey

• Removal of existing joinery

• Repairs to surrounding timber if required

• Frame alignment

• Internal making good

• External sealing

• Waste disposal

A detailed quotation should clearly explain what is included.

8. What happens if hidden problems are discovered?

Older properties can reveal unexpected issues once existing windows or doors are removed.

These may include:

• Rotten structural timbers

• Damaged lintels

• Irregular masonry

• Historic repairs hidden beneath previous installations

Ask how additional work is handled.

A professional company should explain the process before work begins.

9. What maintenance should I expect?

Every external material requires some maintenance.

Ask:

• How often should paintwork be inspected?

• What should be checked annually?

• Can individual components be repaired?

• Are replacement parts available in the future?

Knowing what ownership looks like after installation is just as important as choosing the product itself.

10. Can I see examples of similar work?

Photographs are useful, but seeing completed projects or examples of similar joinery often provides a better understanding of workmanship.

Look for projects that resemble your own property.

A Victorian townhouse, listed cottage and modern extension all present different challenges.

Relevant experience is often more valuable than simply seeing a large portfolio.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I ask about the timber species?

Different timbers behave differently. Understanding why a particular material has been recommended helps ensure it suits your property's location and exposure.

Is it important to ask about installation?

Yes. Even well-manufactured joinery can perform poorly if it isn't installed correctly or if uneven openings aren't properly addressed.

Should every window be measured individually?

For older properties, absolutely. Individual surveying helps account for movement, settlement and irregular masonry that standard sizes cannot accommodate.

Is the cheapest quotation always the best value?

Not necessarily. Compare materials, construction methods, glazing, installation and aftercare—not just the total price.

Ordering bespoke timber windows or doors is about more than choosing a style you like. It's about understanding how the joinery will be made, how it will fit your property and how it will perform long after the installation has been completed. The best questions aren't designed to catch anyone out—they're there to help you understand exactly what you're investing in.