Field notes from the factory floor
What we check, what we find, and what it costs when nobody checks. Written from visits and inspections — not from research.
Thermal Break Continuity: Why an Aluminium Window Frame Leaks Heat Where Nobody Checks
Two frames quoted under the same product name, one about 20% cheaper. One carries a thermal break, one does not — the section end shows which is which.
Read the articleCE Marking for Windows and Doors: What EN 14351-1 Actually Requires
CE marking is not a certificate held by a supplier. Here is what EN 14351-1 really requires, which classes buyers should compare, and how to verify a declaration.
Read the articleThermal Break Aluminium Windows: PA66 vs PVC, and How to Check
The thermal break is the one part of an aluminium window that is permanent, structural and invisible. How to tell PA66 from PVC, what to ask before you pay, and the marks you will find on strip made in China.
Read the articleStone Facade vs. Standard Exterior: Why Window Engineering Changes Everything
A dry-hung stone facade changes opening dimensions, profile depth, drainage and sash clearance. How one tolerance chain across four trades decides whether the windows actually fit.
Read the articleThe WeChat Test: How I Spotted a 'Factory' That Wasn't One — Without Leaving My Desk
A client of mine in California sent me a supplier he had found on his own. The brochure looked good, the specifications were plausible, and nothing…
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