In praise of Ertec windows.......

[[2574]]

This winter we've taken on the job of replacing all of the windows in our pilot house. The existing, eighteen years old, were badly corroding in places which was compromising the window seals and although we hadn't yet had a leak it was imminently expected. It seemed a pretty daunting task but it has been very straightforward. We used Ertec, Denmark based, to manufacture the new windows, who were also very helpful in guiding us through the project. The old windows were removed, hull measurements taken and advised to Ertec, old windows then reinserted whilst new were made. Eight weeks or so later new windows were delivered to the UK. We removed the old and fitted all twelve new windows in a day and a half. They fitted perfectly and look fantastic, we're very pleased. See end result here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ynum03wy67lrw7i/v8m56TN4r7

So, we thoroughly recommend Ertec if you are thinking of tackling this job; helpful people with great products. Website here: http://www.ertec.dk/hovede.htm And doing the job is really not as bad as it might seem.

Usual independence disclaimer - satisfied customer only etc

Rob

 

[vyv_cox]

Looks like a very nice job but I am intrigued to know why you chose to buy in Denmark when there are several UK competitors with good reputations. Were the Danish ones a lot cheaper?

 

[[2574]]

I am intrigued to know why you chose to buy in Denmark when there are several UK competitors with good reputations.

Vyv,

The Danish one's were actually more expensive which, I admit, seems rather perverse. Windows for Nauticat yachts used to be made by N J Berg which sadly no longer exists. Ertec took over all of the Nauticat window drawings from N J Berg upon their demise so, in a sense, Ertec became the "default" provider. Ertec have a good deal of experience of making windows for Nauticat and to us it seemed like the "safe" option. Had we known in advance how easy it would be to remove the old windows (there is no sealant used to bed the frames, instead relying on compressed rubber gaskets) and draw templates from the cut outs we might have considered a UK supplier.

Rob

 

[vyv_cox]

Thanks. We recently rebedded the windows in our motorsailer, which is a lot further downmarket than yours(!). The windows are Perspex sheets bedded on some sort of sealant, and leaked a lot in the rain. We removed them and have now refitted them on single sided foam tape, as used by several of the professional window manufacturers. This seems to have worked very well and gives us the option to replace the Perspex later with no need to scrape off sealant again.

 

[[2574]]

gives us the option to replace the Perspex later with no need to scrape off sealant again.

It was my assumption that the windows would be bedded in sealant that gave me the apprehension of tackling this task. In the event, and after Ertec's advice, we simply undid the 40 or so screws in the frame and the windows were easily pushed out of the hull for cut-out measuring. I had assumed that the rubber gaskets would disintegrate on being moved eighteen years on but they didn't and were still sound which enabled us to easily refit the windows whilst the new were made. A remarkably easy process albeit that I have blisters on my hands from hand screwing about 400 screws over the weekend! (Ertec counsel against using power tools for fear of misaligned screws causing damage to frames/glass.)

rob