uPVC Windows Guide

So you have weighed up between timber and uPVC windows and decided on the latter.  There are many advantages to uPVC and only few disadvantages to uPVC windows, but I would suggest that one difficulty with uPVC double glazing windows is self-installation.  DIY double glazing windows? Now I am as fond of a little DIY as the next person, and I don’t mind maintaining my windows, but when it come to installing uPVC windows into a residence, I call a professional.  It may not be that difficult, but I reckon that having paid quite a bit of money for these shiny frames that scratch easily and are not easily repaired if scratched, I don’t want to take too many chances with uPVC window repairs.  Call me gutless if you like and for the more brave-hearted amongst us that want to DIY double glazing units, here are some instructions to give you a flavour of what is involved in installing your own uPVC windows.

How you fix the window frame to the opening may depend on the type and style of window and whether the wall cavity is open or closed. There are 2 main ways to fix a window.  One way is to screw through the frame and into the wall and the other way is called lug fixing and involved attaching a lug to the window frame and this lug is then attached to a block in the interior wall.  The first way is popular when the cavity is closed and the second when it is open.

You may wish to fit the external cill at the same time, but many choose to fit the cill first and as a separate process.  If you are fitting the cill and the frame at the same time set the frame properly in the opening, making sure it is level and central. Likewise ensure that the cill is level and that both cill and window are then attached properly.  Before commencing glazing it is advisable to open all window frames to ensure that they have not become strained in the insertion process.  Remember to leave an expansion gap around the frame, uPVC windows can reach quite high temperatures in hot weather, so the ability to expand is important.

The next step is the insertion of the glazing into the frames.  I should have mentioned that the frames will be arriving without the glazing pre-inserted.  If you want to  the big trick with regard to glazing is ‘Toeing and Heeling’ a phrase used describe the bracing of the window in order to stop the window ‘dropping’ on the handle side in the future. You achieve this by pushing plastic packers into the gap between the glass and the frame, under the beading.  When you are happy that everything is positioned correctly, you can push the glazing beads into position and fit the wedge gasket internally.

When this has been completed to your satisfaction you are ready to finish the job.  Clean and tidy up as best you can before starting to silicone to the external gaps and the filler internally. Clean the glass thoroughly and stand back and enjoy the satisfaction of completing your first uPVC DIY double glazing windows installation.

Another , perhaps less difficukt option for you to consider is DIY secondary double glazing.  This involves installing an inner secondary pane of glass and does not involve the removal of the existing fraome or window units.

So if you want to investigate all of the uPVC window prices on the internet and in your local area, then weigh up the cost of installing these windows, you may find that if you install them yourself, you will end up with quality, but cheap uPVC windows.  Me – I’m calling a window installer.

Window units with wooden window frames have obviously been the choice for many decades and even centuries.  In recent years uPVC doors and windows have made an incredible impact in the window market, as these windows have many advantages, including ease of maintenance.

Now many manufacturers such as Marvin Windows, Anderson Windows and Senator Windows and Munster Joinery, to name but a few, are huge players in the business markets and produce many different types and styles of windows, that home owners can install themselves if they wish.

However, as many environmental questions hang over the issue of uPVC production, there are disadvantages to uPVC windows and as the timber window manufacturers have started a spirited fightback,  the pros and cons of each are being debated with renewed vigour.

• With regard to the life span of the products, both camps make claims for victory, with the uPVC window suppliers claiming that 25 years is a good life span with minimum maintenance and the manufacturers of timber windows saying that given the improvement in timber protection products (not environmentally friendly by the way), that timber windows, with proper care and attention could have a much longer lifespan that their counterparts.
• The  wooden window frames fan club, The WWFC, ( just kidding!), claim that whereas a handyman can and will carry out repairs to a wooden  window frame, the same cannot be said for the complicated moulded and sealed system that is employed in the manufacture of uPVC windows.  If your uPVC window frame or locking system breaks, call the installer.  An added point to this is that in the event of a break in to your home, the damage that may be done to your uPVC window frame may be impossible to repair.
• It is a law of nature that all products deteoriate over a period of time.  In several years, when your timber windows lose their lustre, or when you get sick and tired of that fashionable pink colour you painted them, you need only grab your paint scraper and wirebrush and clean them down and repaint them.  With uPVC windows however, you cannot do this.  In fact, you can do very little, besides keep them clean.  Manufacturers of uPVC windows say exactly, and that is why so many of their customers are happy – there is little upkeep and maintenance involved, and little temptation to change the look.

• The Environment:  Timber is a renewable and a sustainable resource.  Here the uPVC camp are on to a loser, as uPVC is a non-natural resource which create toxic products during production and which cannot be easily disposed of.  The argument being put forward by those in favour of timber window installation is that to install a timber window frame is to help reduce your carbon footprint.
• Many Planning Authorities are raising question marks with regard to the over use of uPVC sash windows in older residential estates and in character buildings.  The manufacturers of uPVC windows say that they, in turn, have made huge inroads into providing a wide range of finishes to their product and that often quality made uPVC windows sashes are indistinguishable from timber sash windows for example.

In this article we have not even started to talk about the possible benefits or disadvantages to an aluminum window!  If you want to find out more about either uPVC, aluminum or wooden window frames and want to narrow down your search to a certain geographical location, then you can do an online search under the heading ‘wooden window frames U.K.’ or Ireland depending on which country you wish to get results from.

Over the recent years uPVC has become one of the most used products in the manufacture of all types and styles of windows and doors, by the large double-glazing manufacturing companies.  After weighing up the differences between timber and uPVC windows, if you do decide on uPVC, you can purchase the windows and self-install uPVC windows yourself if you wish.  There are various cost and effectiveness reasons for this take over by the humble uPVC (un-plasticised Polyvinyl Chloride to give it it’s proper title), and we can outline some of these reasons in this article.  As well as benefits of uPVC windows, there are also disadvantages to uPVC windows but they are for another time.

• A uPVC window gives you very good insulation around the frame and employs the usage of thermal breaks. A uPVC window frame helps to keep cold out during the winter and conversely keeps the property cooler in the hotter months of the year, more important if you are living in an area which is affected by such extremes.  An obvious advantage to this, apart from your personal comfort, is the savings you can make in your heating and cooling bills by having uPVC window frames and glazing fitted.
  

  The Series 2900 New Construction Single Hung Window (click on image for details)

• The excellent seals and aforementioned insulation present in uPVC windows means that dust particles and pollen are kept to a minimum in a building.  At high pollen times, hay fever sufferers will be thankful for the extra protection that they receive from this reduction of external allergens entering the home or office .
• During the life span of these windows, very little maintenance is required.  Of course they will look better with the odd wipe or wash to the window frames, but there should be no painting or weather-proofing required.
• Most uPVC window handles are durable and are of excellent quality and upvc windows have a very secure multi-point locking system, which gives a building more security than traditional types of window clasps such as old style, sash window locks for example. It is also very difficult to break through a uPVC frame.  If you are going to undertake security measures such as installing security cameras, or even fake security cameras and a house alarm, having double glazing and good quality multi-point locks in your windows certainly also helps.
• Cost is always a factor when installing such features as windows, doors, guttering, etc.  uPVC is well up there in the cost effectiveness stakes and this means that for a lot of people, cheap uPVC windows will be given serious consideration.  An alternative to both a timber and uPVC  type window with regard to cost effectiveness could be an aluminum window.
• Consumers worry about gas furnace prices when really they should be worried about the cost of their gas bills when their windows are not sealed properly and heat escapes through them.
• As well as keeping heat in and cold out, uPVC windows keep out a lot of sound also.  This is why they are often preferred in locations where sound suppression is of a high priority, for example, close to a motorway or busy road, train track, etc.
• Production of uPVC doors and windows has come a long way from the choices of colours that were available, namely white or white.  They are now available in many different colours, and in addition can be finished in wood lookalike styles with a wood-grain feel, they can also be manufactured with a different colour on the outside to the inside – in short, almost anything is possible!  you can put uPVC windows in most any building.  We have seen plenty of log home builders using these windows for their insulation properties.
• In many cases customers want a product that has the traditional look and style of wooden window frames but with modern operating technology, so products such such as uPVC windows, modern cast iron radiators other quality products and will always be in demand with consumers.

There are many advantages to uPVC windows, but the argument rages on as to whether uPVC windows or replacement  windows are environmentally friendly or not.  There are many differences between timber and uPVC windows and that is without even starting to throw the various advantages and disadvantages of an aluminum widow into the mix.

The process that is required to make PVCs is highly toxic and this in turn leads to toxic by-products.  On top of this, the point is made that the biggest problem with regard to uPVC windows and doors is their disposal at the end of their useful life – which seems to range between 10 and 30 years.  Some say that PVC is very easy to recycle but others counter by pointing out that in practise very few PVC windows are recycled because of the difficulty in separating the component parts.  Neither can it be incinerated because of it’s composition.

uPVC windows discolour !!  Some go yellow and while this is bad enough, others go a sort of  pink!  There are various reasons put forward for this discolouring problem, but without going into too much unnecessary detail as to the cause, the remedies are few.  You cannot paint PVC  windows, and anyway,  isn’t the lack of need for painting one of the main reasons you wanted UPVC windows in the first place?

Very bad weather or severe extremes of weather can cause cracking, expanding or warping to your double glazing, PVC windows.

PVC windows are not that flexible in design or in execution – this can hamper the creative artist in you when you are designing your rooms!

uPVC windows are simply not as pleasant on the eye as traditional windows.  Again this is a claim that is hotly disputed by the PVC fanclub.  In many case the argument is dependant on the  type of building the windows are going into.  If they are being inserted into a new build, modern structure that allows for the wide, bulkier window frame that PVC windows by necessity provide, then they will look well.  However if you are putting them into your turn of the century (19th to the 20th century that is), attractive brick, terraced residence, maybe they won’t fit in quite so brilliantly.

Once you have fitted uPVC double glazing or triple glazing windows, whether you install them yourself or get an installer to do it, no matter what type and style of window you install, they cannot be easily taken apart if they are in need of repair.  By this we do not mean simply changing a pane of glass, rather more structural repairs.  This can make them more expensive to maintain, as against a traditional window, which a regular carpenter or handyman will have a go at.

So there you go – food for thought if you are thinking about dumping those timber windows on the woodpile and investing in some shiny, spanking new PVC ones.