uPVC Windows Guide

One of the problems that homeowners face when they purchase uPVC windows is that these windows do need to be fixed from time to time.  Many owners are puzzled by this fact, given that they were under understood that window repairs would be a thing of the past once they installed these windows.

While it is true that the uPVC in the windows is a material that will not degrade for many lifetimes, there are not many manufacturers that will give more than a 10 year guarantee on moving parts within the window unit.

In addition to this, the window manufacturing business is remarkably fickle and even if the windows of a property do create problems within the guarantee period, often you will find that the company that sold the windows and that should be responsible is no longer in business.

As with guarantees offered with many products, is it often the case that just as the manufacturer’s guarantee on a product runs out that the product begins to give trouble.  In relation specifically to PVC windows you will often find that the 10 year portion of the guarantee extends only to the uPVC frame and not to the ancillary hardware such as uPVC window handles and door handles.  The guarantee on these items may not extend beyond a year.

So what do you do if you find yourself in the position of having uPVC double glazing windows and perhaps also doors that are relatively newly installed in your home and which are starting to give you trouble, apart from simple window glass replacement if one gets broken.

Many property owners will obviously first contact the supplier and installer that they initially hired to put in their windows when they bought them.  Or perhaps they will have to call in another company if the company that sold or installed the products are no longer in business.  A representative will most likely call to their home and may point out to the property owners that the guarantees have run out on the relevant parts for the windows that are giving trouble.  This person may even suggest that the best course of action would be to replace their windows with more up to date window or door units.

For most homeowners this is a horrifying scenario as they spent a large amount of money installing these windows in the first place.  But the good news is that in many cases, repairing windows that have developed problems is often not necessary.

There are locations where you can source many different parts for uPVC windows.  Naturally the company that you are dealing with would much rather install entirely new windows in your home as that is their business.  But there are many other companies out there who supply parts for uPVC window repairs and also parts for uPVC doors and if you can source one of these companies you may well be able to sort out your problem.

Sourcing new locks, handles or hinges for your specific windows may not be the easiest thing to do.  However once you have tracked them down any good locksmith should be able to fit them for you.

If a company is in the business of supplying spare parts for PVC windows, then they will have in stock supplies from many major manufacturers of these products.  Such manufacturers may include Coldseal, Avocet, Ferco, Fuhr, Saracen, Surelock, Yale and other popular manufacturers of window and door products.  These companies normally do not just engage in supplying parts for uPVC windows, and will probably be able to help you with parts for timber sash window repairs, replacement sash windows, aluminium casement windows and any other types of windows or doors.

Properly trained staff at these businesses will be able to tell you how to identify and order the parts that you need and how to distinguish between different brands.  In many cases the company will not be dealing with you directly, but with a locksmith or general repair person that you have taken on in order to sort out the problem.

While it would probably be better to be able to call in to the premises of the company with your faulty parts, this is not absolutely necessary.  As there may not be such a company located near to you, trained personnel from these companies are used to identifying the make and type of parts from photographs supplied by customers.  It will also be necessary to be able to supply the relevant measurements in order to help ensure that the wrong parts are not selected.

Many of these companies offer next day postal delivery once your order has been placed and can also offer bulk discounts for larger orders.

The main thing for any homeowner to realise is that having faulty uPVC windows and doors does not mean that they necessarily have to be replaced.  Talk to your supplying company in the first instance regarding window repairs, whether you need window glass repair, want upgraded replacement glass or have a problem with some other part of the units.

However if they recommend that you have a problem with your windows that cannot be solved, do not be afraid to look further for a second and even a third opinion.  Perhaps engage the services of a good locksmith or repair person and do plenty of research online.  Exhaust all other possibilities before you bow to the advice to have your windows replaced.

Having window screens fitted to your windows may be very important or less important, depending on where you live geographically.  If you live in a country that gets a lot of insects flying around at various (or perhaps all) times of the year, then one of the items that you will definitely want fitted are window screens.

In other countries an insect window screen is not something that many homeowners consider.  In the UK and Ireland for example, there are a few weeks of the year that flies and wasps can be annoying, but that time is quite short and most homeowners would not consider it worth putting up insect screens for the value they would get from them.

One of the main problems with insect screens for windows is that the mesh used to make them is so fine in order to stop insects flies and bugs from entering a home that they are quite delicate and get damaged easily.

Screens can get broken by heavy handling, by someone swatting at a bug with an object and hitting the screen, the frames can get out of shape or the mesh can simply lose its tautness over time.

In these more modern times, homeowners are more conscious of the health risks that bugs and flies can introduce and therefore they are anxious that they have screens for their windows that are in place and also in good repair.  Window screens can be fitted to timber or uPVC windows, or any other window types.

Fibreglass has become the material of choice for many homeowners that want to install new screens or to instigate window screen repair.  This material is not expensive, is not difficult to operate and does not damage as easily as other materials used for making screens. It can be purchased in rolls and quite a few homeowners use it to carry out their own window screen replacement.

Aluminum is another material that is often used because it is hard wearing and will not rust easily.  It can be coated in different coatings that have a color tone, which can make the screens for your home look more attractive.

Even though property owners in many countries do not need insect window screens, they may well need screens to improve the window security of their home.  Window security screens are not dissimilar to insect screens to look at.  However the mesh in a security screen will be made of a strong steel, instead of a light material.

In areas where both types of screens are in use, burglars can often be unsure which type of screen is in place until they try to break in.  If the screen cuts easily they are dealing with an insect window screen.  If not, they are going to have a much tougher job.

Security screens also allow fresh air and light to enter into the home and most homeowners will leave them in place once they have had them installed.  They have instant removal capability from the inside that family member can operate in times of an emergency.

So whether you want to keep out insects or burglars, there are window screens to suit you available from window screen suppliers locally or online.  You can purchase these insect or security screens in their entirety and have them repaired professionally, or you can get into making your own replacement window screens.  For health and security reasons you should get some price comparisons if you feel that you and your family could benefit from the installation of these screens.

If you have older timber sash windows in your residence, then you are very lucky.  These sash windows have an elegance about them that is hard to replicate in more modern windows, no matter whether they are made of timber , uPVC or some other material.

These windows may have been part of your residence for a long time and with proper care and attention should last for many more years. The one problem that can arise with older windows is that their security measures may not be up to scratch.  Quality sash window locks are an important part of present day sash windows but could well be missing from your period windows.

•    Home security is much more important in the present day than it was twenty or more years ago.  While your windows apparent lack of security may be a problem that you need to address, there are solutions available to you.  You can find suitable window locks for your home and have them installed, thereby improving immensely the security of your home.

•    If you do decide that you want to install window sash locks then you will want to find locks that integrate with the existing hardware that is on your windows.  For example if you have brass latches or keepers already fitted on your windows, then it would make sense to find brass locks, if that was possible.  If your windows are of a certain vintage you would hope also to be able to find antique locks instead of having to fit modern brass versions that would not look right.

•    Salvage yards are a great place to source old and decorative window locks for sash windows.  As sash timber windows were more relevant in bygone days, there is a lot of salvage relevant to them in storage in these yards, waiting to be found by you.  However these may not be the cheapest locks you will find and it may also be difficult to find enough of the same matching types of locks to be able to do every window you have in your home.  One answer to this problem is to source good quality antique reproduction locks.  These would probably be a much cheaper option, will definitely be in good working order and you will be able to purchase any amount you want.

•    Probably the best place to start looking for a suitable type of sash window lock is online.  From the comfort and privacy of your home you can peruse all different types of locks for your windows, see if their measurements fit the size of window sash lock you are looking for and whether they match your existing hardware.  Contact the manufacturer is you have any specific queries regarding the locks they are marketing and if you do purchase online, before you confirm your purchase check that the shipping costs are not very expensive.  If you are purchasing a large quantity of metal locks they could be quite heavy and expensive to mail.

Whether you purchase from your local hardware store merchant or online, you should have your locks in your possession within a short space of time and all you have to do is install them in order to make your home much more secure and your sash windows looking well.  Sash window locks are available in most styles and materials, so whether you have timber, aluminum or uPVC  windows, there is surely an available quality and attractive lock out there that will suit your purposes.

When you first install uPVC windows, you reckon that they will be there for ever. However time passes and certain parts of your uPVC windows and doors begin to show sign of wear – uPVC window handles, seals, damaged frames, etc – there are many reasons why you may decide to change your windows.  However with some proper research into handles for windows you may find that you can get very good quality replacements which will mean you may be able to put off replacing your windows for a bit longer.

Wear and tear may not be the only reason that you want rid of your old window handles or even your uPVC door handles.  Up to date design has meant that newer style of handles are of a more ergonomic design and more functional, but the older types of handles have can cause a variety of problems.  They may not be attractive to look at, can be awkward to use and even not very hygienic (older models tend to have a lot of angles and nooks which collect bacteria).

In addition to this they can be a risk to the security of the home, as homeowners invariably lose the keys for the handle locks.  This can also cause a safety risk for the inhabitants if windows are kept locked and there is an emergency in the home.  another security measure homeowners employ in their homes is the installation of security window screens and these also have to be easily removed from the inside.

If you have tired of your uPVC window handles, if they are damaged, or if you simply want to upgrade the security and safety measures in your home, you can consider getting new handles for your existing uPVC windows.  If you wish to do this yourself you will need to source compatible handles and this can be tricky enough to do.  There are a huge range of these handles on the market and many have different characteristics.

Types of handles may fall into different categories such as Espag uPVC window handles, Cockspur handles and Tilt n Turn handles.  Firstly you should identify the manufacturer of the locking mechanism by looking at the ‘lock strip’ (which you can see when the door or window is open).

When you have discovered the make and the model of your handles and locks and contact the manufacturer who will be only to happy to supply you with updated and much more attractive versions of your existing handles.

Many homeowners put up with their existing window handles, mainly perhaps because they do not realize that they can change them.  Major uPVC manufacturers are reporting that they are now replacing more first generation uPVC windows than those that are made of aluminum or wood.

In many cases this is not because the windows are no longer able to operate, but because some parts of the unit, such as the handles, have ceased to function properly.  So it does pay to source replacement uPVC window handles and to get someone to fit them for you, (which is not an impossible task for you to carry out yourself if you have a mind to).

By installing new uPVC window handles you could be giving your self a few more years of grace, before you have to get down to the business of replacing your uPVC windows.