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.

If you are interested in learning how to clean uPVC doors and windows , then this article will be of interest to you.   uPVC is a very durable product, which will not rot or warp during its lifespan, which experts estimate to be in the 20 – 30 year bracket.

However a uPVC window does need to be maintained and this article aims to inform you as to what you should do to your windows to maintain them and perhaps more importantly, what you should not do when maintaining and cleaning your windows.  After reading this article, you should be able to clean and maintain your uPVC window frames and replacement uPVC doors and windows with confidence.

One factor that you should consider before cleaning your uPVC doors and windows is that you may wish to remove any vertical blinds, temporary paper blinds, or close hanging curtains, so that they do not get wet while you are cleaning.  You do not want your beautiful black and white curtains to be all black by the time you are finished.  These items are usually easy to remove temporarily and replace again when you have completed your cleaning.

There are quite a few actions that you can take to keep your replacement windows and doors clean and maintained.  If you want to use a cleaning agent on your windows, be sure to use a non-corrosive and a non-abrasive product.  A uPVC window frame can be scratched or stained quite easily if a harsh cleaning agent is used.  Soapy water works very well to give your windows a wash and a shine.  Even using a dry cloth can scratch these frames, so use a wet, lint free cloth to bring up a great shine on your windows.  One tip that I have heard of and I have used it myself is to try baby wipes on your window frames.  Well, you know the saying, ‘If it is soft enough for baby…’

Hi-Reach Cleaning Kit with 10-Foot Extension Pole (click on image for details)

If your windows are stained for some reason you can get a specialist uPVC cleaners and stain removers.  uPVC window suppliers would be able to provide you with these products or at least tell you where you can get them.  There are many websites regarding uPVC windows online and you may be able to purchase these products from these sites.

Do not paint your uPVC windows and doors.  When you purchase your products from your supplier, you will find that there is a large range of colours to choose from.  Choose carefully, as you will have to keep that colour for the lifetime of the windows.

Avoid scratching uPVC doors and windows if at all possible.  uPVC window repairs can be carried out on small marks, but if you get a larger scratch on your window frames, it may be there always.  Remove jewelry before you embark on cleaning or other work on your windows.  It is bad for your jewelry and it is definitely bad for your windows!

Regular maintenance of all moving parts in your uPVC windows is to be encouraged also. Lubricate uPVC window locks with WD40 or a silicone spray and then use Vaseline or some other light grease to keep the metal parts protected.  uPVC sash windows like an application of silicone spray on the runners to keep them opening and closing smoothly.  Finally check that all uPVC window handles are opening and closing, that they have not loosened and that they are working the multi-point locking system properly.  If your  windows and doors are not closing properly, try using a vacuum cleaner in those hard to see parts of the framework, as there could be a piece of grit or dirt caught that is causing a problem.

Cleaning and maintaining uPVC windows and doors is much easier than trying to maintain other types of windows and doors and remember that well maintained front doors for homes create a good first impression. That is not to say that uPVC back doors , uPVC patio doors and uPVC French doors should not be maintained also – these are the doors that are used most often in the majority of homes.  If you keep in mind what you should use on these windows and doors and also what you should not use, you should have very few problems with your uPVC doors and windows for many years.

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.