What would lead to you replacing double glazing rather than repairing?

[mattdav]

The double glazing in our house is pretty old - I don't know exactly but I think it could be getting on for 20 years. There are some units blown, some wobbly handles, some stiff mechanisms and a few trim pieces missing. Researching and looking on this forum, it looks like I can repair all of these problems. I've already replaced the seals on a window that was noisy if the wind hit it in the right way, and hope to fix the other issues.

We're happy with the colour of the windows etc. so what would have to go wrong for someone to need to replace a window? Can the frame itself fail or can you keep repairing windows for years?

 

[JohnD]

Excessive amounts of money burning holes in my pocket.

 

[Notch7]

upvc has a limited lifespan -it goes yellow and gets brittle, but that can be longer than 20 years

if it looks ok and you can clean it up fine (get some upvc cleaner), then sure, change the glass, clean all the upvc, fit new handles and its good for another 10 years


You need double glazed units of 24mm thick or more, otherwise you wont get the u value -so check the thickness

if the double glazing is pre 2002 then it wont be low e glass so change the units to get a much better u value.

 

[mattdav]

Thanks for the quick responses!

The windows are all brown so no signs of yellowing. The units are 26mm.

In the first instance, there's one bedroom window where all three units have failed. I'm going to replace all three units and the seals as well. I'll have a go with uPVC cleaner too. Hopefully, it will look and perform as good as new once I'm finished. I'll then tackle the other windows around the house.

 

[Mottie]

We are about to start a renovation of our kitchen. We have a 24 year old double glazed window, approx 1m x 1m with a main window and two openers at the top. Both the top two units have blown and I did get a price for a new glazed unit a year or so ago when just one had blown and it was about £160! I’m sure I only paid £120 when I bought it and fitted the complete window myself in 2000. Thing is, we've never opened them (easier to just open the patio doors) so we're having the whole thing replaced with just a fixed single pane. Prices so far for supply and fit are around the £600 mark.

 

[RandomGrinch]

If you would like an idea of the cost of new sealed units, try here:

Double Glazed Units and Glass Suppliers | Sealed Units Online

www.sealedunitsonline.co.uk

It would be best to find a local supplier; but their online configurator will give a good idea of the cost to aim for.

 

[JohnD]

I've had several sealed units replaced by a local specialist at very modest prices.

 

[crank39]

Do not use uPVC solvent cleaner on brown foiled windows or doors unless you really do want to replace them, solvent cleaner is only for white

 

[mattdav]

If you would like an idea of the cost of new sealed units, try here:

Double Glazed Units and Glass Suppliers | Sealed Units Online

www.sealedunitsonline.co.uk

It would be best to find a local supplier; but their online configurator will give a good idea of the cost to aim for.

This is a great link - thanks. It's also educational as that site explains each of the different options and why you may want to select them. Pretty impressed that if you're not in a rush, they'll deliver for free too.

From what I've seen, it's pretty straightforward to remove the beading and replace a sealed unit. I think this is a job I can tackle myself and possibly upgrade my glass at the same time.

 

[mattdav]

Do not use uPVC solvent cleaner on brown foiled windows or doors unless you really do want to replace them, solvent cleaner is only for white

Ah, thanks for that - could have saved me from an expensive mistake!

 

[crank39]

It would take the colour out of the woodgrain within an hour