UPVC Window wont close properly!

66Dave66 · Joined: 08 Jun 2011 Posts: 3 Location: Kent, United Kingdom

Hi,
I have just moved in to a new house and the bedroom window has a large gap around the hinge side and at the top and bottom (see the first two pictures) which is letting in a lot of noise and a large draft. Can anyone explain to me why it wont close properly? And how to fix the problem (is there a way of adjusting the hinges?). I have attached a picture of the hinge as will if that makes any difference.

crank39 · Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:52 pm

Looks like a worn hinge, take a look at the part of the hinge that is screwed to the frame, you'll notice that at the end of it in the corner there is a plastic end, yours looks grey from the picture or it may be metal, this is like a 'V' shaped locating cup and on the other half of the hinge (the bit thats screwed to the opener) has a 'Point' , these fit together when shut and hold that side closed, it looks like when you shut the opener the 'point' isn't locating in the 'V' cup but more like going on the outside of it, this would point to worn hinges

66Dave66 · Joined: 08 Jun 2011 Posts: 3 Location: Kent, United Kingdom

thanks for getting back to me, so if the hinges are worn I take it the only option is to replace them. Do you know how I would make sure I get the right ones? Are there standard sizes?

crank39 · Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 9:45 pm

Yes they'll need replacing, you need to measure the length of the hinge, you can just measure the bottom one while its open like this...... http://www.handlestore.com/info/Replacement-uPVC-Window-Hinges/

Looking at the picture i can see its an egress/easy clean hinge, you really need to fit this type back to comply with regs.

When soucing you need to ask for a side hung, egress/fire escape/easy clean hinge at whatever size you have, be it 300mm, 350mm, 400mm, 450mm, 500mm etc etc. Heres some good suppliers we/i use...........

These guys should be near you.......

http://www.mdgrepairs.co.uk/friction-hinges/page=1

http://www.dgsupplyline.co.uk/results.php?category_id=1&sub_category_id=46

Or these........

http://www.crystalvisionlocks.co.uk/item.asp?catid=29&subcatid=43&prodid=161

http://www.handlestore.com/category/uPVC-Fire-Escape-Hinges/0/

66Dave66 · Joined: 08 Jun 2011 Posts: 3 Location: Kent, United Kingdom

Thanks for your help, I'll have a crack at this at the weekend. Any top tips on fitting, or is it as easy as screwing it all together?

crank39 · Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 10:28 pm

Pretty easy although the opener WILL be heavy so you'll need a hand, also once you have the opener on the floor and before you unscrew the hinge from it just measure how much the 'point' pokes out from the frame, get this wrong either too much or too little then once re-hung the sash will be too far over to one side or the other and may not lock, you'll probably have a few millimetres tollerance each way before your totally wrong. These are put on with a jig at the factory but you can get close without one

tasha123 · Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2012 11:35 am

Hi, I have a very similar problem to this, I noticed the 'v' shape doesn't fit into the cup because it catches on it (rather than ending up on the wrong side) but only at the top- it doesn't happen at the bottom.
Is there any screws or notches that need tightening, or is it literally a cae of getting a new hinge? I figured that because its literally only out by a few millimetres I may not need a new hinge.
Please help!

Thanks