Replacing double glazed unit

[Rabk]

Hi, Any help would be appreciated. I am wanting to replace a double glazed unit in my CR Smith upvc window. The problem I have is there is no bead holding the unit in place either on the inside or the outside. I think the sealing rubber is the rap around type. Is there anyway of relacing the double glazed unit without removing the whole window, which is held in place with pop rivets, and opening up the casing.

Please see the attached pic for reference

 

[crank39]

If it's wrap around then you have to remove the casement from the frame and separate the Ali from the glass, are you sure it's wrap around and not external glazed, photo from outside would be good even if it's another window so long as it's the same, downstairs maybe

 

[Rabk]

Hi Crank 39, Thank you for the prompt reply. Please see attached files. Underneath there are 2 small screws. I am thinking I would remove these, top and bottom, to split the casing!!!!!

 

[crank39]

Yes it'll have small self tapers in each corner that hold it all together but do you propose splitting the top rail off, then having the side rails still attached to the hinges, trying to rebuild it all afterwards holding the glass at the same time knocking the rails over the wrap around rubber, it's an accident waiting to happen, best to remove the casement completely and do it on the floor even if you have to drill out pop rivets on the hinges

 

[crank39]

I'm speaking from experience as I've not had much to do with CR Smith, quite big in Scotland but unheard of down south, I know our engineer in Scotland had loads of warranty work due to them

 

[Rabk]

I was going to drill out the pop rivets in the upvc window frame side rails to release the whole unit and work with it at ground level. I no what you are saying about trying to replace the glass with the frame in situ. Ouch, would be an accident waiting to happen.
Thank you for your feed back

 

[crank39]

Yes remove the whole casement but after that remove the self tappers and pull off the aluminium sections

 

[Rabk]

Yes C R Smith is quite big in Scotland but they don't come to the Islands anymore. Trying to get someone to come and replace the windows is costing an arm and a leg, very expensive. I can get the replacement glass from CR Smith for around £80 delivered. You can add another 4/500 pounds at least to get a company to fit it with no guarantee. Hence D.I.Y. I can generally turn my hand to many jobs.

 

[Rabk]

Yes, I was going to remove the pop rivets and take of the aluminium slides and reattach them with self tappers if I can to try and make it easier.
Once the new window arrives I will get on with the job, hopefully with not to many problems as there are more to measured up and purchased and fitted. Good job I am semi retired.

Once again thank you for all your feed back.

 

[crank39]

Pleasure

 

[dwaivel]

Hi, it looks like I'm facing exactly the same issue and started another thread without noticing yours. (Newbie mistake!)
Do you think you'd be able to post an update after you fit the window, explaining exactly what was involved and how tricky it turned out to be? I'm a bit nervous about removing the whole window, but I can see that would be the safest option.

 

[dwaivel]

I'll add my recent experience with this as it may help others with the same problem. I thought I might be able to fit three new panels myself, but also wanted to replace the seals on the other windows. Before I ordered panels, I did a dry run to see how difficult it might be. I followed the advice given in this thread and removed the whole window by drilling out the rivets on the hinges. I also had to remove the hinges completely from the window as two of the 4 screws holding the unit together were underneath. After a bit of struggling I got the 4 badly corroded screws out, but then I just could not get the frame apart. I was starting to think they had used some kind of epoxy adhesive as it wouldn't budge no matter how I tried to prise the sides apart. In my struggling I managed to crack the glass (thankfully on a pane that needed replacing anyway). I decided to call it quits, refitted the window and called a local glazier!
They came this week and replaced the three panels. Interestingly they left the windows in situ, only removed the bottom screws and prised the sides outwards until they could remove the bottom bar and pane. (Team of two so one could support the weight of the window while they did this). As they had used this method they didn't fit the factory fitted U-channel seal, but just used normal seals once the pane was fitted. The cost of the panel and fitting was about £220 for each window and they took just over an hour for each one. I thought that was very reasonable and I'm really happy with the finished job.
Incidentally I had bought a length of R0929 Patio Door U Channel Gasket Seal (when I thought I might be able to this myself). This seal which is 24mm wide and the right shape, doesn't fit - it's too narrow.
The glazier said these windows are a bit of a challenge, especially in coastal areas where the screws corrode and won't come out, or the heads just shear off. I've decide just to leave the seals as they are, on the remaining windows - the cost, and risk of damaging the glass in the process is just too great.
I hope that helps anyone with the same issue.

 

[Scally-Ho]

After reading all of the above, I am very pleased that CR Smith windows are not fitted along the south coast.

 

[crank39]

They have a bit of an indifferent reputation too let just say