How To Fix A UPVC Window Or Door That Has Dropped And Is Catching

Most customers who have had double glazing fitted either incorrectly or a long time ago will have experienced the annoyance of windows or doors catching. 

This is primarily due to installers not Toe & Healing at all or the weight of the item has gradually made the sash/ opener drop and start to catch.

There is a technique known as Toe & healing that is specifically for the lifting of openers that any confident DIY person should be able to carry out. 

The technique is similar to the one used on view on garden gates where there is a brace on a diagonal that prevents the gate from dropping. 

This Toe & Heal technique works in the same manor but is an invisible brace due to the brace being used on the 2 corners of the glass with the use of plastic glazing packers to prevent any breakages.

Most people will require a good glazier or builder to deal with this simple operation but can be done with the use of a sturdy plastic or wooden wedge for lifting the glass in its hole and plastic/ rubber hammer to re bead the window afterwards. safety items such as gloves and safety goggles would be a benefit just in case.

The beads need to be removed first which can be done with the use of a sturdy wallpaper scraper or similar thin stiff tool to get in between the internal beads and the frame. A chisel will be too thick and destroy the bead to frame meet.

Once removed the glass needs to be removed and have packers placed in the positions shown in the diagrams below. 

It is important to position the packers in the correct place to brace from otherwise the technique will not be a successful one. Avoiding breaking the glass at this point is important and can be costly. 

The idea is to place the packer on the opposite side of the edge that is catching usually the hinge side.
The opposite diagonal corner then will require the same packer. this can be siliconed on to keep it in place. usually 5 mm packers or the ones that came with the frame at this stage.

Then place the glass back in its hole and gradually build up on the top edge of the glass still in the opposite diagonal corner until the opener can be moved with ease and isn't catching.

Don't be scared of lifting the actual frame at the top to create a gap, making sure to hold on to the window handle to prevent it opening and causing any breakages. The use of thin 3 mm packers will be necessary on the top to get slight lifts at a time.

Be sure to push the packers right in as they will catch on the beads when re beading up.Re bead the window up and trying to put the beads back in to the same place

WINDOWS | DOORS | CONSERVATORIES | FASCIAS & GUTTERS | ROCKDOORS

Southport Doors & Double Glazing
unit 1/ 82a High Park Business Centre, 
High Park Road
PR9 7QL

Email us at           info@southportdoors.com 
call                         01704 553 994
Call or text us on   0787 601 6821   

New Windows In Conservation Areas - Double Glazing Southport

There is a lot of confusion as to who can and can't replace their windows and doors in conservation areas. 
It depends on how old the property is, what the existing conservation order states , who is deciding (as in which planning committee in which area) and what other alterations have been accepted in the same areas.

The main aim of the planning department is to uphold the appearance and features of dwellings in certain areas that have been given a  preservation order to retain its look for many years to come.

The problems arise when old less affective materials where used and start to perish and deteriorate. 
Is the customer entitled to come in to the 21st century given the fact that there may be some circumstances that will benefit the properties without the look of the home being changed. 

Does the proposed materials actually alter the state or appearance of the home. 

To switch from white Timber windows in soft wood to white PVC windows wouldn't be such a problem. 
We could understand if you where to change the colours and styles of the existing which are extremely difficult to maintain and to start off with a bad choice of type of timber. Therefore you would have every house in the area looking different like a normal estate in any part of the country and that is what their intention is to prevent. Plans where accepted on teh basis the properties would stay as agreed.

A soft wood timber window even if kept well can only last approximately 10 to 15 years tops. The cost of up keeping this paintwork not to mention the constant need to replace double glazed units that are always failing. 

This is due to the actual glazed unit sitting in its own water. If the sun is hot enough and the timber soft enough the unit will eventually move very slightly.
Not much but enough to reveal a small pin prick of a hole. This is enough to allow a small amount of water within the 2 panes . 
Once this has happened the unit has failed as you will see a small drop of water can create a lot of condensation within the unit and ruin the outlook of the windows and doors. 

If you are buying a  property that is over a certain age such as over 100 to 200 or more years old then the conservation order would have been in place for preservation purposes along time ago and you know exactly what you are getting in to when buying the property. 

The timber windows in the very old homes would originally have been made of good quality hard wood and treated thereon in.

A house that was built at the turn of the 21st century with poor soft wood timber frames that will easily perish if not protected once may be twice a year is i think a different story. This is obviously a major overlook of the developers and planning department when previously setting the conservation orders.

There are many communities that have such restrictions throughout the country and should be given the opportunity to upgrade their quality of living within their home by increasing the overall U - Values and heat retention of the property and maybe in some way save a little money after the initial outlay of new windows and doors. As long as the items are changed like for like i think it should be a positive proposition and seriously considered.

WINDOWS | DOORS | CONSERVATORIES | FASCIAS & GUTTERS | ROCKDOORS

Southport Doors & Double Glazing
unit 1/ 82a High Park Business Centre, 
High Park Road
PR9 7QL

Email us at           info@southportdoors.com 
call                         01704 553 994
Call or text us on   0787 601 6821   

Double Glazing Versus Triple Glazing

There is a lot of debate in and around the industry and potential customers about which is better triple glazing or double glazing.

With the extra cost layout for the triple do you get a far better product than the highest rated double glazing?

There are few things to take in to contention as with triple glazing.

There are more materials obviously and more labour to manufacture.

There is also the extra time needed to trouble shoot during installation as there is extra weight. Extra weight is coming from the extra pane of glass and hot seal around the edges. Its not a considerable amount of extra weight but enough to slow down installation to the point where extra counter weight installation techniques need to be used and extra care taken to ensure perfect function of the window product.

Double glazing on the other hand even at its maximum rating of an A doesn't slow down installation and only needs slight tweeks to allow for weight on the openers and nothing really changes in cost except the small percentage to upgrade from a C rated unit to an A.

The efficiency difference is where the triple comes into its own. Not only has it got the extra pane to combat noise pollution and retain heat but can carry off a higher rating and U value than the highest double glazed unit. 

A triple glazed unit can be coming in at around 0.8 whereas a double can be coming in at around 1.8 to 1.6

To put that into perspective a brick wall is approximately 0.3 which is as low as you are going get if that was as an insulated cavity wall.

So the extra cost of triple glazing isn't just a case of  well there's an extra piece of glass so it should be a third extra on the units.

The best advice is if you can afford it you should go for the highest efficiency glazing that you can. As with many technologies they gather momentum quickly and you can get left behind. But at the same time if you purchase the A rated double glazing then you will be getting value for money with great benefits in comparison to a timber window or basic 15 year to 20 yera old none rated glazing.

WINDOWS | DOORS | CONSERVATORIES | FASCIAS & GUTTERS | ROCKDOORS

Southport Doors & Double Glazing
unit 1/ 82a High Park Business Centre, 
High Park Road
PR9 7QL

Email us at           info@southportdoors.com 
call                         01704 553 994
Call or text us on   0787 601 6821   

New Windows For Southport | Buy New double Glazing | PVC

If you are looking for the perfect combination of value, quality and service we can provide all 3 with flying colours.

With so many companies offering similar products it can be a minefield working out who has the better product versus price, and more importantly what service you will receive. And what state will my house be in afterwards?

Therefore that is where we excel, as we offer the most efficient glazing available, the longest lasting PVC window frames, the most reliable working parts, offer the best guarantee, can beat any genuine like for like price by 10% and give our customers the best experience in customer service and efficiency from start to finish.

Any after care is instant, along with all the fringe benefits of insurance backed guarantees and FENSA submissions to make sure that your installation no matter how big or small is above board and is certified.

Usually we can work out a fixed price within 24 hours and a simple call to the property can take as little as 20 minutes to get some basic measurements and style ideas. No hard sales or talking through brochures for hours like many other double glazing suppliers. 

We provide all of our brochures on line so that you have access to all of our products instantly. We can even drop off samples for when you get home from work and pick them up when you have finished with them. A service that suites many.

Sometimes we can even get you those eagerly anticipated new windows installed within 5 working days which a lot of our many happy customers appreciate. 

Many window and door operators aren't very flexible with moving installations around to suite your needs, so with some inferior companies you could be waiting up to 2 months or more. We consider working around our customers busy lives and work holidays a priority so this helps a lot.

 It also helps that we are on hand for ease of contact, to talk, email and text 7 days a week right up to 9 o'clock at night as we realise that people work unsociable hours and don't get a chance to organise such things as double glazed windows within " normal 9 -5 working hours". Our competitors doors close at 5 at the latest so it can be difficult.

Feel free to follow a few of our other interesting links to our website and don't hesitate to contact us regardless how big or small your enquiry is.


WINDOWS | DOORS | CONSERVATORIES | FASCIAS & GUTTERS | ROCKDOORS

Southport Doors & Double Glazing
unit 1/ 82a High Park Business Centre, 
High Park Road
PR9 7QL

Email us at           info@southportdoors.com 
call                         01704 553 994
Call or text us on   0787 601 6821 

How To Fix PVC windows.

Many people having previously bought double glazing may have broken parts or wear and tear after years of over use or lack of regular maintenance. 

To maintain PVC windows is important as it will prevent any further expensive outlays for minor breakages down the line. 

Spray oiling all moving parts and including hinges and shoot bolts, along with the entire underside of the openers where the small cams sit. these locate in to the window keeps on closing the window. These all need spraying as these are the first parts to seize up. With windows left open it allows the elements to attack the metal moving parts.

The most common part of a PVC window that fails is the double glazed unit that sits inside the window. This is not an easy repair for a novice to complete. It will take an accurate measure in width depth and thickness. It will also take an expert and their tools to remove and install , so its an idea to leave this to the experts.

It is easy to replace a broken handle which is one of the most common failures to a PVC window. These can be bought at PVC outlets and DIY stores.The video below demonstrates the ease of change. Most window handles should fit another regardless of age as the spacings between the fixing screws are the same. This is not the case with door handles as the spacings between the screws and the handle spindle differ a lot from brand to brand. 

The other major flaw in many windows is the silicone seals internally and externally. It is important to keep up on any gaps that appear due to the PVC window frame expanding and contracting throughout the day. Firstly remove the entire run of the silicone and clean off with a PVC solvent or similar solution. Use the best silicone you can afford and be advised by the DIY shop. It may be more beneficial to use decorators caulk internally as it easy to paint over. There is a step by step guide to silicone sealing below. 

 More of our interesting links are  ::

WINDOWS | DOORS | CONSERVATORIES | FASCIAS & GUTTERS | ROCKDOORS



Southport Doors & Double Glazing
Email us at     info@southportdoors.com 
call us on        01704 553 994  /  0787 601 6821



More advice and posts on :

What is PVC ? and what does it stand for ?

combating condensation

Tips on how to re seal your own windows and get a professional guide

The professional view on how to sell your house and what areas to address

What benefits are there with PVC windows

Are the locks secure in your doors? check this post to see what we mean

Warmer Winters With New Double Glazing ::::: Southport | Merseyside

Its unnatural to start thinking about winter when the cold weather has just gone.

But good planning and good quality products will ensure the home you're family lives in is a completely different environment next winter.





The image shows the newest style and technology in PVC windows and general A rated double glazing that is available.

Note the inside chambers of the windows are insulated as well as reinforced to prevent too much expansion in the heat.

As standard the windows are internally glazed. 1) for security reasons . 2) for ease of installation so it prevents double glazed units being carried up ladders. 3) for better U values and air leakage performance.

The image also illustrates a triple glazed unit sitting in the window as opposed to a double glazed unit people are most familiar with. These systems are available now and will be more common over the next 2 years as insulating and heat retention goes to another level. 

The panes of glass are adhered together by a compound and spaced apart by spacer bars. The spacer bars  function as conductors of heat and allow the edge of the glass to attain a 3 to 4 degrees warmer state to try to combat the effects of condensation.

This set up in the image is representative of all A rated windows being installed now except for the triple glazed status.

The profile of the actual PVC window part are also more contemporary and desirable than previously as attention to aesthetics is just as important as the functionality of new double glazing for the perfect effect.





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Beautiful Windows :: Double Glazing Make Over

With the weather getting better and many proud home owners are having a chance to get in the garden have a good look at their property. Eyeing up the potential work needed will probably involve new double glazing or fascias.

Even if the windows that are fitted at the moment are PVC the chances are that they will need replacing if they are over 10 years old or more.

The benefits speak for themselves as windows and doors are far more insulating than ever before and it will be very beneficial when the colder weather comes in the autumn. Considering the winter just gone which lasted a month or so more than expected it would be a great idea to insulate more.

Easy to keep black with white available internally

Not only will the energy conservation be beneficial but the overall cosmetics of the property as there are many different colours and styles in windows available to give that bespoke look over your neighbours. 

Make your house stand out with Irish oak effect or be bold and go for the creams or greys. Or be conservative and clever with maintenance and cleaning in mind and go for the black grained windows.

Visit the website ::  www.southportdoors.com

Get a window or door quote of us here 

Sealed Double Glazed Units And Why They Fail Or Condensate With Moisture.

Many previously installed double glazed windows from 10 to 20 odd years ago will inevitably end up having failed or misted units. There are various reasons for this failure and the first can simply be down to the construction of the double glazed units.

T

Fabrication

If the quality of the DGU's( double glazed units) is poor to start off with then the life of them will not be very long. Many companies expect this to happen and only give 2 to 5 years on the glazed product , but give a full 10 years on the PVC frame.

The DGU's are designed to sit within the PVC frame held in by a PVC glazing bead and sit on top of glass packers therefore allowing any water that manages to get in behind the gaskets to easily drain away around and below the DGU emptying through purposely drilled drainage holes directly beneath .
The water then works its way through the lower chamber and on to the either the PVC cill which the window sits on, or through the front of the lower part of the PVC window which is face drained.

If there is any blockage of either of these drainage holes it will cause a back up and the frame will begin to fill up.

It is not unusual to have a trace of water inside the PVC frame at the bottom as it designed to be self draining.Any water being held will mean a blockage somewhere.

The installation cause

Many older DGU's may have been sat directly in the window frame without any sort of glass packer beneath. This can be the cause of many failed units as 1)  they are sat in there own water and 2)  the hot melt that units are sealed with when heated in the sun can stick to the inside lower of the PVC frame and 3) if they are not sat on glazing packers correctly they can slip in the warmer months.

Glass Packers

The Glass packers should be suitable ones which are sat square on the lower part of the frame and be the correct width of the overall thickness of the DGU so neither of the 2 panes of glass can slip at any point when heated up on a sunny day. 

Packers should be square and touching both the inner and outer panes. The packer should be seen to reach the very outer of the glass edge and inner glass edge to give peace of mind it doesn't slip even when glazing with the beads are knocked in.

Many failed units are down to this installation overlook and even though it doesn't seem as if one of the panes has slipped, it only takes a pin hole and a drop of moisture to condense a whole double glazed unit. and ruin the look and effect of a PVC window or door.

The right way

Be sure to use a company that gives 10 years on the Double glazed units as well as the PVC windows and doors.

Make sure the glass units are sat correctly on the correct width glazing packers.

Make sure the drainage holes are all clear for water to run through.


Interesting links:

New Rockdoors | PVC windows  | ultimate conservatories | high security door products 

More advice and posts on :

What is PVC ? and what does it stand for ?

combating condensation

Tips on how to re seal your own windows and get a professional guide

The professional view on how to sell your house and what areas to address

What benefits are there with PVC windows

Are the locks secure in your doors? check this post to see what we mean

Window Quotes And Double Glazing Installation

In a world that is for ever increasing in speed and less time to do anything, we seem to be cramming more and more in to the hours of our day.

During work and also the small free time we have at home in the evening. So how do you get and an idea of price for some nice new double glazing or a couple of doors for your home that you are working so hard for.


The Dinosaurs of the industry will still be sending round a representative to talk the back legs off you before you ultimately decide that they are either too annoying, overpriced or just taking up too much of your precious time. After all all you wanted was an idea of window and door cost including fitting, some time to think it over and maybe get a couple more quotes in.

There is an alternative to this from a few forward minded operators were you can get a window quote on line and receive it back pretty quickly. Usually the same day, most of the time within 24 hours.

Compare this to the old school scenario of sending a rep round and waiting a couple of weeks while they process the quote and eventually get round to posting it. Wait a day or 2 for it to arrive and then you finally you get the opportunity to compare quotes like for like.

Chances are that there has been so much time spent on the process and the wages it took from both the rep and the employee who actually did the quote and posted it,  that it will be the least competitive of the lot.

With most people now shopping on line and being use to using email, the far easier way to get quotes for double glazing and beautiful replacement doors is use an on line window quoter system which will give you a quick answer to what you require. It takes away the nonsense of dealing with annoying reps who cant keep to their times and wont leave the house until you sign for the work you need.

The opportunity is also there for as many follow up emails as you like for questions and request more advice.

Surveying the job will be a different issue as access will be needed.

Tip:: Always slightly oversize the size of windows and be accurate with the style you require to make sure the quote will cover any wrong measuring on your behalf. Be detailed about where the windows are such as 3rd floor or over a conservatory.


Interesting links:

New Rockdoors | PVC windows  | ultimate conservatories | high security door products 

More advice and posts on :

What is PVC ? and what does it stand for ?

combating condensation

Tips on how to re seal your own windows and get a professional guide

The professional view on how to sell your house and what areas to address

What benefits are there with PVC windows

Are the locks secure in your doors? check this post to see what we mean

French Doors - Double Glazed Doors- Patio Doors

French doors or sliding patio doors are a great double glazing idea to bring in more light .

They will also give the room more dimension and the sense of space as the light floods through.They are great idea for a room with minimal light which also can allow access to the patio or garden


Transforming and converting a window into a set of double glazed French doors is quite easy and you will see the benefits straight away. This can be a bit more costly as the removal of the window and brickwork below needs to done. Along with any making good the plaster work, skirting and tread board internally.

Although it seems like it could be a potential huge messy job, the truth is that it can be done sometimes within a day in good weather.

A Converted Window To French Doors

The same can be done for the sliding patio doors, but usually smaller openings will be installed with French doors. 

The double glazed sliding patio doors can span larger areas as French doors have a smaller overall threshold in width. This is due to too much weight in the doors causes them to drop, so the openers can only go to a certain size.

The overall security has never been better as the hooks, roller cams and deadbolts give peace of mind that they can't be prised open . There is also the added option of upgrading the key cylinder to an anti -snap lock to prevent any break ins from technical minded thieves.

More interesting links:

Composite doors | PVC Windows Advice | Double Glazing General | Glazing Questions


For more advice read the archived blogs.

Double Glazing - Great deals Available Early On In The Year

As with every January and February there are desperate attempts from all industries including the double glazing sector to try and tempt potential customers with a real bargain.

The truth is that there are very good deals to be found, but the usual research in to products and companies still must be done for peace of mind and to get the right approach.

PVC Fitters need feeding with work and vans need to be on the road, its as simple as that.

A lot of business's survive January from what was organised before Christmas but still need the cushion of having work to run straight on to. Therefore it puts the ball firmly in the customers court to go and get competitive quotes from double glazing firms in their area.

You will find all kinds of work ranging from windows and composite doors/ Rockdoors  to fascias and gutters being really good value for money, something that may not be on offer further in to the year when things always pick up.

So for the home owners that didn't panic pre Christmas about getting their windows installed for the holidays, there is a better deal on offer and being patient will really pay off.

With lots of snow and bad weather since mid December there are lots of snow and wind damaged fascias, soffits and guttering. So the best time to have this fixed is in the first two months of the year as it will be far more affordable than at any other time of the year.





Remember as the clock is ticking in towards the spring and summer months, the more work builds up and companies availability will go down, therefore raising overall prices. So its is important to get your double glazing quotes early on and it may surprise you at how much you can save.


Company information




More technical information on varying types of doors, windows and conservatories can be found here as we have been collecting knowledge and giving the professional finish for 23 years. Contact us or browse our website @    Southport Doors & Double Glazing

Interesting links:

New Rockdoors | PVC windows  | ultimate conservatories | high security door products 

More advice and posts on :

What is PVC ? and what does it stand for ?

combating condensation

Tips on how to re seal your own windows and get a professional guide

The professional view on how to sell your house and what areas to address

What benefits are there with PVC windows

Are the locks secure in your doors? check this post to see what we mean