It is never an ideal time for your double glazing to develop problems and, if left untreated, these faults can affect your windows or doors’ ability to keep heat in or can be detrimental to its security.
Whilst even the best quality double glazing isn’t fault-proof, there are things that you can do to resolve any issues early before they become bigger problems.
4 Common Double Glazing Issues and How to Fix Them
Double glazing being ‘stuck’ or difficult to open
A door or window that is stuck or is difficult to open or close not only causes issues with ventilation but can also be a security risk.
So, what causes difficulties with opening and closing your doors and windows? Well, there are a number of potential causes, the first being that the mechanism is stiff. This is a common issue for doors or casement windows that are hinged.
A sticking door or window may also be caused by faults with the lock or the handle – preventing you from opening the door or window.
Lastly, another reason for this issue can be down to the hinges having moved or become loose.
If any of these apply to you, here is what you can do to fix them.
The first thing to try is oiling the mechanism, hinges, handles or places in which the door or window passes the frame to see what difference this makes.
Another way to fix this issue is by tightening the hinges and mechanisms to see if this helps. However, if you feel that these need replacing, your best bet is to contact your door/window provider.
Changes in the weather may also be the cause of a sticking door or window. Extreme temperatures can result in the frame expanding or shrinking and as a result not moving smoothly.
One method to fix this is by wiping down the frames with cold water to try and shrink them, however, this shouldn’t be a regular solution.
If the problem isn’t too severe, it may be worth waiting for the temperature to cool down to see if this solves the problem.
However, if all else fails, you should contact your door/window supplier if the problems persist or significantly impact the functionality of your doors or windows – for example, not being able to lock them.
Condensation
If left untreated, condensation can not only affect the appearance of your double glazing but it can also affect your window’s ability to prevent heat loss.
There are a number of reasons why condensation may occur. The first thing that it would suggest is a lack of ventilation in a room or home. It isn’t just older double glazing that can be affected by condensation but even newly installed double glazing can experience issues with condensation where there is a lack of ventilation. This is because moisture is trapped inside leading to condensation.
In order to reduce the risk of condensation, It is important for a house to ‘breathe’. You will want to let in as much fresh air as possible. Installing ventilation is an option – such as air bricks, extractors or even vents in the window or door frames.
However, if you find that the condensation is between the glass panes, this would suggest that the seals are broken or not work sufficiently, something that should occur in new double glazing.
For more information on how to fix a broken window or doors seal, continue reading our blog.
Broken seals on double glazing
As mentioned above, condensation between the panes of glass of double glazing is a clear sign that the window or door seals have broken or are not working properly.
There are a number of reasons why seals fail including due to weather conditions causing warping, rot or expansion. Condensation build-up can also cause seals to fail as, over time, mould can form and damage the seals.
What should you do if your seals fail on your double glazing? In some cases, nothing. It may sound strange but you only need to fix broken seals if they are causing problems with condensation or allowing leaks or draughts to occur.
Broken window seals don’t mean that the entire window or door has to be replaced as just the window seals themselves can be replaced – saving you money.
However, in instances where the windows cannot be replaced, the glass pane can be replaced instead of the whole frame. By doing this instead of just replacing the window seals, the gas between the panes will be restored also.
In a worst-case scenario, the door or window will have to be replaced in order to fix the issue. Nevertheless, you should contact the double glazing supplier as soon as possible to seek advice on the best course of action.
Locks not working or stiff
A broken or stiff lock is never ideal and can in fact be detrimental to the security of your door or window.
Similar to a door or window not being able to open, a lock may not be working due to heat or the lock mechanism being ‘stuck’. If this is the case then using the same cooling and oiling method, mentioned above, may fix the problem.
If the lock is completely broken, however, then you will have to replace the lock. This can usually be done without having to replace the frame. To save on cost, you may attempt to replace the lock yourself but it should be noted that doing so may affect the seals and also void any warranty you may have.
Despite this, a lock shouldn’t fail within a short space of time and, therefore, you should contact your window or door provider if they are still under warranty.
Choose double glazing from Humberside Glazing
In many cases, by carrying out regular maintenance on your doors and windows you can notice problems early on and help prevent any issues from becoming unrepairable.
With this being said, it is important to choose quality double glazing from a trusted double glazing installer.
At Humberside Glazing, we believe that our customers should never compromise on quality. That is we are dedicated to providing each of our customers with products and services that are of the highest quality.
With over 20 years of experience in the double glazing industry, when you choose Humberside Glazing, you can rest assured that your home is in capable hands.
If you’re looking to install double glazing in your home in Scunthorpe or the surrounding areas, get in touch with us and a member of our team will be happy to assist you.