Can you fix a window without replacing it?

Windows are great, they allow your home to stay warm and they picture frame the perfect view, but when they break, they can be become a real pain to deal with. One of the biggest reasons for this is the unknown of what has broken and how much it could cost to replace it.

In this guide, you can learn what might be broken on your window and when you can and cannot fix it…

First things first, the window is commonly known as the frame, and this is where the locking mechanism, handles and hinges all attached to, the frame also holds the glass in position.

The opening mechanism itself is made up of 3 parts, the Handle, the gearbox, and the drive gear. The handle operates the gearbox, which in turn operates the drive gear allowing the window to be locked or unlocked.

The next part is the hinges, depending on what type of window you have, the hinges can either be positioned on each side or at the top and bottom and come in a variety of specifications.

Finally, we come onto the trickle vent, now these are not on all windows but if you do have them, you can identify them as a narrow plastic vent located at the very top of the window frame. These vents allow air flow and ventilation into the building to ensure good circulation.

Windows can last for as long as 10-15 years, but individual components can last less or even more, depending on the amount they are used, the maintenance the receive and of course the quality of them.

Below we have put together a checklist of parts that can be repaired…

- Window Handle – Great news, this can be fixed!
Window handles come in a huge range of designs, sizes, and types, and all of them are replaceable without having to change the entire window! For more information on handle types and how to change them, click here.

- Window Locking Gearbox – Great News, this can be fixed!
Often window locks wear down and fail after heavy use or long periods, the locking gearbox in the majority of windows is hidden inside the frame itself, however most are still made today, and so can be removed and replaced no matter what manufacturer of windows you have!

- Locking Drive Gear – Great News, this can be fixed!
The drive gear runs along the base of the window and includes the locking cams which link into the keeps making the window secured when locked. These, as with the gearbox can wear over time and so often fail. But the same as with the gearbox, these too can be replaced no matter what the manufacturer of window you have in your home.

- Window Hinges - Great News, this can be fixed!
The good news is, the hinges to UPVC, Timber and Aluminium windows are replaceable without buying an entirely new window. Although there is a huge range of window hinges used in the UK, they are all still manufactured and so replacing just the hinges is very viable. The lifespan of hinges varies a huge amount on the usage, typically on average, hinges in the UK will last from 5 - 8 years if they are lubricated annually. To summarise, a broken hinge doesn’t mean a new window, it doesn’t matter if it’s a fire escape hinge, restrictor style hinge or a standard hinge, all can be replaced without needing a completely new window!

- Trickle Vents – Great News, this can be fixed!
As these are made of plastic, and most of us are guilty of being a little heavy handed with our windows. Trickle vents often get knocked off, broke, or cracked.
The good news is that these are replaceable. The exact designs can be tricky to find, but over all there is a huge number of styles manufactured and, if you can’t find the exact one to match, there will be one very similar available.

As you can see form the above guide, there are lots of window faults that can be repaired without the need to replace the entire window, inevitably though, there are some instances that will require this.

For example, a major crack in the frame or joint. This will affect the structural integrity of the window and so will need to be replaced. Another example would be a large hole in the plastic frame.

But for all your smaller niggles and issues, use the above guide to help confirm if the defect can be repaired, saving you time, hassle, and money.

And if you need any information on the repairs talked about above, get in touch with us!


Remember, Why Replace… We Repair…