Repairs
We have always taken pride in the fact that we support our clients with a comprehensive maintenance service that complements our own product warranty. We have a dedicated service department with staff that have had many years of experience in almost all aspects of fenestration and door installations.
So should you have problems such as a broken hinge, damaged handle, faulty lock, sticking window or a patio door that is difficult to slide call us to explain the problem. On most occasions we should be able to provide a reasonably accurate cost for the required repairs over the phone whilst sometimes clients will email a photo and brief explanation on more complicated issues.
Experienced Service Engineers are available
Should you wish our experienced service engineer can, for a one off call out charge, visit your home to assess whatever remedy would be the best solution to the problem. Once you have accepted our quotation, we can assure you the repair to your windows or doors will be carried out with the utmost care and no hidden extra costs will be sprung on you, thus giving you total peace of mind. In the event that the item is beyond repair we will willingly provide a completely free of charge quotation for its replacement and should you accept the quote will refund the engineers call out charge.
Useful Maintenance Tips, Advice and Information:
Care & Maintenance
Although replacement PVCu and Aluminium window and door products are predominately maintenance free, the following guidelines should ensure that you receive many years of trouble free service.
Lubrication of Hinges – Locks – Cylinders
Due to normal operation and atmospheric conditions, the moving mechanical parts of the doors and windows require lubrication.
Keep plates, locks, cylinders and hinges of both windows and doors will benefit from a light application of a silicone based lubrication to the contact area of moving parts. As a general rule, lubrication should be required once every 12 months depending on usage.
NB: Under no circumstances attempt to dismantle any components. If you require further assistance please contact your supplier.
Cleaning
PVCu Frames - White
Under normal circumstances the washing down of window and door profiles with diluted washing up liquid and water will suffice. However, where more stubborn marks or a build-up of atmospheric grime exists, a non-abrasive cream cleaner or solvent cleaner that is specially designed for PVCu profile should be used. We can assist you as we stock both types and will willingly supply the one which best suits your needs.
Apply the cleaner to the affected area using a dry clean cloth. Use sparingly applying gentle pressure in small circular motions then buff back to a shine.
PVCu Frames – Coloured and Woodgrain
Use only diluted washing up liquid and water.
NB: Under no circumstances use any other cleaner than those advised by your supplier. Other cleaners not recommended may have an adverse effect on the surface finish of your windows.
Friction Stay Adjustment
The majority of opening windows are fitted with a friction stay which is a type of hinge that controls the opening of the window itself. This is factory set so that the window neither closes under its own weight or is overly difficult to open and close. After a period of time, the friction pad may wear making the opener loose in operation. Take a small bladed screwdriver and turn the screw by half a turn clockwise. The adjustment should be made equally to each pair of hinges. If this adjustment is insufficient then carry on turning the screw in half turn increments until the desired amount of friction is achieved. If opener is very stiff in operation, turn the screw by a quarter turn increments anticlockwise until desired result is achieved. NB: If you have difficulty in making the above adjustment, please contact your supplier for guidance.
External Condensation
The weather conditions experienced in some parts of the UK during recent times and the consequent incidence of external condensation of Low-e Glass double glazing in some installations has prompted us to provide an explanation for this phenomena.
Generally speaking, condensation will form on a surface as soon as its temperature falls below the dew point temperature of the ambient air, but external condensation (dew) will only occur on cold free nights when there is little or no wind and usually when a ‘warm front’ follows a dry spell.
As gardeners will know the air temperature can vary on any day or night from one part of the garden to another. A hedge, a shrub, an open flower bed, a projecting wall or proximity to open water can all effect the garden micro climate. It is this combination of general weather conditions, the localised micro climate and well insulated windows which can contribute to the formation of external condensation. For instance, on occasions and as a result of localised conditions it is possible to see clear and condensed windows in the same home.
The formation of external condensation on glazing is influenced by the thermal insulation of the glazing, whatever that might be and however it might be achieved – whether using a coated glass, such as soft or hard coat and / or insulating cavities, either single or multiple, air or argon filled.
The thermal insulation provided by single glazing is very poor and heat from the house readily passes through the glass and escapes to the outside world (in effect, heating the garden).
As a result of this the external surface temperature of single glazing is more often than not higher than the dew point temperature of the outside air and thus prohibits the formation of condensation on that surface.
With ordinary double glazing the level of insulation is improved, but sufficient heat still escapes through the glass so as to warm the external surface of the outermost pane and thereby precludes the formation of condensation in most circumstances.
How it Works
Click on the picture below to enlarge
Low emissivity glasses work differently to ordinary glass. The low emissivity coating reflects heat back into the room and as a result the amount of heat passing through the glazing is greatly reduced.
As a consequence, the external pane of a double glazing unit containing the Low-e Glass is not warmed by escaping heat which is instead retained within the room. It therefore presents a colder surface to the external (outside) environment.
In this case, and on those occasions that the external glass surface temperature is lower than the dew point of the air and when weather conditions are comparable to those mentioned earlier, condensation can form on the external glass surface.
Unfortunately, because the combination of these contributing factors is unpredictable it is not possible to quantify the number of occasions when external condensation will occur.
However, any incidence of external condensation will be relatively rare and in all cases it will be a transient effect. Upon any one of the climatological variables changing the condensation on the glazing will usually dissipate within a short period of time much the same way as does the early morning dew with which we are all familiar.
The visual quality of low emissivity glass
The new part L (conservation of Fuel and Power) of the Building Regulations came into force on 1st April 2002. For the first time, Part L covers replacement windows, which now have to meet more rigorous standards of thermal insulation. Without low emissivity (Low-e) glass in your windows, you have little prospect of meeting the new requirements.
What is low emissivity (low-e) Glass?
Low-e glass is a vital component of energy efficient windows. It has a surface coating that operates as follows:
It allows short wavelength heat from the winter sun to enter your home through the glazing.
This solar energy works with your domestic heating system to warm up your room, which then gives off long wavelength heat radiation.
A large proportion of that long wave heat would vanish back out through windows made of ordinary glass. However, the Low-e coating reflects that heat back into your room, i.e. the coating traps the heat in your home.
As a consequence, you will feel much warmer during the winter, and your pocket will feel the benefit of reduced heating costs.
Will Low-e glass meet the Building Regulations?
Better than merely meeting the Regulations, low-e glass is essential along with other tecknowledgies such as warm edge spacer bars and gas filled cavities to enable you to achieve the new targets.
Are there any disadvantages?
We have discussed the significant advantages to your pocket and comfort above. Given the substantial benefits of Low-e any disadvantages are insignificant. You now have to use a coated glass and this means you can see evidence of the coating in one or all of the following ways:
As a tint, making some materials appears differently when viewed directly through the glass.
As a ‘haze’ when viewing the glass at some angles and in some lighting conditions.
By the appearance of condensation on the outside surface of the glass under certain weather conditions. This being positive proof that the glass is preventing heat loss from your house. As the glass is becoming colder than normal and allowing dew to form.
It may also be possible that Low-e glass may exhibit minor blemishes and the tint may also change if windows are made at different times or from different batches of glass. These are not detrimental to the functioning of the unit and are not deemed to be a defect.
How is visual quality assessed?
The visual quality of a window is assessed by looking through it from the room side, at right angles to the glass, standing at a distance of not less the 3 metres from the glass, under natural daylight and not direct sunlight, with no visible moisture on the surfaces of the glass. Provided your vision through the glass is not impeded under these conditions, for example, by scratches, bubbles, or distortion of external objects, your windows are of good visual quality.
