Double glazing

[dummkopf]

Two of my windows are misted. How are they cleared or does the whole piece of glass have to be replaced ? the windows are 20 years old now.......

[Kingsway]

They will have to be replaced. There is no other way, I'm afraid.

[Ethel]

You could get the sealed units (the two pieces of glass) replaced into your existing frame if you consider the frames to be worth keeping.

[Kingsway]

Thats a very odd answer, Ethel. As the windows are misting obviously the double glazing seal is broken. It costs a very great deal to clean off two pieces of old glass and for someone to re-make the seal, far cheaper and better to have new glass replacements.

[minimonkey]

i had this done recently ...they replace the glass units inside the fames and it costs not that much - i just had to have a few large windos dome and it cost 600 quid which sounds lots but there were 6 windows and a couple of other bits and bobs

[Ethel]

Kingsway - I didn't mean just replace the glass panes.

I meant replace the sealed units. I had two units replaced two years ago for �40 each, entirely satisfactory, by a local double glazing company.

They are still sealed, exactly as they would have been had I bought a replacement window in it's entirety.

[dummkopf]

thanks everyone for your comments. It's just the part that opens that's misted up, the frames are ok, there seems to be quite a price difference in a couple of posts, am I looking at approx �40 or �100 per panel , any idea ?

[Ethel]

It very much depends on the size.

Phone at least two local companies with the sizes for quotes.

If they are standard sizes and you are keen on diy you may be able to buy the units for self-fit from places such as Wickes.

[Big Al1st]

Hi Dumm,
A few things to think about.
a. The thickness of the units is important. They will be either 20mm, 24mm or 28mm thick. eg 24 mm unit has a 4mm piece of glass, 16mm spacer and 4mm glass. Too thin a unit and it will rattle when installed. Too thick and you wont get the unit in.
b. Old units may be stuck in with security tape and hard to get out unless you know what to do.
c. Old units if you damage the beading when you take it out you could have, being DIY, problems getting replacements.
d. Same with the black rubber gasket.
e. If you take the unit out you should see some packers at the bottom of the unit. Make sure they are in place when you replace the unit.
Double glazed clear units should cost about between �30 and �40 per square metre.
If you dont know what you are doing look in yellow pages or freebie press. There are usually small companies that advertise replacement of misted units or hinges.
However the main thing is the thickness of the units!

I dont want to put you off. People have changed units without any problems, but if you are not DIY inclined then you may make problems

Rgds Al
PS Hope I havent dazzled you with science, if so I apologise.
PPS I work in double glazing

[sheffwed39]

i work in the d/ glazing bisness and make the units you require. if i wer you i'd concider having them all replaced if theyre 20 years old. shop around you can get some good deals. don't be sucked in to having k glass either. this is supose to save you money by reflecting heat back in to your home. the heat saved is negligable and only applies if you turn down your thermostat. and anyway it makes your white nets look dirty.check all the sealent in the unit cavity make sure theres no air gaps or holes , this will cause units to break down. (mist up inside)

[dummkopf]

thanks again, the 2 misted windows are 18" x 32" (can't do cms !) plus two sets of hinges on top opening windows also need fixing/replacing . I've had a quote of �300 from one guy, does this sound reasonable ?

[buildersmate]

Can't think myself of a good reason for replacing all of them. I'd go with Ethel's suggestion. It may be difficult to get the panels out of the frames. But its a damn sight more difficult to get the frames out of the wall. And it mucks up the decorating / sealing on the inside of the room.

[Big Al1st]

Hi Dumm I would have thought �150 nearer the mark.

About �40 for two glass units �30 max for two pair hinges and �40 max labour charge.

However they may seem to overcharge but they have taken into account repair of any damage that might be done, eg gaskets and beading.

If possible get a breakdown of charges. Glass charges do vary tremendously depending on Company. National companies do charge more. One reputable company around he charges �59 per square metre for normal glass.

If they try to sell you 'K' Glass or low emission glass quoting regulations say that you do not require that type of glass. As Sheffwed said it is a con althought replacement of complete windows does need K glass to comply with Building Reg.

We would pay �16.90 plus vat for the the two glass units ( not each but for both) and sell onto to DYI at �40 plus VAT for both units. Standard top hung hinges we sell at �10 per pair. Then you have the hourly labour rate. Hope this helps. Let me know what you finished up with Rgds Al

[dummkopf]

Thanks BigAl I think I'll get a couple more quotes, now I have an idea of costs.
thanks everyone !