UPVC window with misted up glazing panels & worn hinge

Since bathroom windows are obscured anyway, why be concerned about some moisture.

You might find it easier to get a local window company to replace the whole unit.

Because you can actually see the humidity within the glazing unit.... plus these are supposedly sealed and argon filled.

But which is more cost effectiive?

Replace *whole* window or place hinges and 2 DG glazing unit?

There are companies which specialise in this sort of repair.

I know that this is a DIY group but worth asking. :-)

Cheers

Dave R

In my experience, allbeit about 20 years ago, d glazed units are quite cheap. Ask a local supplier, not a chain installer. They'll tell you how to measure if you can't finfd the information using Google. For the hinges Google for double glazing spares. You'll probably find someone offer matching replacements. Then you'll be able to make an assessment about the best way to go.

Take the glazing bars out so you can see what size the units are.

Normally you can prise out one of the long edges with a wide scraper or similar - they need to bend to get them in and out usually. (easier to get back in if you warm them up first)

Probably easiest to get a good set of dimensions for the new hinge on the suppliers web site and then compare against what you have.

You need to use a thin blade to lift the centre of the beading away from the frame.

Search on youtube for examples.

Once the beading is removed you can measure the existing windows.

I would be wary about just changing the glass without being sure that the replacements wont fail for the same reason.

It is possible to buy made to measure UPVC frames with the glass.

Is it internally or externally beaded?

Mark the bars for top/left/bottom/right and make a note which ones go "on top" of which others, so you put them back correctly, use a blunt, wide filling knife, to prise them out, but be careful not to damage them

Measure the actual sealed units, order new ones from local manufacturer, also take note of where the packers are between the frame and the sealed unit.

Get a non-marking rubber hammer to knock them back in with, after.

Look for manufacturer/model name on existing hinges, see wha you can find on the glazing repair websites, if the screws are loose you can get 'uPvC repair screws' with a more aggressive pitch.

New sealed units are easy to obtain and fit. The glazing bars will normally be internal these days. use a flat-ended putty knife or similar to push firmly into the fine gap between glazing bar and frame, midway along a long side and twist it to pop the glazing bar out of its recess. You can then remove it, and do the same with the others.

Replacement is the reverse but there is a technique to get the bars back in which is difficutlt to describe here. Try YouTube. Remember to put the packers and support bridges back in, that support the weight of the glass inside the frame.

Hinges, should not 'wear'. Are they reflex hinges or 'means of escape'? . Post a photo. Getting exact match replacements and fitting them is more tricky.

I bought a new D/G window for my bathroom in 2014 to replace the original timber Boulton and Paul top-hinged unit (4 foot wide by 3 foot 6 inches deep) and it cost me £152+vat.

You would need to also know the make of the window and then you would have all the answers. Actually, misted up double glazing is less efficient than non misted up ones. Brian