Category: Windows

How to Get Rid of Window Condensation

Posted on by Abacus Glazing

Condensation can sometimes appear on the inside or the outside of your windows. No matter where the condensation takes place it needs to be dealt with as it is a potential hazard for your home.

If you don’t deal with condensation it can eventually lead to mildew or even mold.  And this is far more unpleasant than actually dealing with the condensation issue.

It is not just a matter of wiping away the condensation that has a covers the window. As you are just wiping away condensation but not fixing the root of the problem. The water from the condensation is still going to be seeping into the window frame causing damage that is not visible until it’s too late.

What Causes Window Condensation?

The main cause of having condensation appear on your windows is excess humidity. One of the easiest thing you can implement in your home is to buy a dehumidifier. This takes out the excess moisture in the surrounding environment and that keeps the moisture off the windows.

Something else that you can buy is a moisture eliminator. They work in a very similar fashion to a dehumidifier. They take the excess moisture out of the air and some moisture eliminating products even contain different scents. So if you have an old home they can double act to remove musty odor smells.

Window Condensation in the Bathroom

Dealing with window condensation in a bathroom is a different story.

Generally this situation is solved with a stronger bathroom fan. It is not advisable to leave the fan switched off with hot water is running. No fan is the perfect situation for the breeding of mold. And this is something you want to avoid. If your bathroom does not have a fan then you would want to consider employing a contractor coming to install one.

If you take these simple steps and you noticed that you still have condensation occurring on your windows then it could be a different issue.

What to do if the Window Condensation Wont Stop?

Older windows are generally held in place with caulk  as a sealant. It is an option to replace the caulk to see if this helps with the prevent condensation. But keep in mind that this is a quick fix and not a permanent solution. If you do this it you might actually increase your energy bills as a result. So it’s more a short term solution to prevent condensation while you deal with a long term fix. Such as replacing your windows.

If you have tried to stop window condensation to no avail then it might be time to call a window replacement company. You do not want to ignore window condensation because it can have very damaging effects to your property and your health in the long time as have been discussed above.

We are happy to do an assessment at your property to see if we can help fix the issue and if we cannot we can help with a quote for replacement windows.

Can I Just Replace the Glass of a Broken Window?

Posted on by Abacus Glazing

It’s a good question to ask but the answer to the question is not a simple one. It’s not just a plain “yes” or a plain “no”. It’s really going to come down to how badly the window was broken and how old the window is.

The best thing to do in this situation is to speak with a window replacement company. The first step that should be taking is to find out if your window is covered under some kind of warranty that deals with breakage. If this is the case you might not even need to deal with replacing the window yourself as your insurance company will organize a contractor to come out and do the work. If that is not the case then keep reading for the longer answer.

In which Situation Can Glass just be Replaced?

If you have a single pane window then generally replacing the glass is not an issue. You can even do it yourself and it’s simply a matter of removing the caulk that holds the glass pane in place. Then adding the new glass pane and then re-caulking. If you’re not the type of person who likes to do home renovation then you can always get a window repair company to come out to your property.

If you are dealing with a multi-pane window such as double glazing or triple glazing glass then there are times that replacement is the only option. Especially if you have warranty on the windows but this is definitely best left to a professional window replacement company. It is not recommended try and reply multi-pane glass yourself if you are not qualified.

In what Situation should the entire Windows be Replaced?

There are definitely times where you want to completely replace window units. Situations that would deem this to be the case are when windows are coming up to the end of the life cycle based on manufacturing recommendations. Or when Windows are very old. If Windows a very old it might be quite hard to find a proper replacement so a new unit is the best option.

An obvious situation that a window needs to be replaced in its entirety is when there is damage to the window frame itself. If a new pane of glass cannot be put into the window frame and secured then it is physically impossible to replace the window.

Another example situation is if you have timber frames and they are starting to rot. This could be dangerous for your home and your families safety as they could be easily be used as a break-in entry point. The last thing you want is a robbery because of a failing window frame.

If you’re unsure as to what steps you need to take. If it’s double glazing repair in Bournemouth or if it’s to repair a window feel free to give us a call as we will be happy to help assess the situation.

How Long do Replacement Windows Last?

Posted on by Abacus Glazing

Replacement windows that are installed do you have a lifetime. You might be in the process of replacing your windows or you might be building a new property so you are considering what type of Windows to install based on your budget.

Every window has a lifetime. There is going to be a point in the future when the window needs to be replaced. The lifetime of a windows is going to depend on various external elements that you can’t control. But don’t stress out as even the shortest lifespan windows last for a good 10 years.

If you’re replacing windows in 2018 and beyond the good thing is that a lot of window manufacturers have put extra effort into energy efficiency and going green.  This will really help you cut down your energy bills during summer and winter.

So how long will a New Window last?

It really depends on the material that the window is made from. And something else to keep in mind is that it’s not so much the window that has the lifetime it’s more about the window frame and the material that it’s made from. Below is a Rough Guide of how long you can expect to get out of your replacement windows:

  • Aluminum: 15 to 20 years
  • Skylights: 10  to 20 years
  • Double Pane: 10  to 20 years
  • Vinyl: 20 to 30 years
  • Wood: 30+ years
  • Glazed: 10+ years

There are also two main reasons why you might need to replace your windows during this time frame.

Condensation in the Windows

If you are dealing with double pane windows or more commonly known as double glazed windows. Or even triple glazed windows for that matter. Then overtime condensation can take place in the empty space between the two window panes. This generally happens when temperatures vary quite drastically. The gas between the two window panes expands and contracts continuously. Eventually this causes problems with the windows.

What does this mean? What kind of problems? It means that overtime the seals in the window is going to crack and moisture can form inside the window. This means that your windows can potentially look foggy and might need to be replaced or if possible repaired.

Single glazed or single pane windows can also get condensation issues. Those are easier to fix and we have a blog post on condensation you can read here to fix those issues.

Damaged Windows:

An obvious reason that you might need to repair or replace a window is if it gets damaged. This could be from a heavy object striking the window. This could be from an attempted break-in. This could be from a severe storm that came through the area which protected your home but now the integrity of the window is no longer in tact.

There are many reasons that this could happen. When in doubt it is always best to speak to a Bournemouth glazing and window repair company to come out to do an assessment of your windows.

 

Why You Should Check your Window Seals

Posted on by Abacus Glazing
Phil working at clients home for Abacus Glazing

A well-maintained and comfortable home stays warm and cozy in winter. Or if it’s summer time it stays nice and cool.

As time goes by natural wear and tear takes place and your windows are no exception. You might notice that a draft is seeping into the property when it’s a little windy outside. Or you might notice that when you’re standing next to the window it feels too cold or too warm.

These issues can come down to your windows not being sealed properly.

Why is it Important to have Correctly Sealed Windows?

Having a window that is sealed properly reinforces a windows true purpose. And the purpose of a window is to ultimately keep your window free of rain, pollution, bugs from outside, and even drafts. All while giving you a nice view of outside.

If a window is sealed correctly you’re not going to be paying extra money on your energy bill and your home is also going to be safe and secure. Let’s expand on these two topics.

Cost Efficiency and Improved Energy Usage from your Windows

If you have a window that is not sealed properly even when it is closed then you’re home can end up being chillier during cold months of winter. If this happens then your heater is going to have to use more power than normal and this will increase your energy bill.

The same also applies in summer. If you have a window that doesn’t have correct sealing in place then more heat will come inside. This means your air conditioning unit is going to have to work a lot harder than normal and this will also contribute to your energy bills.

Ultimately having windows that are correctly sealed will reduce your energy costs and this will save you money and make your life at home more comfortable as you be living in the right temperature.

Windows Safety

The safety of your home is not just about protecting your family from break ins. A properly sealed window will prevent anything that mother nature throws at your home. What should stay outside, will!

This is not something that should be taken lightly. Some examples of what can happen if you do not have a properly sealed window could be:

  • Rain that gets into your property can gradually degrade your window frames, your flooring and even furniture. Overtime this can ultimately lead to mold build up. This is very dangerous to breathe in.
  • If you live on a busy road or a Main Street you will probably find a lot of dust ends up in your home. This is not good to breathe in.
  • Expanding on what gets into your property from outside if you live close to a busy road you can have a lot of pollution from cars in your home. This is not good for your health.
  • From a safety perspective, windows that are not sealed correctly can potentially be used as break-in points.
  • If windows are not sealed properly than bugs from outside can get into your property. Even if the area you live in has no poisonous insect then it is still a very frustrating and annoying to see bugs inside your home.

At the end of the day having properly sealed windows is going to protect your home, your contents in your property and your family. Click here to see all out services.

 

Do You Need To Repair or Replace your Windows?

Posted on by Abacus Glazing

Knowing when to replace your windows is very important. If we come out to your property to do a repair job and then realize that your windows really need to be replaced we will let you know. Here of four ways to know if you need to replace your windows opposed to repairing them:

How Cold are you?

Are you feeling cold inside? Of course feeling cold inside is not a telltale sign that there is something wrong with your windows but if your windows is supposed to be keeping the heat in and it’s not then it might be time to replace the windows.

How Safe are your Windows?

Safety is something that is very important for your home. Your window needs replacing if it’s not locking properly and the lock is un-fixable. If a window does not close property and it’s not fixable it’s time to replace the windows also. As the window could be used as an entry point into you home for a break-in. 

Is it Noisier Inside then it Should be?

If you live in a quiet suburb then soundproofing is not that big of a deal. But if you live in a noisy area such as close to a main road, a school, or in large apartment complex then your soundproofing needs to be on point.

Really good soundproofing in your home means that you should not even hear a low flying plane over head. Getting your soundproofing right will make your life much more relaxing at home.

Double glazing is generally the preferred way to soundproof your home as double glazed windows are very good at keeping noise out compared to single glass windows. If your home is noisy and that noise seems to be coming through the windows it’s best to get a professional to come out to see if there’s any repairs that can take place on your windows or if the whole unit itself needs to be replaced.

Are your Windows as Energy Efficient as they could be?

If you have damaged windows then they will not be as energy efficient as they once were. This means you’re going to be spending more money keeping the air conditioning on in summer and the heater on in the winter.

A good way to look into this is to simply compare your energy bills from the same time last year to this year. If there is a discrepancy but it doesn’t come down to a price increase from the energy provider then it might be time to have your windows looked at to see if there is any repairs that can take place or if the whole unit needs to be replaced.

What you should do if you think you need Widow Repair or Replacement?

The best thing to do if you have identified a window that seems to fit any of the criteria above his to give us a call on 01202 287066 and Abacus Glazing will happily come out to your property to do a free repair assessment and give you a quote.