DIY Double Glazing. Anybody Done It?
DIY Double Glazing. Anybody Done It?
Author
Discussion

Flintstone

Original Poster:

8,644 posts

277 months

Sunday 28th September 2008
quotequote all
I need a new patio door but I can't be doing with the sales spiel from the sales reps, don't want to be ripped off by pikeys so have decided to do it myself. How hard can it be?

Measure.

Order.

Remove old one.

Bolt in new frame.

Drop in the fixed panel and sliding door.

Apply sealant.

Go to pub.


What have I missed?

jesta1865

3,453 posts

239 months

Sunday 28th September 2008
quotequote all
loads of expanding foam round the edges to stop the draughts / wind / rain / foxes getting in smile

Zad

13,020 posts

266 months

Sunday 28th September 2008
quotequote all
That's about it really. In our case we had rendering to cope with, which was a pain because the bricks behind it weren't even and had to be ground flush. Its just a bit of a faff until you get into the swing of things. Much easier if there are 2 of you there.

dilbert

7,741 posts

261 months

Sunday 28th September 2008
quotequote all
Aperture out of square, door perfect, door will not fit.
Screwup on measurement, door will not fit.
Fixing holes aligned with cavity in wall. Cannot secure frame to brickwork.
Accidently let window/door frame fall, and break a window.

I'm sure there are loads more.

Tegster

10 posts

223 months

Sunday 28th September 2008
quotequote all
Just ordered my first window this week and shall be replacing all of them eventually hopefully one each weekend, not difficult to do yourself just check how to measure the size as I know with windows you take off 10mm from the brick opening size. You will however need to comply with building regs best to look on your councils website they will have a form to fill in and the job will be inspected once done, should also have some information as to whats allowed and the type of glass required etc.

Your be supprised at how cheap it can be. Good luck.

Dave 500

7,886 posts

272 months

Sunday 28th September 2008
quotequote all
I can see it now.


Flintstone said:
How can I fix this????

laugh

jas xjr

11,309 posts

269 months

Sunday 28th September 2008
quotequote all
fitted double glazing to 4 houses. quite easy really.just be careful when measuring. i have used this company a few times...ufit.co.uk

911motorsport

7,251 posts

263 months

Sunday 28th September 2008
quotequote all
Dave 500 said:
I can see it now.


Flintstone said:
How can I fix this????

laugh
rofl


Just put all mine in my extension. I measured the windows off the shelf first and made the brick apertures to fit hehe worked like a dream and saved myself about 1.5k

cjs

11,692 posts

281 months

Sunday 28th September 2008
quotequote all
Done a back door and a few windows, pretty easy if everything is square. As said before expanding foam will do all the fixing for you, you do not need to use screws unless it's easy to do so.

V8mate

45,899 posts

219 months

Sunday 28th September 2008
quotequote all
Tegster said:
Just ordered my first window this week and shall be replacing all of them eventually hopefully one each weekend, not difficult to do yourself just check how to measure the size as I know with windows you take off 10mm from the brick opening size. You will however need to comply with building regs best to look on your councils website they will have a form to fill in and the job will be inspected once done, should also have some information as to whats allowed and the type of glass required etc.

Your be supprised at how cheap it can be. Good luck.
This is really important (bold text). Replacing windows is legally governed now, not DIY like changing wallpaper.

Flintstone

Original Poster:

8,644 posts

277 months

Sunday 28th September 2008
quotequote all
fking beaureacrats. I need permission to remove one patio door and replace it with another? You're kidding?


Are you seriously telling me to stick it into place with expanding foam? But I've go a big box of Rawbolts I'm just itching to use.

MrV

2,748 posts

258 months

Sunday 28th September 2008
quotequote all
Flintstone said:
fking beaureacrats. I need permission to remove one patio door and replace it with another? You're kidding?


Are you seriously telling me to stick it into place with expanding foam? But I've go a big box of Rawbolts I'm just itching to use.
Use the foam wink

V12Les

3,985 posts

226 months

Sunday 28th September 2008
quotequote all
Flintstone said:
fking beaureacrats. I need permission to remove one patio door and replace it with another? You're kidding?


Are you seriously telling me to stick it into place with expanding foam? But I've go a big box of Rawbolts I'm just itching to use.
No you dont need permission just to replace your doors. By all means use foam but dont rely on it for permenent fixing, also make sure you brace the frame (width) or you'll have a bow in the frame. Everything MUST be plumb and level, make sure all adjustments to doors are done right or you,ll be replacing the runners.

Flintstone

Original Poster:

8,644 posts

277 months

Sunday 28th September 2008
quotequote all
All noted thanks. Fortunately I'm replacing like-for-like (the original just looks a bit tired) so it'll just be a case of removing carefully and replacing.

HunchBack

185 posts

220 months

Sunday 28th September 2008
quotequote all
MrV said:
Flintstone said:
fking beaureacrats. I need permission to remove one patio door and replace it with another? You're kidding?


Are you seriously telling me to stick it into place with expanding foam? But I've go a big box of Rawbolts I'm just itching to use.
Use the foam wink
Was a UPVC fitters mate for years, sorry have to disagree we used 100mm fixing bolts (into the brick) and form - this was more important to do so on patio doors.

lost in espace

6,614 posts

237 months

Sunday 28th September 2008
quotequote all
Installation of windows, even replacement ones, is notifiable to your local Building Control dept. You are excempt if you use a FENSA registered installer.

If you fail to either get it done under Building Regs or FENSA you will have issues selling your home if the purchasers solicitor picks up on this, and if you do not declare it and it comes up subsequent to sale you could be sued.

Similarly scheme works for solid fuel boilers called HETAS. My bro in law is installing his own stove, but if he ever has a chimney fire that causes an insurance claim he could have issues.

If anyone ever broke in through your self installed window the insurance co could ask for the FENSA certificate and deny your claim of course.

Carry on.

Pigeon

18,535 posts

276 months

Sunday 28th September 2008
quotequote all
For fk's own bleeding sake.

You're saying if I want to change a window it involves some fking officious little hitler from the council poking his nose in and pissing me about?

Why can't these bds just fk off, it's my fking house and I'll do what the fk I want with my own fking property, they'll be telling me I can't sew buttons back on my shirt next.

I would simply say it had been done before this particular bit of nazi st was introduced, grinding/etching off any serial numbers if necessary.

fking interfering s.

welshbikerduck

1,448 posts

219 months

Sunday 28th September 2008
quotequote all
Installing double glazing is a peice of cake, i have done it several times when i was developing.

I know what you mean about the sales crap it can be frustrating. The best bet is to get a few out tell them you just want a price and once you have received a few quotes you will do business with the best one. Let them know you are serious buyer but it will be down to cost on who gets your business.

I just had my house upgraded with safestyle, they gave me a cracking price, i had 2 sets of patio doors (8ft) back door and double front door and 12 windows for 5k fitted. They were thousands cheaper than everyone else, but that was after a lot of we can do it for this price if you sign up today. I told them i was in no hurry but if the price was right i will sign the contract, it made them much more eager to do business. All this was over the phone. i initialy had the sales guy measure up and leave with instructions to get back to me with price. Just take control of the situation. Good luck

Edited by welshbikerduck on Sunday 28th September 23:20

MrV

2,748 posts

258 months

Sunday 28th September 2008
quotequote all
HunchBack said:
MrV said:
Flintstone said:
fking beaureacrats. I need permission to remove one patio door and replace it with another? You're kidding?


Are you seriously telling me to stick it into place with expanding foam? But I've go a big box of Rawbolts I'm just itching to use.
Use the foam wink
Was a UPVC fitters mate for years, sorry have to disagree we used 100mm fixing bolts (into the brick) and form - this was more important to do so on patio doors.
And I have put enough in in the past without the bolts and never had a problem either ,so who's right and who's wrong ? I would say neither of us

Flintstone

Original Poster:

8,644 posts

277 months

Sunday 28th September 2008
quotequote all
lost in espace said:
If anyone ever broke in through your self installed window the insurance co could ask for the FENSA certificate and deny your claim of course.
Really? That's a new one on me and I was a loss adjuster for twelve years. Neither does my current policy mention FENSA.

Sounds like a bit of sales spiel to me wink