Replacement uPVC windows - internal edging strip

[furtive]

I had replacement uPVC windows fitted last year and they fitted a wide strip of plastic around the inside of the windows to cover up where the walls were damaged when the old windows were removed.

I want to remove this and make good the walls. Does anyone know if the strips should come off easily without causing further damage, and if it is fairly easy to repair the damage and make good the walls without having to reskim them?

Anyone tried to do this?

[VxDuncan]

Usually only double-sided taped on, and possible sealed with caulking or similar. Can remove them, but they are there for a reason... Be ready with the expanding foam and flexible fillers!

I'd leave em on unless you are replastering.

[furtive]

They look rubbish though

[astroarcadia]

Will be fixed with tape or just silicone. Take them off if you must but then get a plasterer in for a day to make good all your reveals.

[Simpo Two]

I too was surprised at this the first time I had a new window fitted - it just seemed like a bodge. I peeled them off after the fitter left while the silicone was still tacky and did it properly.

But plastic strips are standard practice. Try slicing yours off with a craft knife, the kind that has a long thin blade in segments. Very good for getting under things. That way you slice not pull so less chance of pulling out lumps of plaster.

[Silvertop_John]

I removed these strips from a window recently in preparation for the walls to be reskimmed in the hall. Although there was just some mastic between the strip and the wall reveal, there was a form of superglue holding the strip to the window frame. I couldn't find a solvent which would soften the remains of the glue, and not the frame. A quick Google established that the use of this kind of glue was common practice in the uPVC replacement window industry, so you may, or may not, have double-sided tape on yours. It was a real headache getting the remains of the glue off the frame, involving a very sharp chisel (used very carefully), then fine wet and dry, followed by my polisher and Farecla G3!

[philmots]

Same issue here. But glued to the window frame! :-( Luckily they were very thin plastic so the remains of glue still on the window frame will be hidden when my mate comes to re-skim the window boxes.