How Long Does a Double Glazing Repair Take?

Most hardware repairs on double glazing, such as hinges, handles and many lock faults, are finished in a single visit. Replacing a misted or cracked sealed unit takes longer overall, because the new unit has to be made to your exact measurements between a measuring visit and a fitting visit. The fitting itself is usually the quick part.

Repairs usually done in one visit

Anything that is a bolt on part tends to be a one visit job, as long as the correct replacement is available. Friction hinges on casement windows, espagnolette handles, gearboxes, keeps and door handles all come in common sizes and patterns. The glazier removes the old part, checks the sash sits correctly, fits the new part and tests it several times.

Adjustments are quicker still. A door that has dropped slightly or a window that has started catching on the frame can often be corrected by adjusting hinges or packers rather than replacing anything.

• Friction hinge replacement on casement windows
• Window and door handle replacement
• Lock cylinder changes on uPVC and composite doors
• Hinge and keep adjustment on dropped doors
• Gasket and draught seal replacement

Why sealed units take longer

A sealed unit is two or more panes held apart by a spacer bar and sealed round the edge. It is built to the exact width, height and thickness of your opening, with the right glass for its position. That means it cannot come off a shelf. The time between measuring and fitting depends on the glass supplier and on whether the unit needs toughened, laminated, obscure or coated glass.

Plain clear units in common thicknesses tend to be the quickest to get made. Unusual shapes, very large panes, leaded or Georgian bar designs and specialist glass add to the wait.

The fitting visit

On the day, the glazier removes the glazing beads, lifts out the old unit, cleans the rebate, sets the new unit on packers so the sash still opens properly, and re-beads it. For a standard house window that is a short job. Larger patio or bifold panels, upper floor windows and awkward access take longer and may need two people.

What can slow things down

The common causes of delay are discontinued hardware on older window systems, a frame that turns out to be damaged once the unit is out, and access problems such as scaffolding or furniture that needs moving. Mark will flag any of these at the quoting stage if they are visible.

How to keep the wait short

Send clear photos first so the right parts can be ordered before the visit. Clear the area in front of the window, and let us know about parking or entry arrangements. If a pane is broken rather than just misted, say so, because the opening may need making safe while the new glass is made.

If the window cannot be left as it is, for example a smashed pane on the ground floor, it can be boarded or temporarily glazed in the meantime. Our emergency pages explain how that works.

A realistic timeline for a misted unit

Picture a typical job: a single misted pane in a white uPVC casement. You send photos, Mark confirms it is a sealed unit swap and books a short visit to measure width, height, overall thickness and spacer colour. The order goes to the glass supplier that week. Once the unit is ready, a second appointment is arranged at a time that suits you, and the fitting is done while you carry on with your day.

Compare that with a bay of five leaded units with obscure glass on one side. Each pane must be specified individually, the leading pattern matched and the obscure pattern chosen. The measuring takes longer, the manufacture takes longer, and the fitting may run to most of a visit. Neither is a problem, but it helps to know which kind of job you have before you plan around it.

Call Mark on 07535 916982 or request a callback.