Is it possible to fit your own double glazing with limited DIY Skill?

bobsa1

Hi, we need to replace a couple of ground floor windows, at the back of the house.

We currently have hard wood double glazing and want UPVC (yes I know but we are wanting to sell and people like it)

Does anyone know if it is much cheaper to buy double glazed untis and fit them ourselves or should we get a company in?

How easy are double glazed units to fit, I've read articles which make it sound easy but thought some of you guys might know.

Any advice appreciated.

raymond

I dont know how much you would save by DIY, but you could price them on https://www.diy.com to get a rough idea.

Fitting is dead easy if you can use a drill. The hard part is removing the old frames without wrecking the wall. The easiest way is to cut the frames at intervals and remove them in pieces.

We had uPVC fitted a few years ago, and they took four goes at the lounge window, the first didnt fit and the next threee all had scratched glass ... very expensive on a 12x6 window ... so I'm glad it was their fitters and not me !

gringo2

its a dodle .Just make sure the frames are level ,screw into walls then fit the glass.Any gaps can be filled with foam filler ,or mastic.

inmypocketnottheirs

What about compying with FENSA regulations. If you replace windows the surveyor will pick this up. All new sealed units are date marked. Not sure how you would get round this.

alanobrien

inmypocketnottheirs wrote:

What about compying with FENSA regulations. If you replace windows the surveyor will pick this up. All new sealed units are date marked. Not sure how you would get round this.

Very simply, you have them signed off by the local planning office.

across

dont be ripped off with larger very well known companies one of which quoted us about fives times what it actually cost us to get the whole house front and back windows and doors for just two windows and a door!(quote was for front only!) so yep doing it yourself is more cost effective! good luck!
plus if your not planning on moving then why would a surveyor come round?

Rex_Mundi

It's not too hard a job if everything goes OK. If you hit a snag, you could end up having a nightmare.

When you order the windows, make sure you ask for lots of spacers as well. You will need them. Normally you measure a frame 10mm smaller than the opening. This gives you room to play with seeing as walls can be out. Sit the frame on spacers (5mm) then check the level (horizontal). You may need to put more spacers (various thickness) at points to get a perfect level.

When you drill through the frame into the wall. Before you tighten the frame fixers, put spacers right next to the fixer so when you tighten it, it will not pull the frame out of square, or out of shape. Getting the frame level in all aspects is crucial. If you don't, the openers may not open/close properly.

When you put the units in. Make sure they are not sitting on the bottom of the frame. This can stop water draining away properly. They need to sit on spacers. For openers, I prefer to 'top and tail' then as standard. This can prevent problems in the future with openers dropping, but is a bit complicated if you don't know how to do this. It's not 100% neccesary all the time.

I prefer to use expanding foam around the whole frame. When this has dried, cut off any excess, then seal the whole window inside and outside with silicone (low modulus). Sometimes you have to finish off the window with trim. This can be cut with a hacksaw, and stuck on with silicone.

As for the FENSA part.............

If you install your own windows, they have to comply with part L of the building regs ('k' glass). A FENSA registered installer can issue you with the certificate to say they comply if they fit them. If you do it yourself, you have to apply to your local building regs people (council), they will come out, inspect the windows, and issue you with the certificate if they comply. This varies in cost area to area, but is normally between £50 and £150 depending on the value of the windows and your local council.

George_Bray

Two neighbouring 3 bed houses recently had their original wooden windows replaced with UPVC double glazing. The first house went for a household name company, supply and fit. I couldn't believe the speed with which they completed the job. It took little more than a morning and the finish appears fine. I believe they had quite a few people working on the job.

The other house did it themselves, buying high quality UPVC direct from the manufacturers. The cost was about 25-30% of what it cost the first house. But it took the owner (a competent DIYer) a good couple of days. His finish looks even better.

I guess his 'efficiency' wasn't all that different, if the first job used 3 or 4 fitters, plus the advantage of doing that type of work day in, day out. i.e. 4 fitters @ 0.5 days = 2 man days.

Regards
George

Bigun28

When did these FENSA regulations come into force? I've replaced all of the windows on the last 3 houses I've bought (last in 1998) and not heard about this FENSA requirement before.

Rex_Mundi

Randal wrote:

When did these FENSA regulations come into force? I've replaced all of the windows on the last 3 houses I've bought (last in 1998) and not heard about this FENSA requirement before.

They came into effect on 1st April 2002 (a day I remember well). We figured that we could get away with installing windows without the certificates for a few months after this date before we would have to comply with the new regs (not so much for ourselves, but for our customers).

It's not FENSA regs that you have to worry about. FENSA is just an industry body for the window trade that is authorised to issue the relevent building regs certificates. If you want to check up on the relevent regs. Check out part L of the building regs. This is what changed, and is why window fitters need to be FENSA registered nowadays.

You can fit your own windows now as long as you apply for the building regs certificate (part L) from your local authority (and of course pay them for it). If you try to sell a house now with new windows, the buyers surveyor should notice new windows, and will expect the part L certificate to go with them. You will have problems without this.

George_Bray

inmypocketnottheirs wrote:

All new sealed units are date marked. Not sure how you would get round this.

I made the same mistake in believing this, before buying my recent double glazed module from a well established local glazing shop.

He made up the module from glass, aluminium sections, etc. while I waited. The aluminium had no date or any other information printed. So simply ask around until you find a date-free source. Or ask if you can use some sandpaper to rub off any pre-printed date before the module is made up!

Regards
George