Double Glazing Issue

widget1974_2

Hi everyone

I have had a problem with one of my double glazed units for over 14 months now. When it is windy the window whistles loudly which is not nice during the night.

I have tried to get the company who installed them to sort out, they visited and said I needed 'wedges' which they would order, suprise surprise I am still waiting despite messages & letters being sent. As I am at the end of my tether I asked another company to look at the window and quote me for what was needed to stop the noise. Apparently the hinges can be changed and they will stop the noise. This would be £90.

Anyone else had a similar problem and any advice?

Widget 1974

capeverde

right, is it a upvc window, assuming it is, I would very much doubt it would be the hinges as they fit into the euro groove and unless noticeably broken, wouldnt have moved. Now there are various types of locking, one of the most common being espanolette. Basically cylindrical cams that slide into keeps. If you look on the underside of these there should be an allen key head. They are on offset cams so you can twist them to adjust the tension of the opener against the gasket. Other things I would check are the drainage slots, all windows have them, check on the underside of the openers and in the small gap between the bottom rail of the frame and the external cill. Try a system of elimination by taping these up to see if it stops the noise. By wedges, I assume they mean 'pull in blocks' that some openers have. If casements are over a certain size, even when reinforced they will 'belly slightly' in the middle hence causing a gap. These are opposing blocks, one on the frame and one on the opener and cost probably 1p for 10.

philbostavros

A couple of years ago, I had my 25 year old UPVC windows replaced with A-rated units.

The windows are of good quality but I am afraid that the fitters had obviously not mastered the art of applying mastic.

After a few months, we started getting whistling from our bay windows in high winds.

We called the company back and the repair guy found a couple of places where the mastic had not stuck properly. This was allowing the wind to enter the inevitable gaps between the frame and brickwork (they never seem to manufacture the frames to tight enough tolerances and rely on lots of mastic and pvc mouldings to cover the gaps).

This cured it for a while but I've noticed some more whistling and also from around the front door frame. I shall be rectify myself as they only ever seem to patch up but I will pull off the old and take a bit more time and care.

capeverde

bit different with bays, because of the bay poles. If you see where the upvc frame meets the cill, it stands slightly proud on the outside. Because of this, wind can ingress up the actual poles that join the frames on the angle. You cannot seal this whold gap because there are concealed drain holes, but you can seal right under the poles.

sashman

Capeverde is right, whistling is mainly due to drainage slots or concealed drainage over the dills. Not all companies provide drainage slots but they should. Taping the slots will eliminate the problem, but ensure water can still drain from the window