howling double glazing

trailingspouse

Our Coral double glazing is about 11 years old. I don't know if it makes any difference, but the beading is on the outside.

When the wind blows, some of the windows howl. It's like being in a Scooby Doo cartoon. It's quite an eery noise, and a bit unnerving in the middle of the night.

Can anyone give me any idea why this might be happening, and if there is anything we can do about it?

SatanicHare

Possibly the silicone sealant either outside or inside has detached from the frame and vibrates like a reed in a wind instrument (honestly). have a close look at the worst offender and see what happens when you peel off the loose silicone

ariba10

There is a hole somewhere.

I would use a candle flame to look for it. (On a windy day)

cyclonebri1

No to the above, leaks around the outer frame don't do this.

There will be a leak around the opening sash, it may be sortable by simply adjusting the fitments on the window to pull it in tighter/higher etc. Otherwise buy new seals to suit from ebay, they all differ but are all available, cheap job.

trailingspouse

Thanks cyclone - is that a job that could be done from the inside? Some of the windows are four floors up - a small job quickly becomes a big job if you need scaffolding!!

cyclonebri1

trailingspouse wrote: »

Thanks cyclone - is that a job that could be done from the inside? Some of the windows are four floors up - a small job quickly becomes a big job if you need scaffolding!!

From the inside if it is simply the sash seals

SatanicHare

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

No to the above, leaks around the outer frame don't do this.

They do, often caused by cheap silicone, wrong modulus used or excessive movement in frame (no expanding foam in large gaps) allowing sealant to detach.

cyclonebri1

SatanicHare wrote: »

They do, often caused by cheap silicone, wrong modulus used or excessive movement in frame (no expanding foam in large gaps) allowing sealant to detach.

Very little chance seeing as they will be both plastered in/up to the plaster and have a sealant, decorators caulk for example as a secondary seal on the inside.

I find a candle very useful, (mind the curtains :eek:), in finding the draught.

SatanicHare

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Very little chance seeing as they will be both plastered in/up to the plaster and have a sealant, decorators caulk for example as a secondary seal on the inside.

The OP never said this was the case with his windows, often replacement windows have plastic trims fitted externally, internally or both. Some window fitters stick these on with silicone, everyone knows is not an adhesive but is quick and easy. The very fine bead between the trim and the frame loosens causing a noise that sounds somewhere between a swarm of bees and bagpipe practice. :rotfl: Possibly the best way to know for sure what's wrong would be if the OP uploaded some photo's

thebaldwindowfitter

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

No to the above, leaks around the outer frame don't do this.

oh yes they do loose sealant on the outside can cause this but you are right it could be a sash that needs adjustment .It could also be a rubber in the beads thats has shrunk

cyclonebri1

SatanicHare wrote: »

The OP never said this was the case with his windows, often replacement windows have plastic trims fitted externally, internally or both. Some window fitters stick these on with silicone, everyone knows is not an adhesive but is quick and easy. The very fine bead between the trim and the frame loosens causing a noise that sounds somewhere between a swarm of bees and bagpipe practice. :rotfl: Possibly the best way to know for sure what's wrong would be if the OP uploaded some photo's

Fair enough, I shouldn't have been so dogmatic, I really meant that in my experience the sash seals are usually the cause of either draughts or noise;);),