Double glazed windows - edge spacers cracking up

Furts

A few years back there was a move from the shiny metal spacers to the black soft edge ones. This is what I have got, on windows now two years old. The sun is causing the spacers to degrade- they comprise a mutitude of cracks across the spacer. It is impossible to say if these cracks have gone right through the spacers, without investigating by removing the units and then the edge tape. It is logical to think this cracking will get worse - it certainly is not going to heal itself.

Is this common? Plus I am wondering how long it will be before the units break down?

Any suggestions from the double glazing gurus would be welcomed!

SailorSam

I think if the spacer had cracked all the way through and failed, you would have seen the window misting up, until then i wouldn't worry.

leveller2911

Think your referring to "super spacer" Furts. I have used them a few times as they can bring the U value down a touch.If I remember correctly they don't have silica in a void in the same way that the aluminium ones do as they are a solid structure. They are supposed to reduce cracking that you sometimes get with Aluminium spacer bars, so apparently its unusual for them to crack...

I've never experienced cracking though. As Sailor says if they aren't misting up they haven't degraded enough to claim off the warranty but keep an eye on it .

Maybe Baldwindowfitter may have some ideas........... Keep bumping the thread as I would be interested to know..

SatanicHare

Could be swiggle strip, It tends to move a bit and crack after a few years in the sun. It is made by Tremco and it's pretty poor

ytfcmad

The DGU's shouldn't of been fitted with the tape round them, it's not part of the manufacturing process and can void your warranty if the unit breaks down.

Furts

My recollection is that the units had a tape around them, as they were all supplied like this. But after a couple of years I cannot be certain.

If the tape was meant to be removed I would have thought there would be a label, or warning message to this effect? There was none, and I do not recollect the installation manual mentioning removal. I will locate the manual and see what is stated, if anything.

I know the unit manufacturer was Techniglass, but I do not know who made the edge spacers.

leveller2911

ytfcmad wrote: »

The DGU's shouldn't of been fitted with the tape round them, it's not part of the manufacturing process and can void your warranty if the unit breaks down.

Our manufacturer tapes the edges on all DGU they make which the Upvc guys are ok with but for us (timber windows) we have to make sure we ask for the units not to have the edges taped. Its a real pain when they make a c*ck up and we received units taped as we have to cut the tape off to get a waterproof seal on timber windows.

Their delivery driver tells us the tape is for safety reasons when handling the units. Its only a type of gaffa tape and not water proof.

ytfcmad

Furts wrote: »

My recollection is that the units had a tape around them, as they were all supplied like this. But after a couple of years I cannot be certain.

If the tape was meant to be removed I would have thought there would be a label, or warning message to this effect? There was none, and I do not recollect the installation manual mentioning removal. I will locate the manual and see what is stated, if anything.

I know the unit manufacturer was Techniglass, but I do not know who made the edge spacers.

I worked for the company that was one of the first to offer edge taping as a service. The main reason it was added was to help with safety as a lot of customers took no notice of H&S and didn't wear gloves when handling the DGU's. Another reason it was used was to protect the edge seal as it cured, another was the use of coloured tape to distinguish certain customers order.
The tape most use is a waterproof tape which uses a cloth carrier for the adhesive this cloth carrier also holds water which is why it must be removed.
Google dgu guarantees and click on the one titled Double Glazed Units-Saint-Gobain Nordic and read the bit about guarantees, they are one of the biggest makers of DGU' in the UK, the same rule will apply to all other manufacturers as they are all made the same way. This applies whatever the frames are made of.

leveller2911

ytfcmad wrote: »

Google dgu guarantees and click on the one titled Double Glazed Units-Saint-Gobain Nordic and read the bit about guarantees, they are one of the biggest makers of DGU' in the UK, the same rule will apply to all other manufacturers as they are all made the same way. This applies whatever the frames are made of.

I don't agree, my manufacturers link is below and they tape the edges as standard. They also give a 10 yr warranty on units for uPVC and 5 yrs for timber windows.

http://www.glassline.co.uk/

ytfcmad

leveller2911 wrote: »

I don't agree, my manufacturers link is below and they tape the edges as standard. They also give a 10 yr warranty on units for uPVC and 5 yrs for timber windows.

http://www.glassline.co.uk/

Your link makes no mention of edge taping?!!!!
It does mention ISO9000, as I said the tape is for handling purposes only so will not be included in ISO.

Did you Google as I suggested ?

leveller2911

ytfcmad wrote: »

Your link makes no mention of edge taping?!!!!
It does mention ISO9000, as I said the tape is for handling purposes only so will not be included in ISO.

Did you Google as I suggested ?

Yes I did google it and I read it .

However companies who tape the edges will give a 10yr guarantee (Upvc) and 5yrs in timber . Feel free to give my supplier and ring in the morning and they will tell you they tape the edges as standard.If you wan't units supplied un-taped you have to state this on the order. Over the past 10 years I have had around 10 units fail, claimed on the warranty and they have replaced them without question FOC.St G's warranty only lasts 5yrs, my suppliers warranty is 10yrs and their units are edge taped so I will stick with my supplier...

Just because St G 's warranty states the tape must be reomoved to comply with the warranty doesn't mean other manufacturers warranties are the same.As mentioned previously I ask for my orders not to be taped but that is purely down to the waterproof tape used to seal the unit against the rebate.

IIRC my old supplier was Uniglaze and they also taped the edges.

Just to add "slim-lite DGU's have an aluminium perimeter tape that "Must not be removed"........