Double Glazing Bar Removal

chewthecarpet

Hi,

I hope someone can help me before I go nuts! I am replacing some UPvC glazing units that are blown, the standard glazing bars come out easily just by working along with a strong scraper, but I have some in a conservatory that are proving impossible to remove, possibly they are a kind of security type. These bars have a bulbous lip running the length of them that snaps into a groove in the window frame, and I cannot get them out. It appears that a special tool may be required in the form of two thin plates that will tap into the gap and then somehow be wound apart by a screw thread, to separate the glazing bar from the frame.

If anyone has any ideas I would be grateful.

chewthecarpet

Having thought about it overnight, I'm wondering if I have to take out the seals on both sides, which would allow the glass to push over and possibly let the glazing bars push inwards and out. But if not.....

Moss5

That is how my glazing works.
Remove the rubber push-in seals from indoors.
Push the glazing from outdoors to relieve the pressure on the click-in quadrant retainers.
Some rubber seals get damaged during removal. My glazier carried spares on his van.

chewthecarpet

Thanks, I think that is the next thing to try; I'm still not sure that it will work, as the bars are snapped into the frames really tightly, but possibly twisting them inward will expand the grooves and snap them out. I'd better order some more seals!

chewthecarpet

Done it! For those that may have similar problems, here is how I managed.

The glazing bars ARE a security type, and are pigs to remove. I had to  take out the inside seals, which are not wedge gaskets, but are the same as the outside seals, and are hard to get out. I made up a hooked tool which I pushed into each corner and gradually pulled the end of the seal up until I could grasp it in my fingers and carefully pull it away. With the inner seals out, I pushed the glass inwards and then removed the outside seals the same way, then was able to rotate the glazing bead towards the glass and force a strong putty knife into the gap between frame and glazing bar, and with brute force, lever it out. With one out, the others were easier - just get a screwdriver in the corner and prise up the bar until the putty knife can be forced in.

The seals are the same inside and out and are unlike anything that I have seen, being a solid, round type with a lip that engages in a groove in the bars and a flat on top to seal the frame and glass. The only replacement that I could find is an 'E' type that fits, but the lip is too big for the groove in the bars, but I managed to slide them in by smearing soap along them and pulling them into place. Just ordered some more glazing units to replace others that are blown!