Glass & repairs
Window & Door Repairs
Window and door repairs cover the moving parts and seals of existing windows and doors, such as hinges, friction stays, handles, locking mechanisms, cylinders and draught seals. They are needed when a window will not open, close or lock properly, a door has dropped or catches, or draughts get past worn seals.
- Guide from £65
- Written quote
- UK-wide
- Free survey for new glazingMeasured on site before anything is made
- Written quoteThe price is fixed for the specification shown
- Every glazing jobGlass, windows, doors and commercial
- UK-wide coverEngland, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
- Guarantee terms in writingSet out with every quote
How our window repairs service works
We repair the hardware on existing uPVC, aluminium, timber and composite windows and doors, so they open, close, lock and seal properly again. A glazier surveys the window or door, identifies the faulty part and checks the mechanism, frame and fixings. You then get a written quote that fixes the price for the parts and work shown. Our glaziers carry common parts, and match others to the make and size of your existing hardware. Typical work includes friction stays, hinges, handles, espagnolette and multipoint locks, euro cylinders, gearboxes, keeps, gaskets and sash cords, plus adjusting dropped or sticking doors. Repairs keep your existing windows and glass in place.
What's included
- Survey and diagnosis of the faulty part
- Written quote fixing the price for parts and work
- Matched replacement hinges, stays, handles or locks
- Adjustment of dropped or sticking doors and sashes
- Check that windows and doors lock and seal
- Removal of old parts and packaging
When you might need window repairs
- A window drops, binds or will not stay open
- The door handle spins freely or will not lift to lock
- A door catches the frame or drags on the threshold
- Draughts or rattles come from around closed windows
- The key is stiff or the cylinder is not anti-snap
Guide prices
| Typical job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Replace a pair of window hinges | £95 – £145 |
| Replace a window locking mechanism | £125 – £195 |
| Replace a door multipoint lock | £195 – £325 |
| Fit an anti-snap cylinder | £65 – £115 |
Options to choose between
Friction stay replacement
New hinges for uPVC and aluminium casement windows, matched for length and stack height, including egress stays for escape windows.
Espagnolette lock and gearbox
Replacement locking bar or gearbox for windows that will not lock, have a spinning handle or feel stiff to operate.
Multipoint door lock
A new gearbox or full locking strip for uPVC and composite doors that stick, will not lock or have a loose handle.
Anti-snap euro cylinder
A cylinder tested to resist snapping, such as TS 007 3-star or Sold Secure SS312 Diamond, cut to fit your door.
Handles and window restrictors
New locking handles for windows and doors, and restrictors that limit how far upper-floor windows open.
Gaskets and draught seals
Replacement seals matched to the frame profile to stop draughts, rattles and noise around opening windows and doors.
Sash cords and balances
New cords, weights or spring balances for sash windows that drop, stick or will not stay in position.
Good to know about window repairs
Friction stays are the hinges on most uPVC and aluminium casement windows. When the sliding shoe wears or the arms bend, the window drops, binds or will not stay open. Replacements must match the stay's length, stack height and type, which the glazier measures before ordering.
Most modern windows use an espagnolette lock: a metal bar in the sash edge that moves locking cams into keeps on the frame when the handle turns. If the handle feels stiff or spins freely, the gearbox or bar may be worn, rather than the handle itself.
A uPVC or composite door with a multipoint lock has one central gearbox that drives hooks, rollers or bolts along the door edge. A failed gearbox can leave the door stuck locked or unable to lock. In many cases only the gearbox needs replacing, not the whole strip.
Euro cylinders are the key barrels in most uPVC and composite doors. Standard cylinders can be vulnerable to lock snapping. Cylinders tested to TS 007 with a 3-star rating, or certified to Sold Secure SS312 Diamond, are designed to resist this type of attack.
A door that drags on the threshold, catches the frame or needs lifting to lock has usually dropped. Doors can often be adjusted using the hinges and by repacking the glass or panel so the door sits square again. Adjustment is usually tried before replacing parts.
Draught seals and gaskets compress and shrink over time, letting in cold air and noise. Replacing them with a matching profile restores the seal without changing the window. The glazier checks the gasket type, as frames from different makers often use different profiles.
Sash windows run on cords and weights or on spring balances. A broken cord leaves the sash heavy or loose, and a weak balance makes it slide down. Replacing cords, rehanging the sash and easing the beads can make a sash window run smoothly again.
In England, upper-floor windows serving bedrooms often double as escape windows. Replacing hinges with restricted-opening stays can reduce the opening below what is needed. Egress hinges give a wider opening for escape, so the glazier checks which type the window needs before fitting.
Window restrictors limit how far a window opens, which can help reduce the risk of falls from upper floors. Many restrictors can be released by an adult, so the window can still be opened fully for escape or cleaning. They can usually be fitted to existing windows.
The cost of a window or door repair depends on the part needed, whether it is a standard or discontinued design, how easy it is to identify the make, the number of windows or doors, and access. Discontinued hardware sometimes needs a modern equivalent and adaptation to fit.
Simple care keeps hardware working longer. Clean tracks and keeps, then apply a light lubricant to moving parts once or twice a year. Keep drainage slots clear. Avoid slamming doors or forcing handles, as this strains gearboxes and can cause a door to drop over time.
Repairs usually take a single visit when the part can be identified and is carried on the van. Unusual or discontinued parts may need ordering. The glazier then returns to fit them, and in the meantime can usually leave the window or door secure and working.
Rules and regulations
Building regulations differ between the four UK nations. Here is what usually applies to window repairs; your written quote confirms the detail for your property.
England
Approved Document Q applies to new homes in England, where doors and windows are expected to meet PAS 24 or an equivalent standard. It does not apply to replacements in existing homes, but PAS 24 products are still a sensible choice.
Approved Document B covers escape windows. Where an existing window is an escape route, typically in first-floor bedrooms, its replacement should give at least the same escape opening as before.
Wales
Security rules for doors and windows differ between the UK nations. For replacement doors and windows in Wales, products tested to PAS 24 are a sensible benchmark.
Where a window is an escape route, its replacement in Wales should give at least the same escape opening as before.
Scotland
Security standards for doors and windows apply to new homes in Scotland; for replacements, PAS 24 products are a sensible choice.
Where a window provides an escape route, its replacement in Scotland should give at least the same escape opening as before.
Northern Ireland
For replacement doors and windows in Northern Ireland, PAS 24 products are a sensible choice for security.
Where a window provides an escape route, its replacement in Northern Ireland should give at least the same escape opening as before.
What happens next
Tell us about the job
Use the quote form, call, WhatsApp or live chat. Photos and rough sizes help.
Survey and measure
A glazier visits, checks the opening and measures. For simple glass swaps this is often done on the same visit as fitting.
Written quote
You get a written quote with the specification, price and guarantee terms. Nothing is ordered until you agree.
Made and fitted
Glass, frames or panels are made to size and fitted. We tidy up and take the old glass away.
Window Repairs questions
Can you repair a uPVC window that will not close properly?
Usually, yes. Windows that will not close are most often caused by worn or bent friction stays, a sash that has dropped, or a locking cam catching the keep. The glazier identifies the fault, then replaces the hinges, adjusts the keeps or repacks the sash so it closes and locks properly again, keeping the existing frame and glass.
Why has my uPVC door dropped and can it be fixed?
Doors drop when hinges wear or loosen, or when the glass or panel slips inside the door and stops supporting it square. Signs include dragging on the threshold and needing to lift the handle hard to lock. Most dropped doors can be fixed by adjusting the hinges and repacking the glass or panel, without replacing the door.
What does it cost to replace a window hinge or door lock?
The cost depends on the part, whether it is standard or discontinued, how many windows or doors need work, and access. Gearboxes and full multipoint strips cost more than a single handle or cylinder. See the guide prices for typical repairs, then get a written quote once the glazier has identified the exact part needed.
Is my euro cylinder lock secure?
Many older euro cylinders can be snapped, which lets an intruder open the door. Look for markings on the cylinder face. A TS 007 3-star mark, or certification to Sold Secure SS312 Diamond, shows the cylinder has been tested to resist snapping. The glazier can check and replace the cylinder with one cut to fit your door.
My door handle spins and the door will not lock. What is wrong?
A handle that spins without moving the lock usually means the gearbox inside the door has failed, or the spindle connecting handle and gearbox has broken. The gearbox can often be replaced on its own. If the door is stuck locked, the glazier can usually open it without damaging the frame before fitting the new part.
Can you find parts for old or discontinued windows?
Often, yes. Many hinges, locks and gearboxes are made to common sizes, and modern equivalents exist for many older designs. The glazier measures key dimensions such as backset, length and stack height. If an exact match is not available, the quote will explain the nearest option and any adaptation needed.
Do replacement window hinges need to allow escape in a fire?
In England, upper-floor bedroom windows are often relied on as escape windows. Replacement hinges should not reduce the opening below what the window gave before. Egress friction stays open wider than standard stays to give a clear opening, so the glazier checks the room and window before choosing the hinge type.
How can I stop draughts from my existing windows?
Draughts often come from worn gaskets, a sash that has dropped or keeps that no longer pull the sash tight. Replacing the gaskets with a matching profile and adjusting the keeps or hinges usually fixes the problem. If draughts come through the frame or glass seals, the glazier will say what else needs attention.
Can sash windows be repaired instead of replaced?
Usually, yes. Broken sash cords, weak spring balances, sticking sashes and rattles can all be fixed on existing frames. The glazier replaces cords or balances, eases or replaces beads, and adds draught seals where needed. Repairing original sash windows also helps keep the character of older properties and conservation areas.
How do I look after window and door hardware?
Clean dirt from tracks, keeps and hinges, then apply a light machine oil or silicone spray to moving parts once or twice a year. Keep frame drainage slots clear. Do not force handles that feel stiff, as this can break gearboxes. Report a dropping door or sticking handle early, as small adjustments are easier than replacing parts.
Window Repairs near you
Choose your county or area for local details, towns we cover and the rules that apply where you live.
England
- Bedfordshire
- Berkshire
- Bristol
- Buckinghamshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Cheshire
- Cornwall
- County Durham
- Cumbria
- Derbyshire
- Devon
- Dorset
- East Riding of Yorkshire
- East Sussex
- Essex
- Gloucestershire
- Greater London
- Greater Manchester
- Hampshire
- Herefordshire
- Hertfordshire
- Isle of Wight
- Kent
- Lancashire
- Leicestershire
- Lincolnshire
- Merseyside
- Norfolk
- North Yorkshire
- Northamptonshire
- Northumberland
- Nottinghamshire
- Oxfordshire
- Rutland
- Shropshire
- Somerset
- South Yorkshire
- Staffordshire
- Suffolk
- Surrey
- Tyne and Wear
- Warwickshire
- West Midlands
- West Sussex
- West Yorkshire
- Wiltshire
- Worcestershire
Scotland
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Ready for a written quote?
Clear guide prices, any charge explained before booking, and one point of contact for every glazing job.