Category Archives: DIY

How to Change Locks on uPVC Doors

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uPVC Door LockChanging the lock of upvc doors can be very complicated, if you do not have a clear idea on how the system works.  So, the first step that you have to take in order for you to know how to handle the situation is to know the concept behind upvc doors. For starters, a upvc door lock is considered to be a rigid kind of lock which is popular because of its tough and long lasting durability. You might be surprised to know that these locks are actually very popular in many homes. They are also done in different shapes, sizes, and finishes. Having a broken upvc door could mean that you have to upgrade it or replace it entirely for security purposes. Compared to other upvc installations, replacing your doors does not need the assistance of professionals and can be done on your own.

The first thing that you should do is to buy another lock that is the same model as the old lock for the sake of consistency.

The second thing that you have to remember in replacing upvc doors is that you will have to remove the previous lock. You can do it by unscrewing the large and retaining bolt that actually holds the lock to the door. You can do so by using a flat head screwdriver. Make sure that the door  is actually aligned with the cylinder. This is because the multi-point locking mechanism, which you are actually taking off right now, runs up the edge of your door and may have its own combination of rollers and hooks.

Third, place the key inside the lock. Afterwards, turn the lock a little bit to the side. At this point, you will feel that the key is actually firmly supporting the lock. You will have to gently move the key around a little bit in order to pull out the entire lock and bolt in the best position to open it.

After taking the entire lock, you will have to put the new lock inside the hole in order to be able to tighten the lock from the outside. At this point, the journey in replacing your upvc doors is actually nearing its end. Place both the bolt as well as the lock inside the hole and make sure that you put them in the right places. You have to make sure that you tightly screw the entirety of the bolt as well as the new lock with a screwdriver.

Knowing the specific operation method of the lock will be able to save you a lot of time as you will not be required to understand the lever operation anymore. This means that you will not engage the same troubles that you’ve had to face just because you did not have adequate knowledge in dealing with upvc doors in the past. Remember all these techniques and replacing the door will not be as intimidating as it once was.

 

How to Re-seal an uPVC Window

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If you are looking for the best way in order for you to reseal your upvc window, you must be able to understand the concept in its entirety. The popularity of this type of window is due to the fact that the calls for green and environmentally friendly houses are actually very popular right now.
For example, a lot of materials in the market today are actually supposed to pass environmental standards in order for it to be patronized by different lobby groups. Thus, people have made the need to actually strike a balance between the aesthetic value of their house as well as its ability to respond to the growing trend of deep green environmentalism. Continue reading →

How To Fix uPVC Doors That Let In Rain At The Bottom?

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uPVC doors sweepUnplasticized polyvinyl chloride, or UPVC, does not contain the chemicals that soften standard PVC. UPVC doors are very popular with homeowners because of the advantages they offer over traditional wooden doors. They can be caste, which eliminates the need for hand tooling. They are not attacked by termites and do not require painting. They come in many different styles and door types, such as bi-folding doors, patio doors, and decorative entrance doors. UPVC provides much higher insulation value than wood; it does not split from sun damage, nor does it warp from exposure to ambient moisture.

A properly installed UPVC door requires very little maintenance. However, an improperly installed door can leak and allow rainwater to enter along the bottom of the door. There are several ways to address this problem.

For UPVC doors with adjustable sills:

(1) Open the door and look down at the bottom of the doorframe. That bottom piece is the sill. It may have a piece of metal covering it, known as the sill plate. If the sill plate has a series of inset screws running longitudinally across the middle, then it is adjustable.

(2) These screws pass through the sill and contact the floor support beneath the doorframe. Loosening the screws will retract them up into the sill, allowing it to sag downward rest flush against the floor support. Tightening a screw causes it to extend further through the sill plate and push against the floor support. This will cause the sill to bow upwards slightly as the screw pushes it away from the floor. Slightly tightening all of the screws will raise the sill in a level manner.

(3) If rainwater is seeping under the door, you may be able to tighten the screws to lift the sill plate. If the sill lifts enough to contact the rubber gasket attached to the bottom of the door, then it creates a weatherproof seal.

For UPVC doors without adjustable sills:

(1) Remove the hinge pins and lift the door from the frame.

(2) Look along the bottom edge of the door. You should see a rubber gasket. It usually fits into a groove along the bottom edge of the door. This gasket is the door sweep. When the door closes, the door sweep creates a seal against the sill plate.

(3) Purchase a replacement door sweep at your local hardware store.

(4) Slide the new door sweep into the slot. It may need trimmed to the width of the door.

(5) Carefully place the door into the hinges and replace the hinge pins.

(6) Close the door and check the fit. The sweep must contact the sill plate as the door closes to create a weather tight seal.

For UPVC doors without sweeps:

(1) All doors must have a sweep in order to seal against the weather. If the door sweep is missing, purchase a replacement sweep at the local hardware store and install it. Each type of door sweep will have specific installation instructions.

How to Install uPVC Windows

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Installing uPVC windowsUPVC windows have been around since the 1970s. Since their creation, they have been used in almost every household. This type of window is also known as vinyl sliding or vinyl windows and they have are known to be more superior to timber window frames. However, there have been issues concerning its safety with regards to environment conservation. In spite of this, a lot of people are still interested in installing UPVC window frames in their homes as it is relatively more cost efficient than the other typical window materials that have been known to homeowners and builders.

One of the reasons why a lot are looking to install UPVC windows is that aside from helping to save money, it is also a good insulator. Unlike the common timber frame windows, UPVC is able to keep and maintain the heat inside the house especially during the winter season. It will generally improve the insulation in your house and compared to timber frames that are infamous for its poor heat maintenance, it would provide you with better warmth and comfort during the cold seasons. UPVC has high thermal resistance which refrains heat from going out the house.

Aside from this benefit, UPVC windows are very stable. It would not change in shape, texture, state, or appearance when the season changes. You must have noticed how your regular window frames would shrink during the dry, warm, and hot seasons and swell once the cold seasons come in. This might sound harmless but it actually poses risk and compromises the security for your home against breakage and burglary. Regular timber window frames also require more maintenance than the UPVC. You would need to repaint timber window frames to keep it from rotting and you would also need to apply wood putty treatment. More or less, the UPVC could stay as is for a long time once it is installed. If you now wish to have UPVC installed in your own home, read on for the steps on how you can install UPVC windows yourself.

INSTALLING UPVC WINDOWS

STEP 1: The first step in installing UPVC window frames is to measure the interior part of the window opening where you will install the UPVC before purchasing the UPVC vinyl. This will ensure that the vinyl slide you will purchase is of accurate measurement. You should take note that the opening should be a bit wider and higher than the new window that is set to be installed.

STEP 2: Next, you can now start removing the existing window glass fixture to be replaced by the UPVC. Follow safety precautions especially if you are dealing with glass. It is best if you can work from the inside of the house and see to it that you dispose off the glass with full care. It is also recommended that you keep the inside stop which could be reused.

STEP 3: Next on the step’s list is to seal the nail fin which is efficient in preventing water leakage.

STEP 4: The next part is the installation of the UPVC. Push it towards the opening while making sure that it is in the correct positioning. Use screws that are normally included in UPVC packages or those that you would need to purchase separately. If you followed the recommendation of keeping the inside stop, you can now use and reinstall it.

STEP 5: The final step in UPVC windows installation is caulking or sealing around the frame. You can use a water-based foam sealant or some butyl rubber.

 

When Should I Replace My Windows?

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uPVC Replacement WindowsEveryone knows that you should replace your windows when they start to dent, rot, or rust. If you want to avoid the hassle of dealing with the act of replacement, think of switching to uPVC. UPVC windows are used as replacement to wooden windows because wood-framed windows are vulnerable to denting and rotting. The latter also requires regular maintenance, something that the uPVC does not need. uPVC can come in pre-fabricated kits, so homeowners can install windows and doors easily. In fact, uPVC installation is one of the most popular home improvement projects sought after to date. Stated below are 7 reasons why uPVC windows would rock any home:

1) uPVC is resistant to all kinds of weather.

Unlike wood, uPVC is resistant to climate and weather changes. It will not melt under the heat of the sun, nor will it age and rust under the rain. They do not scratch, dent, and chip. In the long run, you can save a lot of money and energy with uPVC than wood.

2) uPVC provides an excellent form of insulation.

Aside from climate change resistance, uPVC has been proven to have heat insulation abilities better than aluminum. Insulation properties are enhanced if you install double glazed uPVC windows. Owners can enjoy reduced electricity bills aside from low maintenance windows.

3) Sound proofing is not a problem for UPVC.

A good UPVC material can provide soundproofing between 33 and 43 dB. Installing a UPVC window in your home will prevent excessive noise from coming in, like airplanes passing by and rowdy teenagers. This is also a chance to be considerate to neighbors, if you like to turn up the volume really high or if you have rowdy teenagers in your house too.

4) It is resistant to corrosion.

Because UPVC windows and doors are weather-resistant, they are also invincible against corrosion. Salt water won’t even dampen its style. It can withstand humidity so it’s suitable in any home in any part of the world.

5) UPVC is aesthetically pleasing.

UPVC are as attractive as wooden windows, not to mention more hard-wearing. Victorian style, Georgian sash style, cottage style, bay/bow style, rollout, hopper, or louvered UPVC windows are available according to your liking.

6) Lastly, it is friendly to the environment.

It is suggested that UPVC harms the environment. But in another sense, it’s friendly to the environment because it does not require a lot of maintenance. You can use it for a long time or recycle it. It’s not made out of natural material like wooden windows but a UPVC window is definitely a keeper.

If you decide on installing UPVC windows, make your house fire-resistant. When UPVC is set on fire, dioxins are released. Excessive amounts of dioxins are lethal to living things because they can cause lung cancer. Aside from that, it’s potentially harmful to the environment too. It pays to install fire alarms and sprinklers, especially in places with UPVC doors and windows.

Apart from that, there is no reason why you shouldn’t buy UPVC doors and windows. Attractive homes don’t have to be a waste of budget after all. Start with UPVC windows and if you’re up for it, you can install UPVC doors too.