I have old double-glazed windows where the frame doesn't allow easy removal of the window from the outside. I had problems with finding anyone who would do the replacement as it isn't as straight-forward as the newer style of window frame – it is pretty difficult to remove the white plastic pieces that press up against the inside of the window pane to keep it tight in the frame.
I made the mistake or ordering a replacement double-glazed window pane that was 5mm thinner than the original window. The thickness had been measured by my experienced Plumber as 25mm but when I went to the shop to order window, the shop owner said it would either be 24 or 26mm, so I went home and measured the thickness (whilst the window was still in place, on the first floor of my house) and got it drastically wrong.
Anyway, I am looking for something I can place in the gap, either between the white plastic piece and the window pane or between the plastic piece and the frame, so that the window is securely in place. Currently, I am using the double-sided sticky foam pads that came with the new window but with winter here, I need to sort this out permanently. I've read about wood being an option but would prefer something that is waterproof/plastic or rubber but I am not sure of what to get or from where.
I know I could just get the frame remade but at a cost of £75, I'd rather come up with a cheaper but effective workaround.
Some photos of the setup are here to help with seeing exactly what I'm describing…
Can any one help?
Best Answer
There may be a possibility of finding thicker glazing strips to hold the glass in tighter. Window manufacturers sometimes use thinner glazed units in other windows they make, so if you can find the producer of the unit, you may find a glazing strip to cut to length that will hold it in. That is the better of the options I will suggest, although it may be really difficult to get it.
The other is to, I will write this with my head down and my eyes not meeting yours, metaphorically speaking, cause I think it is really a second rate way to fix it. That is, use silicone caulk to back the glazing to hold it to the seal on the outside. The biggest problem is the silicone will not press the glass against the seal to do the job it needs to keep the rain out. It will be messy if you are not familiar with caulking, especially with silicone, and the window may still leak because the pressure is not being applied to seal the window at the outside face. Laying the window down flat so the weight of the window is pressing the seal, then apply the caulk, let it cure, then set the window sash back in place in its jamb.