Locking & Moving Parts

Hinges

Friction Hinges

These are one of the most common parts that need replacing on windows. The salt air and weight they support, means even windows that are not opened very often, are still prone to hinge failure.

Indications of this are as follows:

Windows not closing smoothly.
Window sashes not closing tightly, into the corners of the framework.
Draughts around window sashes, and not looking ‘square’ in the framework.

I carry a huge stock of these on the van, and can often replace them on the spot for you. I can replace hinges on uPVC and Aluminium windows (even rivetted ones).

Upgrading Friction Hinges

Fire escape (egress) hinges on windows in bedrooms, are required for building regulations these days, but haven’t always been. I can replace your existing side opening casement hinges, with egress ones.

These allow the window to open 90°, so if in the worst case there is a fire, its easier for people to climb through the opening.

Example:
A customer was planning on letting their flat to the council for tennancy, but was informed they needed egress hinges. Their window used non-stardard hinges, where an egress hinge is unavailable. I managed to use my egress hinges, and adapt them to suit the older framework, and in the process saved the customer several hundred pounds, by not needing to replace the whole framework.

Door Hinges

Generally door hinges out-live the life of the door, but occasionally the weight or vibration of the door operating, cause the hinges to pull out of the framework. This can cause either a scraping on the framework/lock, or more seriously make the door so its unlockable.

Depending on how bad the problem is, I can sometimes repair the existing hinge, or in worse cases source a similar hinge, and replace the whole thing.

The top hinge had completely rusted and broke, meaning the window sash started leaning out, causing a big draft. I replaced the hinges, and now you can hear the window squeak, as the sash pulls into the rubber seals.

The hinges had failed (notice the gap between the sash and frame). This then allowed the salt air to corrode the lock, which meant the handle had to be used to secure the window, rather than the lock. I replaced the hinges, lock and handle. This cost the customer a fraction of what a new window would have cost.

Handles

Window Handles

These come in many shapes, sizes and colours. I keep a good selection on the van, and other types I can usually source to match your existing ones.
Reasons To Replace Your Handles

Keys are missing.
Broken or loose.
Your current ones don’t have keyed locks, and your home insurance policy specifies them to be key lockable.
Fancy a change of colour or style.

Door Handles

Door handles are usually subject to a lot of wear and tear in their lifetime. I can replace worn out and broken handles, like-for-like, or in different colours/finishes (depending on the type of lock in your door).

Security Door Handles

If you have read my page on lock cylinder snapping/bumping, you will realise the handle and locking cylinder are a vulnerable part of a door.

Depending on the age and type of door, I can fit security handles, which have reinforced plates inside them, and they partially cover the locking cylinder.

These handles will offer much more resistant to a would-be burglar, and will also act as visual deterrent.

Locks

Window Locks

These come in many types, but they all do the same job in locking windows. I keep a good selection on the van, and other types I can usually source.

Jammed/Broken Locks

The salt in the air and lack of maintenance, can cause the locks to be very stiff to operate, or seize up completely. They very commonly seize up in the locked position, and people only discover this when they go to open their window.

I can carefully open the most secure window locks, without damaging the framework, then fit a new lock to have it working like new again.

Window Lock Upgrades

If you don’t feel your window locks are very secure, there are various ways I can upgrade them. As there are many different types of windows and locks, that have been fitted over the years, I would have to see the window first, in order to provide a solution.

Door Locks

These usually break due to wear and tear, but its not uncommon for salt air and rust to damage the working parts, causing the lock to not operate properly.

There are well over 200 different types of door lock, that have been used over the years. Many of these are now obsolete, or different to the modern equivalents.

I will always try and source the exact type of lock, but if its unavailable, I have the knowledge and experience to use a different lock, and adapt it to your door. This sort of service is quite often only done by locksmiths, who are well known for high call out charges, and excessive prices.

Door Lock Upgrades

Depending on the age of your door, it will have different levels of security. Most modern doors use hooks, that lock the door leaf and frame together, making forced entry very difficult.

Older doors very commonly only use rollers, which pull the door leaf to the frame, but don’t offer real security from forced entry.
Depending on the design of your door, and the amount of steel reinforcing inside (many older doors are heavily reinforced), I can fit a modern hook lock, and adapt it to lock into your existing framework.