We carry out window and door repairs in Stockwell on uPVC, aluminium and composite frames. This service is for homeowners whose windows will not close, whose doors stick or drop, or whose locks have started to fail. You get a fitter who finds the cause, fixes it with the right parts, and tells you plainly if a frame is past saving.
Most faults come down to a few worn parts. Hinges, locks, handles and seals all wear with use. Replacing them costs far less than a new window or door and takes much less time. We carry common parts in the van, so many repairs are done in one visit.
What We Repair
We work on most makes and styles of frame fitted in the last few decades. That includes:
- uPVC casement, tilt and turn and sliding sash windows.
- Aluminium windows, slim frames and sliding doors.
- Composite and uPVC front and back doors.
- French doors, patio doors and bifold doors.
- Conservatory doors and side frames.
If the glass itself has misted between the panes, see our page on misted double glazing. We can often swap a failed unit and fix the hinges on the same visit.
Hinges and Friction Stays
Most uPVC and aluminium windows open on friction stays. These are the metal arms at the top and bottom of the opening sash. They hold the window open and let it close tight against the seals.
Over time the stays wear, bend or rust. You may notice:
- The window drops and catches on the frame as it closes.
- It will not stay open in the wind.
- It swings too freely, or is stiff and grinds.
- There is a gap at one corner when it is shut.
We replace the stays with new ones of the right size and type. Fire escape windows need special egress stays that open wide. We check these are in place where the law needs them, such as upstairs bedrooms. Restrictor stays can also be fitted to stop small children opening windows too far.
Door hinges wear too, mainly on heavy composite doors. Most modern door hinges can be adjusted up, down, in and out. We reset them so the door sits square, and replace any that are worn or cracked.
Handles, Gearboxes and Multi-Point Locks
Most uPVC and composite doors lock with a multi-point lock. When you lift the handle, a long metal strip in the door edge throws hooks, rollers or bolts into the frame at several points. A gearbox in the middle links the handle and key to the strip.
Signs that the lock or gearbox is failing:
- The handle is floppy, or will not spring back up.
- The handle will not lift, or you have to force it.
- The key turns but does not lock, or will not turn at all.
- The door locks at the centre but not at the top or bottom.
Forcing a stiff handle is the most common cause of a broken gearbox. If the handle feels tight, call us before it fails. Often the door just needs an adjustment, and the lock is fine.
Where the gearbox or lock strip has failed, we replace it. In many cases we can fit just the gearbox. If the whole strip is worn, we fit a new lock of the right size and backset. We also replace window handles, including locking handles and ones with push buttons.
Cylinder Replacement and Anti-Snap Locks
The cylinder is the part your key goes into. Many older uPVC and composite doors have basic cylinders that can be snapped by a burglar in seconds. Once snapped, the lock can be opened by hand.
We replace old cylinders with anti-snap cylinders. These are built to break at a set point, so the part that works the lock stays safe inside the door. Look for cylinders tested to TS 007 3 star or SS312 Diamond. We can also fit:
- Cylinders keyed alike, so one key opens front and back doors.
- Thumb-turn cylinders on the inside, for a quick exit in a fire.
- New cylinders after you move house or lose a key.
Matching the handle to the cylinder matters too. A security handle with a guard plate helps protect the cylinder from attack.
Dropped Doors, Adjustment, Seals and Letterplates
A door that drops will catch on the frame, rub the threshold, and get hard to lock. It may also let in draughts and rain. Common causes are worn hinges, glass that has slipped in the sash, or a frame that has moved.
We fix dropped doors by:
- Adjusting the hinges to lift the door back into line.
- Re-packing the glass so it holds the door square.
- Moving the keeps on the frame so the lock meets them cleanly.
- Replacing worn hinges where they no longer adjust.
Seals and draught strips also wear out. The rubber gaskets round the sash and frame can shrink, split or come loose. When that happens, you feel cold air and may see water get in. We replace gaskets and brush strips so the window or door seals tight again. We can also fit new weather bars and threshold seals on doors.
Letterplates take a lot of use and can stick, rattle or let in draughts. We replace them with new ones that match your door. Draught-proof letterplates with brushes inside cut cold air, and some come with a flap on the inside too.
When Repair Beats Replacement
We will always tell you if a repair is the better choice. In many cases it is. A frame that is sound and square only needs new parts to work like new again. You keep the windows you have and avoid the cost and mess of a full refit.
A repair makes sense when:
- The frame is not split, bowed or rotten.
- Only one or two parts have worn out.
- The glass is clear and the units are sealed.
- Parts for that system are still easy to get.
A new frame may be better when several windows have the same faults, the frames are very old, or parts are no longer made. If that is the case, we will show you the options in our double glazing windows and double glazing doors ranges. The choice is always yours.
How Repair Costs Are Worked Out
We do not give fixed prices online, as each repair is different. The cost depends on:
- The part needed and whether it is a stock part or a special order.
- The number of windows or doors to repair.
- How easy it is to reach the frame, such as upstairs windows.
- Whether the fault can be fixed in one visit.
After we look at the job, you get a written, fixed quote with no hidden extras. You can book on our get a quote page. Our how we work page explains each step, from the first visit to aftercare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you repair windows and doors fitted by another company?
Yes. We repair most uPVC, aluminium and composite frames, whoever fitted them. Most systems use standard parts that we can source. For older or less common systems, we take the old part away to match it. If a part is no longer made, we will tell you and find the closest fit that works with your frame.
Why is the door handle hard to lift?
A stiff handle most often means the door has dropped or moved, so the lock no longer lines up with the keeps on the frame. The lock itself may be fine. Do not force it, as this can break the gearbox. We adjust the hinges and keeps so the hooks and bolts slide in cleanly again.
Are anti-snap locks worth fitting?
Yes, if your door still has a basic cylinder. Lock snapping is a common way to break into uPVC and composite doors. An anti-snap cylinder tested to TS 007 3 star or SS312 Diamond is built to resist this attack. It is a small job that takes little time and adds real security to your home.
Can a draughty window be fixed without replacing it?
Often, yes. Draughts usually come from worn gaskets, a sash that has dropped, or stays that no longer pull the window tight. We replace the seals and adjust or renew the hinges. If the glass unit has failed, we can swap that too. A full new window is only needed when the frame itself is damaged.
Do repairs come with a guarantee?
Yes. New parts we fit are covered by a guarantee, and the details are set out in your paperwork. If a repair does not hold, call us and we will come back and put it right. We use quality parts matched to your system, not cheap generic ones that wear out quickly.
