Double glazing hinge problem

[Osem]

Bit of a long shot I know but hey....

Our windows are double glazed aluminium and we've found that a couple of the most heavily used ones don't shut properly. The hinge mechanism looks like a fairly standard one I've seen before and is quite complicated in the sense that the window pivots normally at it's closed and just before it does, the hinge side kicks in towards the frame and is secured. From what I can see there are small plastic capped metal lugs on the top and bottom of the frame which 2 prongs on the top and bottom of the window should fit into when it closes, securing it in the shut position. Although I obviously can't see what's going on when the window is closed, I think that the prongs are missing the lugs since when the window is shut, if you push against it on the hinge side, the window isn't securely retained and opens by about 3/4 of a cm. The hinges are fixed to the frame by 3 screws and I've tried tightening these to ensure there is no play and varied the positon of the hinges slighty to see if this is the root of the problem. Although this has helped occasionally it hasn't solved the problem. I believe the hinges are riveted to the windows so there's no adjustment possible at that point and it doesn't look like they could be replaced easily. Anyone got any ideas as to how I might cure this problem?

TVM

[pabscars]

Have you got any pictures

I pride myself on being able to repair the impossible, and believe there's always a way round a problem but it would help tremendously if you had something for us to peruse and get a better understanding of how the hinge works.

[Osem]

Been looking and found this:

http://www.doubleglazingsparesandrep...uk/hinges.html

Our hinges look much like those shown in the second picture. You can see the arrowhead shaped prong on the part of the hinge which is fixed to the window and which is supposed to be retained by the V shaped lug on the section fixed to the frame.

It seems that replacing these hinges may be the only option...

[pabscars]

Originally Posted by Osem

Been looking and found this:

http://www.doubleglazingsparesandrep...uk/hinges.html

Our hinges look much like those shown in the second picture. You can see the arrowhead shaped prong on the part of the hinge which is fixed to the window and which is supposed to be retained by the V shaped lug on the section fixed to the frame.

It seems that replacing these hinges may be the only option...

Easy now, lets not replace what can be fixed , if due to wear and tear your window isnt sitting tight into the corner and locating properly, why cant you gently tease (bend) the V bit (female bit) with a pair of long nosed pliers so that it locates tightly and should hopefully reduce the play in there.

Its possible I suppose that the hinges are that worn that the 2 V's havent been interlocking properly and may have bent or distorted themselves, but given that its metal you can subject it a little massaging before it gives up the ghost

[Osem]

Originally Posted by pabscars

Easy now, lets not replace what can be fixed , if due to wear and tear your window isnt sitting tight into the corner and locating properly, why cant you gently tease (bend) the V bit (female bit) with a pair of long nosed pliers so that it locates tightly and should hopefully reduce the play in there.

Its possible I suppose that the hinges are that worn that the 2 V's havent been interlocking properly and may have bent or distorted themselves, but given that its metal you can subject it a little massaging before it gives up the ghost

On close inspection I think the issue is that the weight of the window has caused it to drop slightly so that the bottom hinge locates ok but the top male prong is too low when the unit is closed. The metal of the hinge body is too thick to bend but I think that I can achieve the same effect by simply building up the thickness of the male prong (from the top of course) by a few mms so that it sits higher when the unit is closed. I suppose I could cut out a piece of metal from something and glue/rivet it onto the prong to keep it in place. Like you I just love fixing things...

Anyway, I feel a little job coming on... lol

Cheers, will report back in due course...

[pabscars]

Originally Posted by Osem

On close inspection I think the issue is that the weight of the window has caused it to drop slightly so that the bottom hinge locates ok but the top male prong is too low when the unit is closed. The metal of the hinge body is too thick to bend but I think that I can achieve the same effect by simply building up the thickness of the male prong (from the top of course) by a few mms so that it sits higher when the unit is closed. I suppose I could cut out a piece of metal from something and glue/rivet it onto the prong to keep it in place. Like you I just love fixing things...

Anyway, I feel a little job coming on... lol

Cheers, will report back in due course...

Undoubtedly there will be play in the rivets at the pivot points in the hinge, which may the reason the window has dropped slightly.


Quick fix
What I would do is either carefully manhandle the windows with brute force to bend the hinges up a bit, so that when it relaxes it sits more level.

Not so Quick
remove 1 hinge at a time, get a metal hammer and bash the pivot point to swell the metal and effectively tighten up the hinge again.

Best Fix
Simply replace with new, but that isn't sticking it to the man is it , thats why Ive left till last.

Good Luck anyway

[Osem]

Might have a go at just levering up the window to see if that works temporarily. I know it's extra heavy as it's fitted with laminated security glass and it's often left open in the summer months so I expect the hinges have just bent down slightly.

Thanks again.

[pabscars]

Originally Posted by Osem

Might have a go at just levering up the window to see if that works temporarily. I know it's extra heavy as it's fitted with laminated security glass and it's often left open in the summer months so I expect the hinges have just bent down slightly.

Thanks again.

Your welcome

[webcrawler2050]

POP Down to your local double glazing firm, you can buy the hinges for about £20ish. It;s all screwed by four screws.

[Osem]

Originally Posted by webcrawler2050

POP Down to your local double glazing firm, you can buy the hinges for about £20ish. It;s all screwed by four screws.

Thanks, I know I can buy them but I'd have to drill the old ones off the window as they're riveted on. Don't fancy doing that if I can achieve a simpler fix...

[webcrawler2050]

Originally Posted by Osem

Thanks, I know I can buy them but I'd have to drill the old ones off the window as they're riveted on. Don't fancy doing that if I can achieve a simpler fix...

Hmm, sounds like you need a new hinge.

[joglynne]

Originally Posted by webcrawler2050

Hmm, sounds like you need a new hinge.

Back away from the thread WC. You are up against the dreaded fixer-uppers and talk of actually paying good money for a relative quick fix will fall on deaf ears when they can extract hours, if not days, of pleasure from fiddling around.

[Pauls9]

Originally Posted by joglynne

Back away from the thread WC. You are up against the dreaded fixer-uppers and talk of actually paying good money for a relative quick fix will fall on deaf ears when they can extract hours, if not days, of pleasure from fiddling around.

Fiddling around? We're talking important design improvements here!

[Osem]

Originally Posted by joglynne

Back away from the thread WC. You are up against the dreaded fixer-uppers and talk of actually paying good money for a relative quick fix will fall on deaf ears when they can extract hours, if not days, of pleasure from fiddling around.

We'll see about that....

[pabscars]

Originally Posted by joglynne

Back away from the thread WC. You are up against the dreaded fixer-uppers and talk of actually paying good money for a relative quick fix will fall on deaf ears when they can extract hours, if not days, of pleasure from fiddling around.

Oi likes a good fiddle Oi does,