Draughty windows are a common occurrence in many homes. The main cause of draughty windows is faulty hinges; the rubber seal can also perish and allow draughts to get in. Another cause of draughty windows can be that the window opening may not be square and will drop showing a gap in the corner above the handle.

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Window hinges are a very important part of your window hardware. Well fitted hinges are designed to run smoothly along the track to open out and ventilate the room and close to seal the window against the frame. To get the best from your hinges special care must be given to cleaning and lubrication. When your window hinges have failed or are strained you will notice an increase in noise from out side, draughts and dirt around the frame and on blinds. In winter the effect is more obvious as cold air from outside can make your house much colder.

The end cap of the hinge can stretch and doesn’t close tightly and the resistance block can break causing the hinge to kick out at the bottom, these are the main areas where the hinge breaks down. The hinges are not guiding the window along the track to give a tight seal all around the frame. If a coin can easily fit between the window and window frame, the hinges will need to be replaced.

By replacing your faulty hinges with good quality hinges you will reduce heat loss from your home which will save you money on your fuel bills and improve your comfort at home. There are a number of different types of hinges, ie. side hung, top hung and fire egress hinges are used in most homes today, so it is important to use the right one when replacing to improve comfort and longevity (see hinge maintenance). Make sure you replace faulty hinges before winter.

FAQ

• My windows are draughty what can I do? In general if your windows are draughty your hinges are faulty. Most hinges can be replaced by matching the old hinge with an identical or a similar one.

• What causes a window hinge to fail? Poor maintenance and wear and tear is usually the cause of hinge failure, when dirt gets into the moving parts it will eventually cause failure.

• How often should I lubricate my window hinges? If you lubricate your hinges once or twice a year it should be enough.

• What type of window hinges do I need for a bedroom? All bedroom windows must have a fire safety hinge. This hinge opens up for the maximum opening.

Draughty Windows in Dublin 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,20,22,24, County Dublin and Kildare (Celbridge, Maynooth, Leixlip)