Doors & Windows

Doors and Windows That Work Properly

Doors and windows are surprisingly complex pieces of joinery and engineering, and there is a lot that can go wrong with them over the course of a few decades. Internal timber doors warp with humidity, drag at the corner, and stop closing cleanly. External uPVC doors fail at the multi-point lock, fail at the hinges, or fail at the gasket seal. Windows refuse to open, refuse to close, refuse to lock, drop out of the frame, fog up between the panes, or drip condensation down the sill all winter. We deal with every one of these problems, and many more, on a regular basis across Middlesbrough.

Most door and window problems are repairable for a fraction of the cost of full replacement. A uPVC door that 'needs to be replaced' usually needs nothing more than a new multi-point gearbox or a hinge adjustment. A misted double-glazed unit can have just the glass unit replaced, leaving the frame in place. A sticking timber door can be planed and re-hung with new hinges in under an hour. We are committed to repair-first thinking and we will only ever recommend full replacement when repair genuinely is not viable or sensible.

Door Repairs We Carry Out

Doors are responsible for a surprising amount of weekly frustration in older homes. Whether internal or external, the most common issues all share a few familiar patterns. Below is the kind of work we do every week.

• Internal door planing and re-hanging where they have started to stick or drag
• Hinge replacement on internal and external doors
• uPVC door multi-point lock replacement
• uPVC door hinge adjustment and replacement
• Door handle, latch and lock replacement
• Door frame repair and timber rot patch repair
• Threshold strip and weather-bar fitting
• Letterplate repair and replacement
• Door spy hole and chain installation
• Cat flap installation through doors and walls
• Door closer fitting on commercial doors
• Garage door repair (see our dedicated garage door page)
• Sash window cord replacement and balance overhaul
• Casement window hinge and friction stay replacement
• Replacement of misted double-glazed units (glass only)
• Window restrictors for upper-floor windows
• Draught-proofing of doors and sash windows

Misted Glazing and Replacement Glass Units

Misted double glazing is a uniquely modern problem. The seal between the two panes of a double-glazed unit fails, moist air gets in between the panes, and over time you end up with permanent condensation that you cannot wipe off because it is on the inside of a sealed unit. The unit itself has not failed catastrophically — the window still works as a window — but the appearance is awful and the insulation value of the unit is reduced. Replacement is straightforward in most cases: we measure the existing unit precisely, order a matching replacement (usually an A-rated, energy-efficient unit), and swap the new for the old. The frame stays exactly where it is. Costs are far lower than full window replacement, and the result is as good as new.

Sash Windows and Period Properties

Many of the older Middlesbrough properties — particularly in Linthorpe, Albert Park and Acklam — still have their original timber sash windows, and these need specific care. The sash cord that holds the sliding window in balance is often the first thing to fail; with a broken cord the window is either impossible to lift or crashes down. We replace sash cords properly, including dismantling the sash boxes and re-fitting the weights, so the window slides as smoothly as the day it was made. We also draught-proof sash windows with proper brush-pile seals fitted into the existing groove, which can dramatically reduce winter heat loss without changing the appearance of the window.

Quotes and Coverage

Door and window jobs are usually quoted by email with photographs, or on a quick site visit if more diagnosis is needed. We charge at our standard hourly rate with materials at trade cost. We cover the whole of Middlesbrough and Teesside. Get in touch via the contact form or by email.

Frequently Asked Questions