Our house was built seven years ago. The house came with UPVC double
glazing installed.

Both south facing bedrooms have a double glazed unit consisting of two
opening windows on either side of a central, non opening, window. In
both rooms, one of the opening windows looks as though there is
condensation inside.

What are the "Window Doctor" type services like? Would they be able
to fix this sort of thing? I presume both windows are "sealed units"?
How much would such a service cost? What are peoples views of this
sort of thing? Is it something I could *easily* fix myself?

Any info, horror stories etc gratefully received.

Nozza
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Thanks for all the responses here - muchly appreciated. I contacted a
few double glazing repair firms and had a chat with them and have
someone coming around to measure for replacement units.

The company was up front with all costs, (including the need for
toughened glass for windows under 800mm from floor level - they'll
measure that to confirm - but I don't think I need it)

Cost of "repair" i.e. replacement units for two windows about 100cm
tall and 45 cm wide including fitting and VAT about £115 (depends on
exact measurements).

Noz
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Used a local independent glazier who installed two new sealed units.

Total cost £90 including fitting.

Thanks again for all the advice

Noz

Nozza wrote:

Hello Nozza

N| Our house was built seven years ago. The house came with
N| UPVC double glazing installed.
N| Both south facing bedrooms have a double glazed unit
N| consisting of two opening windows on either side of a
N| central, non opening, window. In both rooms, one of the
N| opening windows looks as though there is condensation
N| inside.

Units have failed. There is no onsite way of repairing them, anyone
who says different is a bodger.

N| What are the "Window Doctor" type services like?

Sometimes just a salesman, sometimes a genuine guy.

N| be able to fix this sort of thing? I presume both windows
N| are "sealed units"? How much would such a service cost? What
N| are peoples views of this sort of thing? Is it something I
N| could *easily* fix myself?

You need to have the units replaced, sorry. Hopefully they're stock
sizes (common in modern houses) and it's an off-the-shelf replacement.

Either installation or manufacture could have caused the premature
failure, btw, maybe you have some sort of warrantee with your house
that may include this? Maybe your insurance does?

--
Simon Avery, Dartmoor, UK
uk.d-i-y FAQ: http://www.diyfaq.org.uk/

There is a technique for demisting providing the inside of the glass has not been stained. The method is to drill two small holes at oppposite ends of the diagonal, then a moisture absorbent fluid such as methanol is pumped through and after drying to fit a small valve in each of the holes to let the unit breath. Mr Demister is a company in Dorset that offer this service at £40 per window. Just tried it on one window waiting to see what happens.