Window Repairs In Exeter
Got a broken, draughty or misted window in Exeter?
Fast, affordable window repairs for homes across Exeter - from misted units to broken locks
- Misted sealed unit replacement
- Broken handle and lock repairs
- Draughty seal replacement
- Failed hinge replacement and adjustment
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Window Repairs Across Exeter - When Repair Is The Right Choice
Not every window problem needs a full replacement. In many cases - probably the majority - the right answer is a targeted repair that costs a fraction of a new window and leaves the frame in place for another decade or more. Misted double glazing units can be replaced within the existing frame. Failed seals can be renewed. Broken handles, locks and hinges are all standard parts that can be sourced and fitted without touching the rest of the window.
Exeter's climate accelerates certain types of window failure. Properties near the Exe estuary - Topsham, Exwick and parts of the city centre - are exposed to higher moisture levels than most of England, and this causes seal failure to happen earlier than the manufacturers' projections. Properties in Heavitree and St Thomas with 1990s double glazing are now reaching the age where sealed units commonly fail - the 12-15 year lifespan we see in practice in Exeter is shorter than the 20+ years manufacturers quote for inland conditions. We see a lot of repair work in these areas.
We assess every job honestly. If repair is the right answer, we'll say so and quote for it. If the frame is too far gone and replacement is genuinely the better value option over five to ten years, we'll tell you that too. We don't upsell repairs into replacements or replacements into repairs - we recommend what we'd recommend if it were our own home.
15+
Years' experience
1,400+
Installations completed
10yr
Workmanship guarantee
Free
Site visits & quotes
Window Repair Services We Offer In Exeter
Here's a breakdown of the most common window repairs we carry out across Exeter.
Misted Double Glazing Unit Replacement
Misting between the panes - the condensation or cloudy appearance you can't wipe away - means the sealed unit has failed. The argon gas or air that was sealed between the panes has escaped and moisture has entered. The seal cannot be repaired. The whole glazed unit needs to come out and a new one go in.
We measure the existing unit, order a replacement to the same dimensions and fit it in the existing frame. Where the existing frame is still in good condition - and in many Exeter properties it is, even when the unit has failed - this is a quick, clean job that costs a fraction of a full replacement. The new unit is A-rated double glazing as standard. Typical cost: £80-£200 per unit depending on size. Common across Heavitree, St Thomas and Exwick where 1990s and early 2000s glazing is now reaching end-of-life.
Broken Handle & Lock Repairs
Window handles and locks fail through wear, particularly on windows that are used frequently. The most common failures are handles that feel loose or have snapped off, espagnolette locking mechanisms that no longer engage properly, and multi-point locking systems where one or more locking points have failed. A window that can't be locked securely is a security concern - it's worth addressing promptly.
We carry a stock of common handle and lock components and can replace most standard parts on the day of the visit. Less common components can usually be sourced within a few days. We work on all makes and profiles of uPVC and aluminium windows fitted across Exeter - including the older profiles that were common in the 1990s and 2000s.
Draughty Seal Replacement
The rubber or brush pile seal that runs around the perimeter of a window's opening sash compresses over time and loses its ability to close the gap between sash and frame. When it fails, air gets through around the edge of the sash even when the window is closed and locked. The draught is often most noticeable at the corners of the window where the seal mitres and where the joint is most likely to separate.
Seal replacement is one of the most cost-effective window repairs available. In Exeter's wet and windy climate, seal degradation happens faster than average - particularly on south and west-facing windows that take the prevailing weather directly. We replace seals on all standard uPVC and aluminium windows and can usually carry out the repair in a single visit. Far cheaper than replacing the window, and often enough to make an old but otherwise sound window perform like new.
Failed Hinge Replacement
Window hinges - the friction stays on casement windows or the pivot hinges on tilt-and-turn units - wear over time. When they fail, the sash drops out of square, doesn't open or close smoothly, or in the worst case the sash falls outward when opened. A dropped sash is both a safety hazard and a cause of additional wear on the frame and seals.
Hinge replacement is a straightforward repair in most cases. We remove the old hinge, supply and fit the replacement to the same specification and adjust the friction so the sash stays in position when opened partially. Where the hinge failure has caused the sash to drop and cut into the frame or seal, we'll assess whether any additional work is needed. A window repaired in this way will typically outlast the original hinge life with proper care.
Why Repair Rather Than Replace
In the right circumstances, a repair is the better decision on every measure - cost, disruption, time and environmental impact.
Fraction of the replacement cost
A misted unit replacement costs £80-£200. A new window costs £400-£1,200. Where the frame is sound, repair is straightforwardly better value - often by a factor of four or five.
Done in a single visit
Most window repairs are completed in one visit. Full replacement requires a survey visit, an order and manufacturing lead time, then an installation day. Repairs are quicker when the problem needs fixing now.
Minimal disruption
Replacing a sealed unit or a hinge is a low-disruption job. No scaffolding, no skips, no plasterwork to repair afterward. The room is usable again within an hour of us arriving in most cases.
Extends window life by years
A new sealed unit in a sound frame will last another 15-20 years. Replacing a failed hinge or worn seal can add 10+ years of good performance. Repair at the right time is often the best investment you can make in your windows.
Avoids unnecessary waste
Replacing a sound frame to fix a failed unit wastes the embodied carbon in the frame material. Where the frame has years of life left, repair is the better environmental choice as well as the better economic one.
Security restored quickly
A window with a broken lock or failed latch is a security concern. We carry common handle and lock parts and can usually restore a secure, locking window in a single visit - important if the failure has left the window unable to lock.
Our Window Repair Process
Most repairs are completed in a single visit. Here's how the process works.
Free site visit
We visit, assess the window or windows, identify the fault and advise on whether repair or replacement is the right option. There's no charge for the visit and no obligation.
Written quote - itemised, no surprises
You receive a written quote for the repair. The price includes parts, labour and waste disposal. No additions on the day.
Units or parts sourced to measure
Replacement glazed units are manufactured to the exact dimensions of the existing unit. Parts like handles and hinges are sourced to match the existing profile and manufacturer specification.
Old units or parts removed carefully
The failed unit or component is removed without damaging the surrounding frame. We check the condition of adjacent components before fitting the replacement.
New unit or part fitted and sealed
The replacement is fitted correctly and sealed. For glazed units, the beading and sealing is completed properly to prevent water ingress around the new unit.
Hardware adjusted and tested
The window is tested through its full range of operation. Handles, locks and hinges are adjusted so everything works smoothly.
Final inspection - job signed off
We walk through the finished repair with you and confirm everything is working correctly before we leave. Site left clean and tidy.
Our Guarantee
Every window and door we install is backed by a 10-year workmanship guarantee. That covers the fitting itself - how the frame sits in the opening, how it's sealed, how the hardware operates. If anything we've done causes a problem within ten years, we come back and fix it.
The glazing units themselves also carry a 10-year manufacturer's guarantee against seal failure and condensation between the panes. Both guarantees are issued in writing on completion of the job, alongside your FENSA certificate. When you come to sell, your solicitor will ask for these documents - we make sure you have everything you need.
The guarantee only stands if the product is correctly installed. That's why we don't rush surveys, we don't cut corners on preparation, and we don't send crews who don't know what they're doing. The guarantee is only as good as the quality of the work behind it.
10
Year Workmanship
Guarantee on all installations
10
Year Unit Guarantee
On sealed glazing units
Also included on every job:
- ✓ FENSA certificate issued on completion
- ✓ Building regulation compliance confirmed in writing
- ✓ All guarantees transferable if you sell the property
What To Look For In A Window Repair Company In Exeter
The most important thing is that the company visits the property and assesses the specific window before quoting. A misted unit, a broken hinge and a draughty seal are three completely different repairs requiring different parts and different approaches. A company that quotes for any of them without seeing the window is guessing. The assessment visit also allows the installer to check the condition of the frame around the failed component - if a unit has failed because moisture has been entering around a failed frame seal, replacing the unit without replacing the frame seal means the new unit is likely to fail again within a few years.
FENSA registration is relevant for window repairs when the whole frame is being replaced, but not for glazed unit replacements within existing frames. Unit replacement is a repair, not a new installation, and doesn't fall under the FENSA requirement. However, any company doing unit replacement work should still be working to current glazing standards - the replacement units should be A-rated double glazing with warm edge spacer bars and argon fill, not cheap clear units that meet a lower thermal standard. Ask what specification of unit is being fitted before agreeing.
For lock and handle repairs, look for a company that carries a broad range of parts. The profile systems used in Exeter's windows span several decades and dozens of manufacturers - some common, some less so. A company that can only source parts from one supplier will tell you the window needs replacement when the part they don't stock has failed. We carry parts for the most common profile systems fitted across Exeter and can source less common parts through our suppliers within a few working days.
Repair vs Full Replacement
| Repair | Full Replacement | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | £80 - £300 typically | £400 - £1,200+ per window |
| Disruption | Minimal - usually 1-2 hours | Moderate - removal and fitting |
| Time to complete | Usually same day | 4-6 weeks survey to completion |
| When appropriate | Frame in sound condition | Frame warped, rotten or beyond repair |
| Lifespan after | 15-20 years (new unit) | 20-25 years |
| FENSA required | No (unit only repair) | Yes (full frame replacement) |
"Misted or condensation-filled windows account for around 6 in 10 repair calls we receive across Exeter - in almost every case the sealed unit has failed and needs replacing, not the whole window."
Window Installers Exeter - based on local repair data
What Exeter Customers Say About Our Window Repairs
Genuine feedback from homeowners across Exeter and the surrounding area
"Had all eight windows replaced in our 1970s house in Heavitree. The team arrived on time, laid dust sheets throughout and were done in two days. Biggest difference is the warmth - no more draught across the living room floor in January. Really happy with the whole job."
Karen T. — Heavitree, Exeter
"I got three quotes. These were the only company who actually came out and measured properly before pricing - the others just asked for the number of windows and gave me a number over the phone. The price was competitive and the job was done cleanly. Would use again without hesitation."
Mark R. — Topsham
"Secondary glazing fitted throughout our listed cottage near the Cathedral Close. They knew the planning restrictions before I'd even finished explaining and recommended exactly the right product. The noise reduction from the road is noticeable immediately. Brilliant from start to finish."
Sarah M. — St Leonard's, Exeter
"Composite front door replaced after the old one warped and stopped sealing properly. The new door is solid, the fitting is neat and they took the old door away. Got our FENSA certificate in the post a few days later. Exactly what you want - no fuss, job done."
David H. — Pinhoe, Exeter
"Bi-fold doors fitted to the rear of our extension in St Thomas. The difference to the kitchen is incredible - it feels like a completely different room when they're open onto the garden. The team were tidy, professional and explained everything clearly throughout. Top marks."
Claire W. — St Thomas, Exeter
Common Questions About Window Repairs In Exeter
How do I know if my double glazing unit has failed?
The main sign is condensation or misting between the two panes that you can't wipe away. A whitish residue inside the unit is also common. Once the sealed unit fails, it cannot be repaired - the whole unit needs replacing.
Can you replace just the glass unit without replacing the whole frame?
Yes, in most cases. If the frame is in good condition, we can replace just the failed glazed unit. This is significantly cheaper than a full window replacement. We assess the frame condition during the survey and recommend accordingly.
How much does misted window repair cost in Exeter?
Replacing a failed double glazed unit typically costs between £80 and £200 per unit depending on size. We provide written quotes after every survey.
My window handle or lock is broken - can you repair it?
Yes. We repair and replace window handles, espagnolette locks, shootbolt locks and multi-point locking mechanisms. We carry common parts and can usually source less common parts within a few days.
Why is my window draughty after it was fine for years?
The most common cause is seal failure - the rubber or brush seal around the opening sash compresses over time and loses its sealing ability. In Exeter's damp climate this happens faster than average. Seal replacement is a straightforward, cost-effective repair.
Do window repairs require FENSA registration?
Replacing failed glazed units within an existing frame does not require FENSA registration - it's a repair. Full frame replacement does require FENSA certification. We'll clarify this during the survey.
Thinking About Full Replacement Instead?
If repair isn't the right answer for your windows, our pricing guide covers full replacement costs for all window types across Exeter.
See Replacement Window PricesBook A Window Repair In Exeter
Call us or use the form above to book a free assessment visit. We'll come to you, identify the fault and quote for the right repair - no upselling, no guesswork.