Double glazed units
There are many factors that contribute to the misting up of double glazed sealed units. One of these factors can be temperature conditions. If a double glazed sealed unit is fitted somewhere that it is exposed to hot and cold temperatures all of the time, then in theory this can shorten the lifespan of the materials used to seal it (expansion and contraction of materials).
Also another contributing factor can be the UPVC window frames that the double glazed units are fitted within. For example, if the frames allow rain to penetrate below the beading (poorly fitted beading or worn gasket rubber), than the double glazed unit may be sitting in water which can make the double glazed unit less effective and shorten the life of materials that seal it. Also, poor construction of the double glazed sealed unit may also be a contributing factor. And mainly, the reason for most double glazed units misting up is simply old age.
Also for your piece of mind, all of our double glazed sealed units have a 5 year misting up guarantee.
Secure it with Lock Lock handles
The ultimate security upgrade.
The unique and patented Lock Lock option is accredited beyond every other handle on the market.
Every body approves
Approved by locksmiths
Sold Secure Diamond. Few locks survive the test designed with the Master Locksmith Association and carried out by locksmiths.
Approved by the Police
Secure By Design. The official UK Police flagship initiative combining the principles of ‘designing out crime’ with physical security.
Approved by British Standards
Kitemark is the standard of excellence recognised around the world. Ultion is accredited with the highest 3 star rating.
Ultion Lock
The ULTIMATE High Security Cylinder barrel For UPVC and Composite front and back doors.
Crystal Clear North West are pleased to be a supplier and installers of the Ultion Cylinder, one of the highest spec security cylinders on the market.
Approved: As well as being approved by the Police and achieving the highest Kitemark star rating Ultion is tested by locksmiths with the Master Locksmith Association and is accredited with their highest standard. Sold Secure Diamond.
Pins: It comes with 11 pins rather than the usual 5 or 6 and a hidden firing pin which is activated if an attack is detected that puts the cylinder into Lockdown Mode.
Drill safe: Anti-drill to the highest standard – both ends of every Ultion lock feature 20 hardened steel pins and plates each one positioned precisely to protect your lock from a drill attack.
Keys: Your keys are linked only to you. Nobody can cut keys without your permission.
Multipoint locks
A multipoint lock is the locking mechanism found on a UPVC or Composite door and also some wooden doors. Some of these multipoint locks are fitted to the front and back doors protecting your home. They offer you security and allow you to sleep easy at night. They help protect you and your family and help protect your possessions when you are not at home.
When a multipoint lock develops a fault, it is normally without warning, and all of a sudden you find yourself vulnerable and without security. All of a sudden, it is an emergency and your multipoint needs repairing or replacing urgently.
This is where Clear View North West can assist. We carry a selection of multipoint locks and can sometimes visit you and repair the lock all in one visit. If for any reason we do not have the right model of lock, we will then source the right replacement multipoint lock for your door.
Window locking mechanisms
A window locking mechanism (also known as gearbox) is the mechanism inside a UPVC window frame that is operated by an espag window handle. It is totally separate to the Window handle. It is concealed inside part of the frame and can only be seen when the Window is opened. Some can confuse a problem with the locking mechanism with a problem relating to the handle and vice versa. Either the handle can fail or the locking mechanism can fail. Or they can both fail but it is not always obvious to the home owner.
This is one of the areas that we specialises in. With many years of experience repairing and opening locked windows, you can be reassured that we know exactly what to do. A locked window is a little more complicated to repair as the window in question will need to be opened first. Although it may not be obvious how your window can be opened, rest assured that this is something we deal with on a daily basis. Your window will be opened professionally without damaging it so do not worry or concern yourself.
If the window lock fails to operate in the open position (the window cannot close) then the security of your home may be compromised. And if the window lock fails in the locked position (the window cannot open) then you may be compromising your safety if the window in question is considered to be a fire escape route. Whatever the situation, rest assured that your windows can be fixed (even if they are locked). Just give us a call to discuss your problem further and we can arrange to get to you at your earliest convenience!
Window handles
Window handles are common place on double glazed windows and get used a lot within the home to operate your windows. Eventually they get worn and will need replacing.
We carry a variety of window handles on us in different sizes and colours and can normally replace your window handles within one visit.
Sometimes, it is the locking mechanism inside of the window that breaks and people think that the handle is the problem. However, this may not be the case but as experienced repairers, we can identify this problem when we visit your property.
Friction stay hinges
Window friction stay hinges are very popular for breaking as they tend to get a lot of use in the home. The friction stay hinge is found on the side of an opening window and is used to open and close the window into its position. This constant use causes them to eventually wear or break.
A very obvious sign that your window friction stay hinge is broken is that the window will not return properly on one side. This being the side opposite to the window handle. Or it may be that you simply have a draught coming through your window that was not there before suggesting that the hinges are worn.
The good news is that most hinges are easy to replace and we always carry an assortment of hinges on us.
UPVC door realignment
Believe it or not, Unaligned or dropped UPVC/ Composite Doors are one the main reasons Multipoint lock mechanisms normally fail or develop faults. This is because the door gradually begins to move out of position through general use or because the UPVC door was never aligned correctly to begin with, or sometimes just because the UPVC door hinges are of poor quality, or that the UPVC door was never toe and heeled (this is the process that makes sure the door is level) correctly to begin with, or a combination of everything.
So, once the UPVC Door moves out of its set position, the Multipoint lock mechanism latch and deadbolts and rollers/ hooks etc all begin to miss the frame sections/ keeps that they are supposed to engage with when the lock is operated to the locking mode. Overtime, this gets worse and the bolts/ rollers/ hooks etc miss their location and this puts the multipoint lock mechanism under pressure and stress and this feeds back to the main lock gearbox or lock case and then something inside normally fails or bends or snaps.
Then all of a sudden, the Multipoint lock is broken and this will either mean that the UPVC door lock has failed in the locked mode (you cannot open the UPVC door and it is an inconvenience and a fire hazard) or it is has failed in the open position (you cannot lock the UPVC door and have no security). Either scenario is not welcome, and now you are faced with calling out an emergency service or urgently require a Locksmith and Double Glazing Repair Service like ourselves.
A Multipoint lock mechanism is quite costly compared to a door realignment so if you feel that your multipoint lock requires a service and general realignment then give us a call. We will check that all components of the Multipoint lock mechanism are working and adjust the hinges and toe and heel the door if necessary to correct the position of the UPVC door. Toe and heeling is a process where you pack around the glass or panels with packers in order to prevent the UPVC door from moving and in the majority of cases is used to lift the UPVC door higher so that it raises the lock to align with the frame keeps. This process is fairly simple if you know what you are doing but should be left to the experts as in the wrong hands, the glass or panels can be damaged.
So, to sum it up, if you are struggling to lock your UPVC door then your UPVC door lock may either need a service, or your UPVC door has dropped and may need realigning and also toe and heeling. Or it may need a combination of everything. So don’t continue to use your Multipoint lock mechanism if it is difficult as it may cause damage to the lock and it may cost you more in the long run. Instead, give us a call and ask for a lock service and door realignment and this will ensure that your Multipoint lock mechanism lasts longer and avoids any unnecessary emergencies and unexpected bills to pay.
If unsure, just give us a call to discuss the problem that you are having and we will advise you accordingly.