Who Should Install Your Windows and Doors?

While double-glazed windows and doors are designed with longevity in mind, nothing lasts forever. You can expect good-quality double-glazed windows to give you around 15–20 years of useful service before they need replacing. Exterior doors fare slightly better, with some of them lasting 30 years or more with no issues.

Sooner or later, these doors and windows will need to be replaced, either because they have deteriorated over time or because you simply want a more energy-efficient or more visually appealing model. When the time comes to replace your double-glazed units, who should you trust to handle the job? Is it something you can tackle yourself? In this article, we take a look at your various options.

Privately-owned Properties

If it’s your own home (and therefore your own doors and windows), there is no reason you can’t remove your existing double-glazed windows and install new ones yourself. There are some monetary advantages to choosing the DIY option over a trained glazier; typically, you will save yourself the labour costs of hiring a professional to do the job for you. With the right tools and a keen eye for detail, there is no reason you can’t attempt the project.

However, it’s important that you don’t underestimate what you’re undertaking. You will still have to source the doors and windows from a reputable manufacturer or supplier, and you will often not be able to do so at trade prices, which can counteract your savings on labour. Double-glazed units and composite doors are heavy and unwieldy, especially if you’ve never tackled them before. It regularly takes at least two workers to manoeuvre the units into place.

Likewise, do you have the skill and experience to complete the job to a suitable standard? As we mentioned at the top of this article, double-glazed windows and doors are built to last, but only if fitted properly. Most of the problems people experience with their windows and doors are the result of poor installation. It’s always worth considering if an amateur job is worth the money you’re saving.

Commercial Properties

If you’re a private landlord or a property management firm with a portfolio of buildings to consider, you’re unlikely to have the time or resources to handle window and door replacements yourself. Depending on the number of properties you have in stock, you may not be able to rely on a local sole trader either.

Look for a firm that has a proven track record of performing window and door replacements across multiple properties at a time to ensure they are able to meet your demands.

New Builds

New build projects face the same problems as commercial properties: they often involve several units at a time and need to be handled by a firm that has the scalability to complete such a large project.

What’s more, your Building Control on the project will require any contractor to be registered to handle window and door installations to a high standard. Doing the job yourself or passing it onto a non-registered trader will typically require a special dispensation and approval.

Get in touch

For new and replacement front doors of the highest quality across the North West, get in touch with Thextons today. Call us on 0151 608 2278 for a free consultation with our experts to see what we can do for you.