How to Repair Plastic Windows

If you know how to repair plastic windows properly, you can save time and money by protecting your home investment and by not wasting materials replacing windows if you don't have to.

Many people assume that plastic windows can't be repaired, but this is not the case. Although window manufacturers would prefer that you purchase a new window every time an old one develops a problem, that simply isn't necessary. With the right tools and practical knowledge, you can safely repair plastic windows.

Repairing Plastic Windows

The most common type of plastic window is the unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (UPVC) window, which is made from a type of durable plastic. In addition to being more durable than wooden frames, plastic windows are also less prone to warping or bending and more difficult for burglars or vandals to break. On the downside, they are more difficult to take apart and repair when necessary.

Even with proper cleaning and maintenance, UPVC windows can be problematic about 5 to 10 years after installation. Because UPVC itself is so durable, plastic windows usually require repairs to moving metal parts such as hinges, handles, and locks. You can usually find replacement parts for most of these repairs at any hardware store and you can change them out relatively easily.

Repair or Replace Plastic Windows?

Although you can repair plastic windows, many manufacturers and window repair experts prefer to replace them because UPVC windows require more work to disassemble and restore than older, less efficient timber window frames.

Although it can be more time-consuming to repair plastic windows than their older and less-efficient wooden predecessors, repairs can save a significant amount of money and also reduce the environmental cost of throwing away usable windows. Plastic windows are built to last much longer than other frames and simple repairs can keep them in use for as long as 50 years or more.