Aluminium Window and Door Repair in Liverpool

What goes wrong with aluminium windows and doors?

• Misted or cracked glassSealed units in aluminium frames fail in the same way as in uPVC: moisture gets into the cavity and it mists between the panes.
• Stiff or dropped casementsFriction stays wear or corrode, so sashes sag, rub on the frame or will not stay open.
• Locks and handlesEspagnolette locking gear, handles and door multipoint locks wear like any other hardware, and broken handles are common on older windows.
• Heavy sliding doors and windowsWorn, flat-spotted or seized rollers make sliders hard to move or cause them to jump the track.
• Draughts and leaksGaskets shrink and brush seals flatten over the years, and blocked drainage lets water build up in the frame.
• Condensation on the frameOlder frames without a thermal break can run with condensation in cold weather.

Older aluminium frames and the thermal break

Aluminium conducts heat well, which was a real problem in many early aluminium windows. Older frames were often made as a single piece of metal from inside to outside, so in winter the inner face gets very cold and condensation forms on it, sometimes running onto the sill. Later systems use a thermal break, a strip of insulating material that separates the inner and outer parts of the frame, which greatly reduces this.

A repair cannot add a thermal break to an older frame. What we can do is replace the glass with modern low-E units, renew the seals so cold air is not getting in around the sash, and make sure the drainage works so water runs away. Those steps help a lot of homes, but if the frame itself is the main cold surface, condensation on it may continue. We say so plainly when we see the windows. If the glass is part of the issue, our energy-efficient glass upgrade page explains what modern units change.

Glass units in aluminium frames

Replacing a misted or broken unit in an aluminium frame follows the same basic process as in uPVC: measure, have a unit made to size, and fit it at a second visit. The details differ. Aluminium systems use a range of bead and gasket designs, and some older frames were glazed with wedge gaskets or glazing compound that need replacing at the same time. Unit thickness has to suit the frame, so we measure the rebate carefully. Our misted double glazing repair page has more on why units fail and what a new one involves.

Hinges, locks and handles

Aluminium casement windows usually hang on friction stays and lock with espagnolette gear operated by the handle, similar in principle to uPVC windows. The difference is that aluminium systems vary more, and some older ones are no longer made. We identify the hinge size and stack height, the type of locking gear and the handle spindle, then find a matching or compatible part. Where an exact part has been discontinued, a modern equivalent can often be adapted to fit. For more on hinge types, including easy-clean and egress versions on escape windows, see uPVC window hinge repair; the principles are the same.

Sliding, patio and bi-fold doors in aluminium

Many aluminium patio doors and bi-folds use heavy glass panels on rollers or runners, and they are unforgiving when out of adjustment. A slider that grinds or jumps the track usually has worn rollers or a damaged track. A bi-fold that will not close or lock evenly usually needs its runners and hinges adjusting rather than force. Our patio and sliding door repair and bi-fold door repair pages cover these in detail.

Seals, gaskets and leaks

Aluminium windows rely on gaskets around the glass and seals around the opening sash to keep wind and rain out. When these shrink or flatten, you may notice whistling, draughts or water getting in. Leaks are often down to blocked drainage slots, failed perimeter sealant between frame and wall, or a sash that no longer presses on its seal. See window seal and gasket replacement and leaking window repair for how we trace and fix these.

What we do and do not cover

We repair existing aluminium windows and doors in homes: glass units, hinges, locks, handles, rollers, seals and adjustments. We do not supply or install new aluminium windows or doors, and we do not work on commercial shopfronts or curtain walling. If we find a frame that is badly corroded, bent or no longer square, we will tell you that a repair is unlikely to last.

How an aluminium repair works

1. Call and describe the fault. We ask what is wrong, whether it is a window or door, sliding or hinged, and roughly how old it is.
2. Send photos if you can. A photo of the hinge, lock, handle or any maker’s mark on the frame or spacer bar helps us identify the system.
3. Visit and diagnose. We look at the window or door, measure any glass, and identify parts.
4. Written quote. You get a written quote for the repair. Parts or glass are ordered once you agree.
5. Repair and test. Small hardware jobs can often be done at the first visit if we carry the part. We check everything opens, closes and locks before we leave.

What affects the cost of aluminium repairs?

The age and make of the system, whether parts are still available or need adapting, the size and type of any glass, the number of hinges or rollers involved, and access. Discontinued systems can take longer to source parts for. See our double glazing repair cost guide for the general factors and published national figures.

Aluminium windows across Merseyside

Aluminium patio doors and bi-folds are common in larger homes in places like Formby and Woolton, and coastal spots such as Wallasey put seals and drainage under extra strain. We repair aluminium as part of our Liverpool double glazing repair work, alongside uPVC and composite. For other common faults, the window and door repair service across Merseyside covers the full range.