Nightsafe Glass BLog

How to replace a window

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 15:53:00 GMT

Need to replace a window?

For safety, security, or energy-efficiency but don’t know where to start?
Discover all the answers you need with this simple guide from Nightsafe Glass.

There are many reasons why you may need to replace a window either through DIY or using local glaziers. Whether it’s due to encountering damage or wishing to improve your home’s insulation, completing the job to the highest standards is essential.
In some cases, such as when a window is broken, you can make a temporary repair before calling emergency glaziers. However, it is possible to replace a window through DIY methods too. Here’s everything you need to know.

Step 1: Know your window replacement type

Given that windows are responsible for around 25% of heating loss which is why you need a quick solution. Whether choosing emergency glaziers or taking the DIY route, there are two types of window replacement to consider;

Full-frame windows.
Insert windows.

A full-frame replacement means choosing a new frame housing as well as the windowpane and sash. An insert window replacement, also known as pocket replacement, are when you only need to replace the sashes with a smaller window insert. Several factors will influence which choice is right for you, but the condition of the existing frame is the most important by far.

Step 2: Measure the windows

If you are going to successfully prevent heat loss and burglaries, of which there are over a quarter of a million each year in the UK, you need to know that size matters. Again this is something 24 hour glaziers can handle with ease. If you wish to take the DIY route, though, you can. Using a tape measure, you should take measurements for;

Inside the existing frame.
The height at the left, right, and middle of the window.
The width at the top, middle, and bottom of the window.

You can then order your new window frames and sash by using the smallest height and width measurements you have recorded.

Step 3: Remove the existing windows

You should avoid removing existing windows until the new ones have been measured and confirmed to fit. Local glaziers will use the right method depending on the type of window and whether the window has been damaged . While the methods may vary slightly, your DIY removal will likely include;

If you have a storm window, remove this first by lifting it out of the channels.
Use a utility knife to score across the edge of the window and remove the screws.
Cut the sash weight or remove the springs before removing the screws.
Identify, score, and remove any stops.
Fill any holes using a wood filler.

Following this, you should be ready to install the new window.

Step 4: Install the new windows

Emergency glaziers may only need to replace one window, and you may feel that it is better to take on the challenge yourself.
You can do this with the following tips;

Clean the window and apply.
Flashing to the sill before checking the sill is level with no bowing.
Dry fit the new window, checking that there is a small gap around the frame.
Caulk the interior head, sill, and stops with a ⅜” layer.
Place the window in the frame and secure it in place by using screws to drive through the shims.
If required, use additional shims to adjust the frame until the sashes are level.
Fill the gaps around the window frame with foam insulation.
Measure the gap between the bottom of the window and the sill before cutting the sill adapter.
Drill two weep holes to let water out of the window and install the exterior trim with nails and latex caulk.

Following this your new window will be installed and ready to use, although you can make minor adjustments like filling wood holes with a wood putty.

A word of warning on replacing windows

While it is possible for a skilled DIY enthusiast with good carpentry skills to thrive, replacing windows is not an easy task. As such, calling local glaziers like Nightsafe Glass is often the best solution. Aside from offering 24 hour window repairs , we guarantee a precise installation using the best materials to deliver the perfect function and appearance for years to come.
If you need a window replaced ASAP or think that your home could benefit from new windows in the near future, give us a call today.

How to change door locks

Mon, 10 Jan 2022 16:54:00 GMT

How do you safely change the locks on your doors?

Our guide will teach you everything you need to know.

There are different reasons you may be interested in learning how to change door locks. Perhaps you have a broken door from a burglary? Or, maybe you recently moved into a new home and want to change the locks for safety reasons?
Regardless, the method used to replace your locks will depend on the lock in question.
Typically, most properties will have one - or a combination - of these three locks:

Mortice lock
Euro cylinder lock
Rim cylinder lock

All three of these can be removed and replaced by yourself, so let us show you how:

Changing a mortice lock

Start by measuring from the front edge of the door to the centre of the keyhole. You will be presented with one of two measurements:

45mm
57mm

If you have a 45mm distance, you will need to buy a 65mm mortice lock replacement, while a 75mm mortice lock is needed for the other. Now, you can begin changing the lock by removing the screws from the faceplate of the lock. Turn the key so the bolt is poking out, and you can then remove it using some pliers. Put your new lock in place, screwing the faceplate back over it. Then, you have to remove the keep from the doorframe and screw in your new one.

Changing a euro cylinder lock

Start by unscrewing the lock fixing screw on the inside of the door. Put your key in the door and turn it to the left or right so the cam tongue inside lines up perfectly. As you do this, pull your key out and the lock should slowly slide all the way out.
Place your new lock into the hole and then move the key again to get the cam tongue in place. Screw your lock back, and the job is complete.

Changing a rim cylinder lock

Rim cylinder locks have a night latch on the interior part of the door, and this can be removed by unscrewing it and taking the casing off. You should now see the cylinder aspect of the lock, which has some more screws for you to remove. Pull the cylinder out, and you can fit your new one.
Ensure your new lock is the right size because screwing it in place and reattaching the night latch.
Of course, be sure you test the locks after you have changed them, regardless of the type. Sometimes, you may discover that there’s a screw missing or you replaced something incorrectly, meaning your doors won’t lock properly!

Don’t Want To Change Your Locks Yourself? Hire A Professional Instead!

If you don’t have the time or DIY skills to do any of this, you can hire a professional to do it instead. At Nightsafe Glass , we are emergency glaziers offering 24-hour emergency boarding to our clients. Alongside this, we also provide replacement lock services for doors and windows.
Feel free to get in touch with us today and we can change any locks for you.

Emergency Freephone: 0800 371 742

How to make a secure repair to a window

Mon, 06 Dec 2021 16:46:00 GMT

Repair a Broken Window

Broken windows are a homeowner’s worst nightmare that can increase your energy bills and risk of intrusions.
Calling local glaziers will be an essential step towards gaining a permanent solution. In the meantime, knowing how to complete a temporary repair should be at the top of your agenda.
A temporary fix will buy you more time, even if it is determined that emergency glaziers are needed to complete a permanent repair ASAP. Moreover, it can localise damage to prevent escalating problems. So, what steps can be taken to make a temporary repair? Here’s all you need to know from Nightsafe Glass .

How to secure a window with a broken lock

A broken window lock will severely hinder your home security measures. If you are worried about burglars breaking in, perhaps while you’re away from the property, 24 hour glaziers can repair or replace the lock to restore full safety. However, you can also make a temporary repair until this work takes place.
For vertical sliders, you’ll want to use nails. Drill a hole through the two parts of the sash and then place a 4” nail to keep them shut. The nail can then be removed whenever you want to slide the window open. For horizontal sliders, you can insert a small dowel into the window track to prevent opening.
In other cases, it may be possible to jam a broom into the window handle to remove the risk of people opening the window. Given that over 267,000 burglaries take place in the UK each year, ignoring the danger is not an option.

How to remove broken glass from a window

Broken glass can occur due to adverse weather, accidents, or criminal damage. Either way, this guide to smashed windows and calling emergency glaziers for 24 hour emergency boarding will help you find the perfect response. Nonetheless, you don’t want to spend any time living in an unsafe property, especially if you have kids. Removing the broken glass is vital.
After taping the window to create a safer workspace, you can use the butt of a hammer to loosen the glass and remove large pieces of the pane. Any glazing that remains stuck in the window frame can be removed by clearing the glazing caulk, tape, or gaskets. A knife can be used for the former two options but gaskets will need to be disassembled.
When you do this carefully, the bulk of your glass solutions should remain in one piece. Smaller pieces can be swept and vacuumed up. Disposing of these items will prevent any risk of cuts and injuries to your family.

How to patch a broken window

Patching a broken window is one of the most common temporary fixes that you may need to complete before calling your local glaziers. The best approach will depend on the nature of the damage and the area that needs treatment. Glue or nail polish can be used to temporarily fix minor chips in the glass.
Larger cracks will need to be taped up, even if you don’t need to remove the glass entirely. However, most windows will need replacing after 15-20 years. If you’ve had to remove broken glass, a plastic sheet or tarpaulin can be used as a temporary measure to stop wind or rain damage. Nail this item to the frame to keep it secure.
When calling the experts, 24 hour emergency boarding may be used to protect your property and family while your new windows are ordered, manufactured, and delivered.

How to tell if a window seal is broken

Broken window seals are a particularly common issue faced by many homeowners, especially when you have dual pane window solutions. Sadly, the longer you leave the damage untreated, the longer your energy bills will cost a fortune. Likewise, the symptoms can cause esthetic problems for your home.
Before you can fix the issue, you must first learn how to identify a broken seal. Moisture is the primary indicator, which can cause fogginess and water droplets. They will often start in just the corners of the pane. However, you may find that the fog shows on the inside of the two panes and cannot be wiped away.
A broken seal isn’t necessarily a job that requires immediate action, but local glaziers will be needed at some stage.

How to replace a window

Replacing the window may require a change of glass pane, or you may find that the frames need upgrading too. While new windows will require an investment, the new windows will boost your home’s insulation, security, and atmosphere.
To learn more, book a consultation or arrange 24 hour window repairs, call Nightsafe Glass today.

Emergency Freephone: 0800 371 742

8 ways to make your home safer

Tue, 08 Jun 2021 23:21:00 GMT

Make your home safer

While we’re all familiar with locking our doors, and shutting our windows, particularly at night, what else can we do to make our homes safer?
Here at Nightsafe Glass , we’ve worked alongside security experts to put together vital advice when it comes to keeping our possessions (and our families) safe from the threat of burglary.

1/ Examine your front door for potential weaknesses

As the main arrival and exit point, a solid front door is essential. You should have a hardwood or steel door, as opposed to a lightweight hollow core door. To prevent intruders breaking, or kicking your door open you can secure it with a heavy-duty four-screw deadbolt strike plate, or consider a doorway reinforcement kit which can fortify your front door’s weak spots.

2/ Use timers

Intruders target homes that are unoccupied for long periods of time, or that are dark in the evenings. Setting timers to turn on your TV, radio, and lights can fool them into thinking your home is occupied.

3/ Be mindful of windows and sliding glass doors

Intruders can easily lift older sliding windows and doors off their tracks. Installing a window sensor alarm, means you will be notified when a window of your home has been opened.
To ensure your safety, we would recommend high standard security windows . Don’t worry about the shape or size of your space, as our professional glass bending services allow you to have perfectly fitted high quality windows in any space.

4/ Ensure your exterior is well lit

The outside of your home should be well lit to discourage burglars from targeting your home. Motion sensor lights along entrances and doorways, or lights set on a timer make for great security lighting.

5/ Be vigilant about vacations

A holiday is your time to relax and unwind, not to worry whether your home is safe while you’re away. Intruders will look for signs you’re away. Resist the urge to announce your break online, you don’t want to tempt a burglar with the promise of an empty home. Try and wait until the holiday is over before you post photos.

6/ Change up hiding your valuables

Make sure your valuables are out of sight, especially looking in from external windows. Inside your home be creative with your hiding holes, instead of dresser drawers keep valuables inside secure boxes in less obvious places.

7/ Put your phone down and pay attention

It can be easy to become complacent when you're familiar with your surroundings. Awareness and mindfulness of your surroundings is key for keeping you and your home safe. Take note of changes in your street, new people walking or driving through the area.

8/ Make security improvements

Pay attention to your home's entrances, lighting, locks and fire escapes. Ensure all your window locks work, and if you’re renting, existing locks are re-keyed. Consider deadbolt locks on your front door as well as chain lock, if you don’t have one already.
We also offer 24/7 emergency glazier and repair service throughout the Leeds and Wakefield region, so you can depend on us any time or day.

Emergency Freephone: 0800 371 742

What to do in the case of a smashed window

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 15:21:00 GMT

Having your window smashed can be a very traumatic experience.

That’s why here at Nightsafe Glass , we would like to offer our full support by providing a step-by-step crisis guide, should you be faced with such a situation. As trusted and experienced window installers, we have dealt with our faceshare of shattered or broken windows, that’s why we’re in the best place to advise you.

Inform the police

If you have good reason to believe that your smashed house window was a purposeful act of vandalism or burglary, then it’s highly recommended that you call the police to let them know what’s happened. Be sure to point out anything of suspicion such as broken window locks, tools or unfamiliar objects at the scene.

Ensure your home is safe

24 hour boarding

If the smash has occurred late at night, there’s a greater need to secure your property as soon as possible, even if the fix is temporary. Your window can be boarded up, as a quick and effective way to protect your home, until you can replace the smashed window fully. All our repair and boarding up services, here at Nightsafe Glass are insurance-approved, offering you peace of mind and financial protection immediately.

24 hour emergency glaziers

We also offer 24/7 emergency glazier and repair service throughout the Leeds and Wakefield region, so you can depend on us any time or day. We stock a wide range of replacement parts, glass, doors and windows, allowing us to get your property fixed as soon as possible. We also ensure your property is clear of broken glass from the damage, so you can feel safe and secure in your own home again.
Our local glaziers strive to be with you within the hour to get your building secure as soon as possible. If necessary, we can provide same day replacement of your doors and windows. We also provide repairs of hinges, locks and glass as well as temporary boarding up services when required.
We are a local glazing firm of fully qualified and experienced glazing professionals offering high standards of workmanship and personalised customer service at very competitive rates for domestic and commercial customers throughout Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Barnsley, Halifax, Huddersfield, Mirfield, Dewsbury, Ossett & Batley.
If you are looking for a glazing company to repair, replace or board glazing, windows or doors, get in touch with us now.

Emergency Freephone: 0800 371 742