Window Repair in Cornwall

Yes — new compression seals/weatherstripping, hinge adjustment and lock realignment fix most draughts, and sash specialists rout in brush seals on older windows. It is one of the highest-payback repairs: cheaper heating bills and less noise without replacing anything.

Single-pane glass is usually same- or next-day: glaziers cut to size on the van or board up and return with the pane. Double-glazed sealed units are made to order — expect a temporary board-up or the cracked unit staying in place for one to two weeks until the replacement unit arrives.

Reputable repairers warranty parts and labour — typically 1-2 years on hardware and 5-10 years on new sealed glass units. Ask specifically, because warranty length on the sealed unit is a good proxy for the quality of unit they fit.

A full overhaul strips the sashes out, replaces cords/springs and beads, eases and adjusts, adds draught brush seals, and re-hangs. It transforms operation and draughts while keeping original glass and joinery — the standard treatment for period timber windows before anyone talks replacement.

Most window repairs are call-out jobs: hardware fixes (handles, hinges, locks, rollers) sit at the low end, replacing a failed double-glazed sealed unit sits mid-range, and structural frame or sash overhauls cost the most. Repair typically runs a quarter to half of replacement — get both numbers quoted when a window is marginal.

Repair wins when the frame is sound: misted glass units, broken hardware, draughts and stiff sashes are all fixable at a fraction of replacement cost. Replace when frames are rotten through, warped, or repairs recur — or when energy performance is the real goal and the windows are single-glazed anyway.

Search for the specific fault, not just 'window repair' — in Cornwall you'll find double-glazing repair specialists (misted units, hinges, locks), sash window specialists, and general glaziers, and they are different trades. Ask whether they carry common spares on the van; one-visit fixes are the sign of an experienced outfit.

Large temperature swings pump the glass panes daily, fatiguing edge seals until moisture gets in — so fogged units are routine after 15-25 years. Swapping the unit (not the window) restores performance if frames are sound.