All types of uPVC products react to higher temperatures more drastically when compared to other materials, such as aluminium and timber. When exposed to high temperatures, you may notice that your uPVC windows and uPVC doors become stiffer, which may cause difficulties when opening and closing. This is most likely to be caused by the uPVC expanding due to the heat.
However, the expansion caused by the heat does not mean that your uPVC windows or uPVC doors are going to break, in fact, it is perfectly natural for this type of material to react in this way. Once the temperature begins cooling down, your windows and doors will return to their original size.
To help you prevent your uPVC windows from expanding, here are a few tips.
What is uPVC?
Unplasticised polyvinyl chloride or more commonly known as uPVC, is often used as building materials due to its withstanding properties. Not only is uPVC durable, tough, and low maintenance, but it is also a lightweight material which makes it desirable for many home improvement products. Furthermore, uPVC can withstand various different conditions whether it’s snow, rain, wind, or the sun. However, this material could cause issues during the peak summer months due to the high temperatures.
Preventing the uPVC Heat-Expansion
If your uPVC windows have expanded or swelled up because of the heat, then you may find that opening your windows or closing them to be more difficult, especially for darker colours uPVC windows. However, reducing the heat expansion is quite simple. If you can’t wait for the uPVC to retract by itself, then here are a few ways which you can deal with or reduce the expansion.
- You can help cool down the uPVC window by spraying the outside with cool water or by patting the window frame down with a cold, damp cloth. By applying cold water to the outside of the frame, the material should start to retract quicker.
- For uPVC doors, there is a quick fix but may cause problems once the door has cooled down. uPVC doors have hinges which can be adjusted to make expanded doors easier to open and close. However, once the door returns to its normal size, you may find that the adjusted hinge could cause slight difficulties.
Here at Bridgnorth Windows, we extensively test all of our uPVC windows and doors to ensure that they are able to work as intended within normal temperature ranges.
Overall, uPVC windows provide a great number of benefits when compared to other types of windows. It’s more affordable than aluminium windows, it’s incredibly durable and resistant to various weather conditions, and they are low maintenance.
Contact Bridgnorth Windows for uPVC Windows
Bridgnorth Windows has over 21 years of experience in installing double glazing, uPVC windows, doors, and conservatories. If you’re looking to replace your old windows then take a look at our uPVC windows. Our showroom features a wide variety of products, so, please feel free to visit our showroom to see what we have to offer. Our range has lots of different styles and we also provide professional installations.
Call us on 01746 762855 or email us at for a free no obligation quote!