Installing Windows and Doors in Bad Weather

Bad weather.

It can often play havoc on the best-laid plans for installing windows and doors.

But, with tips from FENSA, you can find out how installing windows and doors in bad weather can be safe and worthwhile for your business and your customers.

Installing windows and doors in bad weather is never fun. But, when the weather turns on you, that doesn't mean you have to down tools. You can install windows and doors in poor conditions if you have to, so long as you take a few extra precautions. That way, you won't leave your customers waiting longer than they should be, especially if it's a full replacement.

However, if you decide to install windows and doors in bad weather, making sure it's safe is vital. Wind and rain can reduce visibility, make surfaces more difficult to grip and cause problems during the replacement process that affect the new window or door. As a result, it's always important to assess the risks and trust your judgement.

If you're not sure about installing windows and doors in bad weather, though, FENSA can help. We'll offer advice in this guide on how to fit, repair and replace windows and doors in poor conditions. You'll be able to find safety tips for a range of situations, and advice on what to do if problems develop, so you won't have to let the weather take control of your schedule.

Installing Windows in Bad Weather

Installing windows in bad weather is often possible. However, depending on the situation, you'll need to take a few precautions. Firstly, always consult with the homeowner if they'd like to get their windows fitted if it rains. If so, work with them to take steps to make the process smoother, tidier and safer. The homeowner could move furniture around or could lay down a protective sheet in their living space, for example.

Also, when installing upper floors windows, you may require to use a ladder or build scaffolding to get up there, which can become more slippery in wet weather. Because of this, it's often unsafe to install windows in high-rises in poor conditions if you can't do the full job from indoors.

Sealing the windows in the rain is more difficult. That's because the silicone in the sealant needs to dry out before you can fully set it. As such, one way to get around this is to split the load by completing the initial fitting in poor conditions but waiting to seal it fully. That way, water won't get inside the sealant and damage the new window from within.

Installing Doors in Bad Weather

If you need to install doors, then you don't have as much leeway. That's because, when you switch an old door for a new one, you'll be leaving a bigger gap in somebody's home in poor conditions. As a result, water could get inside, which could cause problems for installing the new design. Because of this, you should only install a door in good weather or very light rain.

Bad weather doesn't just apply to rain, though - cold conditions can cause issues as well. The colder it gets outside makes it more difficult to get sealants and caulking joints in the doors to set. If the temperature drops under -10 celsius, then it won't work at all. As a result, you should check the temperature before installing doors, especially in winter.

Other than that, consulting with the homeowner is the best move. You can speak with them about how safe they feel the installation is, and take measures to make it as safe as possible. If you can't complete your installation with total peace of mind, though, it's best not to do it. That way, you won't cause problems for your customers.

FENSA Tips for Installing Windows and Doors in Bad Weather

At FENSA, we can offer several tips to make installing windows and doors in bad weather a bit safer, and less likely to suffer from any setbacks. Firstly, you can help by advising the homeowner to turn off their central heating. Not only will they save some money on their energy bills, but you'll reduce the humidity, making it harder for moisture to set in on the window or door.

You can also make the process smoother for your customers by laying down a protective cover. That means wind and rain from outside won't cause any damage to their home, and you can also ask them to move ornaments away from the workspace. It would be best if you also tried to avoid using ladders and scaffolding, which can become slippery in wet conditions.

FENSA is proud to monitor the installation of replacement windows and doors in England and Wales for compliance with building regulations. We're also committed to helping FENSA Approved Installers assess and manage risks in the workplace in order to deliver safe installations for their customers, including our most recent suite of COVID-19 safe installation guides - available to download in the FENSA Installer Portal.