Aluminium joinery is in the majority of Tauranga homes built from the 1970s onwards. It is durable but not maintenance-free, rubber seals harden and crack, handles and locks wear out, and glazing wedge rubbers shrink over time. Most of these issues are repairable without replacing the entire window. Here is what can be fixed and what it costs.
Rubber Seal and Glazing Wedge Replacement
The rubber seals and glazing wedge rubbers that hold glass in aluminium frames are one of the first components to fail. Over time they:
- Harden and shrink, causing glass panels to rattle, leak, and in some cases become loose in the frame.
- Perish and crack, allowing water ingress and draughts around the glass edge.
- Pull away from the frame, leaving gaps around the glass perimeter.
Replacing glazing wedge rubbers is one of the most common aluminium window repairs in Tauranga. It is a straightforward job that restores the weather seal and eliminates rattles, glass repairs. We carry rubber seal profiles for most common aluminium joinery systems used in New Zealand.
Window Handle and Lock Repairs
Aluminium window handles and locking mechanisms wear out over time. Common issues include:
- Handles that are stiff or will not turn, usually worn internal mechanism or corrosion.
- Locks that do not engage properly, safety issue and a potential insurance problem if a burglary occurs.
- Handles that have broken off completely, needs replacement with a matching or compatible handle.
- Espagnolette locking systems, the multi-point locking rods that run up and down casement windows, jamming or failing to engage.
We supply and fit replacement handles, locks, and locking rods for most aluminium window brands used in New Zealand including Altus, APL, and Stegbar.
Re-Glazing Aluminium Windows
Re-glazing means removing the existing glass from an aluminium frame and fitting new glass. This is required when:
- The existing glass is cracked, broken, or non-compliant, standard float glass in a location that requires safety glass under the Building Code.
- Upgrading from single to double glazing, the existing single pane is removed and replaced with a double glazed unit.
- Condensation or fogging between panes, the failed double glazed unit is removed and a new sealed unit installed.
Re-glazing preserves the existing frame and is significantly cheaper than full window replacement. Most aluminium frames in Tauranga homes are structurally sound and suitable for re-glazing even after 30 to 40 years.
Sliding Window and Ranch Slider Track and Roller Repairs
Sliding aluminium windows and ranch sliders, ranch slider glass replacement, run on plastic or nylon rollers that wear over time. Symptoms of worn rollers include:
- Difficulty sliding the window open and closed, the window drags or sticks.
- Jumping off the track, the window lifts out of the bottom channel when opened.
- Visible wear on the track, grooves or marks from metal-on-metal contact where rollers have failed completely.
We replace rollers and clean and lubricate tracks on sliding windows and ranch sliders across Tauranga. It is one of the most satisfying repairs we do, a window that has been difficult to open for years becomes effortless after new rollers are fitted.
When Should You Replace Rather Than Repair?
Most aluminium window repairs are worth doing, the cost is modest and the result is a window that functions correctly. However there are situations where replacement makes more sense:
- The frame is damaged or bent, impact damage or long-term settlement can distort the frame making glass and seals impossible to fit properly.
- The frame is severely corroded, coastal Tauranga properties, particularly in Mount Maunganui and Papamoa Beach, are subject to salt spray corrosion. When corrosion has penetrated the aluminium profile, repair is not viable.
- The window is single glazed and you want to improve thermal performance, while double glazing is not mandatory for existing rental properties under the Healthy Homes Standards, many landlords choose to upgrade when re-glazing anyway. The cost difference between fitting a new single pane and upgrading to a double glazed unit at the same time is modest, and the comfort and condensation benefits are significant.
What Does Aluminium Window Repair Cost in Tauranga?
Pricing depends on the specific repair required:
- Rubber seal and glazing wedge replacement: from $80 to $200 per window depending on size and rubber type.
- Handle and lock replacement: from $60 to $150 per window depending on the hardware required.
- Roller replacement on ranch sliders: from $80 to $150 per door.
- Re-glazing single pane: from $150 to $350 depending on glass size and specification.
According to MoneyHub NZ glaziers in Tauranga charge between $50 and $80 per hour plus materials. Most window repairs take one to two hours on site.
