Architectural Decorators Limited

Not much, but not none. Wipe the frames a few times a year, lubricate hinges and locks annually, and keep the drainage channels along the bottom of the frame clear so water can't pool and find its way inside. There is no statutory annual service like a boiler needs.

Repair makes sense for a failed seal (misted double glazing), a worn handle or hinge, or a damaged lock on an otherwise sound frame — usually a straightforward swap. Replacement is the better value once frames are warped, draughty, rotten (on timber) or past roughly 20 to 25 years old, or when several units across the house have failed. Ask the installer to price both where it's borderline.

uPVC frames typically carry a 10 year manufacturer or insurance-backed guarantee, and sealed glazed units are usually guaranteed separately for 5 to 10 years against misting. Register the guarantee after installation and keep the FENSA or Certass certificate — a buyer's solicitor will ask for it if you sell the property.

This directory holds 478 active window and glazing businesses across 41 towns in Kent, all from the Companies House register. Sidcup accounts for 38, among the county's busiest. About 26% of Kent's registered window and glazing firms were incorporated in the last three years, so weigh incorporation date and FENSA/Certass registration, not just company age.