Removing Crittall window

[phatboy]

Hi,

I unfortunately have a Crittall single glazed window to remove. It has a full height side opener and a fanlight, so I can get to 3 corners of the window.

There are scatterings of info. on here on how to remove them, but nothing complete.

I understand so far that I should remove the opening parts, the side opener by crowbarring the hinges apart.

I've found some screws, but haven't yet found a groove for a screwdriver.

Once I've released it on 3 sides, am I OK to attempt to lever the frame out without removing the fixed pane, or will it very likely shatter?

If it will should I go for it anyway, but cover the pane in sticky plastic? And bend the remainder of the frame in on itself, if it's not too strong?

I've read they can be a complete pain, and I can see the reveals have been rendered generously inside which could make it worse!

Thanks
Tim

 

[phatboy]

The window in question...

 

[Notch7]

Full height opener can be opened 180 deg, then cut through hinge with angle grinder or pop with crowbar.

Fixed light -smash glass outwards. Dont try removing window with it in, that wont end well!

Use recip saw or grinder to cut jambs, head, cill and bend inwards.

I expect the window is fitted with nsils in brickwork, be careful as you lever to avoid breaking bricks or plaster.

 

[phatboy]

Thanks top Notch!

Not keen for glass to go everywhere, so Ill stick self adhesive plastic all over the glass.

The garage is block, so hopefully i cannot dislodge anything! If I batter the render I guess I'll need to patch it, along with where the top hinge currently sits within the render.

Good job i've got a mixed load skip here at the moment!

 

[Gazman16]

Yep they are an absolute T*at to get out when they are not in a timber subframe.
Angle grinder with lots of metal blades and or reicip saw with lots of metal blades required

Have fun!

 

[phatboy]

Finally got this done today. Took a full morning to remove the old and fit the new as the new frame was a mis-measure, I had to grind and chisel out the sides a bit to make it fit.

To my surprise, the Crittall window came out well!

- Putty on fixed part was so old I could pull it off within 5 minutes using an old chisel, then deglase
- Grinder with metal disk through hinges for side and top openers, and then to remove the middle bits of the frame
- Pry bar under the middle bottom of the frame, and bent it up enough to grind through
- Pulled at cut section, and right side came free
- Grinder 3/4 up right side to remove, pulling hard
- Pull left bit, and cut 3/4 up to remove
- Top now already loose, so a good pull and it was out (Cut my leg a bit as it was sharp AF!)

Then I got my mis-measured replacement, had to grind and break 20mm out of each side to get it to fit,which was fun.

So, I think I got off lightly with the removal, as the nails were only very short. Some damage was caused to the internal render, but I'll make good in time.....