There are plenty of jobs where the difficult bit isn’t necessarily the repair, replacement or maintenance itself. The difficult bit is simply getting somebody into the right position to do it safely.
This job at Nottingham High School was a perfect example.
I’d been brought in to provide cherry picker access for professional window fitters replacing high-level windows on the school building. Window fitting isn’t my trade, so rather than pretending otherwise, I did what I normally do when I find myself working alongside somebody who knows their job: I started asking questions.
And, as it turned out, there’s quite a bit more to fitting these windows properly than simply taking the old one out and shoving the new one in.
There was also another slight complication.
It was absolutely chucking it down.
After what felt like months without any proper rain, we’d managed to choose the day when we were removing windows from the side of a school for the heavens to open.
Perfect timing.
If you want to watch the complete job before reading on, you can watch the full high-level window replacement video here: https://youtu.be/SAAh8aul8O8
Have a watch, then come back because there are a few interesting lessons from this job – particularly around access, weatherproofing and some of the smaller details involved in fitting windows properly.
Cherry Picker Access for High-Level Window Replacement in Nottingham
My role on this particular job was straightforward: provide Ryan and the window fitting team with safe, practical access to the outside of the building.
That is where a cherry picker can really come into its own.
A lot of people associate powered access with roofing, chimney repairs and tree work, but there are dozens of other applications. High-level window replacement, cladding repairs, painting, gutter repairs, building maintenance, signage and inspections can all become considerably more practical when you can position a proper working platform exactly where it is needed.
For this job, Ryan worked from the basket with me while Darren worked from inside the building.
If you have a similar awkward high-level job, my cherry picker hire with operator service is available here: https://dji-uk.co.uk/cherry-picker-hire
I provide the machine and operate it, leaving the tradesperson to concentrate on the job they actually came to do.
First Job: Getting the Old Windows Out
The first stage was removing the existing glazing.
The glass was held in with existing sealant and foam, so that had to be carefully cut away before the panels could be removed. Once the glass was out, the screws securing the old frames became accessible.
It sounds fairly straightforward when you write it down:
Remove glass.
Undo screws.
Remove frame.
Fit new one.
Unfortunately, buildings don’t always read the instructions.
One interesting feature of the original installation was that what initially looked like one large frame was actually two separate frames joined together using a coupling bar.
The replacement was different. That was one complete frame.
Which raises a fairly important question before you remove the old one:
Does the new one actually fit?
Because discovering that it doesn’t after you’ve just created a very large hole in the side of a school would make for an interesting afternoon.
Thankfully, the measurements were right.
Old Sealant, Putty and the Unseen Preparation
Once the original frame was removed, the opening needed preparing.
This is one of those parts of a job that rarely gets much attention once everything is finished.
Nobody looks at a newly installed window and says:
“That bloke did a lovely job cleaning the old mastic off.”
But preparation matters.
There was old material around these openings that had gone incredibly hard over the years. On previous windows, some of it had required a hammer and chisel to remove.
The remaining mastic needed cleaning away so that the new frame had a suitable surface to sit against and could be properly sealed.
It reminded me of roofing in that respect.
Whether I’m carrying out roof repairs, chimney work or helping somebody with another high-level maintenance job, what you eventually see is often only half the story. A repair is only as good as the preparation underneath it.
You can find more about the high-access roof repair work I carry out across Nottinghamshire and the surrounding areas here: https://www.dji-uk.co.uk/roof-repairs
Getting the New Window Frame Into Position
With the opening cleaned, we could get the replacement frame into position.
Because of the shape of the opening and the lip on the new frame, it couldn’t simply be pushed straight through.
It had to be manoeuvred through at an angle, brought into position and then seated correctly against the opening.
This is another advantage of having good cherry picker access.
You’re not trying to balance on a ladder while handling a large window frame. The working platform can be positioned where the tradespeople need it, and heavier components can be brought up and down using the machine rather than somebody attempting to carry everything through the building.
The frame went in.
It fitted.
Happy days.
At that point the job was going suspiciously well.
Obviously, that couldn’t last.
Glazing Tape – Or “Foamy Stuff”, As I Initially Called It
Once the frame was installed, Ryan started applying what I initially described as the “foamy stuff”.
Apparently, this is not the correct technical term.
It is glazing tape.
You learn something every day.
The glazing tape creates part of the seal and helps hold the glass in position before the finished sealant is applied.
What I found particularly interesting was how much thought goes into positioning it.
The tape is deliberately kept slightly back from the edge. Once the glass is installed, colour-matched sealant can then be applied around the perimeter, hiding the darker glazing tape and producing a clean finished appearance.
It’s a small detail.
But, as I said while we were working, the devil is in the detail.
Why Weatherproofing Matters on High-Level Building Work
The weather was becoming a genuine problem by this stage.
The surfaces needed drying before the glazing tape and sealant were installed, and we were effectively fighting the rain while trying to keep everything clean enough to work with.
Obviously, in an ideal world you’d choose a dry day.
Unfortunately, commercial work doesn’t always give you that luxury.
The window fitters had travelled to site, my cherry picker had been booked, and – more importantly – the pupils were due back at school shortly.
The work needed completing.
The only weather event that would have stopped me operating the cherry picker was lightning. Working from a large piece of metal at height during an electrical storm is not something I’m interested in trying.
Rain is uncomfortable.
Lightning is a different conversation entirely.
The Same Principle Applies to Roof Leaks
Watching the care being taken around these window openings highlighted something that applies equally to the roofing work I normally carry out.
Water only needs one route in.
Whether we are talking about a window, a chimney, lead flashing, ridge tiles, a damaged roof covering or leaking guttering, successful weatherproofing is often about understanding exactly where water can penetrate and dealing with the detail properly.
That’s why I’m a big believer in inspecting a problem before blindly throwing materials at it.
For difficult or high-level roofing problems, I regularly carry out roof surveys and reports to establish what is actually happening before recommending repairs: https://www.dji-uk-uk.co.uk/roof-surveys
A proper survey can be particularly useful with intermittent roof leaks, chimney problems and areas that are difficult to inspect safely from ground level.
How the Windows Were Sealed
Once the glass was positioned, Ryan applied the colour-matched sealant.
There was a technique to getting the finished bead neat.
A little water and washing-up liquid was used along with a small profiling tool to form the sealant into a consistent shape.
Watching somebody who does this every day makes it look ridiculously easy.
I suspect if you gave me the same tool and told me to reproduce it, the finished result might look slightly more “handmade”.
What mattered wasn’t just appearance, though.
The finished seal formed another weatherproof barrier around the glazing.
The aim was to create a properly sealed window that looked tidy while preventing water getting between the glass and frame.
Then We Heard the Noise You Don’t Want to Hear
Eventually, something went wrong.
One of the glass panels broke.
I’m not pointing any fingers.
What impressed me was what happened next.
Rather than the whole job grinding to a halt, a replacement panel was manufactured and brought to Nottingham the same day.
That is good service.
When you’re working commercially and several trades, access equipment and deadlines all have to come together, one small problem can potentially disrupt everybody.
Being able to solve that problem quickly makes a massive difference.
You can see exactly how the job unfolded, including the replacement panel arriving, in the full Nottingham window replacement video: https://youtu.be/SAAh8aul8O8
Why Glass Packers Matter More Than I Realised
One of the most interesting things I learned came towards the end of the job.
Once the glass is installed inside an opening window, it has to be correctly packed.
The packers aren’t simply filling an ugly gap.
They support and position the weight of the glass within the frame.
Without the correct packing, the weight of the glass can allow the opening section to drop. The result could be a window that becomes difficult to open or, worse, opens but then won’t shut properly.
By correctly positioning packers around the glazing, the glass is held firmly where it needs to sit.
That was probably my biggest takeaway from watching the lads work.
Something that appears completely insignificant from the outside can be absolutely fundamental to whether the finished installation works properly.
You get exactly the same thing in roofing.
A small detail around a chimney flashing, ridge, verge or roof penetration can be the difference between a completely dry house and a recurring leak.
For problems around chimney stacks, leadwork, pointing or deteriorated flaunching, you can find details of my chimney maintenance and repair services here: https://www.dji-uk.co.uk/chimney-maintenance
Working at Height Is Often an Access Problem First
This job also demonstrated something I come across constantly.
People often contact me because they have a roofing, guttering, chimney, window or maintenance problem.
But before anybody can repair it, there is another problem to solve:
How are we going to get there?
That is why I built so much of my business around specialist powered access.
A suitable cherry picker can sometimes reach areas that would otherwise require scaffolding, ladders or much more disruptive access arrangements.
That doesn’t mean a cherry picker is automatically the right solution for every job. Access, ground conditions, working height, outreach, obstacles and the space available to set the machine up all need considering.
But when the machine suits the job, it can be incredibly efficient.
The same applies when I’m carrying out high-level gutter cleaning and clearance work, particularly where gutters are above conservatories, extensions or other awkward obstacles: https://www.dji-uk.co.uk/gutter-clearance
About 35 Windows in Six Weeks
By the end of our day, the windows were fitted and there was only some finishing work remaining internally.
Ryan and Daz had completed somewhere around 35 windows during the wider six-week project, working their way across different levels of the school before the pupils returned.
I’d only joined them to provide the powered access, but I came away having learned quite a bit about window fitting.
Glazing tape.
Weather bars.
Glass packers.
Colour-matched sealant.
And the importance of not breaking the glass.
That last one I probably knew already.
I also came away absolutely soaked and cold, despite eventually admitting defeat and putting on the sort of waterproof suit that makes you look as though you’re about to spend six weeks fishing in the North Atlantic.
Just another glamorous day in the world of powered access.
Cherry Picker Hire for High-Level Work in Nottinghamshire
Although much of my day-to-day work involves roof repairs, chimney repairs, roof surveys, gutter cleaning and other high-access maintenance, I also provide cherry picker access for other trades.
That might include window fitters, painters, chimney sweeps, roofers, engineers or anybody else who has a legitimate job to carry out somewhere difficult to reach.
If you’re planning high-level work and think powered access could make the job easier, you can find more information about my cherry picker service here:https://dji-uk.co.uk/cherry-picker-hire
I’m based in Nottinghamshire and regularly work throughout Nottingham, Mansfield, Newark and surrounding areas, as well as travelling further afield where the job warrants it.
The best approach is often to send me photographs of both the area that needs accessing and the available setup area. That gives me a much better idea of whether one of my machines is suitable before anybody wastes a journey.
The Main Lesson From This Job
I enjoy jobs like this because I get to see another skilled trade properly.
There’s always a temptation when watching an experienced tradesperson to think what they’re doing looks easy.
Usually, it looks easy because they’ve done it hundreds of times.
The window fitters knew the order everything needed doing in. They knew how to handle the glass, where the glazing tape needed positioning, how the glass should be packed and how to finish the sealant neatly.
My job was to give them access and put the basket where they needed it.
That combination worked well.
It’s a good reminder that powered access is ultimately a tool. Having the biggest or fanciest machine in the world doesn’t complete the job by itself.
The value comes from getting the right machine, the right operator and the right tradesperson into the right place to do the work properly.
And preferably doing it on a day when it isn’t raining sideways.
Watch the Full High-Level Window Replacement Video
If you’ve made it this far and haven’t watched the video yet, you can see the entire job here: https://youtu.be/SAAh8aul8O8
You’ll see the original windows being removed, the new frames installed, glazing and sealing techniques, the broken glass problem, the replacement arriving and plenty of real-world cherry picker work in some fairly miserable Nottingham weather.
If you enjoy practical trade content, cherry picker jobs, roofing, chimney repairs, machinery and working-at-height videos, subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me online. There’s always another job around the corner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a cherry picker be used for high-level window replacement?
Yes. Cherry picker access can be very useful for high-level window replacement because it gives window fitters a working platform outside the building and can help with handling frames and glazing. The correct machine depends on the working height, outreach, obstacles, ground conditions and available setup space.
More information about my cherry picker access service is available here: https://dji-uk.co.uk/cherry-picker-hire
Is a cherry picker suitable for other building maintenance work?
Yes. Powered access can be used for many types of high-level building maintenance, including roof repairs, chimney repairs, gutter work, painting, inspections and window maintenance. Whether it is suitable depends on safe machine positioning, access to the property and the reach required.
Why is correct glass packing important when fitting a window?
Glass packers support and position the glazing within the frame. If an opening window is incorrectly packed, the weight of the glass can allow the frame to drop, potentially making the window difficult to open or close.
Can you use a cherry picker for roof repairs?
Yes, where site conditions and the required reach make powered access appropriate. I regularly use specialist access equipment for high-level roof repairs because it can provide direct access to chimneys, roof coverings, verges and other difficult areas.
More information about my roof repair services can be found here: https://www.dji-uk.co.uk/roof-repairs
Can a cherry picker reach over conservatories and extensions?
In some situations, yes. One of the major advantages of specialist cherry picker access is the ability to provide outreach over obstacles such as conservatories, extensions and lower roofs, but every property is different. Photographs of the work area and proposed machine setup position are useful for assessing whether access is practical.
What other high-level services do you provide in Nottinghamshire?
My work includes roof surveys, roof repairs, chimney maintenance, chimney repointing, chimney flaunching, gutter clearance and other high-level maintenance alongside cherry picker hire with an operator. The exact access method depends on the property and the work required.
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My workwear is sponsored by Granite Workwear, and all of the clothing I’m wearing in the video can be purchased on their website: Workwear Clothing Supplier | Protective Safety Clothes
