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Signs Your Window Seals Need Replacing

Draughty windows, dust on your sills, and a faint whistle every time the wind picks up — these are the signs that your window seals have failed. And most Sydney homeowners don’t realise the seals are to blame until the problem has been building for months.

When seals wear down, air forces its way through gaps where the mohair has thinned or the rubber has pulled away from the frame. Draughty windows don’t just make a room uncomfortable — they push your heating and cooling harder, and your energy bills climb as a result. Australian Government data suggests homes can lose up to 25% of their heating and cooling efficiency through uncontrolled air leakage around windows and doors.

Dust is another early warning sign. If you find a fine layer of grit on your windowsill days after cleaning — particularly in Western Sydney where dry conditions carry airborne dust — your seals are no longer forming a tight barrier. In homes closer to the coast, Sydney’s salt air speeds up the breakdown of rubber compounds, causing seals to crack, harden, and shrink well before their expected lifespan. Most Sydney homeowners notice seal failure in winter — but the damage starts in summer, when UV breaks down rubber compounds and salt air corrodes the aluminium channels the seals sit in.

Here are the most common symptoms we see across Sydney homes:

  • Whistling or howling sounds during strong winds, especially through sliding windows and awning windows
  • Visible dust trails along the inside of the window frame or sill
  • Cold draughts near closed windows in winter, or warm air leaking in during summer
  • Condensation forming on the inside of the glass — a sign that humid outside air is entering through failed seals
  • Rattling sashes in double hung windows, where the mohair has worn flat and no longer holds the sash snug in its channel
  • Water spots or staining around the frame after heavy rain, pointing to moisture ingress through gaps

These problems rarely improve on their own. The longer damaged seals stay in place, the more dust, moisture, and air infiltration your home absorbs — and the harder your other window components work to compensate. Worn seals accelerate roller wear, put extra strain on locks and winders, and can contribute to mould growth in frames exposed to repeated moisture.

If any of this sounds familiar, your seals are telling you it’s time. Call our team on 1800 203 377 or book a quote online — we can usually confirm what you need over the phone.

How We Replace Your Window Seals and Mohair

Window weather seal replacement requires matching the right seal type to your window system. Lock & Roll technicians carry a wide range of seal profiles on every service call so that we complete most replacements in a single visit — no second trips, no waiting on parts.

The Seal Types We Work With

Your windows may use one or more of the following, depending on the brand, age, and style of the frame:

Mohair (weather pile) — A soft, multi-filament brush pile woven onto a backing strip. Mohair sits in a channel along the sash or frame and creates a flexible barrier against dust, draughts, and insects. It’s the most common seal type in aluminium sliding windows and double hung windows across Sydney. Over time, the pile fibres flatten, fray, or fall out entirely — leaving gaps that let air and dust straight through.

Fin seal — A variation on mohair that includes a thin plastic fin running through the centre of the pile. Fin seals provide a firmer barrier than standard mohair and appear often in newer Stegbar, Trend, and Bradnams window systems. We stock a range of fin seal profiles to match your existing hardware.

Rubber compression seals (gaskets) — Found around the perimeter of hinged windows — awning and casement types — these rubber or silicone gaskets compress when the window closes to form an airtight seal. UV degradation is their biggest enemy. Sydney’s intense summer sun breaks down rubber compounds, causing them to harden, crack, and lose their ability to bounce back. Once a gasket stops compressing, the seal fails.

Brush pile seal — Similar to mohair but with stiffer, shorter bristles. Used in some older Dowell, Wideline, and G James systems as well as flyscreen channels.

What Happens During a Replacement

Our process is straightforward. A Lock & Roll technician arrives, inspects your windows, and identifies which seals have failed and which type each window requires. We measure the channel width and depth, select the correct profile from our on-board stock, and remove the old seal. The technician then cuts the new mohair weather strip or gasket to length and presses or slides it into the channel — no adhesives, no silicone, no mess.

For aluminium window seal replacement, we also clean out the channel before fitting the new seal. Dirt and oxidation build up inside the groove over years, and a clean channel means the new seal sits properly and lasts longer.

If your windows also have worn rollers, damaged springs or spirals, or stiff locks, our technician can fix those in the same visit — saving you a second booking and getting every window back to full function at once.

Fix Awning Windows in Sydney

Why Sydney Homeowners Trust Lock & Roll for Window Seal Replacement

Window seal replacement sounds simple, but getting it right depends on matching the correct seal profile to your specific window system. Fit the wrong width or pile height and the window either binds (too tight) or still leaks (too loose). That’s why experience matters.

Lock & Roll technicians have spent over 15 years working across every window brand and era found in Sydney homes — from 1970s aluminium sliders with original mohair to modern Airlite and Vantage systems with fin seal channels.

We carry the stock to match your system, and we know which profile works best for each setup. Every job meets the performance requirements of AS 2047 (the Australian Standard for windows and external glazed doors) and supports the energy efficiency provisions of the National Construction Code.

Here’s what backs every seal replacement we do:

  • A workmanship guarantee — if the seal doesn’t perform, we come back and make it right
  • Manufacturer-honoured product warranties on all parts we supply and install
  • Full public liability insurance and a master security licence (Lic. 000104324) — required credentials for working on any window hardware that affects your home’s security
  • Same-visit completion for the vast majority of seal and mohair jobs — our technicians arrive with full stock so there’s rarely a need to return

We don’t cut corners with generic seals. We use quality mohair, fin seal, and gasket products sourced from trusted Australian suppliers — because a $3 seal that fails in 18 months costs you more than a proper replacement that lasts for years.

Homes, Units, and Strata Properties — We Cover Them All

Residential Homes

Whether you live in a freestanding house in the Hills District or a semi in the Inner West, window draught seal replacement is one of the fastest ways to improve comfort and cut energy costs. We work on all window types — sliding, double hung, awning, casement, and louvre — in timber, aluminium, and uPVC frames. Our technicians respect your home, clean up after every job, and walk you through what we did before they leave.

Strata and Apartment Buildings

Seal failure is one of the most common maintenance issues in Sydney apartment buildings. Body corporates and strata managers deal with it constantly — residents report draughts, dust, or water leaks, and perished seals are almost always the cause.

Lock & Roll works with strata management companies across Sydney. We integrate with platforms like SMATA, provide itemised quotes for each unit, and coordinate access directly with residents so your manager doesn’t have to chase approvals. For buildings with multiple units needing seal work, we offer efficient scheduling to minimise disruption and keep costs competitive.

Commercial Properties

Shopfronts, offices, and retail spaces with large aluminium window runs are particularly prone to seal degradation — especially ground-floor windows exposed to street-level dust and pollution. We provide window weatherproofing solutions for commercial properties that restore thermal performance and keep interiors cleaner.

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What Does Window Seal Replacement Cost?

We quote every job transparently so you know what you’re paying before we start.

Lock & Roll charges a $176 (inc. GST) inspection fee to attend your property, inspect your windows, and provide a written quote. You pay this when you book, and it covers the technician’s time, travel, expert assessment, and a detailed recommendation.

We quote parts and labour for the seal replacement itself separately — and we only proceed once you’ve approved the price. No hidden fees, no surprises. If we attend and determine that seals aren’t the issue, you still get honest advice on what is.

For a clearer picture of costs specific to your windows, get a no-obligation quote or call us on 1800 203 377.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my window seals need replacing?

The clearest signs are draughts near closed windows, dust building up on sills faster than usual, whistling sounds in wind, and condensation on the inside of the glass. If your windows rattle when closed, the mohair has likely worn flat and no longer holds the sash firm. Our technicians can confirm the diagnosis on site.

What is mohair and what does it do on a window?

Mohair — also called weather pile — is a soft brush-like strip that sits in a narrow channel along your window frame or sash. It creates a flexible seal that blocks dust, draughts, and insects while still allowing the window to slide or move freely. Over time, the fibres wear down and the seal loses its effectiveness.

Can you replace seals on old aluminium windows?

Yes. We carry mohair, fin seal, and brush pile profiles that fit the channel widths used by older Australian window brands including Stegbar, Trend, Bradnams, Dowell, Wideline, G James, and Vantage. Even if your windows are 30–40 years old, we can almost always source a matching seal and complete the replacement on the spot.

How long does window seal replacement take?

Most homes need one to two hours, depending on the number of windows. For a single window, the replacement itself takes around 15–20 minutes. We aim to finish every job in one visit — our technicians carry a full range of seal stock so there’s rarely a need to return.

Will new seals reduce my energy bills?

Replacing perished seals restores the thermal performance of your windows by stopping uncontrolled air leakage. Your heating runs less in winter and your air conditioning works less in summer to maintain the same temperature. The improvement is particularly noticeable in homes with large window areas or multiple draughty windows.

Do you also fix sliding door seals?

Yes. Mohair and weather seals are used in sliding door tracks as well as windows. If your sliding door lets in dust or draughts along the bottom or sides, we can replace those seals during the same visit.

Window Seal Replacement Across Sydney

Lock & Roll provides mohair replacement and window seal repair across every region of Greater Sydney. Whether you’re on the Northern Beaches dealing with salt-air corrosion, in Western Sydney battling dust and heat, or in the Inner West managing ageing apartment windows — our technicians service your area.

We cover:

If your windows have issues beyond seals — stiff rollers, broken winders, or leaks and draught problems — let us know when you book and we’ll address everything in one visit.

Book Your Window Seal Replacement Today

Failed seals don’t just let in draughts — they invite moisture, dust, and long-term damage to your window hardware. Mould grows in frames that stay damp. Rollers wear faster when sashes sit loose in their tracks. And your energy bills keep climbing while conditioned air leaks out through gaps that only get wider.

A quick seal replacement now prevents bigger problems — and bigger bills — later.

Here’s how to get started:

  1. Call us or enquire online for a fast, no-obligation quote
  2. We book a time that suits you — flexible appointments across Sydney
  3. Your technician arrives, replaces the seals, and leaves your windows working properly — most jobs finished in one visit

📞 Call our Sydney team on 1800 203 377 or Request a quote online

We’re ready to get your windows sealed, quiet, and draught-free — and we’ll get it right the first time.

Alliances & Partnerships

Lock & Roll is proud to be affiliated with the following brands

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Master Lic. 000104324