Bit of a long one this, but I'd appreciate opinions from those in the know.....
We recently ordered 6 X vertical sliders from a local company, who contract out the installation to some fitters, who have just come and fitted them. They ripped out the existing aluminium double glazing (that I guess dates from the early 80s) and then the box frames. We had a couple of quotes from different companies - some gave us the option of a "box rip out" or not - others (this company included) said that they always ripped out the boxes.
The new frames sit on a plastic profile (about 60mm thick) on top of the brick work, with packers to level them. The fitters have then screwed down through the bottom of the frame with 2X screws to fasten. They've then screwed through the top of the frame into the wooden lintel with another 2X screws. There's no packing between the top of the frame and the lintel, just a gap of around 75mm, so I assume they haven't done the screws up too tight, so as not to distort the frame. The frames have then been fixed in place by expanding foam. There's no fixing in either of the sides.
The windows have then been finished internally with plastic trim and the fitters have made a right pigs ear of it. The trim is marked in numerous areas (nicks, scrapes, cracks etc). There was loads of trim just thrown in their van - it obviously just gets carted around from job to job. There's glue overruns everywhere (I think they used superglue). They've then got carried away with the sealant gun and applied silicon to everything - leaving a really ugly mess internally.
We've told the window company we're not happy and the guy in charge has been round and agreed it's not acceptable, we're just waiting for the fitters response now - meanwhile we're holding the balance due on the windows.
In the meantime I have some concerns and could do with an opinion from those in the know.
1. Method of fixing - is 4 screws and foam sufficient? The window frames are around 900mm wide and 1600mm hight
2. Should packing pieces have replaced the box along the sides and top?
3. If not, should these cavities have been insulated? Two of the rooms have double windows, meaning there's a cavity around 200mm wide and 1600mm high between the two windows, covered by a piece of UPVC cladding.
4. All of the frames bow outwards in the middle - the worst one is around 8mm wider in the middle than it is at the top or bottom. I assume this is a consequence of fixing the sides.
thanks for any help
Steve
We recently ordered 6 X vertical sliders from a local company, who contract out the installation to some fitters, who have just come and fitted them. They ripped out the existing aluminium double glazing (that I guess dates from the early 80s) and then the box frames. We had a couple of quotes from different companies - some gave us the option of a "box rip out" or not - others (this company included) said that they always ripped out the boxes.
The new frames sit on a plastic profile (about 60mm thick) on top of the brick work, with packers to level them. The fitters have then screwed down through the bottom of the frame with 2X screws to fasten. They've then screwed through the top of the frame into the wooden lintel with another 2X screws. There's no packing between the top of the frame and the lintel, just a gap of around 75mm, so I assume they haven't done the screws up too tight, so as not to distort the frame. The frames have then been fixed in place by expanding foam. There's no fixing in either of the sides.
The windows have then been finished internally with plastic trim and the fitters have made a right pigs ear of it. The trim is marked in numerous areas (nicks, scrapes, cracks etc). There was loads of trim just thrown in their van - it obviously just gets carted around from job to job. There's glue overruns everywhere (I think they used superglue). They've then got carried away with the sealant gun and applied silicon to everything - leaving a really ugly mess internally.
We've told the window company we're not happy and the guy in charge has been round and agreed it's not acceptable, we're just waiting for the fitters response now - meanwhile we're holding the balance due on the windows.
In the meantime I have some concerns and could do with an opinion from those in the know.
1. Method of fixing - is 4 screws and foam sufficient? The window frames are around 900mm wide and 1600mm hight
2. Should packing pieces have replaced the box along the sides and top?
3. If not, should these cavities have been insulated? Two of the rooms have double windows, meaning there's a cavity around 200mm wide and 1600mm high between the two windows, covered by a piece of UPVC cladding.
4. All of the frames bow outwards in the middle - the worst one is around 8mm wider in the middle than it is at the top or bottom. I assume this is a consequence of fixing the sides.
thanks for any help
Steve