| Windows Problems |
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| Got new Weathershield windows from Timbertruss in Salem Va. for the historic front of the building. The Weathershield windows were very high quality and well made. However they didn't fit! Too tall and wide for the opening. Argh....This awning vent sash could not open unless we cut back structural brick on a historic facade. The center window/door unit that opens to the balcony had doors that were fixed shut with no hinges! So much for the for the French doors opening onto a balcony ! Why build a door with no hinges? Turns out that Timbertruss's rep never made the usual site verification visit to verify the openings, width and height before ordering the custom $10,000 windows! Our Super supplied the original window rough opening dimensions for the bid but did not think to insist that Timbertruss's outside sales Rep make a site visit. He assumed the final new window dimension verification was made when the bid was accepted and the order made. (Plan and site verification by the sales rep is the normal accepted practice on all replacement window orders, Timbertruss dropped the ball and failed to do this and Bufford Self their Sales Manager has admitted that it was their mistake.) We are now waiting to see if Timbertruss is going to do the right thing and replace the windows, or wether we're going to be stuck, have to cut brick to make them fit or go to Court. Aahh the hassles of renovation...Timbertruss's mistake will delay our finish by 6 weeks. Update 12-18-06 Timbertruss at first refused to accept a return or replace the windows. When shown the prints they had showing the doors that opened they reluctantly agreed to replace the door unit but still refused to accept their responsibility to replace the two other windows that are too wide and tall. They wanted us to pay for the windows a second time! We ended up cutting and grinding the brick opening to make two windows fit. So much for Timbertrusses customer service and Warrenty! After 25 years of using Timbertruss products in our projects we can no longer believe in their quality of service. They lose us as a loyal customer. Thumbs down on Timbertruss!!!! Update 4-21-07 Timbertruss after a lot of footdragging by their Sales Manager agreed in March to reorder the balcony window/door unit. Well after 8 months from the original order we still don't have a window so we had to plywood off the opening for the final inspection and owner to move in. |
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| Here you can see that the bottom factory window shim had to be removed to get the window to fit thus giving the window no room for temp expansion or settling room. The concrete sill will have to be cut at least a 1/2" to make it fit right. |
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| Here's the brick return backside cut we had to make to get the window to even go into the opening and even then the bottom awning vent sash would not clear unless we cut yet more brick. Unacceptable in view if the historic facade and the structural nature of the brick. Update 12/16/06 We shaved the bottom sill to make expansion room and cut 1/4" more from the edge of the brick where the awning window needed the space to open. The windows now fits but poorly, (caulk and foam to seal) a direct result of Timbertruss's mistake in sizing the windows to the opening. A poor comprimise in quality! Timbertruss gets a lump of coal for Christmas. |