New windows being installed...

mikester · 08-14-2007, 04:56 PM

...So we live near LAX which has a sound abatement program that puts heavily insulated windows into homes near the airport to help reduce the noise complaints.

We put our house on the list many years ago and they have finally gotten to us.

So they started yesterday and there are already problems with things simply going wrong and being a bit of a craftsman myself I appreciate good workmanship and am sick over poor workmanship. I've been through some remodeling and I have had some bad and difficult experiences.

We're watching this process take place and knowing what I know (enough to be dangerous) of doing things like trim and molding what I am seeing is making my wife and I a bit sick to our stomachs. We didn't get to pick the contractors the city did and today they did not return my calls. We've got some issues with the quality of the work and frankly don't know if what we are seeing is bad or not. All I know is how I the finished product should like in my mind and I'm not sure that is in line with reality. The molding around the windows seems to have been installed in such a way that it is not uniform, even or square. I see things - especially crooked things very well and I feel bad for the fact that I can see a small amount of crookedness quickly.

Still - here are some pictures of a sample window that I think is in danger of having to be redone. My intention tomorrow is to ask for a good picture of the finished product so that I can see that if this in between phase is something I need to lighten up on...

It is difficult to get a decent picture of the whole window because the light washes out the frame - I'll take after dark and post them. This first corner is a bad one in my eyes and I just don't know how they are going to make everything look even and square when the interior trim doesn't even closely line up with the exterior.

This second one is one I would say as "good" in that the lower exterior trim lines up nearly perfectly even though the side does not - it's close.

So - like I said - in the morning I'm asking for some clarification on how it will look finally. I'm trying to be reasonable with this but these along with the other issues with the project are really bringing us down.

idontknow · 08-14-2007, 05:42 PM

Aww a lil caulk and paint is all you need.

Seriously though I'd wonder about your options for recourse considering the city is paying the contractor and not you. You may want to try having a converation with the trim carpenter. Sometimes $20 cash makes the miter saw, level, and tape measure more accurate

mikester · 08-14-2007, 08:02 PM

So I have taken some pictures this evening where I believe you can see the issue better - There are links to the high res pictures as well as the low res pictures uploaded here...

The links are:
This is one in our family room - the interior trim simply doesn't line up with the exterior trim creating a very unsightly appearance...Most of the windows look like this and in my eyes it looks like crap.

http://www.thelipseys.com/windows-pictures/DSC01441.JPG

This next one is an entire window where all around there are variations in how the interior trim and exterior trim line up together. The more I look at it the more it irritates me - I believe this can be fixed but they will have to spend the time to do it.

http://www.thelipseys.com/windows-pictures/DSC01442.JPG

And here is another with the same sort of issues...

http://www.thelipseys.com/windows-pictures/DSC01443.JPG

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

"Yesterday it worked
Today, it does not work
windows is like that"

A little wood filler, sand paper and paint and they will look perfect.

Geez, whadda want for free windows?

turbo6bar · 08-15-2007, 03:45 AM

A good trim carpenter could redo it with little effort and time. I agree someone was sloppy with the work, but it'd pass for some new construction.

onewhippedpuppy · 08-15-2007, 04:45 AM

From someone that used to do finish carpentry, that is crap. For a window frame that is not plumb or level, it's common to cheat a bit on the gap between the trim and jamb, but the miters should be tight. Of course, they were replacing the windows, so they should have shimmed to make the framing straight/plumb before installation.

This is why I DIY everything, because it is damn hard to find a good contractor. I suspect you might have better luck fixing it yourself, being city work this contractor was probably the absolute lowest bidder.

mikester · 08-15-2007, 05:43 AM

free windows or not it is still my house and I have to live here - if they are going to do the work they are damn sure going to do it right enough to where I can't tell it is wrong.

notfarnow · 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

This is why I DIY everything, because it is damn hard to find a good contractor. I suspect you might have better luck fixing it yourself, being city work this contractor was probably the absolute lowest bidder.

+1

This is one of those cases where a DIYer will likely take more time to do it RIGHT than the average* contractor.

They are probably used to doing work like that on new construction, filling the gap with DAP and painting over it. From their perspective, their work is DONE and the rest is up to the painter.

*I say that with full respect for craftsmen like Milt or Speeder who would probably hit these guys with their own hats

JMPRO · JMPRO's Garage

In the case of the bad miter joints, they are just not very good although they can be fixed. The rest of the molding looks fine. That edge that looks to you to not be aligned properly is called a revell and is typical way to install molding around windows and doors. On the lower sash there is no revell so as not to catch dirt or moisture.
JMPRO

Rot 911 · 08-15-2007, 06:53 AM

The miter joints are definitely crap, but like some others said, once filled and painted will probably not even be noticeable.

JavaBrewer · JavaBrewer's Garage

Agreed. Filler, sandpaper, and paint. You'll never see it - but you will know its there. Only you know if that's acceptable. I would avoid the city hired contractor and seek out your own - or better yet - DIY.

What's up with the dimpled glass windows? Are they all like that or did you only post pics of a privacy glass area?

mikester · 08-15-2007, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMPRO

In the case of the bad miter joints, they are just not very good although they can be fixed. The rest of the molding looks fine. That edge that looks to you to not be aligned properly is called a revell and is typical way to install molding around windows and doors. On the lower sash there is no revell so as not to catch dirt or moisture.
JMPRO

They explained it all to me this morning and were very good about it too. They showed me some of my existing molding and how what they were doing matched that (except for the crookedness in some areas).

So - it's all good and they are going to fix the areas that need fixing.

To be honest this contractor has treated me better than the city has. There were some issues with the ventilation system that on the drawings said one thing but when explained to me by the city worker were quite different. So they started the work per the drawings and we commenced to give birth to a full grown cow.

The city's response has been to not return my calls and tell the contractor that "this is what they signed and approved - this is what you will do."

So, the contractor met me today and said - "how can we work this out?"

We went over it and came up with a very amicable and simple solution.

Regarding the dimpled glass - one is a mistake and the other is a bathroom window. I'm not happy with the way the City has been unresponsive to me, we live in a pretty small town here so I will be happy to bring it up to the mayor personally. Still, I'm heading over to their office today to discuss their not calling me back in person with them.