double glazing installation. Are these fitters doing it right?

Could you post some pictures.

 

What windows have been fitted? are they UPVC or aluminum.

1) Not sure what you mean, but when windows are made to order they usually have a 4-5mm gap all the way around the frame on the external side. Sometimes the brick openings aren't always level.

2) In some houses the plaster lines can be out i.e. not plumb and level (my windows were the same). When fitters install they usually match to the existing plaster lines, but I have found this isn't always good practice as the frames can twist and plus it won't look right from the outside.

Not happy with the sealant and plastic strip, the fitters could have easily popped out to get plaster. Have seen these in many council houses where fitters speedfit the windows.

My personal view regarding the strip is that it is used to cut corners, as they don't want to plaster.

3) Did the quotation include the removal of the existing cills and replacement of new ones?

I would make a complaint to your contact you were provided with and say you are not happy with the plastic strips as well as the above.

I haven't used Anglian, but had some problems with a local co. I used. They made a magnitude of errors, to cut a long story short the company director came out and we were able to liaise with him. They sent out a a new pair of fitters who had to take out all the frames and refix them again as the first set of fitters didn't want to come back. The second set of fitters did a good job as I had only paid 35% deposit at the time.

 

We had metal frames windows in our last house, the frames were put in when the opening was made, they are possible to remove using an angle grinder.

Also on some houses the top course of bricks above a window opening aren't usually supported as they relied on the strength of the metal frames and windows, in some council estates where replacement windows have been fitted the brickwork has sagged down as they require a lintel to be installed.

If that gap is at its smallest.... then the surveyor hasn't done his job right, that's not acceptable. The original metal frames would have been square.

The minor gap damages should be made good using polyfilla and large ones using plaster.

Could you upload a pic of the whole window.

Do the exterior cills have end caps? Also I don't see any trickle vents fitted?

 

Also where screws are fixed into the frame, a packer should be used, as without using one the frame will bend/flex at the fixing points.

Sometimes the fitters will usually fit the frames on one side of a house and then seal the next day. This avoids getting brick dust into the sealant. They should clean all the frames and glass.

Use a level to check that the frames are plumb and square. Also use a long level or straight piece of material to check the bricks squareness and that the windows could have been made a tad larger.

The surveyor should have measured the opening at 3 points and took the closest measurement.

 

Could you upload a pic of your metal cills?

Make contact with the co as soon as possible and explain to him/her that I'm not happy with the work. Would be best if they came out, say it is to hard to explain and would prefer if you would come out as a matter of urgency.

 

no need for t/v s on refurb

 

The windows were made too small. The fitter should have centred them better. The internal sill could have been covered. You will now get trims to cover the large gaps outside. The filler in the plaster is covered and no harm.
Bit of a bodge though(the gaps, the filler, the unpainted sill).

Personally, I wouldn't accept it.

Mr. HandyAndy - Really

 

That's short for trickle vents.

 

IMO this doesn't look like the best quality of finish, the use of trims is frequent and can sometimes be the best solution to some problems, equally done well with nice corners can look ok.

I would have opted for patching the plaster before fitting the trims and the gaps externally as shown do seem excessive, I wonder if this was done in attempt to over come very thick plaster on the internal reveal (yes I know, frame extenders would be the norm).

My biggest worry here would be that the fitters are most likely sub-contract, don't live anywhere near the job and today is FRIDAY !!
That by the way is not a knock at sub-contractors, I my self have done many a job on this basis and the problem is more about been able to do what you can with material you have been provided with and time given to complete works before you need to move onto next site.

 

Hard to know for sure - I mean, if the gap varies as it goes vertically up the wall, then clearly your wall window opening is not very straight and that's not their fault (tho' I'd have liked the min gap to be more min...).

(Of course, it could be a squint window as well... )

It won't - shouldn't - be an actual 'problem' once it's filled with sealant - these products today are very impressive. But, it ain't ideal, and it might not ever look perfect. But, then again, would you really notice it unless you were looking for it?

I have to say I suspect their excuse for not balancing the gaps is pants, tho' - it would make the window off-level?! What does that mean - that there's a wee bit of concrete in that bottom corner that the window frame would have sat on and made it lift? If so, why the hell didn't they chip that away - what bludy effort would that have been?!!

I obviously don't know the true reasons, but can only suspect they aren't the sort of guys to put in that teeny bit of effort to make it the 'best' job they could.

'Anglian'? So I'm guessing you got a few quotes and they weren't the cheapest? In which case you chose them specifically for their (cough) reputation and the confidence you'd have in a job well done?

In which case I think you can insist that they improve some aspects of this job - balancing that gap for one.