Replacement windows more drafty than construction grade windows?
maryab91 asked:
I just had all of my windows replaced. They were double pane construction grade windows and they were very drafty. I had Tennessee Thermal replace them with triple pane vinyl windows. They said these windows are supposed to be the best. The guys just finished putting them in today.
Tonight, I was looking at them and noticed cold AIR! They are even more drafty than the cheap construction windows! The glass is FREEZING. The air is not coming through AROUND the window.. but it’s coming in THROUGH the glass. You can stand a foot from the window and feel the cold air… I havent paid them yet, but I signed a paper today when they left. What do I do? These windows are NOT supposed to be like that, I know! Please help.
Thanks.
But it looks like they caulked and sealed them very well.
There’s no air coming in around the perimeter of the window… it’s just coming in through the glass. I don’t understand!
I just had all of my windows replaced. They were double pane construction grade windows and they were very drafty. I had Tennessee Thermal replace them with triple pane vinyl windows. They said these windows are supposed to be the best. The guys just finished putting them in today.
Tonight, I was looking at them and noticed cold AIR! They are even more drafty than the cheap construction windows! The glass is FREEZING. The air is not coming through AROUND the window.. but it’s coming in THROUGH the glass. You can stand a foot from the window and feel the cold air… I havent paid them yet, but I signed a paper today when they left. What do I do? These windows are NOT supposed to be like that, I know! Please help.
Thanks.
But it looks like they caulked and sealed them very well.
There’s no air coming in around the perimeter of the window… it’s just coming in through the glass. I don’t understand!
I don’t want to pay them for something I’m not satisfied with. But the explained the windows so much better than they actually are. They are EXTREMELY expensive too…
Tyson
April 4th, 2009 at 3:06 am
Leland
Call a manager, tell them the problem, maybe they didn’t seal them? If you get no satisfaction call the better business bureau
April 6th, 2009 at 2:07 am
Rana
If you feel cold coming through the Windows the window glass seal has been damaged and the vacuum seal has been compromised.
This could have been a faulty installation, damage in transportation or even bad windows coming straight out of the factory.
In any case DO NOT pay. You need new glass that is either vacuumed sealed or argon filled.
Mike
April 7th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Johna
You paid good money, but that is no assurance of a quality product. The installers did their jobs in the installation…level/plumb and sealed. Check each window, somewhere on each, like on the side between panes of glass should be some form of serial number – they use these to identify the date of sale, installation, etc. used when warranty claims arise; have each down on a schematic showing where that window is located. Call the Manager, not his underling, and tell them the problem and that you are withholding payment until this can be resolved. If you get static, ask for their Corp Headquarters and phone number; check this on the internet, so you know your not getting a snow job – call them and tell them the problem.
I put Pella’s in my place and they were about $295.00per and they are fantastic – did 10!! You might want to invest in a Laser ThermoGun – you point, squeeze trigger and shot the glass – read the temp – do it all the way around. Good luck.
April 10th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Wenona
call to pro
April 12th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Teodoro
Let’s be logical here. You may just be feeling the cold that is common when you stand right next to any window. It is true that triple pane or any insulated glass window is better than just a single pane of glass, however there is still a lot of difference between the outside framed wall of your home and the window area – a lot.
It will always feel colder standing in front of any window than if you were standing in front of just the wall.
Air cannot infiltrate through glass. If you are still concerned, tape some pcs. of crepe paper to the very top of the window, let the paper hang down past the bottom sill of the window. Shut off the furnace so the blower is not running. Now look at the crepe paper and see if it is moving? Maybe with your curtains/drapes down during construction, you are experiencing a bare window transfering the cold through the glass?
A little advice-you should have watched how they insulated around the perimeter of the windows. Sometimes there is a void that needs filled with minimal expanding foam, or strips of fiberglass insulation loosely placed around the gap between the window frame and the wall.
Have you looked on the outside around the window? Is it sealed/caulked good?
Talk to the installer/owner about this, I do think I am correct on the explanation. See what he/she says about it.