New build - Should cracked window glass be replaced by the developer?

Reactor_2

Hi,

I have been living in a new build for less than a year and I am the first owner of the flat. I've noticed some very large cracks in my bedroom window only the other day and notified the developer immediately. They have emailed me to say it's my responsibility, but I'm challenging that it should be under warranty as I think it's a fault with the glass.

Just for some context, I've not used or looked out of my window for at least 6 months. The blind has always been down and there was only static black-out material on the glass during the period. I only noticed the cracks when I went outside, on my balcony, and looked at my bedroom window.

So, should the fractured glass be replaced by the developer? Let me know your thoughts, thanks.

chunkychocky

It could have been hit by a bird or a ball, so unless you can prove it was a defect in the glass I doubt you'll get anywhere.

Reactor_2

chunkychocky wrote: »

It could have been hit by a bird or a ball, so unless you can prove it was a defect in the glass I doubt you'll get anywhere.

Thanks for the opinion. The cracks are on the inside. I don't play ball games in my flat nor race birds around inside.

Hintza

If I were you I would be checking whether you windows open freely or not. If not it could be caused by settlement and on upstairs windows that can be up to 2cm.

This is normal in timber frame houses if there is no gap left below the windows. In timber frame houses the weight of the roof forces the timber down with the biggest movement at the eaves and the smallest at the ground.

Our builder cemented under all our windows and even though his error was corrected not all the mortar was removed and two windows started to stick (they cap in the middle) within 3-4 months, clearing out the remains of the mortar alleviated the problem immediately.

I'm not sure if this is a problem on the more traditional build that are still common in the south.

pinkshoes

I had the same problem with a velux and it had cracked with a stress fracture due to the glass not being put in straight.

It was replaced free of charge.

chunkychocky

Reactor wrote: »

Thanks for the opinion. The cracks are on the inside. I don't play ball games in my flat nor race birds around inside.

Thanks for the sarcastic response. Maybe if you had mentioned it was on the inside pane in the first place I would have known that and could have replied appropriately.

Reactor_2

chunkychocky wrote: »

Thanks for the sarcastic response. Maybe if you had mentioned it was on the inside pane in the first place I would have known that and could have replied appropriately.

Apologies! I was just practicing what I would say to the developer if they used that as a plausible reason for the crack.

I've done some further reading and it looks like it's my fault for using static blackout material on my window. It looks like it absorbs enough heat to crack the window.

An expensive lesson learned. Thanks for the replies and I hope this helps others out.

arcon5

Do you have a heater below the window?

Hintza

Reactor wrote: »

I've done some further reading and it looks like it's my fault for using static blackout material on my window. It looks like it absorbs enough heat to crack the window.

Please explain? Static blackout material?

ValHaller

Reactor wrote: »

I've not used or looked out of my window for at least 6 months.

Rather defensive about not having looked out of this window. If windows often crack when you look through them, it is unfair to land the responsibility on the developer.

shellsuit

ValHaller wrote: »

Rather defensive about not having looked out of this window. If windows often crack when you look through them, it is unfair to land the responsibility on the developer.

I think they meant that's why they hadn't noticed it before.