Wrong size double glazed window units

iwblue

Hi, I'm just looking for some information about measuring up double glazed units. I have hardwood framed windows with old glass units that had failed. I got a reputable local firm to replace the window units with upgraded doubled glazed glass units. I have not had the frames changed they're still hardwood. However, now there fitted, when I look from the inside to outside the black spacer bar separating the panes of glass is clearly visible above the window frame by some 5mm (in most cases). So in effect, I have a wooden frame outline with a black border 5mm all the way around the window frame. The units are made with some black tape that goes around the outside, I assume this is the usual production process. In some cases, this is clearly visible above the frame as well. I did not expect to see this, as in my previous house with UPVC frames all this was below the beading and not visible.
I don't have a clue about fitting DG, so just want to feel informed with some general information about DG before I approach the firm. This only happened today and I haven't paid the firm yet.

Many thanks for any experts advice.

Private_Church

You shouldn't be seeing 5mm of the black taped spacer bar. Double glazed units fitted in timber windows should not have tape fitted around the perimeter of the unit because the glazing tape/ silicone used to seal the unit won't seal the glass if its stuck to the black tape all it does is seal the tape.

On very thin units usually called "slimlite" type you sometimes get alluminium tape around the perimeter for thermal reasons but never black "duct" tape. They do have them on units to be fitted in Upvc window because their glazing system is different to Timber windows.

When you look through a window where the glass meets the timber we call the "sight line" and it shouldn't have any tape visible. You sometimes see 1-2mm of the alluminium spacer bar usually because they didn't take enough care keeping the spacer bar square when making the units but thats not a great problem because when painted/stained the paint/stain should always be painted onto the glass by 1-2mm to seal the joint.

Most timber double glazed sashes/windows have a 15mm high rebate but even if they only have a 13mm rebate you shouldn't be seeing any black tape but you may see the alluminium spacer bar around the perimeter. When you measure up for a sealed unit you should measure the height and width of the rebate and then deduct 6mm from the height and width.This means you end up with a 3mm space around the unit to fit plastic packers.

If you can post some photo's and we can advise better.

Furts

I wonder how old the hardwood frames are and what units were in there before. Likewise what rebate depth exists with them. Are the new units thicker?

You also have to consider how they have been fixed in. Timber glazing beads? If so, are these the originals re-used or new beads?

iwblue

Hi thanks for your help, I have thesehttps://s26.postimg.org/p78lo8x09/IMG_20171126_102813.jpg https://s26.postimg.org/l9gql3kt5/IMG_20171126_102829.jpg https://s26.postimg.org/6aybqo5qx/IMG_20171126_102842.jpg https://s26.postimg.org/6z769m4gp/IMG_20171126_102850.jpg

iwblue

iwblue

Private_Church

iwblue wrote: »

It not right I'm afraid. That black "duct" tape should not be on a sealed unit fitted into a timber frame because the glazing silicone or glazing tape that the glass unit is bedded on will stick to the tape and it shouldn't ,it should stick directly onto the glass to form a water tight seal. Looks to me as though they didn't take into account the rebate depth when they measured up for them. If the black tape wasn't there and you would see 5mm or so of the black spacer bar then again its not right.........

Sorry to say whoever measured up and fitted them doesn't know how to glaze timber windows.

Private_Church

iwblue wrote: »

If that black spacer bar sticks out past the timber site line by any more than 1-2mm then they measured incorrectly and if they fitted them in the same way as the stained window then they haven't fitted them correctly either.If the rebate wasn't deep enough to take the type of unit they fitted then they should have fitted a "slimlite" type unit which has a narrow site line which wouldn't stick above the timber site line........ Out of interest was the work carried out by a glazing company , Generla builder ?.

iwblue

They're a small but reputable glazing company, they belong to one of these local council run schemes where they agree to abide by a set rules when dealing with customers, ie when disputes arsise etc, and are Fensa registered. I'm really disappointed..:( Many thanks for your help. I need to contact them tomorrow and set out my reasons for disatisfaction. Sometimes you just don't need the hassle.

Private_Church

iwblue wrote: »

They're a small but reputable glazing company, they belong to one of these local council run schemes where they agree to abide by a set rules when dealing with customers, ie when disputes arsise etc, and are Fensa registered. I'm really disappointed..:( Many thanks for your help. I need to contact them tomorrow and set out my reasons for disatisfaction. Sometimes you just don't need the hassle.

Well unfortunately they have messed up. I would take these Council run schemes,Checkatrade etc with a huge pinch of salt. Its worth getting a second opinion but from your pix I can say with confidence they didn't fit them correctly and I've been making timber windows,doors etc for over 30 years.

A glazing company should know better and the fact that they are FENSA registered fills me with dread. I don't think involving FENSA will do any good as the frames are existing but if they were new frames you could contact FENSA.

iwblue

I think you're right. I'll start by raising my concerns with them. I just wasn't happy with what I was looking at, I suppose I just needed to understand some of the technicalities etc. Certainly hadn't picked on the duct tape and the silicone issue. Thanks for the info, it helps to construct my e-mail to them.