Tiled window sills not replaced when new upvc windows fitted not sure why?

kenneth77

Hi all not sure if I'm posting in the right place but anyone can help we'd really appreciate it. Having v old windows replaced on the entire house, when we got quote we asked numerous times if the frames windows and sills would all be replace (current frames are wood and tiled sills upstairs) we were told yes everything comes as a unit. Fitters arrived today, who were fabulous but they didn't remove or replace the tiled sills. We asked and they said they hadn't been advised to do so. We rang thr company they state their policy is they don't replace them. There is nothing in our written agreement and again we said we both asked when we got the quotes if all parts  changed and again rang up when we booked them. Is this normal? It's frustrating as if we wanted upvc sills to match the windows they'd have to come out and we assumed and believe we'd asked for all of this?
Thank you

grumbler

I don't understand. Do you have anything in writing?

If the quote stated new windowsills, then they had to replace them, no matter what their policy is. If it didn't, then it's another job.

stuart45

When you say tiled cill, do you mean like this?
0465a6f78320cd88ed0f6fde449b2c6d--tile.jpg (236×152) (pinimg.com)
If so there may have been some confusion, as the windows come with their own plastic cills, and the company thought that's what you meant. Have you got a photo of the work?

FreeBear

kenneth77 said: (current frames are wood and tiled sills upstairs)

When they surveyed and measured up for the replacement windows, did they check for the presence of lintels ?

Old properties are notorious for using wood (or steel) frames to support the outer leaf of brickwork. When the frames are replaced with uPVC, without adequate support, the brickwork starts to collapse and cracks form. If you have a big lump of stone over the top of each window, no need for alarm.

lemondrops69

Is there a confusion over which sill, as in internal or external?

littleboo

I believe that a window cill is external, while a window board in internal, although cill is often used for internal.

stuart45

I would have guess he meant the external, as it is more likely that you would expect those to be done, rather than the window board or tiles. A friend of mine who is a window fitter came unstuck when the tiled cills fell apart when replacing the windows. 
He thought you had to rebuild them before the windows went in and took all afternoon doing a few and they still looked rough.

lemondrops69

littleboo said:

I believe that a window cill is external, while a window board in internal, although cill is often used for internal.

In which case did the OP think that the window company where going to change the internal one, bathroom ones are often tiled, and the window company though the op meant the external ones, as they are generally part of the window frame, so said they will be changed? 

greenface2

FreeBear said:

kenneth77 said: (current frames are wood and tiled sills upstairs)

When they surveyed and measured up for the replacement windows, did they check for the presence of lintels ?

Old properties are notorious for using wood (or steel) frames to support the outer leaf of brickwork. When the frames are replaced with uPVC, without adequate support, the brickwork starts to collapse and cracks form. If you have a big lump of stone over the top of each window, no need for alarm.

I have just praised you on another post . Now what in the mightys name has this got to do with what the OP has asked about internal cills . 

greenface2

Often can be confusing when talking about window cills or sills . Internal cills are not normally touched or changed as standard unless it is agreed between customer and company . As above I call the cills the outside and underneath the window . Internally they are window boards to me although I also call them cills myself but not on an order . Much easier to do when the old frame is coming out to remove the internal cills too . Its something you may argue with but you still may end up paying extra . if they are a decent firm they may meet you at cost . Before going for plastic internal cills consider dura board . Plastic scratches fairly easy and can stain too . dura board is a good quality coated HDF or block board . Easy clean . no paint required , better to joint when fitting . ( been fitting windows for 37 years) good luck but I can understand the confusion .  

grumbler

greenface2 said:

FreeBear said:

kenneth77 said: (current frames are wood and tiled sills upstairs)

When they surveyed and measured up for the replacement windows, did they check for the presence of lintels ?

Old properties are notorious for using wood (or steel) frames to support the outer leaf of brickwork. When the frames are replaced with uPVC, without adequate support, the brickwork starts to collapse and cracks form. If you have a big lump of stone over the top of each window, no need for alarm.

 Now what in the mightys name has this got to do with what the OP has asked about internal cills . 

greenface2 said:

 ( been fitting windows for 37 years) .  

Well, we can only speculate how good you are in this, but there are many cowboys around and many victims complaining about walls cracking above replacement PVC windows installed without any lintels and about the window frames deformed.