New windows

NSG666

I don't know what your rights are so no comment on those but just some of observations:

Are you in England? I thought window companies had to be part of an organisation such as FENSA or CERTAS to be able to certify the installation or they must go through Building Control.

Working on building projects I've seen lots of windows fitted and they all seem to have expanding foam around them. It gives additional support to the frame and provides insulation in the inevitable gaps which silicone alone cannot provide. When I fitted my own I used foam as per advice from a couple of people who fit windows and doors full-time. I also read that some installers use foam for the initial fix of the frame then put the screws into the wall when the foam had cured.

Looking at the 3rd photo stippled glass with your reflection, the sill looks to have been cut to the same width as the window and is almost touching both sides yet there is a gap at the top left hand side - the right hand side looks ok. The windows are manufactured with square corners so, where the aperture is out of square, the smallest dimension has to be used - that looks to be what has happened in this case. It's compounded as even at the tightest point there should be an expansion gap. 

The photo from inside looks horrendous as the window reveal has not been replaced yet.

It's easy to look at photos of the job mid-way through and think that looks awful but without being on-site and able to measure the window apertures to see how out of square they are it's unfair to criticise.

Bespoke - pretty much all replacement windows are bespoke as they are made to measure.

I'm not saying that there are or are not any issues but I think the only way to be certain would be to physically check them. Of course if someone comments who is a window installer then their knowledge is far superior to mine

Bazil68

We live in Scotland and as far as I’m aware when fitting new windows building control are not required to be notified. 

I don’t believe installers are required to be part of any scheme but obviously that’s something that we are aware of now in such times we are looking for some backing/guidance as they cannot help us due the the company not being a member of the scheme. 

It’s just strange to us that the windows that were removed did not require any pvc trim to hide any gaps, a bead of frame sealant was sufficient to allow for expansion. I’m not sure of how brick and block constructions are built in England however in our house the internal opening is larger than the external opening. Giving you a greater tolerance surely and have windows that finish tighter to the render (but again I’m not a window surveyor or fitter).

If you look at the photo internally you can see that the fixing brackets appear stretched to fit. I will actually measure the openings to check for square. We have been told that the surveyor has taken daylight sizes (if that makes any difference). We still can’t understand how all windows except one has required pvc trim. 

We have had a few installers that have looked at our photos and they have also said they have been incorrectly measured. As I said we have been going round in circles arguing that point so this is why we are needing an impartial surveyor to pass judgement and hoping that someone could point us in the right direction.

This is definitely the last thing that we needed as you can imagine a full renovation and the things you come across are stressful enough. 

NSG666

Ah sorry I'd missed how the old windows were installed i.e. that they were effectively sandwiched between the window reveal internally and externally. There are many properties in England that have this style too but I think they are in the minority.

I'm in no position to help and you are in the right place for consumer advice. If nothing useful is posted overnight you might want to try posting in the In My Home (DIY) forum where someone might offer something useful.

If FENSA or CERTAS operate in Scotland it might be worth a call to see whether they can help even if you have to pay them for a survey and report it will either confirm the install is ok or give you a credible report to support any action that you need to take.

Bazil68

Yeah that’s pretty much what we can’t understand, old vs new install differing so much. 

We have contacted the DGCOS however as they company are not a member of DGCOS they have basically said that they cannot help us. 

I’ll have a look over there and see if there have been any issues similar to ours. 

We will give FENSA or Certass an email to see what they say. We are willing to pay for any survey as we’d really like to get this sorted ASAP and can get it put to bed. 

Thanks for your input anyway it’s always good to get someone else’s opinion on the matter. 

sheramber

Following consumer and industry demand, FENSA is delighted to announce it has launched a scheme in Scotland, with the first FENSA Scotland certificates expected to be issued to homeowners from July.
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FENSA Scotland is a voluntary scheme that will be tailored specifically to Scottish building standards, which differ to those in England and Wales. Membership will be open to any installation businesses that undertake work in Scotland, regardless of where the company itself may be based.

https://www.glassnews.co.uk/fensa-scotland-launches/

NSG666

There's the GGF ad this outfit but it seems all of them only help if te company is a member of their scheme.

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