Brand new UPVC window frame split during install - new frame or "Magic Man" repair?

gundo

Just had a new double glazed kitchen window installed (along with the kitchen door, 2 bedroom windows and a dining room window). The first new kitchen window frame was faulty and the main window wouldn't open so it was temporarily installed with expanding foam and a week or so later the installer came back with a replacement frame and installed it all fully with sealant etc. I noticed after the installers left that the new window frame has a crack/split in it at one of the welded joins, all the way to the edge of the frame. I messaged the installer and he is happy to fit a new frame (though there's a lead time of a couple of weeks to get a new one made - the 3rd one!) but he suggested a "Magic Man" repair and said the warranty was the same regardless and that it would be as durable a new frame. I have no experience of this and that window frame does get a lot of stress, the external kitchen door frame is attached to it and it gets a lot of sun/heat for much of the year (I worry about the repair failing).

Anyone have experience of Magic Man repairs of UPVC frames? I'm tempted to request a new window frame as all the windows and door are costing ~£4K but it would avoid having to strip out all the sealant, UPVC strips covering the joins etc. i.e. doing it all again from scratch.

koalakoala

I would insist on a new one personally.
Wonder why so many problems?

Section62

gundo said:

Anyone have experience of Magic Man repairs of UPVC frames? I'm tempted to request a new window frame as all the windows and door are costing ~£4K but it would avoid having to strip out all the sealant, UPVC strips covering the joins etc. i.e. doing it all again from scratch.

Is he offering some kind of discount if you accept a repair rather than replacement?

gundo

koalakoala said:

I would insist on a new one personally.
Wonder why so many problems?

I agree it's not ideal.
 

gundo

Section62 said:

gundo said:

Anyone have experience of Magic Man repairs of UPVC frames? I'm tempted to request a new window frame as all the windows and door are costing ~£4K but it would avoid having to strip out all the sealant, UPVC strips covering the joins etc. i.e. doing it all again from scratch.

Is he offering some kind of discount if you accept a repair rather than replacement?

No he's not

Alter_ego

You are paying for a new undamaged frame, insist on one!

Is the opening distorted? Check the 2 diagonals are the same

Section62

gundo said:

Section62 said:

gundo said:

Anyone have experience of Magic Man repairs of UPVC frames? I'm tempted to request a new window frame as all the windows and door are costing ~£4K but it would avoid having to strip out all the sealant, UPVC strips covering the joins etc. i.e. doing it all again from scratch.

Is he offering some kind of discount if you accept a repair rather than replacement?

No he's not

So other than having to put up with a bit of disturbance you've got no reason not to ask for the frame to be replaced instead.

FreeBear

koalakoala said: I would insist on a new one personally.
Wonder why so many problems?

Same here. I would also be looking at the number and location of mechanical fixings being used to hold the frame in place. There are a few installers out there (fortunately in the minority) that think just expanding foam is sufficient.

gundo

Thanks everyone for your sage advice. I've decided to get a new window frame.

greenface2

your paying top buck you want a top job . Nothing wrong with a magic man ( we do our own with some problems ) not a cracked weld . Maybe the frame was tight to get in and took one knock too many .