Narrow windows

rafaelki

Hello,

I am in process of replacing my old bay windows with acoustic glass ones. The company that measured, provided and installs the windows seems to have measured the side windows 5 cm narrower than the gap.

They say the window sills need to be replaced for ones with the correct size but the current windows can be installed with a frame extension. Currently, the windows have been installed provisionally until they provide the correct sills. They have a lot of foam on the sides which at the moment has been left exposed. The amount of noise that comes from the street is way much more than with the old windows, I imagine that this is due to the use of foam to cover the gap.

They say that it is common practice in retrofit projects to use frame extensions, but I am worried about
A. If this frame extension is going to look good: I have chosen Origin OW-70 Slimline Window because I like how they look with the small frame and I think this frame extension is going to ruin the look.
B. If the window is going to isolate the noise: I have chosen acoustic glass, which is not cheap, to reduce the noise that comes from the street as I live in front of a highway. If there is going to be a 5 cm gap in each side only filled with foam and then covered with the frame extension, is that going to do the job? My understanding is that the foam is very light and it reduces the echo (noise absorption) but it doesn't reduce the noise. 

What are my options if they don't want to replace the windows with bigger ones? Can the wall be extended with some kind of soundproof material? 

Doozergirl

If they've mis-measured then you deserve new windows!  

There's no two ways about it.  There's not a chance I'd accept a 5cm gap at each side.  The tolerance is 10mm from the smallest measurements side-to-side and top-to-bottom, not 10cm!   

It's doubly absurd when you've ordered slim sight lines.  

Tell them you're not accepting it and to remake those windows.  No compromise.  

FreeBear

Doozergirl said:

If they've mis-measured then you deserve new windows!  

There's no two ways about it.  There's not a chance I'd accept a 5cm gap at each side.  The tolerance is 10mm from the smallest measurements side-to-side and top-to-bottom, not 10cm!   

It's doubly absurd when you've ordered slim sight lines.  

Tell them you're not accepting it and to remake those windows.  No compromise.  

Agreed. 50mm is just sloppy measuring and inexcusable. You ordered slimline frames, that is what should be fitted, and not slimline with 25mm filler strips either side.

But with Christmas just a couple of weeks away, it is going to be a couple of months until new frames have been ordered, manufactured, and delivered.

plumb1_2

If there coming back with new cills, might be slightly different due to the profile. This might close the gap?
But 50mm is totally unacceptable, 10mm ok. Wait until they have reinstalled the windows , then inspect and take photos. 

rafaelki

I agree that it is going to be a couple of months until new windows are delivered, that is why I am willing to compromise and have the wall extended (as opposed to the frame extended) if that is a good idea at all...

stuart45

What's the construction of the wall? e.g. Face brickwork, rendered outside.

rafaelki

Face brickwork

stuart45

If you can put a few photos on I could give you an idea of how simple the job would be.

greenface2

slim profile and heavy internal plaster may result in a 2 inch gap outside . would need internal and external pics to know . They may have measured plaster to plaster added on 20mm but still very short outside . If that's the reason then if they measured outside and reduced by 10mm you could easy loose the glazing beading rebate . photos please 

rafaelki

Sorry, I didn't know I could upload pictures...

In case is relevant, the lateral windows are fixed windows, ie, cannot be opened.

BEFORE INSIDE (note the surveyor broke the sides of the right wooden profile to check something)


BEFORE OUTSIDE


(note current state is temporal, as they removed the old windows before realizing there was a problem with the sizes)

CURRENTLY INSIDE - left


CURRENTLY INSIDE - right - at the moment it is tilted with the top to the inside


OUTSIDE


OUTSIDE DETAIL

rafaelki

It is covered by timber, but outside beasically the window finishes where the sill finishes