[andrewjs18]

Hi all,

First I'd like to preface my post by saying that I'm not a contractor nor do I have a ton of experience with home remodeling.

I recently had 5 okna 500 replacement windows installed in my house that was built in the 20s or 30s...that would put the house around 80-90 years old or so...from everything I've read, the okna windows are fantastic, especially for the price. I paid just under $500/window, installed plus capping. not too bad!

all that said, I imagine my window frames are not square...I don't think I saw the installer use a bubble level 1 time while installing any of the windows. 4 of the windows look fine, although I didn't throw a level on them to check for square. I have 1 window that looked pretty unlevel, just by judging from a quick look at the windows from a few feet away...my wife even noticed it too when I was showing her the windows!

the installer came out today to adjust the window after I called in to the company. it looks better than it did, but it's still not square per the bubble level and even looking at it it looks slanted to one side. it's driving me crazy.

am I crazy for thinking that the window frame should of been shimmed for square before the window was installed? furthermore, am I crazy for insisting that it be fixed?

the window seems to open, close and lock fine, but I also want it to look good...especially after dropping just under $2,500 for 5 windows!


thanks!

 

[joecaption]

Why not check level, plumb, and square of the window frame yourself so you can get a better idea what's going on?
Very often in older homes the framing and trim will be off from settling over the years and this can make the window look like it has an uneven exposure, most often it shows the most at the stool.
As long as the window is OK it should be fine.

 

[Daniel Holzman]

As joecaption mentioned, you can check all this yourself, and you should. You check level with a bubble level. You can also check plumb with a bubble level. You check square using a carpenter's square, and you make a final check by making sure the two diagonals are the same length (measure with a tape is the easiest way). As joe noted, older houses are almost never plumb and square, so even if the windows are perfectly installed, they may look wrong compared to the rest of the house. Common problem.

 

[Windows on Wash]

The window can be set out of level and still be square. Square is the most important aspect as it will impact how the sashes interface with the main frame and weatherstripping contact.

Some openings are so out of level and plumb that the installer will choose to split the delta in some cases to not highlight the trim reveals.

 

[andrewjs18]

thanks for the replies.

I'm not sure I even need to check with a level after looking at some of my own photos I took of the new window (this assumes my phone was level when taking the photos): https://imgur.com/a/OtheS

don't mind the circular holes in the wall...I had my house insulated in December...still haven't had time to paint yet.

 

[Windows on Wash]

Looks like it is a bit out of level with the trim. Put a level across the meeting rail and see if the window is level. If the window is level, then the wall is out.

 

[andrewjs18]

Looks like it is a bit out of level with the trim. Put a level across the meeting rail and see if the window is level. If the window is level, then the wall is out.

I'll check that tonight.

the window looks terrible from the outside of my house; it looks crooked. I'll upload some photos tonight to see if it illustrates my thoughts. it's a cloudy & windy day here in PA, so I'm not too sure if the photos are decent enough.

here's some photos:

 

[andrewjs18]

Threw a level on the meeting rail tonight..it's not level, as seen in the photo below: