ᐅ Assessment of the Renovation Regarding New Windows (Here: Shift of the Mullion)

Dear Sir or Madam, we have built a single-family house with a general contractor. Completion was on June 26, 2020. After handover, it was noticed that the four windows on the upper floor do not match the construction plans and, as a result, there is no emergency escape route on the upper floor, which is required by the Brandenburg building regulations (we built in Brandenburg).

The construction company has accepted this defect.

They are now offering us, I quote: "To end all further discussions about the number of windows to be modified, all 4 windows will be rebuilt so that each of the 4 elements will have a clear passage height of at least 1200 mm (47 inches) after the modification (at the tilt-and-turn sashes). For this purpose, the horizontal transoms will be lowered by about 23 cm (9 inches), new TRAV glazing will be installed in the bottom light, and new sashes will be mounted at the top accordingly. The existing old drill holes of the lower sash hinges on the interior side as well as the drill holes of the old horizontal transoms in the rebate area will be filled, sanded, and painted by a painting company after these works. No pins, caps, etc., will be used. However, the work can only be carried out at stable outdoor temperatures of at least 5 degrees Celsius (41°F)."

Questions to the community:

- From your perspective, is this offer, which will affect the existing windows, a fair solution both functionally and aesthetically? I find it difficult to assess.

- How would you handle this situation?

- From our point of view, are we entitled to some sort of compensation (due to the additional construction work and alteration of existing windows)? How would you evaluate this?

Best regards

xelsior1984 schrieb:

All 4 windows will be modified so that each of the 4 units will have a clear opening height of at least 1200 mm (47 inches) after the renovation (at the tilt-and-turn sashes). For this, the transom bars will be lowered by about 23 cm (9 inches), new TRAV glazing will be installed in the fixed lower part, and new sashes will be mounted at the top accordingly.

Images would make this easier to understand. I believe I understood that these are windows with fixed lower sections, where the frame below the opening sash – essentially the parapet height – is to be lowered to meet the emergency exit minimum height. Wouldn’t this then negatively affect the fall height (distance to the ground)?

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Thank you.

Yes, that is correctly stated. The fall height will definitely be reduced. Calculate that again.

I am more concerned about whether shifting the beam like that is technically feasible. Has anyone ever tried something like this before?

How wide are the windows? The clear opening must be 900 x 1200 mm (35 x 47 inches). The exact height and width do not matter; as far as I know, intermediate dimensions are even possible.

xelsior1984 schrieb:

I’m more wondering if moving the stud is technically feasible.

Just based on the text, I think so, but a photo of the current state would be helpful.

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https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/