Dear forum,
This April, during a complete renovation of our semi-detached house, we had the windows replaced. A window company came to take all the measurements and then installed the new windows. Since we are adding an 18cm (7 inch) external thermal insulation system to the facade, the windows were positioned at the outer edge of the wall.
The problem is that the window installer only measured the outer reveal without removing the exterior plaster beforehand. As a result, the new windows, balcony doors, and front door are between 5 and 10 cm (2 to 4 inches) too narrow because there was a considerable layer of plaster.
My questions are as follows:
1. Who is responsible in a case like this? Who would potentially cover any resulting costs?
2. Is it even allowed to install windows only on the exterior plaster? Normally, they should be mounted directly onto the brickwork, right?
3. How could these windows be removed in the future? On the outside there will be the insulation system, and inside, according to the window installer, we should fix drywall panels with profiles onto the window to rebuild the reveal, since applying another 4cm (1.5 inches) of plaster per side on the existing interior plaster is not possible. (Besides, this would probably be very expensive because every corner etc. would have to be rebuilt.) If the windows ever need to be replaced again, would the entire drywall reveal have to be demolished?
4. Will there be no thermal bridge in the gap between the brick and the drywall panel? Behind it is only the thin layer of exterior plaster.
I have attached a photo—I hope you can see that the windows were installed only on the plaster.
I would really appreciate any answers 🙂
This April, during a complete renovation of our semi-detached house, we had the windows replaced. A window company came to take all the measurements and then installed the new windows. Since we are adding an 18cm (7 inch) external thermal insulation system to the facade, the windows were positioned at the outer edge of the wall.
The problem is that the window installer only measured the outer reveal without removing the exterior plaster beforehand. As a result, the new windows, balcony doors, and front door are between 5 and 10 cm (2 to 4 inches) too narrow because there was a considerable layer of plaster.
My questions are as follows:
1. Who is responsible in a case like this? Who would potentially cover any resulting costs?
2. Is it even allowed to install windows only on the exterior plaster? Normally, they should be mounted directly onto the brickwork, right?
3. How could these windows be removed in the future? On the outside there will be the insulation system, and inside, according to the window installer, we should fix drywall panels with profiles onto the window to rebuild the reveal, since applying another 4cm (1.5 inches) of plaster per side on the existing interior plaster is not possible. (Besides, this would probably be very expensive because every corner etc. would have to be rebuilt.) If the windows ever need to be replaced again, would the entire drywall reveal have to be demolished?
4. Will there be no thermal bridge in the gap between the brick and the drywall panel? Behind it is only the thin layer of exterior plaster.
I have attached a photo—I hope you can see that the windows were installed only on the plaster.
I would really appreciate any answers 🙂
There are no structural changes to the house except for the VWS (at least none affecting the windows). The window installer had all the plans available, which specified the correct clear dimensions of the window reveals (excluding exterior plaster). Apparently, this plan was ignored, and only the measurements including the plaster were used.
H
hampshire6 Aug 2021 10:49firas21 schrieb:
The window measurer had all the plans available, which showed the exact clear dimensions of the wall reveal (excluding exterior plaster). This plan was apparently ignored, and only the measurement including the plaster was used. If this was part of the contract, you have a chance. Have you already accepted the work or formally raised a complaint in writing?
firas21 schrieb:
that an 18cm (7 inch) external insulation system will be installed on the facadeWas this documented in writing or only communicated verbally? firas21 schrieb:
The window installer had all the plans showing the correct clear dimensions of the window reveal (excluding the exterior render). Apparently, these plans were ignored and only the measurements including the render were used.Did the plans indicate that the thermal insulation with the corresponding thickness would still be added? Have you reported the defects in writing or only verbally?
firas21 schrieb:
No, everything was handled by a window installation company, You mean: a facility management service that does not also trim hedges?
firas21 schrieb:
This would only work if all costs were covered by the window company? But please, only the costs. Legally, this will be a tough road, because even a poor-quality contractor is usually allowed to fix their mistakes first.
firas21 schrieb:
What’s the point of having trained professionals then? If competent people among window installers were not even rarer than real estate agents, I probably wouldn’t have had to turn my back on the window industry.
firas21 schrieb:
The window measurer had all the plans showing the correct clear dimensions of the wall reveal (excluding exterior plaster). Apparently, this plan was ignored and the measurement including plaster was taken instead. I assume you mean structural drawings with target dimensions. However, these are firstly not the same as an as-built measurement (which I’ve never actually seen in real life; it probably only exists in fairy tales), and secondly, taking the actual measurement after plaster makes more sense here – the only thing the production (planning) specialists should have had was the information about installation in an existing structure.
It’s not entirely surprising that I’m suspecting a real professional company here ;-)
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
H
hampshire6 Aug 2021 23:12firas21 schrieb:
Since these were installed, there has been an argument about who is to blame.I wish you all the best. Looking for someone to blame is almost always a dead end and prevents finding a solution. Very quickly, the parties involved focus less on the issue and more on saving face and winning. That’s when things really get stuck. If you want a good solution, you have to give the other party a chance to agree without personal loss (not financial). Debating who’s at fault is a thing of the past. Twice unfortunate.
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