ᐅ Almost every window has scratches – what is considered normal?
Created on: 8 May 2017 17:24
D
DReffects
Hello forum community,
Unfortunately, during the inspection for the electrical installation, we noticed that nearly all the windows have mechanical damage both on the inside plastic and the exterior aluminum cladding, in the form of scratches and abrasions.
The construction company has unfortunately already removed the protective film inside – seemingly even before installation. At some window sills, it appears as if the window was placed directly on the bare brickwork. On one window, there are two drill holes in the frame that were started in the wrong position.
From various Google searches, I understand that "minor scratches" are generally not considered valid grounds for a complaint. On the other hand, I would say that for a new build, one should still expect new, undamaged materials, right?
Is there a standard or guideline regarding acceptable scratches? We noticed these scratches despite the dust and dirt typical of a building shell.
Thanks & regards,
Daniel
Unfortunately, during the inspection for the electrical installation, we noticed that nearly all the windows have mechanical damage both on the inside plastic and the exterior aluminum cladding, in the form of scratches and abrasions.
The construction company has unfortunately already removed the protective film inside – seemingly even before installation. At some window sills, it appears as if the window was placed directly on the bare brickwork. On one window, there are two drill holes in the frame that were started in the wrong position.
From various Google searches, I understand that "minor scratches" are generally not considered valid grounds for a complaint. On the other hand, I would say that for a new build, one should still expect new, undamaged materials, right?
Is there a standard or guideline regarding acceptable scratches? We noticed these scratches despite the dust and dirt typical of a building shell.
Thanks & regards,
Daniel
There are several guideline sheets:
"KU.01: Visual Assessment of Surfaces of Plastic Windows and Door Elements"
"Guideline for the Evaluation of the Visual Quality of Insulating Glass"
According to these, you have to accept certain aspects. Some defects only count if they are visible from a certain distance, and so on.
"KU.01: Visual Assessment of Surfaces of Plastic Windows and Door Elements"
"Guideline for the Evaluation of the Visual Quality of Insulating Glass"
According to these, you have to accept certain aspects. Some defects only count if they are visible from a certain distance, and so on.
World-e schrieb:
There are various datasheets:
"KU.01: Visual assessment of surfaces of plastic windows and door elements"
"Guideline for assessing the visual quality of insulated glass"
According to these, you have to accept quite a bit. Some defects only count if viewed from a certain distance, etc.Excuse me? These documents are published by the association "Windows + Facade" – to me, that sounds like manufacturers’ wishful thinking. I wouldn't just create a datasheet for IT saying "System crashes must be accepted without exception, except if they occur more often than every 30 minutes. Monitor flickering is normal."
In our case, the installation team apparently handled the windows very roughly. There are scratches and damage to the plastic on many edges, the protective film was apparently removed in some spots using a screwdriver, leaving small indentations.
End caps of profiles are broken (which you obviously won’t see from 5 meters (16 feet) away under diffuse light – as the datasheet would like it – of course not…) and on two windows there are messy drill holes below where the glass is seated, supposedly for attaching a transport hook. But how is proper thermal insulation supposed to be achieved there if the air cavity is not sealed?
Does this look like a defect to you?
B
Bieber081517 May 2017 23:15The question is, first, whether there are objectively any defects, and second, how you can assert your rights.
I dare say: your contracting party will not voluntarily remove all that, dispose of it, and have it reinstalled by a quality company. Keep us updated!
I also had to familiarize myself with the "Guideline for Assessing the Visual Quality of Glass for Construction," developed by the Technical Advisory Board at the Institute of Glazing Trade for Glazing Technology and Window Construction in Hadamar and the Technical Committee of the Federal Flat Glass Association in Troisdorf. After initially being told “If it’s outside the field of vision, you don’t see it, so it’s not a defect,” the glass in our case was eventually replaced. I don’t know if that helps you, since your issue is mostly with the frames…
I dare say: your contracting party will not voluntarily remove all that, dispose of it, and have it reinstalled by a quality company. Keep us updated!
I also had to familiarize myself with the "Guideline for Assessing the Visual Quality of Glass for Construction," developed by the Technical Advisory Board at the Institute of Glazing Trade for Glazing Technology and Window Construction in Hadamar and the Technical Committee of the Federal Flat Glass Association in Troisdorf. After initially being told “If it’s outside the field of vision, you don’t see it, so it’s not a defect,” the glass in our case was eventually replaced. I don’t know if that helps you, since your issue is mostly with the frames…
Bieber0815 schrieb:
The question is 1. whether there are objectively any defects and 2. how you can enforce your rights. Regarding 1.
That is certainly the key issue. If I were to apply this type of defect to any other object (phone, car, computer, sunglasses, picture frame, speaker, anything), the answer would be clear: this is not a product in new condition.
Polishing out scratches (one of the suggestions) is problematic in that there isn’t unlimited material available. If you start with less material, you no longer have the option to polish it in the future because material has already been removed. It’s the same with car paint: it can’t be refinished indefinitely.
The plastic windows are essentially designed to last a lifetime – you want to be able to restore their appearance decades later.
Regarding 2.
Well, there are plenty of options. The most reasonable would be an open handling of the matter by the builder/developer. For me personally, there are parts of the window that do not necessarily have to be replaced (damages on the bottom edges, for example), but they should at least be compensated for in some way. Other issues, such as the large dent, the warped door, as well as the windows with incorrect drill holes and noticeable scratches, definitely should be addressed.
Bieber0815 schrieb:
I would claim: Your contract partner will not voluntarily remove all that stuff, dispose of it, and have a quality company reinstall it. Keep us updated! I will! My contract partner is a builder/developer who subcontracts all tasks to third parties. In this respect, they have significantly more leverage over their contractors, since unlike me, those subcontractors don’t receive just one contract in their lifetime...
DReffects schrieb:
Excuse me? This information is published by the association "Windows + Facades" – to me, it sounds like wishful thinking by the manufacturers. I can’t just write a datasheet for the IT sector stating, “System crashes must be accepted without exception except within a 30-minute interval. Monitor flickering is normal.”Unfortunately, I’m also not sure whether these datasheets are binding or contestable. That would definitely be interesting. So far, I haven’t had a meeting with the window installer to discuss the faults.
To respond to your point about the IT sector: With TFT displays, a certain number of (sub)pixel defects are allowed, and there is no right to exchange based on those. In fact, ISO 9241-307 defines different classes regarding this.
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