ᐅ Plastic windows cracking due to sunlight and thermal expansion
Created on: 19 Feb 2018 09:15
Z
zimmer2110
Hello,
I have the following problem with a newly built house (Dec. 2015) featuring the triple-glazed plastic windows listed below. Whenever the sun comes out (whether in winter at 6°C (43°F) outside temperature or in summer at 30°C (86°F)) the windows or window frames start making cracking noises. Strangely, only the windows on the south side (sunrise side) are affected.
The cracking noise can be heard quite loudly at intervals of about 30 seconds to one minute during the worst phases (sometimes the cracking is audible for several hours daily – usually until the sun reaches its highest point above the house at midday). It sounds like small popping noises. At times, the noise is so loud and frequent that sleeping during summer from around 7:00 a.m. is no longer possible.
So it definitely has to do with heat and expansion.
The issue was reported to the home builder in May 2016, who then passed the problem on to the subcontractor. So far, only the following measures have been taken:
1. Slightly enlarged (ventilation) drill holes in the frame
2. Shortened seals
3. Screws tightened and loosened
4. Screws completely removed
All attempts so far have been unsuccessful. I have found only a few forum posts on this issue, and unfortunately, no homeowner has ultimately reported a solution. I have read about some approaches.
Since this has been ongoing for almost two years and the building companies are now more or less refusing to try further measures, I am forced to involve a lawyer.
Manufacturer details:
Plastic windows:
Central seal S 9000 | IKD up to Uw W/m²K 0.72* (6016/6003/84)
Color scheme with Acrylcolor (base body and color permanently fused) inside white and outside RAL 7016 (anthracite)
The triple-glazed windows are fitted with insulating glass containing a "SWISSPACER". Ug from 0.5 W/m²K depending on profile thickness, g-value 53%.
Structure and properties:
1) High-tech coating for better light and heat transmission
2) Gas filling in the space between panes
3) Ideal glass spacing of 15 or 16 mm (0.6 or 0.63 inches)
4) Excellent optical properties
Attached is an image showing the window construction.
Do you have any further suggestions for solutions? In particular, I’m interested in how others affected have dealt with this and what the current status is. What are the chances of success when involving a lawyer or expert? I understand that windows can make some noise and that this is not automatically a defect. However, constant and loud cracking due to sunlight is, to me, not acceptable.
Thank you very much for any information, help, or feedback!
I have the following problem with a newly built house (Dec. 2015) featuring the triple-glazed plastic windows listed below. Whenever the sun comes out (whether in winter at 6°C (43°F) outside temperature or in summer at 30°C (86°F)) the windows or window frames start making cracking noises. Strangely, only the windows on the south side (sunrise side) are affected.
The cracking noise can be heard quite loudly at intervals of about 30 seconds to one minute during the worst phases (sometimes the cracking is audible for several hours daily – usually until the sun reaches its highest point above the house at midday). It sounds like small popping noises. At times, the noise is so loud and frequent that sleeping during summer from around 7:00 a.m. is no longer possible.
So it definitely has to do with heat and expansion.
The issue was reported to the home builder in May 2016, who then passed the problem on to the subcontractor. So far, only the following measures have been taken:
1. Slightly enlarged (ventilation) drill holes in the frame
2. Shortened seals
3. Screws tightened and loosened
4. Screws completely removed
All attempts so far have been unsuccessful. I have found only a few forum posts on this issue, and unfortunately, no homeowner has ultimately reported a solution. I have read about some approaches.
Since this has been ongoing for almost two years and the building companies are now more or less refusing to try further measures, I am forced to involve a lawyer.
Manufacturer details:
Plastic windows:
Central seal S 9000 | IKD up to Uw W/m²K 0.72* (6016/6003/84)
Color scheme with Acrylcolor (base body and color permanently fused) inside white and outside RAL 7016 (anthracite)
The triple-glazed windows are fitted with insulating glass containing a "SWISSPACER". Ug from 0.5 W/m²K depending on profile thickness, g-value 53%.
Structure and properties:
1) High-tech coating for better light and heat transmission
2) Gas filling in the space between panes
3) Ideal glass spacing of 15 or 16 mm (0.6 or 0.63 inches)
4) Excellent optical properties
Attached is an image showing the window construction.
Do you have any further suggestions for solutions? In particular, I’m interested in how others affected have dealt with this and what the current status is. What are the chances of success when involving a lawyer or expert? I understand that windows can make some noise and that this is not automatically a defect. However, constant and loud cracking due to sunlight is, to me, not acceptable.
Thank you very much for any information, help, or feedback!
zimmer2110 schrieb:
Everything is now handled through my lawyer. The creaking windows are still installed, but I hope they will all be removed eventually...I wouldn’t count too much on legal action to help against the builder’s incorrect material combination—nor on loosening the screws; but perhaps slightly allowing the screw connections to slide and converting the relevant holes into elongated holes might help.Megges22 schrieb:
A great solution
You’d probably do the same
Maybe they’ll still creak, then we’ll just buy wooden windows, right In fact, this creaking problem has been minimized with both aluminum windows and wooden windows. Aluminum is very suitable for window profiles, and so is wood. Vinyl (or uPVC) windows are essentially steel-reinforced profiles, meaning they consist of two main components whose coefficients of thermal expansion do not match well. Add in a "dark surface" and a "south-facing" orientation, and the creaking effect reaches a noticeably disturbing level. The material itself is not to blame for poorly advised builders.https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
zimmer2110 schrieb:
Everything is now being handled through my lawyer. The creaking windows are still installed for now; I hope they will all be removed eventually...I read elsewhere that you once suspected the issue was caused by the shutter tracks. The tracks were removed from one window, right? Did that not lead to any improvement?
We had the same problem with our front door. The company came out several times, but without success.
After threatening with a lawyer, the department manager came out. In the end, the door was still produced as a custom-made unit.
The door was tightly stuck in the masonry and could not be adjusted.
Best regards
After threatening with a lawyer, the department manager came out. In the end, the door was still produced as a custom-made unit.
The door was tightly stuck in the masonry and could not be adjusted.
Best regards
In our house, built in 2018, I have both issues—the creaking in the front door and the windows. They appeared almost exactly after 5 years, right after the warranty period ended. The creaking window is a fixed PVC window measuring 290cm x 170cm (approximately 114 inches x 67 inches), white on both the inside and outside. It creaks with all temperature changes, even at night, coming from one corner. If you press on the frame from the outside or inside at that spot, it squeaks.
The front door is made of aluminum, medium gray, and creaks very loudly when the sun comes up or goes down. It is mounted on three hinges in the frame, and if you slightly loosen these and adjust the door back and forth a bit, only the frequency of the creaking changes, but it doesn’t stop. In the living room next to the PVC window, I now have to take breaks using earplugs—it’s awful. What can I do?
The front door is made of aluminum, medium gray, and creaks very loudly when the sun comes up or goes down. It is mounted on three hinges in the frame, and if you slightly loosen these and adjust the door back and forth a bit, only the frequency of the creaking changes, but it doesn’t stop. In the living room next to the PVC window, I now have to take breaks using earplugs—it’s awful. What can I do?
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