ᐅ Issue After Window Replacement | Incorrect Measurements?

Created on: 5 Aug 2021 13:11
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firas21
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 🙂

Neues Fenster im Baubereich, Wand verputzt; Außenbereich mit Baum und Garten sichtbar.
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firas21
5 Aug 2021 15:30
But shouldn't the window installer have pointed this out to me?
How am I supposed to know as a layperson that the plaster needs to be chiseled off beforehand?

No profile was used; the windows were only screwed through the frame.
11ant5 Aug 2021 15:39
firas21 schrieb:

But shouldn’t the window installer have pointed that out to me?

The installer wouldn’t - but the site surveyor apparently did not note on the measurements that the installation is in an existing structure.
firas21 schrieb:

How am I supposed to know as a layperson that the plaster needs to be chiseled off first?

It does not necessarily have to be chiseled off.
firas21 schrieb:

A profile was not used, the windows were only screwed through the frame.

Yes, screwed through the middle of the frame profile. So, in this installation position, not done according to professional standards.
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firas21
5 Aug 2021 15:52
The installer was also the person who took the window measurements.

So, is it acceptable to install the windows only onto the exterior plaster, or does this comply with common standards?

If the installation position is not done properly, could that at least be challenged?
11ant5 Aug 2021 16:45
The anchoring should be fixed into the wall, not into the plaster. The installation level is fine, but in that case, it should not be screwed through; instead, it should be mounted using brackets.
firas21 schrieb:

The installer was also the person who measured the windows.

A handyman service / general all-round tradesperson with a big "do everything cheap and badly" sticker on their junk cart, I suppose (?)
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A
apokolok
6 Aug 2021 00:59
To be honest, I would remove the windows exactly as they are.
How can such poor workmanship even happen?
It really shouldn’t be allowed or possible.
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firas21
6 Aug 2021 07:03
11ant schrieb:

A handyman service / all-round jack-of-all-trades with a big “do everything cheap and poorly” sticker on his junk cart, I suspect (?)

No, everything was done through a window installation company, and the boss himself took the measurements for the windows, so I assumed that everything would be done correctly.