ᐅ Shutter box not flush with the wall – possible design error? Any suggestions?
Created on: 22 Aug 2021 23:33
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pagoni2020
Our windows are now "almost installed," but unfortunately there are several deficiencies, which means replacement windows need to be delivered 😡. Unfortunately, issues like these are now affecting multiple trades, which is very exhausting and sometimes even discouraging. The quality of the general contractor (GC) does not live up to the initial praise.
Problem / Question:
Most of our windows have roller shutters with boxes installed inside the window reveal. The issue is that the shutter boxes are not deep enough and recess about 20cm (8 inches) from the interior wall. The plasterer is now supposed to plaster over this.
The plasterer suggests that this should be built up by 20cm (8 inches) so that the roller shutter box is flush with the interior masonry. Honestly, I have never seen it done differently and either didn’t notice before or was not informed about it.
Now we are faced with the decision of whether to have the lintels in the window reveals built up by 20cm (8 inches) with XPS insulation or similar materials for around €1500, or to simply have the recessed shutter boxes plastered as is, at no additional cost.
I have searched for pictures but found none; I believe this is rather unusual. The construction contract does not specify anything about this in detail. In my opinion, this is not correct or the roller shutter boxes should have been ordered with more depth so they would be flush with the interior wall ready for plastering... or am I wrong?
The GC claims this is often done this way...
Does anyone have ideas for a different (more cost-effective) solution or experience with this? It is hard for me to imagine the finished result having an additional 20cm (8 inches) of plastered surface inside above the window.
Unfortunately, I don’t have another photo right now; this one was taken at an angle from below and shows the lintel from underneath; the white area is the roller shutter box (to be plastered) and the brown parts are the window frames.
I hope I explained everything clearly, otherwise please ask.
Problem / Question:
Most of our windows have roller shutters with boxes installed inside the window reveal. The issue is that the shutter boxes are not deep enough and recess about 20cm (8 inches) from the interior wall. The plasterer is now supposed to plaster over this.
The plasterer suggests that this should be built up by 20cm (8 inches) so that the roller shutter box is flush with the interior masonry. Honestly, I have never seen it done differently and either didn’t notice before or was not informed about it.
Now we are faced with the decision of whether to have the lintels in the window reveals built up by 20cm (8 inches) with XPS insulation or similar materials for around €1500, or to simply have the recessed shutter boxes plastered as is, at no additional cost.
I have searched for pictures but found none; I believe this is rather unusual. The construction contract does not specify anything about this in detail. In my opinion, this is not correct or the roller shutter boxes should have been ordered with more depth so they would be flush with the interior wall ready for plastering... or am I wrong?
The GC claims this is often done this way...
Does anyone have ideas for a different (more cost-effective) solution or experience with this? It is hard for me to imagine the finished result having an additional 20cm (8 inches) of plastered surface inside above the window.
Unfortunately, I don’t have another photo right now; this one was taken at an angle from below and shows the lintel from underneath; the white area is the roller shutter box (to be plastered) and the brown parts are the window frames.
I hope I explained everything clearly, otherwise please ask.
pagoni2020 schrieb:
It depends: Generally, it’s about the coordination between trades, relevant details, craftsmen not being informed about agreements, and then they’re away for weeks, causing the next trade to be delayed... and so a lot of unnecessary time is lost. So a general contractor (GC) who only handles the shell construction and subcontracts all the rest – who is responsible for the coordination in that case?
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
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pagoni202023 Aug 2021 14:58hampshire schrieb:
The cancellation of site visits would have hit us hard as well. The usual explanation of COVID-related delays and supply shortages is frustrating and feels to me like a yellow sick note for those unwilling to work—only this time for service providers. As a homeowner, you feel powerless—especially difficult when you are an independent decision-maker and creative personality yourself.
Your house concept is so well thought out and grounded in real-life experience—once you’re living in it, it will work. A few details here and there don’t matter. Then, what seems dull right now will shine again. You really describe exactly the points that affect me.
Thank you—I also agree completely with the last sentence, and I do know it... mentally... but it’s like the psychiatrist with their own issues or the teacher with their own parenting challenges, etc. In theory, you have the black belt...
As soon as the plaster is dry and the bathroom is more or less functional, I’ll be moving in anyway 😀
11ant schrieb:
So a main contractor who only does the shell construction and subcontractors handle everything else—who is responsible for coordinating the communication? A small, regional main contractor who always works with the same local tradespeople. However, our building site is 50m (165 ft) away, which apparently only now becomes apparent to some tradespeople. The main contractor is responsible... but communication is... 🤨
A few trades are still missing, the rest we will assign ourselves anyway. We’ll manage... the drywall installer is supposed to start on Thursday... supposed to.
pagoni2020 schrieb:
A small, local general contractor who always works with the same nearby tradespeople. However, our project is 50km (31 miles) away, which apparently only now becomes noticeable to some of the tradespeople. At least in terms of the consequence that your construction site cannot be on their schedule alongside others on the same day. This is an important point for everyone looking for a general contractor: that if the site is at the edge of their usual area, they sometimes have to collaborate with other subcontractors or have less flexibility to reschedule the usual ones.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/