Anybody had experience putting all-fiberglass frame windows in new construction? It’s brick veneer. Supplier says framing is a real bear; that tolerances are one-eighth inch. Help!
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Replies
Shims?
No shims can be used.
Don't understand your post.
What brand of windows?
!/8in. tolerance........To what?
The rough opening in the framing has to be bigger than that.
1/8 to brick sounds tight,better have some good masons! Maybe make temporary forms to work to(squared-up). I'd bet even if you installed the windows b-4 the veneer went up, the gap would be bigger than 1/8.
Sometimes these things are wishful thinking.Ican,t think of any reason why it needs to be that tight.
Something just don't sound right.
Dave
do you mean vinyl?
Fiberglass frames. Fiberframe is manufacturer; line is Comfort Line--Next Generation.
Hey bjA,
I went to the website, was not impressed, seems to be selling the sizzle and not the steak. What is it about this window that has your interest?
Could not find any info. about install, found lots of disclaimers, no company history, although somehow related to Owens-Corning.
I'd probably pass on this window.
Dave
Thanks, I'll research the other brands further. There aren't that many choices in fiberglass, which is what's been spec'd, and I was going on experience of a reputable local distributor/installer and another separate installer I know who's been using them in replacement work.Poked around a high-end S/D where the distributor also did the installation of 'em in the whole place about 8 years ago. Pretended to be interested in a resale there and caught folks out on weekend there. Asked a lot of questions about how they liked their houses and windows.
Everyone loved 'em, so I took that as a good sign.Do you know of a better brand I could check into?
Marvin makes 2 lines of fiberglass windows. Integrity which is fiberlass ext. and wood int. and Infinity which is all fiberglass.
I last used Comfortline fibreglass casements a few years ago. Quality units. No such thing as an 1/8 inch whatever. This is a local company here in Toledo (unless they have expanded manufacturing). Everything I've gotten out of that shop has been good. Of course they could have changed. I would certainly try them again.
That's all I know.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Thanks a lot, calvin. I'll talk further with the distributor; could be he was just trying to drum up business saying he needed to consult with the builder early on so the framing got done right.
Hey bjA,,
If you have positive feedback from a trusted source and positive feed back here and you are spect out to a type but not a manufacturer and not many brands to choose from, I guess you could give them a try.The only thing I worry about is service, if something arrives broke, or warranty if things fail.Fiberglass is kinda like the new kid on the block.DAVE
I dont see the benefits of fiberglass over vinyl. Quality vinyl will have no issues so is it cost? However I have seen some fiberglass front doors that look really sharp! with the front doors though you see the surface, windows spend most of their time behind blinds or curtains.
The fibreglass is more rigid. This allows narrower sash parts. Many vinyl windows spend much of their time blocking the view, most noticeably in the narrow windows.
For this benefit, expect to pay more than vinyl.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
thats a good deal, no problems with the fiberglass 10 years down the road?
No problem, Comfortline white fibreglas. Made here in Toledo. Seals still good, hardware fine and good color retention. One thing at the time, they didn't come with insulated frames. We added it as there's no real vacuum in those extrusions, a breeze would go everywhere. I would imagine that by now they have added that-worth checking. These were well crafted, sized exactly to order. I have had no call for replacements like these since. The job was a whole house remodel and budget dictated a vinyl or fibreglass product. For the money, the homowner got a good thing.
The install is an important part. While more rigid than vinyl, they still are not as stiff as wood frame.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
I went to the website and as I used to sell windows for a living I could find the information I needed. Its not complete enough using the marvin website as an example. It would need to be more user friendly but I filled out the contractor form. I didnt realize fiberglass had moved into the windows biz. I live ocean side and could probably sell alot of these against vinyl for the homes out here. we will see.
Take a good look.
And remember them when you have a shower window install.
They had a nice product in a slide by vinyl too. Perfect for the 3.25 season room.
And like everything else, study up and make an educated decision. I haven't dealt with them for a couple years-my experience may have waned.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
One of the best things to me is that the windows can be any color, unlike the white or beige of vinyl windows.
I like Milgards Woodclad line, fiberglass on the outside in around 8 colors or paint the color you want and wood on the inside.
You'll want to pay close attention to how the window is designed to fit a brick opening. Some depend on a brick mold to span the distance between window and brick, while others can be fitted much tighter and don't use brick mold.
The ones without brick mold typically use closed cell backer rod packed in the gap and caulked over.
We're just about to fit a half dozen windows to brick openings and 1/4" gap on each side is what we're shooting for since it's easy to caulk and doesn't require a shoe horn or grease to get the dang thing in.
Best of luck
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.