Replies

1. 
   Piffin | May 27, 2003 02:48am | #1

   I just did some Andersen replacements. Part of their spiel is that they can and will still provide replacement parts for any window they ever made.

   The new ones are not wood anymore but they do hae replacement parts in wood. The old glass that appears single thickness is actually what they called welded glass which was two plys with a plastic between - no airspace. Replacements will have more modern insulated glass.

   If these are Andersens there will be a small name and date stamp etched into the glass panels in one corner or another of each glass. The metal hinge style on the casements is another clue.

   You can get replacement sashes or total jamb and sash mounted through any Andersen stocking dealer. The website has a link to find dealers in your area.

   .

   Excellence is its own reward!

   
2. 
   geob21 | May 27, 2003 04:52am | #2

   Call Andersen  if it can be done they should know. They have many new units in the same sizes so replacing the entire unit may be possible.

   And Piffin welded glass does have an airspace I believe someone told you wrong. The welded units didn't have a metal spacer bar. The easiest welded units to identify were made by PPG the have a small grey filled vent hole near the frame. LOF also made welded glass for Andersen but the vent was in the edge and not visable.

   I am a fund of absolutely useless knowledge.

   ___________________________________________________________

   If you were arrested for being a quality builder would there be enough evidence to convict you?
1. 
   Piffin | May 27, 2003 05:13am | #3

   "I am a fund of absolutely useless knowledge"

   LOL Sounds like we have a lot in common. Just think of the BS we know!

   I kind of wondered how this one clouded up if there was no actual space!

   Now to tap into your well of useless knowledge - how did they do it with no separator bar and enough heat to weld that glass edge?

   .

   Excellence is its own reward!

2. 
   ahneedhelp | May 27, 2003 05:24am | #4

   Thanks for the replies -

   I looked and looked and looked.....but could not find any clues except the units seem to be good quality and has held up very nicely. Not bad for 35 odd years of service.

   (The exterior part of the sashes and frame are stained dark brown and appears to be original and weathered dull.)

   I appreciate the mention of the welded glass, although they appeared to be closer to single pane thickness.

   Hopefully I will get a second chance to take a serious look at the windows because they will be a major issue for me in considering the purchase.

   First things first, though.

   The agent will try to find out if the current and original owner remembers or has records.

   (It was custom built.)

   Thanks for the help.

1. 
   ahneedhelp | May 27, 2003 05:28am | #5

   Dear Piffin -

   Boink me over the head for being clueless but I am trying to figure out what it is the photos are trying to show.....

   What's going on with the taped X ?

   Sorry I have to ask.

1. 
   Piffin | May 27, 2003 05:53am | #6

   The loss of visibility from losing the seal in the one casement sash. We were talking about seals and welded glass.

   The painters masking was how he alerted me which windows to study for bidding replacements - so I wouldn't miss anything..

   Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   ahneedhelp | May 27, 2003 06:33am | #7

   Thanks, Piffin.

   I have yet to live in a house with double-paned windows.

   They have all been with storm windows.

   The house we're looking at cannot have storms because of the casements and awnings...which is why I'm investigating.

   Clouding between the panes sounds like something that has to be dealt with at some point for most double panes or welded.

2. 
   Piffin | May 28, 2003 05:00am | #12

   There are interior storms available from almost any glass shop..

   Excellence is its own reward!

3. 
   ahneedhelp | May 28, 2003 02:32pm | #13

   Howdy, Piffin -

   Thank-you for the tip.

   Not sure if there is enough room to accomodate one - will look next time if we pursue the house.

   I am picturing the casement crank handle will be removed when the storms are in place, which will not be a big deal to me.

   By the way, the listing agent confirmed yesterday they are Andersens.

4. 
   Piffin | May 29, 2003 06:15am | #14

   Aha!

   I see you've learned to spell it the way the founder of the company does, too.

   ;).

   Excellence is its own reward!

5. 
   ahneedhelp | May 29, 2003 06:31am | #15

   Yes, my mistake in the beginning dispite knowing full-well it's suppose to be 'sen'.

   As for the house, there seems to be some hidden issues with the lot lines and may not be a full acre.

   The subdivision plat shows part of it designated as green space with setback and plant/vegetation/building restrictions.

   A bummer as I really like the house.

   But all is not lost because now I know my options with old Andersens.

   Thanks for everybody's help !

6. 
   Piffin | May 29, 2003 06:51am | #16

   Read the deed and hire a lawyer..

   Excellence is its own reward!

7. 
   ahneedhelp | May 29, 2003 02:56pm | #17

   re - Read the deed and hire a lawyer.

   --------

   Thanks - if we decide to pursue something seriously, most definitely.

   Just reading the convenant from the 1960s leads me to believe a visit to the town planner and the courthouse will be a good start before proceeding farther.

   Also, wife wants to keep looking...

2. 
   IronHelix | May 27, 2003 02:13pm | #8

   When you look the next time.......take matches or a BicFlic with you.  Stand in front of the glass, flic the bic, look for the reflection of the of the flame in the glass surface.  If the glass is IG then you will see two flames. One flame=one pane, etc,etc.

   ....................Iron Helix

1. 
   ahneedhelp | May 27, 2003 02:54pm | #9

   Great idea -

   Thanks for the lighter tip.

2. 
   xMikeSmith | May 27, 2003 02:58pm | #10

   we've done a lot of andersen..

    you can get parts... but now would be a good time to replace the whole unit..

    the single pane, wooden sas outreach hardware were pretty popular.. then came the welded glass units (late '60's).. then the insulated glass when the IG technology improved past the welded glass..

    your's are probably just as you thought... single glass..

    most of the modern units will go into the same rough openings as the old units..

    use the GLASS SIZE ( daylight ) to reference, unless you can still see the code numbers etched into the corner..

   go to a QUALITY ANDERSEN  DEALER.. avoid HD.. you can get service and parts there.. or go online..

    me, i'd replace them with modern clad units from AndersenMike Smith   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

1. 
   ahneedhelp | May 27, 2003 04:19pm | #11

   Mike -

   Thank you for the suggestions.

   (There is an Anderson dealer in town.)

   If we decide to persue the house, I am hoping they are Andersons.

   The old units will be recycleable, so removing them will not be a total loss.

   However, the basement awnings, also in very good condition, are mounted in.....brick veneer, if you noticed my gripes about wanting a FH article covering this topic.

   Based on what I've been told, the house was built in 1966.

   The windows have bonze colored exterior mounted hinges, sort of like cabinet doors - does this offer a clue ?

   I guess in the modern units the sashes are articulated on the casement mechanism ?

   Anyway, just 10 years difference in house vintage between the 1950s and 1960s makes a big difference in the possibilties in upgrading windows.

   Current house we are in, a very well built brick ranch from the mid 1950s, has very large aluminum single hungs that we like very much but obscured by heavy duty Rusco steel storm units that were added on probably in the 1960s.

   None of the huge window openings are standard....

   Thanks for your note.