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“Wobbly” JeldWen window

bergsteiger1 | Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on June 9, 2011 02:59am

I have a problem and I hope someone can help.

I have lately been installing some “Premium” grade JeldWen vinyl windows from HD, since I can’t afford real wood clad windows.  Anyway, I have had good luck them so far, but on the last one I have run into a problem.  It is a large (44″ x 64″) fixed/picture window.  I ordered it with tempered glass since it is on a wall above and behind a bathtub.   I replaced the old window because the wood frame was rotted out.  The install went fine and after attaching it to the exterior wall using the nail fin, I noticed a TEMPERED sticker in the middle of the glass.  When I went to scrape it off, I notice the glass was very flexible.  In fact it is so flexible it feels like a piece of plexiglass.  From inside the house, light pressure on the center of the glass makes it flex towards the outside about 5/16″ to 3/8″.  Both panes move as one unit with the space between the panes appearing to remain constant.  When I release pressure, it “pops” back to its original position.

Pressing on the exterior surface of the glass does not cause any movement, so from the outside the window glass seems normal.

I have discussed this with JeldWen several times and they are adamant that 1/8″ double pane glass is appropriate for this size this flexibility is very normal for tempered glass.  I find that hard to believe.  The glass I took out of this window was just as rigid as all my other windows (however I don’t know for sure if it was tempered).

I have removed several large picture windows from this house that I know had tempered glass and while they were not quite as large as this one, there was little or no flex in them (just like my non-tempered windows).

Jeldwen suggested that since I had not yet foamed around the window or trimmed it inside, that the problem would likely lessen after I completed it as the vinyl frame may be flexing and causing this problem.  It seems silly to me that you would expect your frame to keep the glass from flexing, but maybe I am wrong.  I think JeldWen has just cut corners and used glass that is too thin.  What do you guys think?  Am I worrying about nothing?

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

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Replies

  1. DanH | Jun 09, 2011 03:36pm | #1

    Both panes move as one unit with the space between the panes appearing to remain constant.

    What this tells me is that the frame is flexing, not the glass.  If the glass was flexing the panes would get closer together.  Probably you're flexing the nailing fin, since it will tend to flex out easier than in.

    1. bergsteiger1 | Jun 09, 2011 04:23pm | #2

      "Wobbly" JeldWen window

      I used every hole in the nailing fins, so it is tight to the house framing, but I suppose there could be enough movement to make this happen due to the small gap between the window and the studs.  Do you think if I completely foamed around the window on the interior side the flexing would go away?  Thanks for your input.

      1. DanH | Jun 09, 2011 08:59pm | #3

        Probably once you get the inside trim attached it'll settle down.

        1. bergsteiger1 | Jun 12, 2011 01:35pm | #4

          "Wobbly" JeldWen window

          I foamed the window frame yesterday and now the vinyl frame doesn't move at all.  But unfortunately, the glass is just as flimsy as it was before.  So thanks for the suggestion, but I guess I'd better talk to JeldWen tomorrow and see if I can get them to replace this with thicker glass.  IMHO, I would steer way clear of JeldWen for any windows larger than those that come in a sliding glass door.

          1. Remodelgal | Mar 13, 2015 06:53pm | #5

            Window flexing

            experiencing similar issues with 2 new picture windows.  Did the person writing this original post ever correct the issue?  My windows are both tempered glass and 47 w by 62 tall.   Proline from pella

            pella has been very responsive and sending a tech to inspect on Monday.   I am helping a general contractor who has built houses for years and he said he has never seen flexing like this and has installed larger windows.   Rechecked plumb/level too  

            The house can get hit with 60 to 70 mph winds which is why I paid more to buy the proline and tempered. 

            Appreciate any guidance.   Thanks

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