Replacement Windows

[ferryman]

Hello. Can anyone tell me why, when having replacement PVC windows, would the installers chip off only the edge of the original brickwork round the window?

I would think that altering the cosmetic part of the FRONT of the aperture nowhere near the frame wouldn't be called for. I am thinking the surveyor got the measurements wrong or frames came in wrong size and they've had to do the above to accommodate this. Does anyone know please? Cheers for your replies.

[Togo]

Depends what was taken out. If they were timber frames, the fitters split the frames in half and take a piece out of the middle. This gives them room to wiggle the old frames out. Now the new upvc frames have got to be got into an opening that was probably "finished" around the first frames ever fitted. the outside reveal will not take the frame and the cavity, if there is one, is not wide enough to present the window into the opening and move sideways into position. One edge of the reveal is chiselled away to allow presentation of the new frame. When the new frame is in place it is sealed with insulation(usually foam) and the side reveales are trimmed up with matching upvc to leave a neat finish.

[ferryman]

Thanks Togo. They replaced like with like but in very old terraced house. The first PVC windows replaced old wooden ones but nothing needed doing to the outside of the window when the first lot put in. Can't see why when these new lot were done, they had to alter the front this time.

[woofgang]

Is it your house? you could ask the installers.

[Khandro]

I think you may have hired a cowboy.

[Togo]

Possibly different profile depth Ferry. Early upvc frame profile was I think a little narrower and certainly different manufacturers used slightly different depth profiles. Also tilt and turn openers need a heavier profile to take the hinge furniture. I would think that if all the window openings had to be modified it is more likely to be a technical reason than an error.

[ferryman]

Woofgang no not my house thank goodness or I would be complaining like hell....

Togo cheers for reply @ 16:54 maybe that's the reason but still can't understand why chip the brick facings off on one side and not all round. Probably remain a mystery then.

[Togo]

Don't forget Ferry originally all windows being made were made to a standard size, especially in a terrace house. Only top end one off designs were liable to have tailor made windows. Now an experienced window surveyor and manufacturer will get to know those sizes off by heart, and most survey and measure visits are really only to confirm a size.