Disclaimer: We did NOT do this job. The pictures shown are those I took as I drove through the neighborhood leaving a neighbor's home where we were providing a consultation.
Perhaps at first glance, all may look fine and dandy with this window replacement. And - truth be told, so long as the homeowner is happy, that's really all that matters.
From our perspective, however, there's multiple things that we would have done differently. Let's break it down.
1st - How We Know These Are Replacement Windows
There's a distinctive greenish tint/hue to the glass, and the pronounced white vinyl frames make a bold statement. The homes in this neighborhood were built in the 1990's, when both this type of glass, and frames, were not used.
2nd - The Homeowner Purchased 3 Too Many Windows
As you look at the image above, there are 6 total windows used in these 3 openings, when only 3 are actually needed.
Based on our experience, the openings are most likely approximately 82" tall. The 2 side openings are likely 26" wide, and the larger middle window is most likely approximately 52" wide.
Likely Scenario #1:
The salesman who sold these windows worked for a contractor who only has access to 76" tall round-top windows. We know, because we work with those manufacturer's too, and 76" is the cut-off height for single-hung, arch top windows.
However, there are manufacturer's that make up to 96" tall, single-hung, arch top windows.
Had My Window and Door Guy been working with this customer, we would have advised this customer to look at one of those manufacturer's because it is ALWAYS less expensive to purchase 3 windows instead of 6.
It's one of the many reasons My Window and Door Guy works with 12+ window and door manufacturers - to be able to provide the best solutions for our customer's, their homes, and their budgets.
Likely Scenario #2:
Lazy salesman. The windows originally installed in this home likely contained 6 windows, as that's what they did in the 90's with aluminum frame single pane windows.
We see it far too often when meeting with homeowners where they've received "like for like" replacement quotes, when the reality is the technology has advanced with "like for like" doesn't always make sense. Our guess is the salesman was lazy, or untrained, and just quoted the project "like for like."
3rd - Mis-Aligned Decorative Exterior Stucco
Notice the white stucco band between the window openings. This must have been there originally, and not after the replacement windows were installed. The texture is surely different then the brown painted stucco.
See how white stucco band is mis-aligned with the mull bar connecting the 2 windows in each opening?
Likely Scenario #1:
The salesman showed up for his appointment, knocked on the door, was let inside, took measurements from the inside, did his sales presentation, sold the job, and went on about his way.
What he likely did NOT do: Walk around the exterior of the property.
Key Point: If the person you're meeting with to discuss window and/or door replacements does NOT walk around and inspect the exterior, they're either inexperienced or just not knowledgeable enough to know what to look for.
Likely Scenario #2:
This sort of goes along with #1, but it's actually a bit more painful.
Most window replacement contractors, including My Window and Door Guy, employ personnel who go out to re-measure the windows and/or doors after a homeowner decides to place an order. This measure technician's job is to provide final measurements for ordering purposes with the manufacturer's.
In addition to just measuring, the measure tech is also taking notes as far as what additional materials need to be on the job site during installation. He is certainly walking around both the inside, and outside, of your home.
I am 99.9% sure the measure tech noticed that the mull bar location would NOT align with the white stucco band. I am 100% sure the measure tech would NEVER have allowed this configuration to be installed on his own home ... but guess what?
He kept his mouth shut.
Why?
That's what he's trained to do ... keep his mouth shut. I've seen it before, and have heard countless stories, where measure techs been scolded, reprimanded, and even fired for pointing out things like this.
Hypothetically - if this measure tech pointed out to the homeowner during the re-measure how it would look aesthetically after the installation, it is possible, even probable, the homeowner could start having doubts. Doubts about the salesman, doubts about the company, doubts the installation, or more.
Let's face it - projects average $20,000 +, so any chance to introduce doubt to a customer's mind is avoided like the plague.
If the customer complains afterwards, the contractor can, and will, easily say something like this: "Sir/Mam - we did everything we said we were going to do, including installation of all of the windows listed on the contract that you signed and paid for. What, exactly, would you like me to do?"
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At My Window and Door Guy - we believe your project is a complete team effort, and work tirelessly to ensure a 5-Star, 100% satisfaction experience. If at any point in time anything seems amiss, we will communicate with you right away so as we both can figure out together the best path forward.
Don't look back and wish your don't have a blog post entitled: Window Replacement Project Went Terribly Wrong
4th - Caulk/Paint Finishing
As you look at this picture, and if you zoom in close to where the edge of the window frame meets the stucco - you will notice how to caulk bleeds over onto the brown stucco frame.
It's reasonable for most homeowners to think something like: "Wow, that's a bad caulk job."
In reality - you want loads of caulk in order to help provide water intrusion. While the contrast between these white windows and dark brown exterior paint exacerbate this caulk job spilling over to the brown stucco, this is to be expected and anticipated.
To us here at My Window and Door Guy, this particular finish doesn't look very clean and finished. For the men out there reading this, it's sort of like getting a haircut without getting your neck cleaned up.
This is one of many reasons we offer finishing services in addition to window/door installations.
Conclusion:
Pros:
New Energy Efficient Windows
Hurricane Impact Resistant Windows (known due to location being in the WBD).
Increased Street Curb Appeal - maybe?
Cons:
Bought 3 too many windows
Spent 50% more than necessary
Decreased Aesthetics - the ability to line up the existing decorative stucco strip = costly and time consuming endeavor
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