Newer Thermo Windows Cracking

[HEMI®Dart]

These windows are only about 4 years old. 2 of them cracked for the first time this winter. Could it be the record cold that caused it?

 

[dalton4]

Check the window plumb and look for possible stress factors. If this checks out ok I would contact the manufacturing company and see what they had to say about the failure. The cold temp should not be the problem.



Jerry

 

[illflem]

If the window fits too tight into the framing a shifting house can crack windows. If there are cracks in the sheet rock at window corners your house has shifted.

 

[Shovelhead]

I'd wonder about the possibility of a Roof "Snow Load" problem.

Something's moving/flexing to cause that kind of problem.

 

[Big P]

It's the cold. I have had problems with vinyl replacement windows this winter. The vinyl sash frame contracts too much and pops the glass.

 

[nickleinonen]

my pops installs vinyl windows all the time for work [he does home exterior renovations and insurance repairs], and has never had a problem with glass cracking from cold. the glass floats in the vinyl frame [about 1/8" - 1/4" on all sides space]



now if the glass had a stress point on the edge under the vinyl frame [small chip or bit of dirt between the glass and the frame] that can cause the cracking if it gets a temprature change real quick

 

[Kickin Y2K]

Make sure some moron didn't nail the top of the window frame to the header, like so many people do.

 

[TowPro]

Thats a shame. I have vinyl windows also, within 5 years they all fogged up. Went after the manufacture but they went out of business. Oh well, its $35. 00 per frame to replace the glass, but its glued in so bad it takes several hours per window to replace them. I might just cut them out and replace the complete window for $100. 00 each.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

TowPro,



The guys that put these windows in went of of bussiness too. I wonder if they are the same windows? There is no writing anywhere on the windows.

 

[nickleinonen]

were the guys that did the windows factory direct people, or sub contractors who purchase from the window company?



on the glass spacer, you might be able to read the company name who produced the glass, and from them you may be able to track down the manufacture [maybe just name changed] but if it is swiggle spacer [black lumpy tar looking type] they will not have a label on the spacer, but maybe on the glass.

 

[TowPro]

mine say "winter seal" on the latch you use to lock the window.

 

[TPCDrafting]

If the windows are out of manuf. warranty or the manuf. is out of business or you don't know who made them, your home owners insurance policy should cover replacing the windows. I've had windows that weren't cracked, but collected moisture between the panes such that they fogged over and we couldn't see out of them. The insurance company replaced them for me.

 

[TowPro]

I just called my insurance company. the Assistant said "I think this is not covered, as its normal wear and tare, but I will have the head agent (his boss) check into it when he returns from lunch".



What insurance company do you have? I been thinking of switching after mine went up 25% this year, something about "mold growing down south, that caused us to have to rebuild some homes" or something to that affect.

Originally posted by tpcdrafting

If the windows are out of manuf. warranty or the manuf. is out of business or you don't know who made them, your home owners insurance policy should cover replacing the windows. I've had windows that weren't cracked, but collected moisture between the panes such that they fogged over and we couldn't see out of them. The insurance company replaced them for me.