SIGforum.com    Main Page  Hop To Forum Categories  The Lounge    Any Window Experts on board?
Go
New
Find
Notify
Tools
Reply
  
Any Window Experts on board? Login/Join 
Member
posted
New construction home with new windows. Double hung vinyl.
Getting some dirt/dust blowing in around the seals where the two sections meet in the middle.
Home is under warranty so contractor sends out rep from window company.
He tells me they are built to some code but that no double hung window is air tight.
To be fair we are living in new construction with LOTS of dirt in the air. It blows hard on a regular basis.
So, my question is whether this type of leakage is to be expected. I've never noticed it before anywhere I have lived but the conditions have been rough.
Just don't want to be buying any blinker fluid if you know what I mean.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Powers77,
 
Posts: 2204 | Location: Just outside of Zion and Bryce Canyon NP's | Registered: March 18, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Bookers Bourbon
and a good cigar
Picture of Johnny 3eagles
posted Hide Post
I have vinyl double hung windows. We live in an area that gets high winds. We have never had winds or dust/pollen penetration at our windows. While I don't claim to be an expert, I think someone is blowing smoke up your.... window seals.





If you're goin' through hell, keep on going.
Don't slow down. If you're scared don't show it.
You might get out before the devil even knows you're there.


NRA ENDOWMENT LIFE MEMBER
 
Posts: 7741 | Location: Arkansas  | Registered: November 06, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
safe & sound
Picture of a1abdj
posted Hide Post
While I'd agree that windows aren't "air tight", they are indeed tested and certified against air infiltration.

If you have dust coming in, you'll have all sorts of draft issues.


________________________



www.zykansafe.com
 
Posts: 16087 | Location: St. Charles, MO, USA | Registered: September 22, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
posted Hide Post
A few things I'd check. First, depending on the width, there are 1 or two locks. make sure the locks are pulling the sash together.

Second, there are either one or two rows of weatherstripping. At the check rails, this is usually pile with a plastic fin. The weatherstrip may be missing or possibly not tall enough to form a good seal.

This might be replaceable depending on how its manufactured. Corner welded sash often have the weatherstrip installed before welding and are much harder to replace the weatherstrip. sometimes there is a corner block screwed onto the sash that terminates the T slot the weatherstrip slides into. This type if fairly easy to replace by removing one end block and sliding new, taller weatherstrip in.

Third, I would check to see if the sash should have corner seal pads at each end of the check rail. They are usually at either end of the upper sash. They could have come off during installation. If your main air leakage is in the corners, this is the most likely culprit.

www.strybuc.com is a source for all things windows and doors. But you will wind up buying a lot more than you'll need. The big box stores also carry a limited amount of repair material.

Hope this helps.
 
Posts: 1055 | Location: Oklahoma | Registered: December 28, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
A Grateful American
Picture of sigmonkey
posted Hide Post
First Run chkdsk /R /F on your house, then defrag /C /H /V.

jk


Are you experiencing very high (abnormal) winds?




"the meaning of life, is to give life meaning" Ani Yehudi אני יהודי Le'olam lo shuv לעולם לא שוב!
 
Posts: 45414 | Location: Box 1663 Santa Fe, New Mexico | Registered: December 20, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
semi-reformed sailor
Picture of MikeinNC
posted Hide Post
That ain’t right, we don’t get dust thru our 6 yo double hung windows. Even when we had tornado winds tear up my roof and hail.

I’d ask for the next guy up on the chain in the window business.



"Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor.” Robert A. Heinlein

“You may beat me, but you will never win.” sigmonkey-2020

“A single round of buckshot to the torso almost always results in an immediate change of behavior.” Chris Baker
 
Posts: 11887 | Location: Temple, Texas! | Registered: October 07, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Itchy was taken
Picture of scratchy
posted Hide Post
Also not an expert, but I did have 16 windows replaced recently. We're in Colorado with high, dusty winds and do not experience the issues you are having. Sounds like a bad installation


_________________
This space left intentionally blank.
 
Posts: 4193 | Location: Colorado | Registered: August 24, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Eye on the
Silver Lining
posted Hide Post
Brand new home with brand new window install? I wouldn’t accept that. I agree, go further up the chain. Take vid/pics to support your case.
I’ve not heard of this in a brand new home.


__________________________

"Trust, but verify."
 
Posts: 5852 | Registered: October 24, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
posted Hide Post
Thanks for the input guys. The contractor has been pretty good so far so I think I'm going to let my contact there reach back out to the window company and press the issue. They have more influence than I do as they are still building homes and using the company.
 
Posts: 2204 | Location: Just outside of Zion and Bryce Canyon NP's | Registered: March 18, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Shall Not Be Infringed
Picture of nhracecraft
posted Hide Post
I suggest verifying all of the windows are completely closed. In addition to pushing the bottom sash down, make sure the top sash completely up. When we built our home (circa 2005) the top sashes of the vinyl windows were a bit stiff on many windows and needed to be properly set all the way up in the closed position. In addition to the seal(s)/weatherstrip where the sashes meet, our windows (Harvey Industries brand) have an interlocking U-channel there as well which would not completely engage each other easily on some windows due to minor misalignment that needed to be resolved. Just something to check... Wink


____________________________________________________________

If Some is Good, and More is Better.....then Too Much, is Just Enough !!
Trump 47....Make America Great Again!
"May Almighty God bless the United States of America" - parabellum 7/26/20
Live Free or Die!
 
Posts: 9989 | Location: New Hampshire | Registered: October 29, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
posted Hide Post
That window guy is full of crap. He would probably tell you dripping water from the ceiling is normal when it rains. Proper installation of windows is paramount,
 
Posts: 18113 | Location: Stuck at home | Registered: January 02, 2015Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
posted Hide Post
It could be crappy windows or a bad installation.

I installed a house full of replacement windows, and just one window has never been right.

I have just not bothered to dig into the problem, but I am guessing it is the installation of that one window.

It is a 100-year-old house and there is not a single square wall in the house.

Check to see they are closed as has been mentioned and also check to see if they are both square and plumb with a level.

A window that is not square or plumb will never seal.
 
Posts: 4884 | Registered: February 15, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
As Extraordinary
as Everyone Else
Picture of smlsig
posted Hide Post
We’ve installed literally thousands of windows and the rep is full of shit.

What brand of windows are they? Virtually all windows and doors made now are ENERGY STAR certified and as such should not leak air like you’re describing.

I’d go up the food chain as this is unacceptable. Windows are an expensive component of your home and should perform as such.


------------------
Eddie

Our Founding Fathers were men who understood that the right thing is not necessarily the written thing. -kkina
 
Posts: 6763 | Location: In transit | Registered: February 19, 2013Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
Picture of aileron
posted Hide Post
Are the windows AAMA Gold Label rated? AAMA fenestration standards prescribe the field testing (pass/fail) for both water and air intrusion. This is a very complex topic; but here is a place to start.

https://www.windowanddoor.com/article/field-testing

refer to the list of AAMA and ASTM tests listed at the bottom of the article


aileron
(I work for ASSA ABLOY and am their AAMA/FGIA liason)
 
Posts: 1522 | Location: Montana - bear country | Registered: March 20, 2013Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Savor the limelight
posted Hide Post
When my Dad's house was new, you could see daylight between the bottom of sliding part of the window and the tracks it was supposed to ride on. The builder had Andersen come out and Andersen said it wasn't installed properly. The builder didn't fix it. Four years later, it disappeared during Hurricane Charley and it was replaced correctly.

I'm guessing your window is not installed properly.
 
Posts: 12881 | Location: SWFL | Registered: October 10, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
  Powered by Social Strata  
 

SIGforum.com    Main Page  Hop To Forum Categories  The Lounge    Any Window Experts on board?

© SIGforum 2025