Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Windows, Windows, Windows

We're finally getting our new windows installed today.  They started yesterday but ran into some problems they weren't expecting, so they just installed the one in our bathroom and left the rest for today.

See, Jeffrey picked out the windows he wanted, expecting them to look a certain way on the outside of the house.  Basically, all I cared about was what they looked like on the inside.  The windows we've had all these years have a Colonial style grid in them, which I was never really attached to - so I didn't want to go back to that.  Then I found these Prairie Perimeter ones, and loved them.  So, that's what we got.  Jeffrey wanted the windows to be more flush with the outside of the house instead of popping out a bit for the screen, like the old windows.  I had never paid any attention, so it really didn't matter to me one way or another.

He thought the windows we ordered would be the flatter ones, and they were supposed to be the same size as the old windows so the install would be fairly simple.  When the windows showed up, they were the wrong series (2000 instead of 3000) - so we had to figure that out.   It turned out that the supplier sent the different windows because they weren't as deep, so the ones we'd ordered would have required more work to install because the installers would have to cut into the drywall to make them fit.  There was some extra work involved on the outside of the house, because the ones we ordered had the J-Channel already attached - so it would just be a matter of putting them in place and then running the siding behind them.  (or something like that)  The ones we got - no J-Channel - so more work.  But our contractor figured out a way to make them work that we could live with, so we decided to keep the 'wrong' windows and go ahead.

Then yesterday when the installer started on the first window, he found out that he would have to cut into the drywall after all, because these were deeper than the old windows too!  And the window and the opening were different sizes. Needless to say, everyone was getting a bit frustrated.  The boss came out.  A couple guys from the supplier came out.  Windows were measured.  Openings were measured.  Etc.  And then we had to decide whether we want to keep the windows that were delivered or send them back and order all new ones - and putting the whole job off for another couple weeks.

Since they're installing today, you know we decided to keep the ones we had.  The guys are really working hard and almost have all the windows in already.  They just have the patio door left.  With all the hard work and hustle these guys put in, I don't think any of them will ever need weight loss pills. Ever.

It's all going to work out, and the house is going to look good when they're finished, but...  The whole thing was just frustrating because we didn't have all the information up front so that we could have made the best decision.  If someone had told us that no matter what windows we ordered, they would have to cut into the drywall to install them, we may have picked completely different windows.  Because it doesn't matter whether they have to cut an inch or three inches - it's all the same.  And if the supplier had sent the windows we ordered, they still would have needed to cut drywall to install them, but they wouldn't have to do any finish work on the outside. 

And now they're getting ready to do the patio door, and I'm wondering not just about the drywall, but what about my tile?  I guess I'll soon find out!

1 comment:

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