Home Improvements Suck! New Window Disaster

[mimi72]

We have 2 large picture (non-opening) windows in our master bath. Glass area is 43x43 inches. I love them. The way our house is sited, we don't need to pull the blinds or have curtains...I stand in my shower every morning and look directly out into the sun. Wonderful. With a full time job the morning time spent getting ready to leave is a lot of the total %age of time I spend in my house.

I love to be able to open windows and get air. Replacing those bathroom windows with ones that open is always something I wanted to do. The only type I could get which preserved the wide open glass space was awning style (crank out /tilt out at the bottom) which is fine because it allows airflow.

Got a bid from the window people, signed a work order with a contractor. Yesterday one of the windows was done. I got home and it is horrific!!! I have lost a full TWO inches of glass space on the length and width of the windows. Apparently this happens when you go from a non-operational to opening window. Okay I didn't do my due diligence and ask about glass space. When the guy took the measurements I assumed that I would not lose glass area or at least not that much. Two inches doesn't sound like a lot, but on windows that size it equates to 158 sq inches of space and is VERY noticeable. To me. Because I love those windows and look out them every morning.

These were complete replacements and the old ones and trim/sill had to be removed to the studs. There is an extra inch on each side that was there that we didn't know about. I could get the windows ONE more inch bigger at least side to side. BUT these were custom windows and already paid for. I have to buy all new ones. Like $2k for one inch. Actually I just want my old windows back and wish I'd never done this. But one is already gone, broken, dumpstered.

I am just sick about this and couldn't sleep all night.
I KNOW in the grand scheme of things there are worse tragedies, but this right now is just the worst thing ever.

 

[mimi123]

That sucks mimi. We recently renovated extensively in our house since we bought it in the last year and we/I don't always think of everything either. For example, I wanted a counter depth three door fridge to replace the std size fridge that abutted a wall. I compensated for the difference in width, but didn't account for the extra space needed to open the double doors without knocking into the abutting wall. Duh! Luckily we were able to have the wall scaled back a few inches to allow for more wiggle room. As you move forward with your window(s), I'm sure with time you'll forget about the size of the original and love the fact that you now get air circulation and the view from what is now your new window. The size factor will fade the more time passes and it won't seem like the disaster it feels like now.

 

[junebug17]

Ugh, I'm really sorry mimi - it stinks to be caught by surprise like this, and to feel disappointed with something you've wanted for a while. I would have assumed the dimensions of the windows would stay the same too; it wouldn't have occurred to me to even ask about it. I think once you live with the windows for a while your eyes will adjust to the change and it won't be as noticeable to you. I hope you're feeling better about this soon!

 

[mimi72]

Thanks for the support! Needed to vent about that. I am going to take the weekend to think about it. Either I can live with the new size, and possibly add a "sun tunnel" (tubular skylight) to the room to add more sunlight later if I want. Or we figured out a way to get in bigger ones where I can get back even more than the 158 sq inches of glass that I lost. The window people will sell me those at cost. Will take the weekend to decide.

 

[miraclesrule]

The same thing happened to me!!! I hate my windows now! I know to some people it sounds silly, but I cried about it!! I wanted a certain amount of actual window space, but it's all frame and handle. I'm so sorry...I know exactly how this feels.

I already have a skylight in the bathroom, so it gets a moderate amount of light, but not enough. I was going to change them out again, but ultimately, I kept them. After three tears I still look out the window while rinsing my hair and think about it. So, be mindful of that. As long as I can still smell the jasmine while I take a long bath, then I can live with them...

 

[junebug17]

Thanks for the support! Needed to vent about that. I am going to take the weekend to think about it. Either I can live with the new size, and possibly add a "sun tunnel" (tubular skylight) to the room to add more sunlight later if I want. Or we figured out a way to get in bigger ones where I can get back even more than the 158 sq inches of glass that I lost. The window people will sell me those at cost. Will take the weekend to decide.

I was going to suggest talking to the window company to see if you can work out something, but looks like you already did! Getting the bigger windows might be the way to go but good idea to think about it for a few days.

 

[JewelFreak]

Oh, I can too easily imagine how you feel -- what a bummer for you! Glad you managed a way to fix it w/the window guys -- sounds like a good company; most would have said, "Tough luck, lady."

The internet is a huge bonus nowadays for research on any big change or purchase! Good idea to always check it out before making a decision -- sometimes I spend several days learning about a process or product. That just saved me thousands on a moisture-control system for our crawl space. If I hadn't taken several hours to read about it, I would've gone with the first estimate, which I learned was from a company without experience in that business. They would have made the problem worse & lost us a ton of money. From experience, I advise research research research first.

Anyway, glad you've got a better choice available!

--- Laurie

 

[TooPatient]

I'm glad the company is offering you an option. Two inches all around is a lot of window to lose so I understand you are upset!

One of the things I've had to learn as we maintain and improve our house is that you can't always plan for everything. Even with careful research, you just don't think of all the possible questions.

Good luck! I hope you are happy with whatever you decide.

 

[kenny]

Sorry mini.

Frankly I've decided to do nothing to our house beyond absolutely essential maintenance.
The ugly 1970s chipped, stained, and scratched formica countertops are adequate and will last till I die.

I just hate being the victim of contractors.
I've heard so many contractor horror stories, and heard of only ONE happy customer.

Wanting the perfect house is fine for others, but it's not for me.

 

[junebug17]

Mimi, what ended up happening with your situation? Did you get the bigger windows?