Installation - Level or square?
Installation - Level or square?
Window company is installing a large picture window. The house is not level, so should the window be level or square with the house?
WE'LL SEE IF PEOPLE AGREE BUT I ALWAYS INSTALLED LEVEL. OR AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE. IF YOUR HOUSE IS SO FAR OUT OF LEVEL THAT THE WINDOW ITSELF LOOKS CROOKED A GOOD INSTALLER WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE IT LOOK GOOD FROM THE OUTSIDE BY ADJUSTING THE CAPPING. ON THE INSIDE YOU CAN MANUEVER TRIM AND RETURNS OR JAMB EXTENDERS AS NEEDED. JUST BE SURE YOUR INSTALLER SUPPORTS ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE BOTTOM OF THAT WINDOW. DON'T JUST THROW SOME SHIMS AT ONE END TO MAKE IT LEVEL.
UNLESS YOUR HOUSE IS CRAZY OUT OF LEVEL IT IS NO BIG DEAL. NEW CONSTRUCTION IS SELDOM LEVEL AND SQUARE. SUPPORT EVERYTHING ACCORDINGLY AND STAND BACK AND EYEBALL IT.
YOU'LL BE THE FIRST ONE TO NOTICE IF IT DOES NOT LOOK CORRECT BECAUSE YOU ALREADY KNOW WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR. I HOPE YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THAT. KIND OF HARD TO EXPLAIN, GOOD LUCK
UNLESS YOUR HOUSE IS CRAZY OUT OF LEVEL IT IS NO BIG DEAL. NEW CONSTRUCTION IS SELDOM LEVEL AND SQUARE. SUPPORT EVERYTHING ACCORDINGLY AND STAND BACK AND EYEBALL IT.
YOU'LL BE THE FIRST ONE TO NOTICE IF IT DOES NOT LOOK CORRECT BECAUSE YOU ALREADY KNOW WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR. I HOPE YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THAT. KIND OF HARD TO EXPLAIN, GOOD LUCK
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Window4U (IL)
- Posts: 1548
- Joined: Thu Oct 07, 2004 8:46 am
- Location: Sales and Installation in Chicagoland and Central Illinois
When we install a replacement or insert window. We always level the bottom sill first. If we can adjust the rest of the window to get the reveal correct that's where it stays. We always make sure it's centered in the opening as much as possible. The sill needs to stay as level as possible for the weeping system to function right. The odds of it being out of square enough to see with the naked eye are very small. The inside stops and outside finishing can cover any imperfections. If it's to far out of level we will ask the home owner thei opinion on how they would like it.
Now in a new construction application we always level and square each window. If you do it right the first time it will save complications down the road. These are the problems homeowners are facing today. To many builders just popped them in and really never took the time to level or square them. They never realized how important it was to do them correctly. Many of them are paying for it today!
Now in a new construction application we always level and square each window. If you do it right the first time it will save complications down the road. These are the problems homeowners are facing today. To many builders just popped them in and really never took the time to level or square them. They never realized how important it was to do them correctly. Many of them are paying for it today!
out of square
Our parameters are up to 1/8" diagonal difference up to a 24 square foot opening and up to 1/4" diagonal difference over 24 square foot. On new construction we strive for within a 1/16" on smaller units and within a 1/8 on larger units over 24 square feet. With retro installs this cannot always happen and we wish we were following people like Guy. In grossly out of square situations you have to use your best judgement based on the situation, the units to be installed, etc...whatever we come up with we notify the homeowner and explain the dilemma and explain what we will be doing prior to doing it.
reply
I have always followed the simple rule of "Never follow a mistake by making another mistake". As already posted, I'd also install the new units level and plumb and if necessary, cheat the appearance with the trim. Keep in mind that houses settle for 30 years or more... and twenty years from now, chances are your install will be out of level too.