Window advice

[UMDSportsman]

TOW, I can understand why some companies require a certified installer, i have two crestline vinyl clad bay windows that a previous owner of my house put in that are rotten. I think it may be a mix of the vinyl clad and the installation as to why they are rotten. I should have gone with my gut and passed on the house, but when we were looking last year, houses in the area we wanted, what we were looking for, and in our price range were hard to come by. My wife really loved the house too. But back to the original owner, they have done a couple remodels, and I have found multiple problems with their quality of workmanship and lack of construction and electrical knowledge. I am fixing everything that I find, but some days it seems that it will never end.

[fishlips]

FishLocker - Any recommendations on a good installer in the north metro area (blaine) that carries the Gorell brand?

Also, is there any way to tell or test if a window has lost its seal? Our windows look fine with no internal condensation. But in the winter they have some serious condensation on the inside and in the summer when its real humid (like yesterday!), they have external condensation.

[MN Shutterbug]

With this humidity, external condensation can be expected. Internal condensation in the winter could be from cooking or showering with no proper ventilation. If there is no condensation between the windows, I'd think the windows are fine. When the seal is broken, it's very evident. The old windows on the house we just bought all looked so nasty between the windows, you could hardly see thru a couple of them.

[FishLocker]

Fishlips,

Sorry for the long delay in replying. I do not know of an installer in Blaine. I know you can order the Gorell windows through A. H. Bennett. They used to have a guy that would measure for you (a fee that would be wrapped into the windows if you orderd from them), but do not know if that is still the case. I do not know of an installer in your area. A. H. Bennett may have a list of people that work with Gorell up that way. Or you can do it yourself if you are really handy. Any quesions feel free to ask ScottsMemorabilila at Ya Hoooooooo.

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As stated by others, if your seals are shot, you will know it. They will be dirty looking, and cannot be cleaned. Most of the time it looks like a smoke film, or sometimes you will see condensation between the panes. Depending on how old your windows are, the seals could still be covered under warranty. Worth checking.

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Condensation (inside or out) is just a simple fact of dew point, not defective windows. Your window surface will be cooler than your room temperature all winter long. If you run a humidifier, or even boil water while cooking, you can put more moisture in the air than can be suspended by the rapidly cooling air that comes in contact with the window surface. The colder the air, the less moisture it will hold before precipitating out as condensation. This is why your bathroom mirror also gets condensation after showers...the mirror is cooler than the moist air from the shower. Here is somehting from the U of MN

The University of Minnesota has developed guidelines for the minimum recommended humidity levels for houses. Based on a 70ºF interior room temperature, engineering studies established the following guidelines:

Outside Temperature Inside Humidity

20º to 40ºF Not over 40%

10º to 20ºF Not over 35%

0º to 10ºF Not over 30%

-10º to 0ºF Not over 25%

-20º to –10ºF Not over 20%

-20ºF or below Not over 15%

These guidelines do not guarantee that condensation will not appear on mirrors or windows.

The building trades actually are lower yet, but they are also guarding against mildew and mold in insulation behind walls etc.

[slurpie]

Heard alot of good things about Thermo tech also made here in MN. And Perkins really likes them.