Hi Connie,

You have condensation on your new windows.  This is common with new windows that are air sealing your home better than the old ones.  It also means you have humidity in the air in your home that is attracted to the coldest surfaces.  A glass of cold water will do the same thing.  Winter time will bring cold temperatures which will cool the glass of the windows. Check to make sure the humidity in the home is 30-50% and wide the water off the windows and window sills.  Opening shades or blinds to allow air flow may also help.

Ken Ware

Condensation from the differential temperature is of course on answer.  The other and more concerning is the furnace or force air unit (FAU).  I would recommend contacting a licenced heating contractor and ask them to check the replacement air going to the FAU.  The old windows were letting in a lot of air. What air was acting as replacement air for the furnace.  With the new windows you are no longer supplying replacemet air to the furnace.

See Pella’s Understanding Condensation fact sheet at:

http://pressroom.pella.com/fast_facts/87/ 

Philip Anderson

HDR Remodeling Inc

Berkeley Ca

Dear C E,

I would leave the window alone.  Aluminum windows are typically electro statically painted in a controlled environment when they were originally built at the factory.  This environment includes air cleaners, pressure sprayers, heat/infrared curing ovens and lots of air handling equipment (large fans).  This controlled environment leaves your aluminum windows looking like brand new car paint finishes.  It is nearly impossible to replicate such an environment in the field at your home thus leaving many people with unhappy results when they try to repaint aluminum windows after they have been installed.  The weather effects and pitting you describe make this process almost impossible.  I believe you will be in for a lot of work and frustration and not happy with your end result if you try such a task. 

Sincerely,

John Patrick

President, Larmco Windows, Inc.

Ralph, Security Systems as we know have come along way over the years. The "glass break" or "open" sensors are what I believe you're speaking of. We use the ADT Pulse systems because of System functionality and how it operates.  My Previous Career Experiances are in Militarty EOD ( Bomb Squad) operations to include Advaced training in access and Denial Training/ operations  of each system and sensors. So my answer is based solely on the specific question answered. 1. Bruce is Spot on about warranty checks although I would add that ADT would more than Likly come out and reinstall or update at little to no cost and there functionality to me is key and they would be the ones with the experiace and structure to validate. From an Experiance base answer I would suggest looking possibly at updating to a Pulse style system or aka Smart home system that allows Video and active security measures. The importance of the installer or service provider being the installer  is based on the " durning Need time frame". knowing your system is set right is piece of mind and could be life saving.  Active motion sensor lights | IR and Proximity sensors inside | And a HOME setting for perimeter security are good standards of practice. Gavigan Homes

Billy- 

the best security system is a great plan and training 

Gaps are typically caused by different expansion and contraction rates of different types of materials at different temperatures. The frame of the window may be vinyl or wood, which expands at different rates than the wood wall framing and the brick exterior wall surfaces, depending on the temperature or humidity of any particular day. Some days (or seasons) the gaps will be larger and other times they will be smaller. Using a window frame made of fiberglass, which has very low expansion and contraction rates, would be a good solution for this type pf problem.

 The quality of the caulk used to fill those gaps will also determine if it will stay attached to those surfaces, and the caulk will also expand at different rates. Generally, the thicker the caulk bead, the more you will see these negative effects. Thicker caulk beads, typically used to seal larger gaps, have a harder time staying attached to both surface they are sealing up and will come apart more often. Therefore, it is important that the window is sized properly and installed well in order to avoid large gaps around the window that then need to be filled with caulk.

You should contact Thompson Creek directly to make sure nothing you do will void your warranty.

Hi Linda,

Sorry you are having problems with a relatively new window. I think more information is needed in order to provide you a valid answer that would actually help you remedy your problem.

Here are some questions that come into play:

1. The four pieces you say "have fallen down", are you referring to the dividers that either made a tick tac toe or diamond pattern in the glass? If so, are they in-between the glass, or are they external, as in the interior of your home? If they are external, we see broken grids all over Atlanta, and you're not alone. You can buy new replacement grids at a company that specializes in all types of grids. Contact Ro-Suco, you can find them online at www.rosuco.com, they'll be able to help you if that is the case.
2. If the grids have broken and collapsed in-between the glass, that is an entirely different matter. In the best of cases, the IG units (Insulated Glass) are installed within the window sashes, will need to be remade to replace the existing ones. The GOOD news is you would NOT need to replace the entire bow window, which will save you $1,000'S!

Linda, feel free to contact me at 770-217-1229 and I'll be happy to help you resolve this so you can enjoy your window like you once did.

Sincerely,

George

U.S. Windows & Exteriors

Fiberglass windows would be a great option for energy efficency. We sell the Infinity by Marvin windows which are amazing!

Hi Peggy,

It can vary widely based on what kind of window you have now (aluminum, wood, vinyl, etcl) as well as if you have brickmould casing on the exterior etc.  It can be up to 5" different.  Just let the professionals who are going to order your windows take exact measurements for you so they can take all of that into consideration.  I agree with Michael that you should defnitely NOT order based on those measurements. You don't want to be repsonsible for purchasing wrong sized product if it doesn't fit. They can't be returned.