Window sash trade-out for lower U-Factor
JoeyKay
| Posted in Energy Efficiency and Durability on
I just had 7 windows replaced – Simonton 6500. I ordered with .2 U-Factor. When they arrived they were .3. Installer and salesman said to install and then they would order .2U and trade out the Sashs’. Is this OK to do (the trade out)? I am worried about the integrity of the window if changing the sash’s. These are not stocked windows, and 5 are DH and 2 are casement. I live in the Chicago area. Should I stick with .3u?
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Replies
Hi Joey Kay.
I think it depends on the window construction. I have taken sash off of large casement windows to lighten the load during installation and reinstalled them once the window frame was set and the sash operated great and sealed tight with no problem.
The only double hung sash I have replaced required me to pull the stops to get the sash out and reinstall them and that is not something I'd want to do to someone's new windows. The windows I worked on were older, wood double hungs, though. A modern double hung with vinyl tracks, for example, may offer a less intrusive way to remove the sash.
In general, I don't feel great about a builder agreeing to installing a product, showing up with the wrong product, and coming up with a work around for the situation. This stuff happens, though. So, I guess you have to decide how good you feel about the builder and I think you would be right to hold off the install until the builder has the correct windows, if that's what you choose to do.
I'm interested in others' thoughts on this...
Maybe instal one and then go through the process of swapping the sash with another one to make sure the process is reasonable.
I would want it in writing -- from the factory -- that the only difference between the .2 and the .3 is the sash. Two concerns: first, will the sashes interchange? Second, does the .2 frame have features the .3 doesn't? If so you're paying for something you're not getting.
I can't speak to this specific window but with most modern windows switching out sashes isn't a big deal, usually it can be done without tools. It would probably take you longer to carry all of the sashes up to the windows than to switch them.