Got home from work the other day and DW says: come take a look at this….one of the lower sash DH windows on an Andersen angle bay was broken. Looked like it was hit with a rock or ball. Went out on the porch to see if if there was a rock laying around. Nothing, looked at the window from outside and realized it was the INSIDE pane that was broken ! Very strange as no one was home that day and it’s just me and the missus. Window is a narrowline dh with HP double pane glass circa Oct.1989. If it was just cracked it would have been covered under warranty.
So…. anybody have a similar experience with a window imploding on its own ?
Cheers,
Bruce B.
Replies
very rare.... proably an edge defect
look for an andersen "circle of excellence" dealer and see if you can get a warranty replacement
don't bother with home depot
I agree with Mike. It happened to one of my customers last month. Andersen replaced it for no charge.
Do exactly what Mike said and you will get a "freebie".
I've seen it happen in the winter, when ice on the outside pane formed a lens that concentrated sunlight on the inner pane. Other things nearby -- a hanging glass pendant on an enclosed porch, eg -- could have the same effect.
I'd go ahead and attempt to get a replacement out of Andersen -- I gather that they're fairly reasonable about replacements.
circa Oct.1989
Not sure when the bad crop started, but Andersen had some issues like that in 1991. They extended thier warrenty well past thier norm to cover defective units.
I've seen it and replaced the sash with another that Anderson provided. The original contractor said that this was the third he had seen. All the sash,but not the labor was paid for by Anderson.
mike
Andersen was using a type of double glass that was fused together/welded. The sash lock at the meeting rail would pull the rails together and put pressure on the edge of this type glass. This would most often lead to a broken seal and the glass fogging. It could also cause the glass to break. Replacement sash are available. It's a bit of a trick replacing. You have to bend the vinyl jamb track and pull it up while the sash is in the lower position. There is a string that is under tension that has to be removed from the sash and not allowed to spring back. You tie it off to a nail. Pam cooking spray helps with getting the jamb slide out.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
You have "collapsed glass". (google it)
Call Andersen they will walk you through the process and replace the broken sash for free. Installation will be at your expense.
Edited 6/26/2009 8:56 pm ET by sledgehammer
What Sledgehammer said...
Never seen that before, but one of the nice things about Andersens is you should have no problem getting an exact replacement sash. Even if you have to pay for it (which you may not), I've ordered replacement sashes for windows over 30 yrs old.
True dat. Snowblower threw a stone through the window, got an exact replacement from Andersen of a 20-year-old sash. (Did have to paint/finish it, of course.)
As I stood before the gates I realized that I never want to be as certain about anything as were the people who built this place. --Rabbi Sheila Peltz, on her visit to Auschwitz
Seen it several times in my own house. Don't pay for it yourself like I did. They have a 20 year warrantee. Use it. I have several small awning windows put in before we bought the house. Two have ex/imploded.
Circa 1991 IIRC. You should try sleeping under it when that happens.
Scared the #### out of me.
Good morning. Andersen does not warrant a "crack" beyond two (2) years. They will, however, replace a "seal" failure. That is the fogging up or moisture accumulating on the interior glass cavity. That is the angle I would use. Call 1-888-888-7020 and they will (or should) accommodate your needs. I would also encourage you to order a
lower 1/2 jamb liner in case the old one breaks or cracks as you are replacing the sash. This happens quite often, and you will be able to complete the job. They only cost a few dollars. A complete set of detailed instruction comes with the sash that tell you how to replace the old with the new. Good luck. Also, you may find some difference in the color or tone of the HP glass vs the type they used in 1989. Not much you can do about that, but, you can't beat the price!
Thanks to all who replied,. I will call Andersen and pursue a warranty replacement. Date on glass was 4-3-89. It was part of a bay window unit and was purchased from Cape Cod Lumber (a real lumber yard with great service) in Abington, Ma. I still have original invoice.
Since I am trying to sell my house and it does not look good to potential buyers I ordered a replacement sash. It has a four week delivery so took a picture of it then removed it, scored around the perimeter with a glass cutter (it helps if you keep cutting wheel lubed with some ATF ) AND CAREFULLY REMOVED THE BROKEN GLASS. This process leaves about an 1/8" still in the sash with some ragged edges so I carefully taped the sharp edge with some white duct tape, This will work until the new sash comes in. See pics for before and after.
Please report back what Andersen does for you.
Chances are you have others ready to implode also.
Edited 6/27/2009 3:05 pm ET by sledgehammer
Any news?
Good afternoon Sledgehammer,
Talked to Andersen this morning and they will cover the sash under warranty. Shipping time approx 15 days.
Bruce
Excellent. I was just making sure you got what everyone else does. The claim Andersen doesn't replace broken glass after 2 years is false.... and you proved it again.....
Thanks.