I have three Pella windows, one stacked above the other. The top and bottom one are awnings. The middle one is a fixed light. Guess which one got broken?
Does anybody have any idea how to replace the glass on a fixed Pella window? The outside is clad with aluminum, and all three were supplied to my house as a single unit by Pella, so getting things apart means unbuilding the house.
(When I contacted Pella, they said to remove the window and bring it in!!! They still said that after I told them that it was a fixed light.
I have looked at the stops on the inside, and see no way of getting them out except with a chisel.
I have contacted a couple of window contractors, and after they stopped laughing, they –to a person– said that they only put in replacement or new windows. They did not do repair.
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Won't make you feel any better but....
I was working on a security system here, total house window replacement required new contacts on the sliders. Pellas. Very little wood used. Drilled the hole carefully and pushed in the magnet. Crack appeared across the corner.
OK, there goes the profit, replacement time. How to take the slider apart? Answer: you don't. Slider was $400, plus installation by a Pella certified tech. Fixed glass would undoubtedly have been window removal. Guy who owned the house was flabergasted, not anything the salesman mentioned. Didn't stick me with the bill, but I quit drilling holes in the sliders. Gave him the magnets and told him I really didn't want to touch another one. He sympathized.
And will ask more questions next time he buys windows.
I wouldn't touch yours either, but I'm pretty sure I'd be hacking the lite out if it was mine. Strikes me as a crappy design in need of improvement.
PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Would it help any to turn the security contacts around so that the magnet is in the frame and the other part is attached to the sash?An alternative, ugly though, is the retrofit contacts. Surface mount.
Thanks for the thought, but the switch (contact) has wires going to it. Can be done with a slider, but is awkward looking and prone to problems. I've been around long enough to have a lot of experience with window taping for glass break detection, before there were good shock sensors. Some of the old hardware was incredibly clunky. Then came shock sensors and the first ones were truly a nightmare, but I digress...
You're right about surface mount, not great.
My solution was rare earth magnets, 1/8" thick, glued to the sliders under the weatherstripping. Even then I was spooked about those damn windows. Anything that could crack with my just pushing gently on it wasn't anything I wanted to be around, especially with that incredible repair cost. Wouldn't sell the slider without their own install.
Fortunately the HO was very nice about it. We had old history. I'd made all the cabinets and built-ins when his (large, expensive) house was built. The alarm work was a favor to him. He'd dropped his monitoring and there apparently isn't an alarm co. in this area who will do service without monitoring. I've been approached before about that from alarm companies, to do service they didn't want. Doesn't sound good.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Sorry about the window, but yeah, he is better off having his own equipment. I'm looking into that also. Our system got so disrupted by the window and door refinishings, and the panel is so old that we ditched the company. But we also have to wireless surface mount stuff, as the walls are solid brick.
Solid brick is more of a challenge, but I've done hard-wire many times with some long tunnels going through the brick. Usually the brick isn't very hard and drilling goes fast. Much better if you catch the dust while you're making it. Spring steel shanks with a carbide bit on the end should be available at any electrical supply house. With a hole in each end so you can take it out of the drill, connect your wire, and pull it through. No fishing.
I'm out of date, particularly on wireless, but what you're looking for is "supervised". As in the panel supervises the remote transmitters to ensure that they're still working, notifies you when one isn't.
Like most older installers, I have a strong prejudice against wireless, other than as portable panics and the like. Sight unseen, I'm pretty sure I'd make the effort to do a hard-wire on your place, long as there's a basement or attic to shoot for. Or even baseboard to run behind. Well, assuming you're planning to be there awhile. Then, when necessary, it's simple to change the panel for minimal cost rather than starting over like you're anticipating.
Also serviced an ADP system in a 7k ft house here that their guys couldn't figure out. I was called in to deconstruct a couple of rooms, ended up giving them a short lesson on best wire placement and where to look for it. Saved the HO ~$15k.
BTW, monitoring is the real money in the alarm business, probably why the locals here are so picky. We're rural, response time is greatly variable but 45 min. is good. Not much point.
I sold my business 20+ yrs ago. The closest alarm wholesaler thinks I'm still an alarm co. though. Visited my mother recently who was complaining that at 95 she didn't figure that the fire alarm would awaken her. Now there's a 120 db siren in a closet close to her bedroom. "Waking the dead" isn't much of an exaggeration. I really regretted not having my best ear protectors.
Columbus, eh? I head to Carey for summer sailing on Erie. My buddy there recently sold Columbus 50 zillion wooden spacers for your new sewer system. I guess he understood what they were doing with them. I never did. Odd business, but it paid for a very nice sailboat.
Hmmm... this new format sucks. Can't read what you're writing without double scrolling. Or maybe I need a giant computer screen. Which has what to do with Pella? Oh, well. PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
I actually had something similar happen years ago and Pella sent a rep to look at my problem and help me solve it.Free. I was in shock!
Ask, ya never know.
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I haven't really worked too much on Pellas windows. I have a hard time believing they can't email/fax you a service procedure for repairing your window. Just another reason why I love Andersen windows sooooooo much!View Image
After disecting a few clad wood Pella windows for various reasons I'd say you're in a hard place.
The good news is, you can replace the window.
The bad news is, it can involve chiseling out the window stop, replacing the glass, and making a new window stop. This is relatively straight forward and something most finish carps. can do, but it does take time to look good, especially if your window is stain-grade on the interior. Heck, it might take 8 hours from start to finish.
Many windows are barely secured when installed, so it might be easier to pull the window unit and have it fixed. At least you would be sure of how it was installed.
Personally, I'd break out all the glass, chisel out the stop and get it put back together. The interior side of most wood windows is quite easy to match.
Let's see if I can remeber - I had to replace a five footer several years ago.
Thje inside stop is about 3/4" x 3/4" I think. It is held with special retaining screws, but thesse are hidden under plugs or wod filler 6that leaves a bare shadow line denoting the location. A good stud finder magnetic type can help. You have to drill out the covering material, then unscrew the retaining screw. They were spaced somehwere between 12" and 18"
you might be able to find a pdf technical drawing on their website someplace.
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I've had to replace the stops Piffin is talking about because of a trapped squirrel inside the bldg. He is right about the size of the stops, I'm remembering they were nailed, but that's beside the point-the stops were glued too. It took a couple flat bars and a stiff putty knife to remove them. Contact the real pella corp in Iowa and get their advice.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Thanks for the reality check! I will call Pella in Iowa and talk with them. But first, I will try their local factory-owned facility again. Who knows...perhaps they have someone new who will give me a little more information.
I will get back to you later with the news.