My husband and I are installing Jeld-Wen Caradco wood interior, aluminum clad, integral nailing fin, single lock casements in our kitchen remodel. We are following Jeld-Wen’s directions. There’s a very slight bow in the outer jamb on the lock side and the keeper will not slide in unless we press on the jamb. This occurs with or without the shims in place. This is happening with a window 1′-8″ x 3′-4″ as well as one member of a composite unit that is 4′-8″ x 3′-4″ overall. The window that locks on the center jamb works fine. The shipping blocks have all been removed. Should we just bend the keeper?
We could really use some tips from experienced installers. This beautiful midwest weather is helping out by staying warms while our house is open to the world. Thanks! Trish
“One doesn’t discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time.” Andre Gide, French Novelist
Replies
Call Jeld Wen and explain the problem. They have great warranty service and will probably send out a person to inspect the window and repair it or replace it. You can probably find a number to call on one of their catalogs.
Hi 5brown1 and jarbofighter,I did actually call Jeld-Wen first thing because one of the keepers was installed incorrectly but we could see how to fix it ( Fill the screw hole with a wood peg and Elmer's and relocate the screw in the right spot) and I wanted to be sure it would not invalidate the warrenty if we did so. They said fine and said to be sure all the shipping blocks were removed. There are some on the top and bottom of the sash that are hard to see. This still did not make a difference with the closing problem so that's when I went ahead and adjusted the keeper a bit myself."One doesn't discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time." Andre Gide, French Novelist
Are you having to push the jamb towards the outside of the house, or sideways in relation to the sash? Sorry having a hard time seeing how if you can push it, it will latch, but shims don't help...what/where are you shimming, can you post a pic?
I'm working on a job with some Norco casements (another Jeld-Wen acquisition, same hardware as Caradco, IIRC), I'll get a pic on Monday...
Hi,
Thanks for your reply.
I had to push on the side jamb where the lock is because the "keeper", which is basically a large inverted metal "U" installed in the sash, was hitting on the metal edge of the slot on the jamb and would not go inside and allow the window to shut and be locked. When I shimmed the window (five places on each side as the directions show) and everything was level and it still didn't work, I ended up bending the keeper a bit. I put it in the vise and bonked it with a rawhide mallet which was enough to bend it slightly and it works great now. Trish"One doesn't discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time." Andre Gide, French Novelist
I agree with 5brown1. Call jeldwen and they will solve the problem. Why fight a product that isn't right ? I had a slider that had a warped rail. They came to the site, and ordered me a new panel that arrived a few days later.