*
I have a new (1 year old)two story home. On the upstairs windows we had (horizontal) sliding windows installed. During the spring storms the windows that were facing the storm leaked like a sieve around the bottom seals and the window frame would fill up with water. If the wind was blowing hard enough the water would overflow into the house. The window people said that this is a characteristic of this type of window and weren’t going to do anything about it. The builder has since paid to install storm windows over the existing windows. Are sliding windows really that bad?
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
The FHB Podcast crew takes a closer look at an interesting roof.
Featured Video
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
*
Sliding windows have integral drains that should prevent the sill from filling with water. Do your sills stay full of water? If they do then the drains are either plugged or the windows were put in upside down. I have never had a serious leak in a properly installed sliding window. Since the builder paid to install storm windows, he probably felt liable even if he would not admit it.
*Lee, I agree with Mike. Also, I have seen painters caulk drain holes, although your builder should have looked for this.What I can't understand is the window manufacturer saying your leakage is "characteristic of this type of window". Why would a reputable manufacturer sell a window that leaks as yours does (presuming you did not experience a hurricane)? Who were the "window people" you talked to ... the local distributor, sales rep, or the manufacturer? I sense that the "window people" are giving you the runaround.BTW, what is the construction of the windows?Steve
*I haven't seen a slider window worth a crap, won't put them in and talk the customer into replacing whenever possible. Sorry for being wishy-washy on this, but that's how I feel.John
*My house has several twenty year old sliding windows. I hate them. But they never leak.Rich Beckman
*I have Andersen sliders in my house , circa 1957 with nary a leak . They appear to be very good windows . I've installed new Pella sliders for a couple of customers without any callbacks . But I have seen some very cheesy aluminium sliders . I agree with Steve , if they know its gonna leak why the hell do they sell them ? Chuck
*
so are your windows facing gale winds and a white squall ? vinyl sliders may not be the best in the building industry but they are a far cry better then the ols aluminum windows. I agree check the weep holes. The worst example I have ever seen was when a builder needed single hungs and got sliders he just turned them on edge and installed them, took the money and ran.
*
I don't think its fair to trash a particular type of window- the difference between manufacturers is extreme. I had a bunch of Hurd casements which had defects in manufacturing with the internal silicone sealant...they leaked, but it took many call backs, tearing out, re-sealing and restucco til we figured it was the actual window! On the other hand, I've used Pellas where they actually test each window in production for air infiltration!
On the subject of sliders, I only had one that leaked, and it was due to a clogged drain: the bug shield was missing and dead bugs clogged it up. It was a "economical" vinyl model.
Someone brought up a good point: windows are rated based on their expected exposure. Make sure the window installed is properly designed for the application. It isn't the window mfgs' fault if the wrong windows were spec'd.
*Our sliding glass doors leaked for much the same reason -- the track collects water. Large section of small addition subfloor was rotted out. (Fortunately whoever built it, probably incensed at nearby termite damage, used pt joists that were undisturbed.) I would discourage any setup where a subtle goof like clogging the weep holes speels doom. Every time the leaves fall, every time the windows are painted, every time a bug dies is another chance for disaster.Who is this bozo window manufacturer? What a ridiculous statement to admit that their product is an inherently defective design. You could zap them on implied warranty of fitness right there. I would want these windows out of my house altogether.Be careful, storms are not exactly waterproof themselves.
*
having never had the problem with any window ive installed, i knocked the cobwebs loose when the home owner of the last home i finished said he had water blowing in. first i took the home over for the bank and did not hang any of the leaking windows. second the windows are from a large box store not from a window supplier.i do buy materials from the store just not windows. after contacting two window companies, id say your on your own. they are covered. the common wind rating for windows sold in my aera 30 to 40 miles per. hr. thats sliders casements ect. the storm blew through with gusts hitting 80 miles. the track filled with water and the wind kept the water from comming out the weep holes. the wind forced the water inside over the inside track.so i guess you weep at the price now or later. or as i like to say save a penny now spend a dollar later to do it right.
*
hmmmm. " a penny saved is a dollar spent " , I kinda like it , mind if I use it ? Seriously that does apply in alot of cases . Chuck
*Hi Lee,Everybody above has summed it up nicely......$10 to $1 says that the windows were installed upside down and the weep holes are now at the top instead of in the bottom where they belong. If this is not the case, and the windows were installed properly, and no clogged weep holes then , Hey.....WHAT ABOUT THE WARRANTY? PRESS the Manufacturer to send out a rep to your sight and DEMAND the windows be replaced. I'm sure that a 1 year old window must still be under warranty. Play hard ball with them. Storm windows were not what you wanted or were paying for.For the record, no window characteristically leaks; unless its a screen window!Davo
*
I install windows and have to admit that I try to stay away from sliders when possible but have another thought to add. Some window firms don't want a storm window installed over the main window because of heat build up between the two.
*
I have a new (1 year old)two story home. On the upstairs windows we had (horizontal) sliding windows installed. During the spring storms the windows that were facing the storm leaked like a sieve around the bottom seals and the window frame would fill up with water. If the wind was blowing hard enough the water would overflow into the house. The window people said that this is a characteristic of this type of window and weren't going to do anything about it. The builder has since paid to install storm windows over the existing windows. Are sliding windows really that bad?
*
Have you ever noticed that vinyl window manufacturers never publish air infiltration data on their products? They are only required to publish their u-values. If they made a window that was worth a damn and their air infiltration numbers were respectable don't you think they would make the data available to0 the public? Just a little food for thought.