My first Pella window install. It’s the Pro-line. Seems like a good window. Not really any better than an Andersen even though it costs a bit more. But perfectly adequate. anyway, I do have a question.
There’s a nylon strap that holds the frame from bowing. In the instructions it says to “cut checkrail bands”. I assume they mean this nylon strap, but there isn’t a good picture. Could someone confirm this for me.
Thanks,
Don
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Replies
Yes you cut that nylon band and plug the hole with one of the white caps that should have come with the window.
They say you shouldn't cut the strap prior to install, if you're not prefinishing the window, then don't. However if you are going to prefinish the window you can cut the strap and the world will not self destruct. We pre-finish all of our windows and basically completly disassemble them.
the only thing with the pella proline window (the company that I used to work for only used these things) is the aluminum nailing flange. 50% of the time the window wants to "spring back" slightly from the rough opening. No problem for the framer, but the finish guy usually goes out of his mind either bashing in the sheetrock, or ripping up some 1/8 inch extension jams.
But yes, you can cut the check rail bands.
The next batch of pella windows I get wont have extension jambs. I always end up having to remove theirs and build my own anyway. It would just be easier not to have to remove them.
Thought so. Thanks a bunch.
By the way, I ordered the pre-finished white interior. The customer wanted white and for the small upcharge, it was well worth it. I learned that you can get any size custom made, but if you want it pre-finished, you have to order one of their "standard" sizes.
-Don
Been my experience it's worth the money to have pella send out a crew to install the windows. Have to co-ordinate the install pretty well w/the framer ( scaffold etc.) but it makes Pella liable for the entire window package, labor and Mat. Makes for one hell of an easy phone call to Pella when you've got 200k in windows and the homeowner calls and says" this window don't work". Jim Devier
I'm curious what it is you pay for a service like that? Sounds pretty good if it's cost effective.
But.... coordinating with the framers for scaffolding? I dunno. I came way too close to learning the hard way, not to let anyone else use my scaffolding. It sounds greedy but it's the way it has to be these days. Had three roofers (not even my subs) fall 30' from collapsed wall brackets. First question from OSHA investigators was, "whose staging is this?". They were mine, but the roofers set them up themselves. They collapsed because they were grossly overloaded and one roofer jumped from the roof brackets down onto the wall brackets and punched them through the side of the house. If it were my installation I would have got whacked hard with fines.... the mis-use and abuse didn't matter any to the investigators. There's plenty to go around, they said.View Image
I often wondered what ever became of that...
but didn't want to ask.
I still have the visuals in my mind
Ya know? I got to thinkin about it and I REALLY DON'T KNOW what ti costs. I think they have a per-window charge. I do know that when you have a problem that pella decides can only be resolved by replacing the unit,the ext is 3 coat stucco,window installed w/2 layers sealant system, full limestone pediment, int. walls covered with pure unobtanium from the planet OZ, it sure is a nice feeling making that phone call... Jim Devier ps. I don't use wall jacks- have scaffold co. do one wall at a time. same warm fuzzy- their liability. pss. went back and read your post again- had a couple 40 foot laders on a job one time the- siding crew decided to set them up to get to a gable. they stuck on ladder jacks, ran a 2/10 across, added on a couple 5 gal buckets, stood a 12 foot step ladder on top the buckets, predictable happened. even after the moron admitted in court that they'd just got back from smoking a joint, my ins. co had to pay for it.
Edited 4/10/2006 1:39 am ET by notascrename
This could be it's own thread..crazy ladder things, but here's a good one:
I keep bees for fun and I know an old timer from it who used to catch swarms wayyyyy up in fir trees and whatnot by parking his truck out a distance from the tree, then he'd lean his alu extension ladder against the rack on his pickup and tie off the feet to the frame/underbody of the truck.
Then he'd extend the ladder ALL THE WAY and climb up to the bees to get 'em. The whole ladder, truck and all would sway and bounce as he climbed up. Sketchy enough, but then he'd come down with a cardboard box filled with 6,000 bees!
Pat
Back in my younger and, some would probablysay more foolish, days, I collected Red wasps and sold them to a lab to use making the shots you get if you are allergic to the sting. By the pound. You haven't lived 'till you been 30 feet up on a ladder which is standing 4 feet deep in a deep south creek staring at the underside of some old bridge which has about 40 LARGE wasp nests hangin off it, poor guy in thwe water holdin the ladder is churning it up screaming about the snakes and the only tools you have are a pint of Dickle and a pillow sack...Strange but true Jim Devier
I got one of those stupid email forwards with a bunch of stupid pictures recently. It was titled "why women live longer than men"
Oh, what the hell... here's the link from google..
http://www.gophergas.com/funstuff/womenlivelonger2.htm
Especially like the guy under the car...
Cheers,
pat
Guy on the backhoe spent way to much time playin with his tonka when he was a kid! Jim Devier
You can get any size you want pre finished but then you have to step away from the proline. I just did a house full of pellas (10 windows about $2500), and to get a custom sized fixed pane I had to step up from proline regardless of finish.
you can cut the strap and the world will not self destruct.
You're a wild man! Bet you cut the tags off your mattress too? ;)View Image
and pillows!
Last I looked there was a large warning in Pella's instructions
DO NOT CUT STRAP BEFORE INSTALLATION!!!!
Like that piece of nylon is holding the hole damn thing together.
Out here Pella does not offer installation, they'll provide a list of Pella Certified contractors or suggest one or two from that list but the installation is up to the purchaser.