Gap between Marvin Elevate rail and stool

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

Hello

We live in a old Victorian townhouse and after a long research for replacing our old vinyl windows we decided to go with Marvin Elevate through a local installer. We went with the insert replacement as we generally want to keep the house's original trims. They installed the windows and there is a gap between the bottom rail and the existing stool. The installers are saying that this was expected since the windows have a slopped sill and also the house's sill is a bit lower than the internal stool. They added foam in the gap and nailed a rough cut piece of wood on the stool to hide it. The outcome is that there is more noise coming in the house than with the vinyl windows plus the wood pieces don't look good.

I have been researching about this, including other topics in houzz as well and what I am finding is that the windows should be sitting behind the stool. The installers don't seem to understand this and I am trying to find out if there is a specific way these custom window inserts fit in old houses like ours but the installers don't have that experience or knowledge. Alternatively maybe Marvin windows cannot build custom windows that fit to window openings conditions like our house but another manufacturer like Andersen does.

If anybody has gone through this or has some insights then I would greatly appreciate any help or insight I can get about this. This was the last part of a long house renovation and we are now stuck and bummed out.

Thanks

Featured Answer

millworkman

2 years ago

I am not an installer but sure looks to be short to me.

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Comments (9)

millworkman
2 years ago
You sure the correct size was ordered?
Jon Klitsis thanked millworkman
Jon Klitsis
Original Author
2 years ago
The installers say that they ordered the correct size. I am trying to find out if they measured them wrong, but Marvin Support does not confirm this when they heard the situation and I cannot get another certified Marvin installer to come and check the windows. So I am kind of stuck.
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toddinmn
2 years ago
Looks way short to me as well.

There explanation does not make sense and you cam order the Marvin a sill that is sloped to match the exterior sill. You can see the saw cuts in the trim they put in also. How did they trim it on the outside? Who measured it? Do the installers work as subs for a window company or were they hired directly?
Jon Klitsis thanked toddinmn
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
2 years ago
With stool, no reason you should be able to see under the frame. Don't get me wrong, some wood openings are super wonky, but the stool is at least 3/4" material here and setting the window on the sill, even if out of level, should not require a visible gap.
Jon Klitsis thanked Windows on Washington Ltd
Jon Klitsis
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
"How did they trim it on the outside? Who measured it? Do the installers work as subs for a window company or were they hired directly? "

I missed to add my feedback on the questions from the previous post. I don't know what they did on the outside, if they trimmed anything or not. My guess is they did nothing. The installers came and measured everything, this happened twice, once during the initial visit and a 2nd before they ordered the windows. They are saying that the crew that installed the windows works for them, they have not clarified if they are employed by them or if they are external contractors.
Jon Klitsis
Original Author
last year
Here is one of the windows exterior picture.
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
last year
Answered in the other thread. At least as best as I can without measuring the window myself.
fridge2020
last year
installation looks fine for what they had to work with, but I agree that it appears to be measured short.

Would your observation of more noise have been avoided with the taller window? Not likely. Its not a super air-tight windows to start, and things may or may not be dialed in for the best seal possible.

For appearance, a more dcoreatiove piece of trim could be used on the bottom, something like cove.

If it were me, I'm not sure that I'd make them reorder the windows, but certainly fessing up to the measure issue and compensating you in some way wouldn't be out of line