how much of a gap between window opening and frame of window in new window installation is acceptable ??

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by JoAnn Baughman

Question: My hubby ordered a window from home depot to replace a 38 year old window in son's home. He ordered
it 2 inches too short. Installed it and there is an open space at the top. Hubby says he is going to put a "spacer" in the opening and cover it with fascia outside and widen the window frame inside the room. Says it won't show inside or outside.

Daughter in law is furious. Says window outside won't match the existing window in another room on that side of house.. Hubby sez he will make
the windows match and all will be fine.

Does this sound possible? Family fireworks pretty startling.
Grammaw..

Yuck, messy situation. Hubby screwed up doubly, first by spending money at Home Depot on "replacement windows" (where the windows range from "OK but overpriced" to "garbage not worth the time is takes to install") AND by messing up the measurements BIG TIME. The rest of the thread was about a home-owner dealing with a 3/4" error in measurement, that probably could be shimmed out and made not too terrible looking. Unfortunately there is NO WAY that 2" error is going to be "spacered" away. Even people with cataracts and very poor vision will immediately be drawn to the asymmetry of such a window compared to others.

It'd be one thing if the replacement window was off by less, but this is well outside the range of "close enough". The proper window should be purchased and installed. Hopefully a suitable story can be created so that there is not too much upcharge. Hubby needs to admit that this is the better solution -- it is one thing to put lipstick on a pig but he is trying to shove a mouthguard in where new dentures need to be ordered!

Once it is done properly it should be a laughed off as a good family story, but for now DIL needs to calm down and focus on the generous offer from FIL instead of acting like the world is going to collapse. Any physical / mechanical issue can be fixed while emotions leave scars that can be permanent...

[Coldjensens]

You can usually easily re-frame the window. When is it too small and should be set back? When the size of the window bothers you.

IMO good windows should fit right in. If they do not, someone messed up. Either the framer or the window supplier. Or if not new construction, then whomever measured the window opening.

Personally, I would send it back if it was off at all. This shows a lack of quality control. If possible, I would go elsewhere for the windows.

First step, check your contract. What does it say about sizes and/or tolerances? You contract may list the sizes you are agreeing to buy. If the windows are that size, that is what you agreed to buy. If they or you mis-measured when preparing the contract, that is likely (not definitely) going to be on you. It is up to you to make certain you are buying what you want/need.

Shims are a regular source of problems long term. There is no excuse for needing shims. Measure properly, cut properly.