Custom window is the wrong size. How should I proceed?

[Anonymous]

In July we signed a contract to have a bathroom remodeled to fit a disabled family member. It’s an unusual situation where there is a window in the shower. We custom ordered a fiberglass window to fit the space exactly. We really need this bathroom finished because the disabled family member is waiting to move in and we are paying all their $$$ living expenses in the meantime.

So the window (that we ordered in July) finally arrived and they installed it yesterday. During the install they realized that the window is 3-4 inches too small. They called another guy over and stacked some plywood under the window to “make it work”. When they left they told me it’s just fine and that all windows have shims around them.

We are not happy with it at all. Because the window is in the shower there is a lot of potential for water damage, etc. We were originally told that a properly fitting fiberglass window would eliminate a lot of potential water problems. Now they are saying it’s no big deal. The plan is to tile the entire shower including all around the window.

So my question is how big of a deal is this? We don’t have another 6 months to wait for a new window. But I don’t want a shoddy job done with this. What should I ask for? How should I proceed? Am I making a mountain out of a molehill? I’m waiting for the boss to call me back.

[Anonymous]

In your shoes I'd live with it for now, move the family member in, and demand that they re-order the properly sized window and install that when it comes.

[Anonymous]

Did you measure and order it? Or did the contractor do it? Your post suggests the former, which makes it your fault.

[Anonymous]

OP here. The contractor measured and ordered it.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure I understand the worry about water damange? Isnt the plywood stacked between wooden studs, but will be covered by cementboard and tile with fiberglass on top?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The contractor measured and ordered it.

But yeah, have them fix it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure I understand the worry about water damange? Isnt the plywood stacked between wooden studs, but will be covered by cementboard and tile with fiberglass on top?

This. If water is getting onto the window's shims, then the water damage has already occured

[Anonymous]

I was going to suggest stacking wood (it’s probably 2x4s) to make the opening smaller so oops lol.


Seriously though OP making the opening smaller won’t cause water problems. The biggest issue here would probably be if the window now looks weirdly small on the outside or is out of line with other windows. If that’s not happening, count your lucky stars and proceed.

BEFORE THEY CLOSE IN THE SHOWER MAKE THEM PUT BLOCKING FOR GRAB BARS. Otherwise you have to get into serious anchors. Blocking (horizontal pieces of wood between the studs) is easier. Grab bars everywhere. Grab bar-a-palooza. Grab bars are one of the only actually helpful things for aging in place (I would also say wide doorways but that’s harder).

However many grab bars you think you need and then double it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure I understand the worry about water damange? Isnt the plywood stacked between wooden studs, but will be covered by cementboard and tile with fiberglass on top?

An important thing to be aware of in this project:

Cementboard is not waterproof.
Tile is not waterproof.
Grout is not waterproof.
Caulk is not waterproof.
Trim is not waterproof.

A shower enclosure needs to be waterproofed. This means using either a flexible membrane under the cement board, or a fluid applied membrane over the cement board. Anything else is going to leak. Leaks will cause your house to rot. This is a much bigger deal than adjusting the size of the opening.

Similarly, what are they doing on the outside? Windows need flashing around the top and sides or they will leak, also causing your house to rot. Doing this properly means removing about a foot of siding on all sides, flashing the opening and reinstalling the siding. Very commonly it isn't done properly.

[Anonymous]

All windows have shims but 3-4 inches is a lot. I would not be ok with that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All windows have shims but 3-4 inches is a lot. I would not be ok with that.

Why? I don’t get this, that would just be one extra 2x4 right? I feel like that wouldn’t look weird in the framing and as long as it’s structurally okay (which I can’t think of why it wouldn’t be, who cares? As long as OP is okay with the new size.

I mean think of it this way, if you replaced a bigger window with a smaller one, you wouldn’t take the whole wall apart and redo the framing right? You would just frame the new hole inside the old one.

[Anonymous]

OP I had a similar issue with a big box orange store about some custom windows. took forever to get squared away and in the end, we had to part ways with no money exchanging hands as they gave up on trying to get the right window made.

my sympathies for ya....

[Anonymous]

Does it match whatever the window mfg shop drawings show?

If not, who signed off on the shop/production drawing? And where did you buy?

If you signed off on it, go wherever you bought it from during normal business hours and while you are there have them get on the phone with their rep to discuss rectifying the situation. Be nice and only provide facts.

If your contractor signed them, while they with you have them call wherever they bought it from and discuss with their supplier options for a speedy resolution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Does it match whatever the window mfg shop drawings show?

If not, who signed off on the shop/production drawing? And where did you buy?

If you signed off on it, go wherever you bought it from during normal business hours and while you are there have them get on the phone with their rep to discuss rectifying the situation. Be nice and only provide facts.

If your contractor signed them, while they with you have them call wherever they bought it from and discuss with their supplier options for a speedy resolution.

Agree that not having the window the size you want is a much bigger deal than padding out the opening. The question is what to do about it now. I looked into ordering custom windows last May and they were quoting seven month delivery. If the hole is already in the wall and the project is underway you probably don't want to put it on hold for seven months. If you don't, somebody should give you some money back, the only question is who and how much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In your shoes I'd live with it for now, move the family member in, and demand that they re-order the properly sized window and install that when it comes.

Yup. This.