Browse Forums Windows & Doors 1 Dec 22, 2009 8:32 am [EDIT - Finally found another thread discussing this very issue, so I've posted in that. If the forum moderator wishes to delete my new thread, please do so!] Hi all, I have two windows where the bricks underneath (from the outside) don't quite reach the window frame. Under the frame is a rubber flap which is meant to sit on the brick ledge to prevent water from entering. For one window, the flap doesn't even reach the bricks - the builder has agreed this is bad and is having it repaired. The other window is a bit better, the flap does actually touch the bricks, BUT the bricks are 1cm under the frame. So I can actually lift the flap myself and I can see the frame, and even stick my finger right in there. The builder says that because it's 10mm, it's within spec so they don't need to change it. I feel that being able to lift the flap and see the frame isn't good at all. What do people think? Can they get away with this? Re: Gap under window - space between window frame and bricks? 2Jan 05, 2010 7:44 pm The tolerances are in place to create a suitable standard. 10mm is within the spec and that is that. there are alot of things that are never millimetre accurate in a building and my advice would be to stop lifting the flap and looking in it seems the builder is fixing what needs fixing and that is good. It is very difficult to know what to look for in a home and if you want to put your mind at ease then you can engage a company that does hand over inspections these are a reasonably priced choice and alot of my clients when I was supervising would do this. Re: Gap under window - space between window frame and bricks? 4Feb 05, 2010 10:29 am Anyone??? My search can't find it !?!?!? Does anyone know what are the tolerances of gaps betweeen window frame and brickwork but on the side (not below or under the frame) ?? Did anyone had any gaps betweeen window frame and brickwork that needed to be covered with something? I'm talking large gaps, not 1cm. My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Gap under window - space between window frame and bricks? 5Feb 05, 2010 12:26 pm I know this may be annoying to you , but again please tell me: Did anyone have any side gaps betweeen window frame and brickwork that needed to be covered with something? I'm talking large gaps, not 1cm. And with pics, it would be even more lovely My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Gap under window - space between window frame and bricks? 7Feb 06, 2010 10:21 pm The standard clearance for the timber frame opening is 20mm height & width. But the bricks should butt up to the window or they have stuffed up. This can be covered by an aluminium infill in the same colour as the window, but it's not quite the same. Ed "ECOECO" At 'EcoEco', we design windows, we design the best windows, we do it for you, so that when you’re happy we are happy. Tel. 1800 326 326 Re: Gap under window - space between window frame and bricks? 8Feb 07, 2010 12:11 am Thanks, Ed! Not sure why and how did they have to stuff up. I was assured during design that bricks are always only cut in half (and that was our design limitation). I see now that when they are cut, they are then used sideways anyway (well, I think they have to be used sideways). Is that the problem, as the brick, when bricked sideways into the wall, is only 10cm, and not what it says on the packaging (11cm)?! It seems like: Use a brick sideways a couple of times, and you create a gap in a wall section. All these sections of the wall which are in-between openings are about 2cm shorter than the documented wall dimensions. Strangely, the gap does not exist on another (identical) section of the house (each section has 2 identical windows). I don't understand this!! Maybe whoever designed our external brick wall dimensions did not know that brick "halves" are only used sideways, or didn't properly calculate what the dimensions should be. OR maybe there is a fault with our bricks being thinner than they should be (it says they "are" 23 long x 11 deep x74 high). My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Gap under window - space between window frame and bricks? 9Feb 07, 2010 8:23 am It's the brickie's problem. He could stretch or contract the gap while laying up to it. Provided the window was there when he was laying... Ed "ECOECO" At 'EcoEco', we design windows, we design the best windows, we do it for you, so that when you’re happy we are happy. Tel. 1800 326 326 Re: Gap under window - space between window frame and bricks? 11Feb 07, 2010 9:04 am Perhaps you are noticing it because you know it's there. Before windows came into my life my home had a 50mm gap at one window I had never noticed for about 5 years, right near the entry. Post a pic... Ed "ECOECO" At 'EcoEco', we design windows, we design the best windows, we do it for you, so that when you’re happy we are happy. Tel. 1800 326 326 Re: Gap under window - space between window frame and bricks? 14Feb 07, 2010 2:09 pm Thanks, Guy! It looks like you don't have any gaps, although on the second picture the top of the window doesn't align with the bed joint - not sure if this is a problem or not. My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Gap under window - space between window frame and bricks? 15Feb 07, 2010 3:52 pm Found that other thread finally ... http://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=5428&p=375783&hilit=reach+window#p375783 My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Gap under window - space between window frame and bricks? 16Feb 07, 2010 5:06 pm Good to see the some pictures gpierce. I like no gap around my windows. I've been with the bricklayers to achieve this look. In one case, because it was a door which went to the ground and the windows were 10 mm higher than expected, I got a 10 mm gap at the top of the sliding doors. Rather than put a storm mould in (yuk), I paid the brick layer directly to remove a few courses and relay them to absorb the 10 mm gap. You can hardly tell that the bricks "bend down'. In the end, all my windows and external doors have zero gap all the way around. I like it. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Gap under window - space between window frame and bricks? 17Feb 09, 2010 9:12 pm The second pic from the top is the top of the sliding glass door which is not finished yet. I was more trying to show the sides tight up against the brick. Re: Gap under window - space between window frame and bricks? 18Feb 10, 2010 9:08 am Thanks, gp! Looks like we are the only case on h1 with this issue. There's only one other person with this problem, but it seems to be smaller and not on the front of the house. From our bricking "experience", it's now clear that we needed to know, in advance, various types/processes which can be used (or not) during bricking. We also should have been inspecting every cm of their work as they were laying the bricks. However, how realistic is that? It appears that there is some kind of "gauging" technique which could have prevented this. Anyone has any info about that? From what's available on the net, it's mostly concerned about height, not width. Our brickie was making it super easy for himself and cheap and easy for the builder - alongside several smaller wall sections (around openings), they accumulated a huge void (gap) and dumped it onto a single opening, while they bricked up tightly around all other openings. So, still unsure how can builders specify certain wall length on the plans, relying purely on brick sizes, when in reality the wall size will depend on their brickie. How can drafters be saying that a wall will be x long, when it clearly can't be? So, for eample, 3.5 bricks will give you a wall section X long (horizontally) with brickie A, and Y long with brickie B. My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Gap under window - space between window frame and bricks? 19Feb 10, 2010 9:21 pm Hi Lex. Can you post some pics so we know what you're talking about? Would help diagnose what you can do about it. Greg 2 7543 This is 100% true. You can not hang anything on steel frames. very frustrating 8 8052 Interesting. You have great clearance to damp proof course all the way around which is rare with so many cowboy landscapers and concreters. Is there sufficient fall… 2 2436 |