Browse Forums Windows & Doors 1 May 17, 2012 10:14 pm I recently had my windows an sliding doors installed from a Victorian based company and I love the quality and look of my new windows.
BUT we are having a problem with the sliding doors and shutting them. When we looked at these doors in the showroom we were impressed with how solid these doors were and the handles and locking system. But we have had sliding screen doors added my maker and there is not enough room for your fingers to hold the handle and this has resulted in all of us pinching our fingers when closing the door, and then when you want to grab handle you have to slide your fingers up the top of handle as this in the only spot with enough room. Anyone with fatter fingers or the elderly would have big trouble. Now when anyone comes I have to make sure they don't pinch their fingers, But on Mothers Day my mother inlaw got her fingers caught. The maker of doors has not left enough room because when they added the extra frame for sliding door. This is what is in the way. I would post pictures but don't know how to. Also the locking system is wrong too. If the key is in one side and locked, you cannot get a key in the other side to open door. So if you lock from inside you would have to take key out of lock so someone coming home can get in. Some one told me today this is a safety issue as key has to be in door incase of fire. Can't see why they couldn't have a flick lever to lock like the sliding doors do. So I finally emailed some photos before calling the rep who we dealt with for him to have a look. After recieving an email today that was never opened I found out the rep has left and they don't have a rep at the moment and asked did I still have a problem, which of course I said yes. SO Do I have any rights to be asking for something to be done and that this doors are not safe. I hate that everytime you shut these doors you have to remember to push with palm of hand. ANy advice of what my rights are would be great. Thanks for reading and sorry a bit long P.S The company is not Ecco Classic Windows Re: I need some advice about my sliding doors please 3May 20, 2012 10:03 am By the sound of it if you jamb your fingers every time you close the door then i'd say yes. Get on the phone tomorrow and ask for the manager to come around and look at it if there's no rep. But don't accept "thats just how it is". I'm sure there would be some more legal savy posters on here who could tell you what to do if that fails. Re: I need some advice about my sliding doors please 4May 20, 2012 2:37 pm Without pics, I may have the wrong understanding... We almost used a "superior" door handle on our sliding door. but it had the same problems as yours so we ditched the idea.... There may be a different handle that will do the job, that your supplier can fit. We use the Yarra Ridge handle and with our door it leaves room for fingers... perhaps they could fit a bump stop to leave the door wider at the jamb. Keys should not be a problem... ours works form either side. If the supplier response is slow try a letter.... Quote: "Dear supplier, You door handle as fitted, has a pinch point which has already caused injury to my MIL. Can you please supply an alternative before someone is severely injured and we both face litigation? Thanks CJ" 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: I need some advice about my sliding doors please 5May 23, 2012 8:59 am Thankyou mgilla and Ed for your reply. I spent the last hour reading and playing and hope these photos work. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Ed I will give them another day or so and then will get onto them again. This should not be happening, and with the keys you definately cannot have 2 keys in door at same time. Thanks again Re: I need some advice about my sliding doors please 6May 23, 2012 3:17 pm ceejay64 Thankyou mgilla and Ed for your reply. I spent the last hour reading and playing and hope these photos work. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Ed I will give them another day or so and then will get onto them again. This should not be happening, and with the keys you definately cannot have 2 keys in door at same time. Thanks again It looks like an inappropriate choice of hardware... PVC door I think... We used the Doric handle on ours, it has lots of clearance. May need some packers to make it work, but you won't trap your fingers. But the problem is that the holes are already in the door for this handle and lock... I think they may need to change the door panel to change the handle, but that is their problem. Thanks 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: I need some advice about my sliding doors please 7May 23, 2012 3:43 pm They may be able to use something like this http://www.lockweb.com.au/en/site/lockw ... ductId=329 They might get lucky and the holes cover. I don't really like the idea of just packing the striker to gain clearence, on the back edge of the door there is an interlock that could be comprimised if this were done. The only solutions I would be happy with is change the hande, or replace the panel. Re: I need some advice about my sliding doors please 8May 24, 2012 10:32 am mgilla They may be able to use something like this http://www.lockweb.com.au/en/site/lockw ... ductId=329 They might get lucky and the holes cover. I don't really like the idea of just packing the striker to gain clearence, on the back edge of the door there is an interlock that could be comprimised if this were done. The only solutions I would be happy with is change the hande, or replace the panel. The door needs a catch/snib with separate deadlock, this one is only a handle. On the existing, their is a catch inside the jamb channel operated by the handle, and that is what dictates the distance of the handle from the edge. 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: I need some advice about my sliding doors please 9Sep 07, 2012 12:06 pm Well I thought I would give an update on my door handle problems as been awhile. Found Rep we had been dealing with that was an hour away has left and now having to deal with company 3 hours away. Have sent pictures etc and had several phone calls, emails, they say that this has been they handle they always use and never had problem before. All we keep asking for is for some one to come and look and tell us we are wrong ( but I know we are not). I agreed to wait till they were coming this way as we are still not living there. Months went by and I sent reminder emails and heard nothing till finally hubby rang and got stuck into them. We then recieved a email with invoice for 4 news handles to be fitted at a cost of $800+ to be paid before they would come and this was a cheaper price as they were coming this way and said would be more if special trip. So on the phone again and said NO you come and look at doors first.They won't admit they could be wrong here. So yesterday a fellow rings from company saying he was in area and had to show me the new handles they had sourced that would be better. Told him I would meet at house but he said nothing to do with him and was to just show me the handles. After meeting him and looking at handles I showed him pictures and he said he could see the problem and what I was saying but nothing to do with him.........ARGHHHHHHH. So now waiting to see what happens. So annoyed as just been asking for some one to come and look. On their website they say they pride themselves in superior customer service!! Well I haven't seen any after sales customer service yet!! Re: I need some advice about my sliding door please- UPDATE 10Nov 08, 2012 2:45 pm Another update if anyone is interested. Had no luck at all with window company so after talking to my building inspector/surveyor who agreed the handles are no good and the locks are a real hazard he told me to go to small claims court. So after a lot of working getting all the right paperwork done I got word I have a hearing date at the end of the month. I have never done anything like this before and I am soooo scared about it. If only they came and looked at the handles and locks we might of been able to avoid this. Any tips about Vcat hearings would be much appreciated. Re: I need some advice about my sliding door please- UPDATE 11Nov 08, 2012 3:35 pm ceejay64 Another update if anyone is interested. Had no luck at all with window company so after talking to my building inspector/surveyor who agreed the handles are no good and the locks are a real hazard he told me to go to small claims court. So after a lot of working getting all the right paperwork done I got word I have a hearing date at the end of the month. I have never done anything like this before and I am soooo scared about it. If only they came and looked at the handles and locks we might of been able to avoid this. Any tips about Vcat hearings would be much appreciated. It is really quite easy. They lead you through the process. Take with you as much info as possible about your hardware, photos, and even a video if you can take an iPad to play it on. Ask your building inspector to turn up, but if that is not convenient, get written testimony from him (you can subpoena anyone too). If you can show that other suppliers have a solution that works, that would be helpful. Also take along every piece of communication attempted by you... They may yet fix it before the hearing!!! 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: I need some advice about my sliding door please- UPDATE 12Nov 21, 2012 1:16 pm Thanks heaps Ed for your reply. I have borrowed an ipad to video the handles and to show panel us trying to use them, not that the window company should be allowed to see it as they never wanted to come and look in the first place!! Building surveyor has written me a great letter and so has my builder. Have kept copy's (luckily) of all emails etc. Bring on Friday week. P.S. would be great if they did decided to fix it but I doubt they will. Re: I need some advice about my sliding door please- UPDATE 13Nov 21, 2012 1:23 pm ceejay64 Thanks heaps Ed for your reply. I have borrowed an ipad to video the handles and to show panel us trying to use them, not that the window company should be allowed to see it as they never wanted to come and look in the first place!! Building surveyor has written me a great letter and so has my builder. Have kept copy's (luckily) of all emails etc. Bring on Friday week. P.S. would be great if they did decided to fix it but I doubt they will. Welcome, and good luck. 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 I’m in a similar position except I’m after sliding 3 stacking doors. I am on a second-story apartment of which the balcony would not adequately fit any bi-fold or… 5 16161 DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair Thanks Chippy . Did also see a YouTube video before. Removed them . Thanks again for the advice. 2 13964 |