Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jun 02, 2013 10:29 am My bricks started last week. We have two garage windows and on one the bricks come right up to the frame on both sides and look really good. But on the other one, there is a gap of about 20mm on one side. Brickie said this occasionally happens and you might get one like it on a job. But now that they have done more bricks, our kitchen window is also like this but worse. One side has a small gap, the other has a pretty big gap- the bricks don't touch the frame at all and you can see the blue wrap stuff in between. Can it be fixed and how? And at what stage was this problem created, draughting?? Also my windows are not yet squared up, yet they are bricking around them. I'm worried the awning ones which don't close properly yet will not close! And my kitchen window is on a slant, one end is 10mm higher than the other. Does this sort of stuff get fixed after bricks, or should it be done now? I have some photos but I don't know how to post them! It's started! http://nickleglencastle.blogspot.com.au Re: Gaps between brick and window? Is this bad? 3Jun 02, 2013 5:35 pm I wouldn't worry about the gaps between the windows and the brickwork. Near the end they will organise for the window company to come and measure up for infill panels. You won't even notice them once they are installed. We have some at the sides of the windows and some at the top and even knowing they are there, you wouldn't notice that they aren't part of the normal window frame. They will also do adjustments to the windows and doors and make sure that they are all operating properly. Re: Gaps between brick and window? Is this bad? 4Jun 02, 2013 7:04 pm In my opinion you have plenty to worry about because you are getting poor workmanship Standard windows are designed to fit standard brick sizes. It follows that if the house is properly designed and frame properly built with windows in correct locations then you won't have gaps you are talking about. Someone is not doing their job. It's your investment and if you don't do something about it now it will be devalued Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Gaps between brick and window? Is this bad? 5Jun 03, 2013 5:50 pm It's a custom design. We supplied our own Windows, but all window sizes are standard so they should fit nicely in the brickwork and the draughtsman was given the window sizes during the design process. So I don't understand where the problem crept in. Are the walls not a brick sized length? Did the draughtsman not check this? Or are the Windows not placed where they should be? Doesn't make sense to me. I don't really know how to argue it as I don't fully understand but I'm not very happy with having to patch gaps with infill strips. It's started! http://nickleglencastle.blogspot.com.au Re: Gaps between brick and window? Is this bad? 6Jun 03, 2013 6:07 pm building-expert In my opinion you have plenty to worry about because you are getting poor workmanship Standard windows are designed to fit standard brick sizes. It follows that if the house is properly designed and frame properly built with windows in correct locations then you won't have gaps you are talking about. Someone is not doing their job. It's your investment and if you don't do something about it now it will be devalued Yes... agree ^^^^^ "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: Gaps between brick and window? Is this bad? 7Jun 03, 2013 6:11 pm Nickleglen It's a custom design. We supplied our own Windows, but all window sizes are standard so they should fit nicely in the brickwork and the draughtsman was given the window sizes during the design process. So I don't understand where the problem crept in. Are the walls not a brick sized length? Did the draughtsman not check this? Or are the Windows not placed where they should be? Doesn't make sense to me. I don't really know how to argue it as I don't fully understand but I'm not very happy with having to patch gaps with infill strips. The windows should be installed plumb and square before bricks, but sometimes the brickies will move the windows during laying. To argue this you need an expert, like the one above... infills are for stuff ups... get someone involved now. 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: Gaps between brick and window? Is this bad? 8Jun 04, 2013 6:45 am By the way, you could try your supplier, Stegbar, they may give an opinion because you ordered the windows. They don't want you to make a warranty claim when the builder is clearly at fault. Here is the official guide to installing windows as produced by the AWA (Australian Window Association)... I agree with it... but do consult Stegbar, they could be your friend. http://www.valleywindows.com.au/documen ... Print2.pdf 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: Gaps between brick and window? Is this bad? 9Apr 23, 2014 4:43 pm Nickleglen It's a custom design. We supplied our own Windows, but all window sizes are standard so they should fit nicely in the brickwork and the draughtsman was given the window sizes during the design process. So I don't understand where the problem crept in. Are the walls not a brick sized length? Did the draughtsman not check this? Or are the Windows not placed where they should be? Doesn't make sense to me. I don't really know how to argue it as I don't fully understand but I'm not very happy with having to patch gaps with infill strips. Hi Nickleglen, I am buildilng with PD in Melbourne. Typical design, not custom. But still every window has a gap on one of the side; and some of them have gaps on both sides. Absolutely unhappy with infills provided. I have been told that complies with Australian standards, not mine!!! How come I haven't seen it before? Checked many houses around and didn't find any with such problem. Has anyone got thier builder to rectify the issue completely getting rid off gaps? If yes, what have you done and what were your arguements? Re: Gaps between brick and window? Is this bad? 10Apr 23, 2014 5:50 pm VovilaRV Nickleglen It's a custom design. We supplied our own Windows, but all window sizes are standard so they should fit nicely in the brickwork and the draughtsman was given the window sizes during the design process. So I don't understand where the problem crept in. Are the walls not a brick sized length? Did the draughtsman not check this? Or are the Windows not placed where they should be? Doesn't make sense to me. I don't really know how to argue it as I don't fully understand but I'm not very happy with having to patch gaps with infill strips. Hi Nickleglen, I am buildilng with PD in Melbourne. Typical design, not custom. But still every window has a gap on one of the side; and some of them have gaps on both sides. Absolutely unhappy with infills provided. I have been told that complies with Australian standards, not mine!!! How come I haven't seen it before? Checked many houses around and didn't find any with such problem. Has anyone got thier builder to rectify the issue completely getting rid off gaps? If yes, what have you done and what were your arguements? Does the display home have the same gaps? Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Gaps between brick and window? Is this bad? 11Apr 23, 2014 7:45 pm Nothing to do with window sizes and all to do with poor bricklaying. There's an easy way to fix it. PULL IT DOWN. The Brickie has got lazy and didn't want to cut in next to the window. Suggestions above of the builder putting an angle over it may cut it in a project home, but a custom build is costing you more / SqM so don't accept project quality. I don't subscribe to the theory that if the brick layer did a poor job here what else is wrong with the build, if you take that attitude you will be a head case by the time it's finished. Building a house doesn't have to be a painstaking process, keep an eye on things, alert your builder of any concerns you have as you go. And remember, there is nothing that goes into a house that can't be fixed. Pulling a heap of bricks down may seem like a big job, pulling out one brick is not a big job it's just they have to do it 200 times. Re: Gaps between brick and window? Is this bad? 12Apr 24, 2014 7:28 am building-expert VovilaRV Nickleglen It's a custom design. We supplied our own Windows, but all window sizes are standard so they should fit nicely in the brickwork and the draughtsman was given the window sizes during the design process. So I don't understand where the problem crept in. Are the walls not a brick sized length? Did the draughtsman not check this? Or are the Windows not placed where they should be? Doesn't make sense to me. I don't really know how to argue it as I don't fully understand but I'm not very happy with having to patch gaps with infill strips. Hi Nickleglen, I am buildilng with PD in Melbourne. Typical design, not custom. But still every window has a gap on one of the side; and some of them have gaps on both sides. Absolutely unhappy with infills provided. I have been told that complies with Australian standards, not mine!!! How come I haven't seen it before? Checked many houses around and didn't find any with such problem. Has anyone got thier builder to rectify the issue completely getting rid off gaps? If yes, what have you done and what were your arguements? Does the display home have the same gaps? No, the display home has no gaps. I found the display house with the same floor plan and size and didn't find any gaps. I took photos of each window of the display house and mine and sent it to my builder. And answer was that what their are building complies to Australian Standards. I asked for a document saying this and was redirected to my site supervisor who always very busy. Not sure If I will get anything from him regarding the document as he always busy. Could some one give a link to such document? Re: Gaps between brick and window? Is this bad? 13Apr 24, 2014 8:31 am Hi VovilaRV You are entitled to the same standard of finish as the display home, never mind about the standards. If you are in Vic I can do the report and crunch the builder for you. If you require assistance you can PM Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Gaps between brick and window? Is this bad? 14Apr 24, 2014 8:41 am All good advice - but its funny - if you hadn't seen it and they'd "corrected" the matter - you wouldn't be worried. Still - I wouldn't like it. Re: Gaps between brick and window? Is this bad? 15Apr 24, 2014 4:26 pm building-expert Hi VovilaRV You are entitled to the same standard of finish as the display home, never mind about the standards. If you are in Vic I can do the report and crunch the builder for you. If you require assistance you can PM Forgot to mention, the display house has got wooden windows whereas my house has aluminium ones. Would it be a reason to be not entitled to the same standard of finish? Re: Gaps between brick and window? Is this bad? 16Apr 24, 2014 5:53 pm Hey, don't worry about it. We had the mother of all gaps (35-40mm!), AND on our beautiful FRONT facade, but now I have to remind myself to look for it It's far from ideal, and I have no idea how it happened (standard bricks, windows and facade width), but it did happen. As someone said, they will cover it with trims identical to your window frames at the end of the build. Just make sure you sneak in and tuck in more of the insulation into that area in case traders ignore it (before plastering starts). My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Gaps between brick and window? Is this bad? 17Apr 24, 2014 6:34 pm Lex Hey, don't worry about it. We had the mother of all gaps (35-40mm!), AND on our beautiful FRONT facade, but now I have to remind myself to look for it It's far from ideal, and I have no idea how it happened (standard bricks, windows and facade width), but it did happen. As someone said, they will cover it with trims identical to your window frames at the end of the build. Just make sure you sneak in and tuck in more of the insulation into that area in case traders ignore it (before plastering starts). Here you go Lex here's your new car. Sorry but when we fitted the doors there was a bit of a gap on the drivers side so we got a piece of flat steel the same colour and stuck it on. Dont worry after a while you wont even notice it. Re: Gaps between brick and window? Is this bad? 18Apr 24, 2014 6:40 pm mgilla Lex Hey, don't worry about it. We had the mother of all gaps (35-40mm!), AND on our beautiful FRONT facade, but now I have to remind myself to look for it It's far from ideal, and I have no idea how it happened (standard bricks, windows and facade width), but it did happen. As someone said, they will cover it with trims identical to your window frames at the end of the build. Just make sure you sneak in and tuck in more of the insulation into that area in case traders ignore it (before plastering starts). Here you go Lex here's your new car. Sorry but when we fitted the doors there was a bit of a gap on the drivers side so we got a piece of flat steel the same colour and stuck it on. Dont worry after a while you wont even notice it. Spot on! Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Gaps between brick and window? Is this bad? 19Apr 25, 2014 11:13 pm VovilaRV building-expert Hi VovilaRV You are entitled to the same standard of finish as the display home, never mind about the standards. If you are in Vic I can do the report and crunch the builder for you. If you require assistance you can PM Forgot to mention, the display house has got wooden windows whereas my house has aluminium ones. Would it be a reason to be not entitled to the same standard of finish? Yesterday visited a friend's place. The house is built by PD too. Noticed there are alluminium things that filling the gaps, so one side of a window looks wider than another. I think, this is just a way how PD builds. I believe, on the pictures above the windows are unfinished yet. Will post some pictures after a handover. Re: Gaps between brick and window? Is this bad? 20Apr 25, 2014 11:29 pm Hi, we're not building with PD but henley and ww just finished the bricking stage and there are no noticeable gaps in between the windows. Perhaps ask them about it? Second Build, this time with Carlisle 2016, can't wait! Beckham: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=67280 Canterbury: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=81175 Building Standards; Getting It Right! Hi, sorry if this is the wrong place - I’m new to the property/building journey (trying to buy my first home) so not sure where/who to go with these sorts of… 0 19158 Sorry I missed this, simply put this is a pathetic job, and as it stands it is non-compliant... I think the worst part is not in the quality of the workmanship so much… 5 7043 |