wooden windows

condel

I have just installed pine/aluclad windows imported from Poland in a new build. The timber now seems to be expanding and rain is leaking behind the seals. There is no heating in the house yet. Is it possible the timber is taking in moisture?

2 stroke

Hi Condel, welcome to Boards. Afraid I can't help on this, but why buy windows from Poland? Plenty of window suppliers in this country.

Builderfromhell

I import Wooden windows from Poland for most of my projects. The quality is much higher than anything I can get in this country. I have never had any of the problems you mention. Unfortunately, I cannot give the Polish company name but would be curiouse to know from whom you got your windows.

Sounds like there could be problems with the DPC around the window frame, what type of construction is the wall?

condel

Windows were purchased locally but manufactured in Poland. I will post a picture of the fault tomorrow. Thanks.

condel

A very important issue with wooden windows is the humidity/environment/conditions in which the windows are made.

Problems have been experienced where wooden windows have been made in Eastern Europe (very dry conditions). When they are imported into Ireland the wood swells too much whilst settling into our much wetter environment. Dont forget the paint used is micro-pourous to allow the wood to breathe.

Danish windows do not have this problem.

Spending more than 10k? Dont take the gamble unless you can get some seriously good references.

smashey

condel wrote: »

A very important issue with wooden windows is the humidity/environment/conditions in which the windows are made.

Problems have been experienced where wooden windows have been made in Eastern Europe (very dry conditions). When they are imported into Ireland the wood swells too much whilst settling into our much wetter environment. Dont forget the paint used is micro-pourous to allow the wood to breathe.

Danish windows do not have this problem.

Spending more than 10k? Dont take the gamble unless you can get some seriously good references.

Link?

condel

http://www.askaboutmoney.com/

Pictures attached.

2 stroke

From looking at those pics I can't tell If you have a problem with the seals. What you do seem to have happening is a lot of condensation building up due to your house drying, You need to gently ventilate that house untill your windows stop steaming up.

Builderfromhell

I agree with 2 stroke. You need to open windows and get heating on or de-humidifiers in to dry out house. It looks like massive condensation to me.

2 stroke

I don't agree with dehumidifiers or too rapid drying. Allow your house to dry naturally and you are less likely to have cracks especially considering the amount of condensation present. Make sure all air vents are open and leave a few small windows open as much as possible with internal doors open.

Mellor

condel wrote: »

Problems have been experienced where wooden windows have been made in Eastern Europe (very dry conditions). When they are imported into Ireland the wood swells too much whilst settling into our much wetter environment. Dont forget the paint used is micro-pourous to allow the wood to breathe.

Where did you hear this? Timber for certain uses should have a certain moisture content. This varies with location and the idea is that it should be as close to the use MC as possible. Eastern europe gets less rain than ireland, but its not a whole lot, but its humidity that will affect timber more, and I would imagine that eastern europe is more humid that ireland. Timber prepared in europe should have a suitable MC for use in ireland, even if there is a slight difference in MC require, its unlikely to have an effect. As suitable MC is normally a range of a few %.

From looking at the pics, in one you can see moisture on the walls and windowboard. This looks like condensation and not rain leaking in. Follow the advice above

ircoha

condel wrote: »

A very important issue with wooden windows is the humidity/environment/conditions in which the windows are made.

Problems have been experienced where wooden windows have been made in Eastern Europe (very dry conditions). When they are imported into Ireland the wood swells too much whilst settling into our much wetter environment. Dont forget the paint used is micro-pourous to allow the wood to breathe.

Danish windows do not have this problem.

Spending more than 10k? Dont take the gamble unless you can get some seriously good references.

This needs to be substantiated, particularly when a monetary amount is stated, which implies spending 9k risk bad windows, spending 11k, get a reference.

As noted by others, the RH where they are made is irrelevant, it is the RH where they will be installed.

re the pics, seems like loads of condo, unless the flashing detail in the corners is allowing driving rain in?