Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Bought our new house some 20 months ago.
Overall very happy, but we do feel that the windows let in quite a bit of road noise.
The builder says that they are to spec for the type of road, but all of my neighbours (row of 4 terraced houses) all feel the same.

What are the regulations regarding this?

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Are they shutting properly?

On some of our windows the hinges had had dropped (wear on the pivots - apparently) so they were not sealing on the hinged side properly. Even though they looked shut, they not quite "air tight", so letting in fair bit of noise.

Could it be none haven't been fitted adjusted properly (especially if wood)?

Hanley

We had the same problem when we moved into our new house in December.
To cut a long story short the fitters come back and tightened them all up and now they're great.

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

They have been tightened 3 times now and we haven't noticed a difference.

Hanley

Do they have trickle vents as we also had them altered

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Yes. The site manager recommended filling them with foam which we did but has made no difference. It is the noisiest house that I have lived in but Ward-Homes just keeping saying that they are to spec and there is nothing they are prepared to do.
If it was just me, I could understand their point of view, but all four of us are not happy.
What is the next step as they just don't want to know? It is not a particularly busy road, but every car that passes sounds like it is in our livingroom/bedroom.

ScoobySteve69

iTrader: (13)

Move

moneys

iTrader: (5)

I won a window cleaning business and you'd be surprised at the amount of new houses that have poorly fitted windows and also seals that leak. have you checked all around them for leaks when its windy? I always give new houses a thorough going over with my brushes and make sure they have no leaks when i first clean.

Leslie

Try holding a feather hanging on a thread near the window, that will show up any draughts etc.which may be how the noise is getting past them. Are they double glazed?

Les

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Well, after much hassle and lots of swearing, we finally got fed up with Ward Homes.
They lie through their teeth. Fact.

Last August, they send out a 3rd company to inspect our windows. Said company identified issues and submitted a quotation to Ward Homes. After 3 weeks of me chasing them, they said that although there are 'improvements' that can be made to any home, on this occasion, they were not prepared to pay for any work!
Remember, it was they who sent this window company to us!

Any way, after that, I wrote a letter to NHBC. Just before Xmas, the an NHBC attended with a customer services representative from Ward Homes. In a nut shell, he concluded that the windows are not to spec and remedial work needs to be carried out. Most of the windows are not sealed correctly and have very poor quality trickle vents.

I am sure Ward Homes will now dig their heels in again, but if a report has been raised by NHBC, isn't the home builder obliged to under take any work that the report calls for?

We have even had window companies call round to quote for seconary glazing as we just wanted a quiet house. Both companies, although they quoted us, urged us to contact the NHBC as we shouldn't have to fit secondary glazing in a new build property.

Leslie

When I had double glazing fitted the bloke outside was talking to his mate inside and when he shut the window he kept on talking but silently to fool me how good they were...cheeky bugger!

Les

CharlySkunkWeed

iTrader: (7)

See if a glazer can fit a new window to one room. If there is an improvement , you should be able to use this as a sample and claim the cost back.

mrmadcap

A lot of people mistakenly think that new UPVC windows are fit and forget and maintenance free, this is not the case. The hinges require greasing or they will then seize so when you open the window they will bend slightly and the casement will not shut flush and will be draughty.

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Engineer has been out with a Ward Homes representitive and both concluded that every window needed attention.

On several window sashes, you can actually see day light through the seal!

As you mention mrmadcap, some of the mechanisms have been bent but not through use (we hardly open them) but when they were installed apparently. Basically, they are going to take every sash out of the frame, re-hang, re-fit and re-seal.

Now, do I go for compensation???
I wouldn't normally but we have had this issue since we moved in 27 months ago. Wards were not prepared to do anything until we got NHBC involved.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

No doubt a well rehearsed routine.

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Clearly, those guys must have seen Ace Ventura: