Should I be feeling a draft with newly installed windows?

Question

I just had three old aluminum windows replaced with custom fitted vinyl, double-pane insulated ones but I continue to feel a bit of a draft in the area beneath the window to the floor. Is this normal or have my windows not been measured correctly? The brochure they gave me after installation says its normal to feel cool air because that's the warm air inside bouncing off the cold window and then re-circulating. But I'm not sure?

Answer 1

I would suggest actually determining where a draft is coming in. Something that produces smoke, like a cigarette, or a match just after you blow it out. Even if you have a problem and the installers are willing to come back, the weather conditions at that time would be a concern, if it's calm they will not find any leaks.
Most windows and doors, even new ones will leak a small amount, unless they are permanently sealed, under certain windy conditions,

Answer 2

Feeling a draft or feeling general cooler air are two different things.

Draft: Possibly insulation and caulking missing around the windows frames, therefore, wind is blowing in thru cracks and crevices. Once the dry wall is installed one cannot inspect what the "so called professionals" have done or not done.

Cooler Air: Any insulated window, may it be 2 or 3 panes, still does not insulate 100% against the cold winter air. You will always find that the air in the immediate vicinity of the glass is cooler, but you should not feel drafts.

We have fairly new windows in the house we purchased. The windows are a dream to clean. They are double hung and slide up and down and can be tilted to the inside for cleaning the outside of the glass.

However, these windows are horribly inefficient because they let the winter breezes inside. The channels are very drafty, to the point that the curtains were moving when it was stormy outside. The Madison Window Company in Bainbridge, NY, refused any help in correcting the problem. They kept repeating that there is enough weather stripping....and they did not want to accept the fact that their window design is faulty. We all know what we call manufacturers of shotty products, don't we?

We went to Loewe's and ordered storm windows with the measurements we provided, and the installation of these windows helped a lot.

We watched "This Old House" program for many years and have learned a lot about proper construction and installation.

Answer 3

There is a definite difference between feeling a draft and cold air falling off a cold window. A draft can be stopped by removing the trim and foaming the space between the window and the framing. A double pane window should miniize the falling cold air by its very nature. Get the contractor back out and have them fix it.

Answer 4

It is probably a poor installation. Some of the replacement windows being sold today are not installed in the same manner as a new home. If installation is done poorly, you can get air coming in to your house around the window.

You should not be able to feel a draft from the temperature difference unless it is very cold outside, say around 0 or so.

Answer 5

hi
yes you should fell some cold air on the window since it's heavier than hot air.
clod will be more noticeable near the widow going down the wall to the floor.
hers a trick to see if there any air draft from the new window
take a coat hanger and place a paper tissue across the lower part run it slowly around the window casing and along the window inside if it flutter there a draft.
call them back to check insulation

cheers

Answer 6

I love discalimers from companies that do intalls (NOT)

They accept minimum liability often and their brochures, ads, disclaimers, fine print regarding liability are often no more than great "novels"

I'd get the company out there and have them check it thorougly. With all due respect, and not being an engineer persay I suggest they fed you a line. Obviously even with double panes, if you press a hand to a window in colder temps. your hand might feel the change in temp, but a BREEZE...NOPE!

Steven Wolf