Help - uneven bay windows - trim ripped!!

5 years ago

We stopped by our new house today to see the progress. They just finished up the trim and casings. I was sorely disappointed to find that the left window in the bay window had to have the trim ripped to fit the outside corner while the right window didn’t. It looks awful, in my opinion. I’ve emailed the builder but I’m sure they’re going to tell me they just didn’t have enough room on that one side because evidently the walls/windows are not symmetrical! Is there anything else that can be done? Smaller trim on all three windows? Ugh I’m so irritated!

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groveraxle

5 years ago

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Comments (27)

Elizabeth B
5 years ago
Is it the middle window? I can barely tell
Brittney Brown
Original Author
5 years ago
The far left window had the left trim (outside) piece ripped to fit where the window meets the corner. All the rest are full size. I am irritated because the far right window was able to keep the full size right/outside piece. Clearly the left and right walls of the bay window are not even.
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Thank you for the responses. I'll start again here w/ a better description of my situation since you've shown a willingness to give me some ideas. My mother lives in a manufactured home. It's sided in something I think of as T1-11, but I may be mistaken. It's not like the T1-11 I remember from the 80s when we built our first home. It's more of a pressed type product (possibly a combination of wood chips, etc). She did not like the original window trim which appeared to have been cut from the siding panels (made a faux grain feel to the texture); she didn't mind the texture - she just thought the trim was much too narrow for the windows. Husband & I offered to redo her trim when we painted the house. We used a composite product the big box store said would be ideal. I don't remember now what it was called, but it was for outdoors & reminds me of the primed pieces we used for interior trim (baseboards & door/window trim). It looks to me like the trim on my mother's house has shrunk up some because there are now gaps at the mitered corners despite the caulking. The trim is very smooth & shows brush strokes & even the caulked nail holes. Mom is wanting to re-do the trim once again & because I feel responsible for the problem, I wanted to offer her the hardiplank we have left from our project - that is if ripping it is an option. Her windows are white vinyl w/ the flange on the outside of the siding. Let me apologize for this wordy post & my mediocre explanation/description but please accept my thanks for any help you are able to provide. Just trying to help out my mother. Thanks again. p.s. I love your windows....Mom would have probably been really pleased w/ something like that.
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smileythecat
5 years ago
Left window, looks bad, smaller trim I guess, it would have to be 1.5" which is pretty dinky.
Brittney Brown
Original Author
5 years ago
Would it look better to leave the trim as is or ask them to use smaller trim on all windows?
smileythecat
5 years ago
I think those are your only options at this point, its up to you, if it was my window I would want the trim to match the rest of the house.
Brittney Brown
Original Author
5 years ago
You would think they’d be able to shave down the back side of the trim piece so it could sit flush along the adjoining wall without losing its width. I’m not sure if that’s possible or not. It just looks so unbalanced having that ONE side ripped to fit and not the other. It’s not ripped perfectly straight either. So do they just caulk it to look like it dissolves into the wall?
Brittney Brown
Original Author
5 years ago
Another thing I noticed which really peeved me is they have a mismatched trim piece above one of the doors! It’s just this one door too!
Brittney Brown
Original Author
5 years ago
Lmbo I just snort laughed at that last comment! Yes I know. But I was actually going for shutters or a shade and not curtains. For that area!
Kaillean (zone 8, Vancouver)
5 years ago
That’s just sloppy all round. A good carpenter would find a solution.
Brittney Brown
Original Author
5 years ago
That’s what I felt, too. Especially since they “found a way” on the other side. Since we are buying a “spec” home (not custom built), it’s like pulling teeth to get them to change anything. They have not been the easiest to work with. They seem to just want to get this house done and over with.
Kaillean (zone 8, Vancouver)
5 years ago
You’re not changing anything, you’re just expecting them to complete work in a professional manner. Not unreasonable given they are supposed to be professionals!
Brittney Brown
Original Author
5 years ago
I’m a total perfectionist so I try to keep my grievances in check. But I felt like this is something done very tacky. I’ll update when I hear back from the builder! I got no response today but we shall see.
virginia lynn
5 years ago
Could you ask the contractor to reinstall the window so it is even? It would drive me nuts. I would not put curtains there so I would always notice it
PRO
JAN MOYER
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
It's a big fat header/footer framing error that can't be fixed now without a custom window. The left side wall and corner bead would need to be cut back to allow for the trim. You are never going to stand in the bay to notice that left/recessed side trim. Make them replace the piece at the door top. Get finished, and kick them out. Typical spec: take the money and run. Don't plan on shutters, you have no window sills, and will need outside mounted shades. It will be fine. Worry about the plumbing/mechanicals instead, as if that's the level of care, they are more important than a window or door casing : ( and god knows what they did or didn't do.
lkbum_gw
5 years ago
You could get some of that trim back by redoing the sheet rock on the one wall with 1/4” sheet rock. Probably not enough to get the full width, but a lot closer than it is now.
PRO
JAN MOYER
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I would guess that is already only 3/8 drywall, not 1/2 inch.. The labor would gain you what? An eighth of an inch? Move on. .......

When painted, furnished, it won't be as glaring. Nobody will stand in the bay to stare at it either. The framing mistake was made, it's done.
PRO
The Kitchen Abode Ltd.
5 years ago
The only possible solution I can see if you want the trim to be the same is to have them scab onto the left side inside frame an additional 3/4" piece. They can then retrim the window. This may be less noticeable once your window coverings are in place.
Sammy
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
If that were my house, I’d want upgraded window casing which includes a stool and apron. I guess you should/could let the spec quality guys finish up, then hire your own carpenter at a later date to customize to your exact specifications. BTW: Here’s a carpentry website you might enjoy: GaryMKatz.com

Good luck with your house!
Brittney Brown
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks for all the responses! Having the wall replaced or window moved is entirely out of the question, as it is not my own custom house. There’s already been things I’ve wanted to change that they said “no” to unless I wanted to pay my own sub to come in and do it. This house has kinda been a nightmare but we are in it so far now, I don’t want to back out. We’ve been watching it like hawks and our city inspector is super picky, so I feel like the main things are done correctly. In fact, we are two months behind scheduled because the inspector kept making them change tiny nit picky things as well as catching a couple of actual mistakes.

As far as the trim... it is what they picked. I can’t upgrade and I can’t change it. All I can do is ask and see if they will do something else. I don’t even know what the options would be. Yes the framers were idiots but that all happened long before we put the contract on the house. I’m a perfectionist and it will always bug me if they’re not symmetrical. I just need to figure out how to make it look less... tacky...
Judy Mishkin
5 years ago
it will show far less once the nail holes and joints are filled and its painted. one of those things... move on is my advice.
Jen K (7b, 8a)
5 years ago
I know this issue is upsetting to you, but please don't say that the framers are idiots. They're not and very few of us could frame a house as efficiently and in the quality manner as they do. I've spent many years building a variety of homes, with Habitat for Humanity contractors/trades (things volunteers can't do themselves) and my own homes, and I believe they're doing the best they can in the environment they work in and the professionals that they're working for. There's no such thing as perfection, no matter the price point.

I don't want to minimize your annoyance, but as someone previously said focus on the mechanics, the plumbing, things that really affect the value of your home. In due time these items will fade as you live a great life in this home.

Please don't let your perspective and irritation affect bleeding your communications with the building company staff.
Brittney Brown
Original Author
5 years ago
I agree. I shouldn’t have said that they were idiots.

However, from my understanding, the entire first crew of workers were fired and this current crew are having to correct mistakes. It’s a long story, but basically the builder fired the manager and crew due to their inabilities. This all happened right before we purchased the house so that’s what we were told, anyway.

The contractor is supposed to be emailing me back HOPEFULLY today. He’s not the best about that. I’m trying to not be a pest but it’s worth asking about. And the top trim piece above the door is baffling to me. We checked every other door - inside and out - including closets. And they all match. Except that one? That should be an easy fix, though.
Jen K (7b, 8a)
5 years ago
I agree that the previous activities could lead you to be worried about more than maybe you normally would be. And considering the large financial investment that goes into this, being pesky and picky is your responsibility and obligation.

I understand the feeling of being in the middle of a home build and finding a mistake. Even better is when you identify the mistake, the builder denies the and chooses not to fix it, and when you're moving in that mistake comes alive pouring water into your brand new living room with hardwood floors.

I wish you the best of luck in your due diligence.
Brittney Brown
Original Author
5 years ago
Update:

After going back and forth with the GC, they finally agreed to replace the trim above the laundry room door that was mismatched. They said they couldn’t fit a full piece of trim by the window due to the wall being shorter than the other one. So... they’re going to try to do it again “straighter” this time so it doesn’t look so wavy and janky. I guess you can’t win them all, but at least they’re cooperating!
hummingalong2
5 years ago
Good. Once it's caulked and painted it will be much less noticeable.
Brittney Brown
Original Author
5 years ago
That’s what I’m hoping. It’s just disappointing it wasn’t framed correctly to start with. We measured last night and it’s a few inches shorter than the other side.

Help - uneven bay windows - trim ripped!!

groveraxle

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