James:

According to Marvin's installation instructions, (Part 1 of 5), your fourth picture demonstrates that they haven't cut the housewrap properly. While not absolutely clear, the first picture seems to show the proper flashing lying on a rough sill instead of the angled sill shim required by Marvin to properly direct water to the outside. You can't see the required returned housewrap/tape on the rough jamb that should easily be visible in picture 11, however, you can see the use of prohibited wood shims (they rot) instead of the required composite shims.

These are enough and serious enough problems to warrant disassembling an installed window with your builder and his installation crew while you simultaneously watch the video. They are not arguing with you, they are arguing with Marvin.

x2 on what Joseph said. Marvin has videos as well as Dupont in correct procedures.

Spoke to my builder this morning who was at the job site immediately after I expressed concern....

1. He is telling me they no longer wrap the housewrap into the jambs on the rough opening as this is no longer required by the current ASTM standards. Said his guys are constantly trained on the newest standards by Dupont. I don't have a copy of 2112-19b standards so I can't tell if this is true or not. I do know that ZIP sheathing instructions show the rough opening jambs being left bare as well.

2. Said they do run a line of caulking all along the fins (sides and top).

3. Said they should be using a staple at the top of the sill flexwrap on jamb to secure it in place and that it doesn't curl down. Is having the guys do that.

4. He said the the flashing can appear a little loose but it will get stronger and more adhered as more time passes. I'm guessing he is probably having his guys roll them again (I don't think they ever rolled them).

5. Said the one window that was not centered they had to place quite a bit off center to align with the windows above it. Which i suppose makes sense...

6. He said the Marvin team will also be coming to work on the windows over the next week or two and that they will have eyes on all of the windows too.

My builder knows his stuff and has been building for 40 years. He acknowledges the window details are extremely important, and I feel like he is making sure it is done properly. I think a lot of my frustration is that these subcontractors rush through things so quickly that things aren't as smooth and tight as what I would prefer. To me, windows are not something to rush.

Regardless, my builder and Marvin window vendor both are aware that I thought things looked rush, so hopefully some more attention will be paid to things as they continue to put windows in. I am hoping when I visit over the next few days, things will start to look a bit better.

" the Marvin team will also be coming to work on the windows over the next week or two"

Why would the Marvin team be coming to work on windows that he has installed?

"He is telling me they no longer wrap the housewrap into the jambs on the rough opening as this is no longer required by the current ASTM standards. Said his guys are constantly trained on the newest standards by Dupont."

Will Dupont warranty the Marvin Windpws if there is an issue? Have you asked for updated Dupont paperwork showing this? Have you asked Marvin if this meets their installation standards?

We have some large mulled windows they are coming to install some additional bracing, caps, and interior details on. The builders framers just set and flashed the windows.

I am going to have my Marvin rep go over there as soon as possible to get a second set of eyes on everything.

I am researching current ATSM standards. Anything available online is not current. Even Dupont videos/instructions are a outdated by at least a few years. I was hoping an expert on here my have some insight.

All installation details besides the rough opening jamb have been done correctly and I am not questioning. Besides that it is just the smoothness/tightness of the flashing that I was disappointed with.

https://www.marvin.com/WebDoc/Window%20Rough%20Opening%20Prep%20and%20Flashing%2019913776.pdf

This is Marvin dated 2019.

The work looks sloppy . The flashing is not going to glet stronger , staples are not the answer. He is saying onething and doing another.

I'm no professional but sounds like hes trying to talk circles around you making you think you are the unreasonable one for questioning him.

Those first pictures are rediculous my child could apply the flex tape better than that.

Keep pictures and try to communicate via email so you have proof down the road when and if those windows leak.

https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/DocumentCenter/View/3495/CSIFlashing101?bidId

I don't care what ASTM standards he applies. When your house rots away, you're not going to be calling ASTM, you're going to be calling Marvin. Marvin is going to tell you to go pound sand because the windows were not installed per their instructions.

Nor do I care how long he's been installing windows/building homes. These are not installed per Marvin instructions.

The first paragraph highlights in red that the manufacturers instructions are to prevail.

"The first paragraph highlights in red that the manufacturers instructions are to prevail."

And I'll bet 50 bucks that the local code requires windows to be installed per manufacturer's installation instructions. Call inspection and get him a red tag. They'll be done right the next time, I promise.

I have the Marvin rep going out today and have emailed the inspector a few photos.

PS what is a red tag?

"PS what is a red tag?"

A stop work order, usually posted in the form of a bright red tag. You will abate the stop work order or you will get no CO (Certificate of Occupancy). No CO, you ain't movin' in.

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I appreciate all the advice. I will follow up and let you know what happens. It's just very discouraging... we selected this builder because of his reputation as being one of the best in town and most knowledgeable of energy efficiency. My architect recommended him and an attorney I know said they have used him as an expert witness on real estate cases.

I am hoping this is just a poor subcontractor that is being lazy. But it worries me the GC isn't more concerned.

The GC should have issued his own stop order if he was using a sub/subs. I would stop it myself right now if they are still installing.

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