My Anderson windows got drilled on the bottom sills by my alarm installers. I wasn't warned about a warranty issue either by my GC or by the Alarm Subcontractor. I don't really expect this to be an issue as it is just a small hole and I don't think it would have any impact on the performance of the window. I checked the Anderson warranty and it says the following: "Failures due to product modifications or glass shading devices (e.g., glass tinting, security systems, improper painting or staining, insulated coverings, etc.)." To me this reads that if a failure can be shown to have been caused by the alarm installation then the warranty may be denied. It is not an automatic voiding of warranty. That would be analagous to voiding the entire warranty on an automobile for cutting a hole in the bumper to intall a trailer hitch.

I just got done reading your dilema and wish to offer what I can. As a carpenter taught and trained by my father, I share your disappointment in what has occurred--there are very few crafstmen left and hundreds of parties who call themselves a carpenter because they claim to know which end of a hammer to hold. I suggest the following: 1) Take your own detailed phots of the damage as future evidence in case you end up in court over the matter later. Photograph the poor workmanship presently completed, the good work you were satisfied in the past, and any work that remains untouched from original installations. Remember, your photos will be reviewed by a judge who has not seen your home, so be sure to review them honestly regarding the detail they provide. 2) I would refuse any further attempts at this contractor to correct the problem. Their carelessness has already brought you to this juncture--no point in exacerbating the matter "hoping" that it will somehow get better. 3) Seek out the assistance of a good restoration carpenter/contractor. This can likely be resolved by going to the yellow pages or similar directory for assistance. Going to the carpenters union may also be a good solution, but if they tell you just about anyone can do the work, get out fast. I think you got really lucky with the first carpenter and, if you think the contractor you used can get you back to him, you might try that also. When you think you've found someone you can trust, demand references and/or a portfolio of completed projects to assure youself your confidence is properly placed--this type of work is tedious and demanding--anyone worth their snuff is going to be documenting their work for future customers to build confidence they can handle the project. 4) Once you have found the contractor you like and feel you can trust, let them give an estimate on repairs and bring that to the contractor you first used. You will likely get the cold shoulder, which will make point #1 all that more important. 5) Let the new contractor make the repairs, but insist on watching them for the first window if you wish to be sure they will meet your standards. A respectable contractor will not be offended by this and is even proud to demonstrate the cautious behavior required in dealing with such work. They will also have access to suppliers for replacement mouldings if the need develops. I caution you that it will only be through your own dillegence that the matter is corrected to your satisfaction--it may take 3-6 months of hard searching to locate the person to go to for the repairs--but I assure you it will be worth it. Good Luck. Bruce L

I am probably going to have my trimless interior doors trimmed up at some point. Too much abuse happens with people and dogs and bags and boxes and moving things around etc. They get banged up easy and the novelty wears off pretty quick. Unless you just sort of float thru your house on a cloud...

We just put the side light in with ribbed glass. That has to stay. I didn't know about the Urbane Bronze color. Do you know if that will work on the vinyl window trims? Also, we just put in the satin nickel door lock set so that stays also, thinking it would look good with black (and my husband didn't want a black door handle). Would the bronze color and satin nickel go well next to each other on the door? What if we did the door in the same color as the garage door? A bit greyer green than the house color.