Doors and Windows - Distorted Windows

Dear All,
I bought vinyl windows, with no argon, no lo-E, just a 3/4" gap between panes. As we were installing them, I realized that they are tremendously distorted when viewed from the outside of the house. You get seasick just looking at them!! From the inside, they are fine, but from the exterior, they reflect everything distorted, like a carnival funhouse. Can this be right? What causes this, and how can I fix it? They are under no pressure from the framing, they are loosely sitting there, while I try to figure this out.
My sister in San Diego just bought dual paned wood windows, and their reflection is true, just like all the other windows I have ever known in my life. The manufacturer sent out a rep, who appeared puzzled that I would have a problem with being unable to look at my own house without nausea. He was very defensive, and I don't think he had a clue. Help!!
Gladly

I suspect they are not high quality windows. In less expensive windows, manufacturers use single glass in the IG unit as opposed to double. When the IG units are big or the air space too large, The single glass cannot handle the air pressure within the IG unit which changes with temp causing contraction and expansion, giving the fun house effect. Chances are the balancing system is set to the wieght of the current glass so swapping out the IG unit is not going to be helpful......as the windows will not stay up. As they are clear glass thier will be more heat build up from direct sunlight.

a knowledgable rep or salesman with experience should be aware of the cause and effect......

Are these windows picture windows with one piece of glass or operating windows with an operating sash or sashes? Vinyl windows are particularily susceptible to improper installation. Improper installation may cause the frame to be distorted and therefore the glass. If there were installation instructions, did you follow them exactly?

The windows a mix of picture, single hung and slider windows. Two are installed according to the instructions, one is just set into position without fasteners, and the rest are uninstalled in a spare room, as is from Home Depot. They are all distorted! I don't WANT them to be defective!!! They just are unacceptable, and I am so dismayed to find out NO ONE KNOWS WHY they are like this. I have a house with no windows at CHRISTMAS because I thought Milgard and Home Depot would be at least ADEQUATE!

Home Centers and building product Suppliers are well known to have several lines of the same product with differenct quality characteristics which is reflected in the price. A particular line might be perfectly adequate to one person for use due to it's practical advantages even if it means the product might have diminished qualities in another areas. This is one important reason for a homeowner or contractor to do homework which should include reference checks and/or on-site evalution before product purchase which prevents unpleasant suprises later however if your living in a house with no windows at Christmas time and you feel it is a manufacturing fault then you should be on the phone with Home Depot Cooperate.

Happy Holidays

Please describe the distortion in detail. There can be distortion caused by varying pressure on the glass and distortion caused by glass which is flawed. Is the distortion similar in all windows? Is the distortion the same if you put the window in the opening backwards? In the operating windows is the distortion the same in the sash as it is in the stationary glass? I'm assuming that these are replacement windows?

It would be nice if when you have a solution to your distorted glass problem you would post the resolution so we could all learn from your experience.

Thanks
John

Dear All,
This is the third time I have tried to reply to the last post! I discovered the distortion is visible from the inside, as well, when it is night and the lights are on, so I am returning them to Home Depot. Next windows I buy will be sure to be true! Milgard does not respond to queries after the initial few calls. As for being cheap windows, yes, I wanted inexpensive windows, but at what point is disutility a factor? Maybe a window doesn't have all the bells and whistles, but shouldn't you expect it to function as a window? Why manufacture a defective product, and just hope no one notices? Or say, you deserve it because you are so cheap? I would rather have them say, these are pretty low on the price scale, but the value is actually nonexistent because you can't look through them. I would pay more for a decent window, but in no way was I warned that these were not great! Special Order! Step up in Quality! Bye for Now Gladly

Glady,

You're right. I don't care how cheap the windows are from a place like home depot under the brand names you mentioned.
If they were likely to distort, those Home Depot specialists who order things like windows for you should have warned you at least.

I bought some cheap windows from Lowes for an old farmhouse we are currently restoring to live in till our new house is built, and they are good.

In my worthless opinion, they shouldn't distort if the glass was made before 1934!

A terrible situation indeed.

Can't believe the manufacturers are so bad with their customer service.

Hoping home despots gives you satisfaction. Please let us know how it turned out.