Anderson window problems

[Cressida]

I was helping at my Mom's house and noticed 5 or 6 of her Anderson wooden windows are separated between the top and bottom rails and the side stile (sash). In essence, the window frame is no longer square with the glass panels and it creates an opening or air gap. My guess is that the adhesive was not installed correctly or just poor workmanship of some kind.

As you can see in the pictures, it looks like you could push it back into position but I tried that and the members (rail + stile) will not move. In addition, the glass would have to slip back up into the top rail at the same time. I guess if one could push hard enough it "might" pop back together or it may just destroy the window or break the glass double panes - something would have to give?

Also these window panels slide up and down in the side frame and are not the kind that can be tilted to come out for cleaning (or repair).

The windows are past the warranty period (either 10 or 20 years) but they have been like this for a decade but Mom just taped over the gaps. Some of them are even worse than the one that is pictured. I've got 60 year old wooden windows on my house and never had one failure like this, so I'm not impressed.

Has anyone seen this happen before and know what it will take for me to get the windows back in alignment or repaired?

 

[JHZR2]

Can you remove the window itself to fix it on a bench?

We refurbished all the original windows (a ton) in my parents' 1920s home, and they are pretty tight and nice. Im not sure these Anderson windows can be taken apart or need to be.... but if you can work on it flat, you'll have a better shot of getting things aligned and then secured.

 

[cpayne5]

You should be able to get these windows out, even if not obviously apparent.

There should also be some info about the window etched in the glass in one of the corners. An Andersen dealer can get you replacement parts based off those numbers, if necessary.

That's my anecdotal experience with Andersen, anyway.

 

[Yah-Tah-Hey]

Never have seen that problem on Pella window, but their quality control could be better. Apparently their quality QC will pass on nicks. splits and other obvious damage. OVERPRICED and OVERRATED. War department wanted them for the slim shades and no need for

curtains.