Return to the Windows Forum | Post a Follow-Up

o
Frosty sills on new patio doors

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings
Posted by jeff_mn (My Page) on
Fri, Feb 6, 09 at 14:42

To any pro installers,

I have three brand new Andersen Frenchwood gliders recently installed by a licensed contractor. I get condensation on the metal sills at 15-20 degrees outside and frost starts to form on them at around 10 degrees and less. When it gets below zero, the frost gets really thick. Andersen tells me that this can occur when there is no "thermal barrier" installed under the sill. My old Marvin patio doors never had any frost on the sills.

My questions are:
- What exactly do they mean by a thermal barrier?
- What is the proper method of prepping the sill for installation?
- If my contractor did not install these doors correctly, that is, without a thermal barrier, is he on the hook for removing the door frames and reinstalling them correctly? What recourse would I have?

Thanks!

Follow-Up Postings:

o
RE: Frosty sills on new patio doors

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Jeff.....the ground-work or (track) of any sliding door that you expect to hold-up under the weight of a 50-90 lb. sliding panel, with metal rollers, for any period of time HAS to be made of aluminum. The thermal conduction of any metal is going to allow cold to transfer through the ground-work to the moist, humid air of the interior. Is there a heater duct just in front of the doorway? Do you have full length drapes or blinds that trap warm moist air between them and the door? You might try to lower the humidity of the home. A thermal-break or barrier is any interruption of cold transfer in metal surfaces. Why did you remove the Marvin doors? This is a common aggrevation with alumimum windows and doors. That is why vinyl window companies flourish, but longevity, and durability are on the side of aluminum...put a towel down there and keep the humidity off the ground-work.........BG

o Post a Follow-Up

Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum.

    If you are a member, please log in.

    If you aren't yet a member, join now!

Return to the Windows Forum

Instructions

  • You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
  • Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
  • After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
  • It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
  • HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
  • No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
  • If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
  • If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.



 
Click here to learn more about in-text links on this page.