window popping - InspectionNews

william siegel · #1 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009, 08:42 PM

Had a client who is renting and wants to by the home today say that the windows make a popping sound a night. I know I read something about this a while back but cannot find anything on it. Anyone have any idea what would cause this. FYI - this is in South Florida. High humidity but not a great range in the temperature from day to night.

Thanks
Bill

Ted Menelly · #2 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by william siegel

Had a client who is renting and wants to by the home today say that the windows make a popping sound a night. I know I read something about this a while back but cannot find anything on it. Anyone have any idea what would cause this. FYI - this is in South Florida. High humidity but not a great range in the temperature from day to night.

Thanks
Bill

Vinyl or aluminum? Original or replacement?

A.D. Miller · #3 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by william siegel

Had a client who is renting and wants to by the home today say that the windows make a popping sound a night. I know I read something about this a while back but cannot find anything on it. Anyone have any idea what would cause this. FYI - this is in South Florida. High humidity but not a great range in the temperature from day to night.

Thanks
Bill

WS: What type of construction, exterior cladding?

william siegel · #4 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009, 04:20 AM

original aluminum

A.D. Miller · #5 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by william siegel

original aluminum

WS: Vinyl replacement or aluminum frame windows?

william siegel · #6 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009, 04:25 AM

2003 house. orgiainal window. aluminum frame

A.D. Miller · #7 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by william siegel

2003 house. orgiainal window. aluminum frame

WS: What type of construction, concrete block or wood frame?

What type of exterior cladding?

Raymond Wand · #8 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009, 04:45 AM

Expansion and contractions of the aluminum particularly with large frames such as floor to ceiling is my guess.

william siegel · #9 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A.D. Miller

WS: What type of construction, concrete block or wood frame?

What type of exterior cladding?

Concrete block

Robert Dalga · #10 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009, 06:42 AM

If the windows were foamed-in too tight, this may be causing the popping/cracking sound. How did the windows operate? Smooth or Rough?

Richard Stanley · #11 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009, 06:44 AM

South Florida .... Bullets hitting the side of the house!!!

Jerry Peck · #12 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009, 09:13 AM

Expansion and contraction sounds most likely.

While the daytime temperatures may be 93 and the nighttime temperatures 92 (yeah, there is not a lot of difference down there - one reason we like it better up there

) the windows will be exposed to the sun during the day, heating up and expanding, then cooling at night when the sun goes down.

The windows could be installed improperly, i.e., not square, plumb, or in-plane as they should be, the sides may be binding inward to the window sashes, etc., but it sounds like expansion and contraction issues.

Have your client leave the window cracked open a few days and nights and see if that changes or eliminates the popping sounds. It may not take much to move the window where it does not bind up to reduce or eliminate that problem.

If cracking the window open eliminates or changes the popping sound, have them close the windows but not far enough to lock the sashes in place, leaving the sashes a little room to move, and see if that helps.

All you are doing is verifying the problem is caused by expansion or contraction, the correction would probably be to remove the windows and re-install them, making sure they are square, plumb, true and in-plane.

Raymond Wand · #13 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009, 03:29 PM

Take a look at this graph showing the expansion percentage of window frame materials.

Benefits

william siegel · #14 (**permalink**) 10-22-2009, 06:30 PM

Thanks guys

Jerry Peck · #15 (**permalink**) 10-22-2009, 06:36 PM

Bill,

Ever hear back what it might have been?

william siegel · #16 (**permalink**) 10-22-2009, 07:18 PM

not yet, but I am sure I will eventually hear from her.

James Foy · #17 (**permalink**) 10-22-2009, 10:53 PM

Anticipating the California is crazy remarks:
In the High Desert (Climate Zone 14) we have the largest temperature variation in CA. We are not the hottest and not the coldest, but we get down to 8 and up to 118+, and because of that extreme temperatures and heat transfer and expansion only vinyl windows can be used in upgrades and new construction. Aluminum frame windows are much cheaper as they get no low-e credit. Other areas of CA can use them.