I'm always asked questions on what to look for during and after an installation. Here are some of the more important things you need to look for and follow during and after your installation. This applies to any kind of window. Replacement or Total Replacement.
#1 - Make sure installers use protective covering where needed and clean area of all debris and vacuum when finished. We try and make it cleaner than when we arrived. If they don't put down floor coverings before they start. Request it immediately upon noticing! Make sure all your wall fixtures and hangings are removed and stored from damage. Also remove window coverings and any trinkets from areas to be worked in. This helps the installer more than you can ever know. This will really make a difference in your installers attitude!!
#2 - Don't stand right behind your installer watching over their every move. It's very difficult for some people to work when some one is hovering over them. Go sit somewhere out of the way but available for questions. Have some coffee and relax. Occasionally walk in and check up on their progress and snoop around. This is very acceptable. If something doesn't look right feel free to ask why it looks out of place. Explanations should be easy to have upon your request.
#3 - During the installation make sure insulation is used on all four sides of your new unit. We recommend using Great Stuff Low Expansion Foam (It is in the blue can). Please don' t use the red can as it will possibly damage your window. Make sure you visualize this before they seal the units in place. There should be no more than a half inch gap around each edge and top of the unit. Don't accept much more than that. Some instances may require a bigger gap but not many. Insulation may be inserted from either side depending upon the application. If you don't see it then request an answer. ALL WINDOWS NEED INSULATION NO MATTER WHAT! If the gap is to small for some reason then both sides must be caulked.
#4 - Make sure the new unit is level. Open your sash and drop a level on the sill. This has to be level or at least very close. While opening the sash it should lift rather easily and not be a struggle. The reveals (small gaps between the sash and frame) Should be even from top to bottom. No air spaces where the weatherseal touch's the frame. This will mainly happen on vertical sliders in the middle of each side. Also when closing the window stop just short of closing with a quarter inch gap remaining. You should be able to look outside this quarter inch gap. The gap should be even all the way across on a vertical slider and up and down on a horizontal slider.
#5 - Make sure the locks all clasp tightly and each window locks without issues. All screens should be in place with no rips or cuts. They should also not have any bends in the frames of the screen. All the tracks should be vacuumed out clean of any dirt or debris. You can pour a cup of water in the bottom track and make sure it weeps out the exterior weeping holes. This is a place where issues can start and go real bad. Look for scratch's in the glass and around the frame. The room should also be cleaned spotless of any sign they were there.
#6 - Are they all appealing to your eye? Do they look nice and sharp with no ugly gaps or large amounts of caulking. This goes the same on both sides of the window. If the windows were capped on the outside they should be sealed up tight with no gaps. There should be a drip cap in place above each window. Make sure there are no cracks in the glass or frame material.