Milgard Styleline vinyl windows with visible screws

For all those Replacement Window decisions - just read, review or post a question. You will be helped!
Post Reply
Message
Author
psc000
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2011 12:29 am

Milgard Styleline vinyl windows with visible screws

#1 Post by psc000 »

A contractor installed 6 Milgard Style line (Retrofit, horizontal sliding)
vinyl windows in my house.
The windows came without pre-drilled holes, so the installer just
used 2 long screws in each side of the window.
The problem is that these screws are visible and there is nothing
concealing them. And since there are no pre-drilled holes, the
screws in each window are in slightly different heights.
I've never seen windows with exposed screws.
Is this the way these Milgard windows should be installed?
When there are pre-drilled holes, there are plugs that can be used
to cover those holes. The contractor said the installation is
correct. My questions:
Since there are no pre-drilled holes, how many screws should be
in each side of the window? 2 for all window sizes?
Does the manufacturer sell any kind of screw cover for these windows?
Thanks in advance.

User avatar
HomeSealed
Posts: 2749
Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2010 6:14 pm
Location: Milwaukee, Madison, Northern IL
Contact:

Re: Milgard Styleline vinyl windows with visible screws

#2 Post by HomeSealed »

I'm not familiar with Milgard options, but some companies do not use balance covers on their solid color (white or almond) windows. This leaves the upper screw heads exposed when the window is closed. When it is open, you probably see the lowers as well. Ask your installer if he can get balance covers (they will cost extra). Otherwise, as you mentioned, he could use the 3/8" caps. Just because they are not predrilled, it does not mean that he can't drill them himself and use them... To clarify, he probably hasn't done anything wrong, but there are extra steps that can be taken to satisfy your desire..... On the number of screws used, there are typically 4. That is what is supplied and recommended by the manufacturer (for dh's anyway). On very large windows we may run one through the head jamb or a couple around the meeting rail on the sides, but again, thats just extra precaution.

User avatar
Windows on Washington
Posts: 4850
Joined: Wed Apr 04, 2007 11:21 pm
Location: DC Metropolitan Area-Maryland/Virginia/DC
Contact:

Re: Milgard Styleline vinyl windows with visible screws

#3 Post by Windows on Washington »

Jamb liners or the hidden screws are the way to go.

These guys sell the trim screws countersinks and caps: http://www.trimquick.com/index.php?page=Product

User avatar
HomeSealed
Posts: 2749
Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2010 6:14 pm
Location: Milwaukee, Madison, Northern IL
Contact:

Re: Milgard Styleline vinyl windows with visible screws

#4 Post by HomeSealed »

Just noticed that you have horizontal sliders (as opposed to dh's)... Again, he didn't do anything wrong, but I'd just ask him to get some caps so you don't have to see the screws. The balance covers that I mentioned are only for dhs... On sliders, depending on size, we usually put 1 or 2 screws in the head jamb to prevent sagging, and 2-3 on each side depending on height.

randy
Posts: 1064
Joined: Tue Dec 20, 2005 11:27 am
Location: Houston, TX
Contact:

Re: Milgard Styleline vinyl windows with visible screws

#5 Post by randy »

It's been a while since I carried Milgard, but if I'm not mistaken, the Style Line is a single wall product, so using plugs is not an option. A jamb line might be available (though I doubt it) since Style Line is Milgard's lower end product line.

psc000
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2011 12:29 am

Re: Milgard Styleline vinyl windows with visible screws

#6 Post by psc000 »

So I guess Milgard's lower end product line = exposed screws.
I assumed all vinyl windows should have double walls.
If it is a single wall, the only option would be to put screw caps.
I couldn't find any Milgard screw cover for sliding windows.
Does anyone knows if the screw cover from single/double hung
windows would fit in the sliding window?
Thanks.

psc000
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2011 12:29 am

Re: Milgard Styleline vinyl windows with visible screws

#7 Post by psc000 »

The contractor is giving me the option to
go back remove the screw, pre drill a 3/8 hole and sink the screw
then put a cover on it.

So I guess these windows do have double walls.
Is this a good solution?
I'm worried about removing each screw. They won't go in
the same way again. Maybe I'm just asking for trouble.
I wanted a simple solution: put on screw caps, but
they don't have them.

User avatar
HomeSealed
Posts: 2749
Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2010 6:14 pm
Location: Milwaukee, Madison, Northern IL
Contact:

Re: Milgard Styleline vinyl windows with visible screws

#8 Post by HomeSealed »

psc000 wrote:The contractor is giving me the option to
go back remove the screw, pre drill a 3/8 hole and sink the screw
then put a cover on it.

So I guess these windows do have double walls.
Is this a good solution?
I'm worried about removing each screw. They won't go in
the same way again. Maybe I'm just asking for trouble.
I wanted a simple solution: put on screw caps, but
they don't have them.
As long as you have double walled frames, that is the perfect solution, and is what I had alluded to. :) ... The screws will actually be going in deeper, so you don't need to worry about holding strength or anything like that. I think that you'll be happy with the end result.

ellwood
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2011 4:40 am

Re: Milgard Styleline vinyl windows with visible screws

#9 Post by ellwood »

You should be able to buy caps at a hardware store or one of the big box stores. Look for a 2 peice cap, a snap ring that the screw fits through, and the cap cover that fits over the screw head. These will require you to remove the screw. The other option would be to just use the cap and a little clear adhesive on the head of the screw to secure the cap. Either method would require no additional drilling.

Post Reply