New windows are so tight they can only open a little

Question

Today I had three New Construction Windows, double hung, tilt installed to replace the old. The builder will be back tomorrow to finish the job. The windows are (all 3 of them) too tight to open more than a few inches. Read a lot on your web site & watched a video how to charge the balance. I'm not going to do this myself. (great advice and great video and a big help) So what I need advice on is it the right thing for me to do to insist the builder loosen them so I can EASILY open them and if it can't be done should he reinstall them?

First time I replaced windows, about 40 years ago, they were so cheap the windows clouded up the first year. Second time, same house, I gave the installer a 1500.00 down payment, never saw him again. I hired someone else and windows were just OK, but they worked. I sold that house and moved to this one and just today had three windows replaced. This never happened before, too tight to open. Any advice on what I should do other than what I previously said?

Thank you for any help,
Jane

Dave Sr. · Accepted Answer

Thanks for posting. Going by your description, it sounds like the windows were installed too tightly. The contractor might have adjusted the center of the main frame too much. If you can, measure the frame at three places: the top, middle, and bottom. See if the middle measurement is smaller than the top and bottom measurements. Think of an hour glass shape. Also, try contacting the window manufacturer and see what they think the problem is.