Should windows company compensate me for frame size change?

[WindowProbs]

I recently got new uPVC sash windows. After installation I realised that the frame is now much higher on the wall and there is no space above it to put a curtain rail. I know this can be normal, we have exactly this on other windows in the house and use a curtain pole where the central part is attached to the frame and the sides are attached to the wall. However due to a built-in in wardrobe on one side we have to use a rail (otherwise we wouldn't be able to open one of the wardrobe doors fully). So now I can't easily hang the curtains myself but will have to get in a specialist and most likely will end up with a bit of a sub-optimal outcome.

My problem is that the company did not tell me that the frame size would change. If I had known I would have asked for alternatives or, if they couldn't accommodate this, I would have gone a different route like refurbishing the original windows. They have been round and told me they can't see an issue and I don't know whether I should keep trying to get them to do something or just give up. I paid thousands of pounds for the windows and now will have to pay hundreds more to end up with a bit of a botched outcome. Should they at least compensate me for the specialist curtain hanging which I now require?

I’m having some difficulty imagining how this happened. Were there photos of the complete windows that showed the frame, it should have been noticeable that the frame was much larger in order to reach the ceiling.
Did they measure to the ceiling to get it to fit it can’t be a random measurement if it sits tight to the ceiling.
You have this same issue on other windows so you must have had some idea that this is what it would look like and if it went right to the ceiling you couldn’t hang a curtain pole. If this is the feature of these windows then refurbishment would have been the way to go

Did you order one size and they supplied another?

I don’t think you’ll get very far trying to get them to pay for your new curtain fixings. It would annoy me too but I’d have been extra vigilant if switching from original sash to UPVC sash as I would assume it would never be like for like. Did you ask if the dimensions of the windows/frame would change?

We replaced our original sash for wooden sash windows with double glazing and I asked them many times to assure me they’d look exactly the same (which they do!).

I could certainly hang them myself, and have done a number of times. It's not much harder than putting a rail on the wall really, you just need more supports. If you have plasterboard walls (which you generally would if you have internal insulation) you also have to screw into the studs. A stud finder is not expensive.

The only difference when going into a ceiling is I put a few extra screws for safety. Some into studs and some using anchors.

I asked because the company told me there wasn't a problem, I definitely there is!

They must have known the frames would get larger and checked they would still fit but they never mentioned it to me. And no photos or renderings, I ordered based on examples of completed windows where I now realise there was no "before" picture.

Well, we have never done this before and I don't want to add a collapsed ceiling to the expense of this little exercise based on someone on the internet telling me it's easy...

You asked “ should window company compensate me” People are saying no but you don’t like it. Why bother asking then?

I'm confused, do you mean they have taken bricks out to install the windows? If so this would need Building Regs as you are changing the structure of the house.
Can you share a photo?

Either the frames are UPVC or they are timber. WTF is a hybrid window?!
The windows themselves will be glass. Either you are mixing up terminology or you have been taken advantage of.
If you wanted to preserve the look why didn't you save money and have them repaired?

They are uPVC with inner wooden (MDF) frames added on. They're a standard sash window replacement.

And, as I said, they convinced me that they could replicate the look. I spent a lot of time researching, and there were enough options that were in favour of this being possible. And to an extent that's not even the problem, even if the look was wildly different they never once mentioned the size would change.

I guess I just have higher standards for work. These were pretty expensive windows from a specialist company. Of the people disagreeing with me only@CatherinedeBourgh has a point because if she believes we can up a ceiling track as easily as a wall track with no exta costs then there is no compensation required. Everyone else suggesting various solutions which will cost extra is just proving my point that I'm now out of pocket as a result of the windows being installed.

Sorry if this has been asked already, but is there a recess where the window sits? If so then you can buy Roman blinds that look nice but use a tension mechanism to hold in place (so no drilling) - I have a few of these in my house and they work well.

In terms of the work, if you selected from a catalog and the pictures clearly showed the larger frames the I’m not sure you have a case. If there was no way of telling until
install, then you have a point.

No you just think you are entitled to something that most of us are saying you are not.

I can’t understand how the wardrobe door won’t open as the window is now vs how it opened with the old window. I think we need a photo of the actual window

I would not be happy in your shoes and would discuss it further with them, they should have explained the change in window dimensions / lack of curtain rail space
Not sure why people keep on mentioning Roman blinds as a solution, lots of people (myself included) don't like them and think they are dated

I’m even more confused now.
I’m trying to understand: if I am reading all this correctly you replaced timber sash with UPVC for insulation reasons.
That’s entirely false economy. Timber windows allow your older property to breathe, UPVC will cause you damp problems in the future. UPVC and double glazing lasts 10-20 years. Maintained timber windows last 50-70 years or more.
Magnetic secondary glazing is super cheap and proven more effective than double glazing with insulation in mind.
UPVC will impact the value of your period home, timber will enhance it.

I am not criticising, just trying t understand as
I am at a loss here. Have I totally misunderstood?

This aside, if the MDF (hybrid) is fitted over the UPVC and entirely for aesthetic reasons and is what’s increased the internal height (assuming so if the external height is the same), just remove that and keep the UPVC, fit your rail as planned.

Another way of looking at this is whatever you sold the timber sashes for will more than cover the costs of new rails, fitting and curtains. Just assign it differently in your head and begin to see some positives!

A picture would be useful! You can build pelmets around the window and include a pole within that or a blind. Yes it’s going to cost some money but it’s a decent look.

You just need to attach the curtain pole to the ceiling. The drilling may be trickier so you might need to get a handyman in, but it won't cost much. No need for compensation. Or plantation shutters would look neat and attractive.

Another one who needs a picture. If they’ve not taken bricks out and put in a new lintel, then surely it’s just a fascia that’s bigger, rather than the actual new frame? And then you could remove that, or fit the blinds to the fascia instead of the wall?

I can’t imagine it without seeing it, but I don’t understand how they could possible have put a bigger frame in the same size hole.

Yes this, they could not have fitted larger windows into the same size hole it’s just a frame or whatever you call it. So fit the curtain pole onto this frame in the place they were before. It will look fine if the pole is fitted within the frame if there’s some decorative features. You may have been used to the curtains in a certain place before but that’s not to say it won’t look good in a different location and look.

Do you mean the architrave is bigger? If so, that could easily be replaced with something the original size.

Strange that they put larger windows in than were there already, they normally replace like size for like size. Made a lot more work for themselves too doing this ?

Did you specify something like "Replace existing window with hybrid uPVC and refit existing curtain and pole", or "Replace existing window with hybrid uPVC suitable for refitting existing curtain and pole"?

If not how would they know you planned to refit? You could be planning to have no curtain, fit new ones, ask someone else to fit, change to blinds, window film etc etc etc

If you didn't specify what you wanted, how would they know? I assume you didn't, so they have done exactly what you asked for, no more, no less, so what is there to compensate for? Lack of mind reading?