Defective NEW sliding door?

[MrsStark]

Am I being unreasonable about not being happy that there is something physically trapped inside/between the panes of glass in our new sliding door? The piece of material is about the size of a small finger nail, or a little smaller. Originally I thought it was dirt on the outside, but it's not, it's IN the glass.

I don't understand how this could have gotten past the manufacturers quality control... After seeing it my mind immediately went to this now has a compromised seal, because obviously that piece of material should not be in there, so now the door is going to become cloudy with condensation well before it should due to something like age - Basically I feel like the door is going to be all cloudy within a few months/years because of this. I'm afraid if I ask the manufacturer and/or contractor they're going to say the door and the seal is fine just to make me shut up and go away.

So I guess my main question(s) is could this actually cause the door to become cloudy sooner and should I insist that it be corrected? Thank you for any and all advice!!

 

[Snoonyb]

Well, there's more to the story, so, give us the details, who, what, why, where and when.

Stand back about 10' and include interior as well as exterior panoramic photos.

 

[MrsStark]

there is no more to the story, that’s it. The door was literally installed 31 days ago, so it came to me like this.

And panoramic photos unfortunately are not going to help me… that far back you can’t even see the flaw. I am concerned about the integrity of the doors glass because of this defect.

 

[Snoonyb]

The title of this therd, YOU, posted is, "Defective NEW sliding door," the emphasis being on, "NEW," so, installed by who, WHAT brand name, WHO is the mfg., installed when, to start with.

You also said, "I'm afraid if I ask the manufacturer and/or contractor they're going to say the door and the seal is fine just to make me shut up and go away".

How do you know, unless you ask?

 

[havasu]

The seal that sandwiches the separate panes of glass are on the perimeter of the glass, so I don't think it will jeopardize the seal, but it is unsightly. I would request they make a new glass panel from the specs, and when ready, they can simply pop out the defective glass and install the new glass. I just had a panel replaced last week. It was quick and painless.

 

[Snoonyb]

I'm going to propose a presumptive scenario.

This was not a new installation, but an reglazing/repair, of an existing slider.

A contractor was called too, and the OP was advised that the panel could be reglazed/repaired, at a substantially reduced rate, as apposed the a new replacement installation.

The likelihood is that the seal had failed and the gas had dissipated, which is not uncommon.

The OP agreed.

The contractor removed the panel, secured the residence, and delivered the panel to the repair facility.

Upon the contractor returning too, and reinstalling the panel, the subject of the OP's inquiry may not a have been noted.

Any professional alerted to a defect such as this, should respond by returning the product to the repair facility, for their action.

There are several levels of gain/loss to be considered.

 

[MrsStark]

I'm going to propose a presumptive scenario.

This was not a new installation, but an reglazing/repair, of an existing slider.

A contractor was called too, and the OP was advised that the panel could be reglazed/repaired, at a substantially reduced rate, as apposed the a new replacement installation.

The likelihood is that the seal had failed and the gas had dissipated, which is not uncommon.

The OP agreed.

The contractor removed the panel, secured the residence, and delivered the panel to the repair facility.

Upon the contractor returning too, and reinstalling the panel, the subject of the OP's inquiry may not a have been noted.

Any professional alerted to a defect such as this, should respond by returning the product to the repair facility, for their action.

There are several levels of gain/loss to be considered.

Jeez, again, no you are incorrect about absolutely everything, and incredibly presumptuous in the process. The door is absolutely brand new, this replaced a 1979 aluminum door that was completely shot. But thank you for your input.

 

[Snoonyb]

Thanks for the clarification, which by the way, the panoramic photos, would likely have, exampled of.

So, who mfg'd the door, and have you contacted their cust. svc. dept., or, would you like us to look that up for you?

Have you contacted the contractor and alerted them of your concerns, as well as as asking them for an invoice number, for the product.

 

[MrsStark]

The seal that sandwiches the separate panes of glass are on the perimeter of the glass, so I don't think it will jeopardize the seal, but it is unsightly. I would request they make a new glass panel from the specs, and when ready, they can simply pop out the defective glass and install the new glass. I just had a panel replaced last week. It was quick and painless.

Oh this is exciting news, I wasn’t aware this was an option! Thank you!! I was afraid the entire door would need to be replaced. So just replacing the panes is just as good as if the existing panes were non-defective from the start? Such as they’ll last just as long as the other panes?

Would you say it being unsightly is enough reason to request the panes be replaced? I guess I feel bad for being “picky”

 

[Snoonyb]

Oh this is exciting news, I wasn’t aware this was an option! Thank you!! I was afraid the entire door would need to be replaced. So just replacing the panes is just as good as if the existing panes were non-defective from the start? Such as they’ll last just as long as the other panes?

Would you say it being unsightly is enough reason to request the panes be replaced? I guess I feel bad for being “picky”

It's a manufacturing defect, from the product mfg., so, contact the contractor re: your concern, and don't take no for an answer.

 

[nobes]

Am I being unreasonable about not being happy that there is something physically trapped inside/between the panes of glass in our new sliding door? The piece of material is about the size of a small finger nail, or a little smaller. Originally I thought it was dirt on the outside, but it's not, it's IN the glass.

I don't understand how this could have gotten past the manufacturers quality control... After seeing it my mind immediately went to this now has a compromised seal, because obviously that piece of material should not be in there, so now the door is going to become cloudy with condensation well before it should due to something like Window Depot - Basically I feel like the door is going to be all cloudy within a few months/years because of this. I'm afraid if I ask the manufacturer and/or contractor they're going to say the door and the seal is fine just to make me shut up and go away.

So I guess my main question(s) is could this actually cause the door to become cloudy sooner and should I insist that it be corrected? Thank you for any and all advice!!

It's completely reasonable to be concerned about something trapped between the panes of your new sliding door. Even if the piece is small, it suggests a flaw in the manufacturing process, and you're right to question the integrity of the seal. If the seal is compromised, moisture could eventually get in, leading to the cloudiness and condensation you're worried about.
I’d recommend reaching out to both the manufacturer and contractor to report the issue. A well-made door shouldn’t have anything between the glass panes, and they should address the problem, whether it’s a repair or replacement, to avoid future complications.

 

[cdestuck]

I would absolutely go back on the manufacture for replacement of that panel. If it would be way down in the corner and not close to the line of sight, I maybe wouldn’t worry about it as much, but being the height of it, I would go after a new panel. Either through the contractor that installed it or through the manufacturer. it’s a simple matter to replace just the panel itself. You don’t have to take the frame out.