Overhauled Windows: Review of Suncoast Designers in Hudson Florida

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Overhauled Windows: Review of Suncoast Designers in Hudson Florida

January 05, 2018, 10:56:12 am

The seals between windows were pulling apart. Suncoast Designers did a fine, although not perfect job:

PROS
- Low-cost, about $283 (tax included) per double-pane window, which had a total of four panes of glass per window. A "window" includes the fixed and moveable parts. My co-pilot window had six panes: same price. $1.7 CBs total.
- FAST! Six double-pane windows completed in one day. WOW! Six guys had six windows out in one hour.
- Courteous demeanor.
- Good communication. Asked me if I wanted glass pane(s) replaced.
- Free camping and hookups, with one shared dump station.
- Flexible arrival and departure times.
- New window latch installed free of charge.
- Free T-Shirts.

CONS
- One window leaked. Repaired same-day.
- One window stuck closed. Repaired same-day. Gave me wax cartridge to lubricate all windows.
- Loose screw on window latch. Instead of finding the right length screw, they just left the screw hanging out of the window latch. If I had tighten the screw, it would have cracked the glass in the window.
- Re-used all old parts. I assume they would replace the cracked and broken plastic window channels. However upon investigating, these parts are not readily available from the original window vendor, which went out of business. It would have been nice to have been informed of this limitation upfront.
- Used silicone caulk. This is not recommended / approved for RVs. Long story.
- Used non-curved razor blades. Straight razor blades they used scratched one of the windows. Hardly visible.

It was fortunate that there was no prior leakage in ANY of the six windows after 20 years.

The PROS greatly outweigh the CONS, so I give four of five stars. After searching around the internet, this is the best value in the USA IMHO. When dealing with windows, where all flaws are transparent, a four-star rating is probably the best possible expected rating.

Re: Overhauled Windows: Review of Suncoast Designers in Hudson Florida

Reply #1 – January 05, 2018, 11:04:50 am

Tim, why are (is) that vertical blind frame still n place as it comes off to get at window frame screws. Do I see some damage on the edge of it from screw gun??
JohnH

Re: Overhauled Windows: Review of Suncoast Designers in Hudson Florida

Reply #2 – January 05, 2018, 03:17:31 pm

Yes, the original blinds are hanging on by a thread...pun intended. We are going to replace them when they fail. The technicians knew exactly how to remove the blinds to overhaul the windows.

Re: Overhauled Windows: Review of Suncoast Designers in Hudson Florida

Reply #3 – January 06, 2018, 08:07:37 pm

We like MCD, but there is no reason one cannot restring current shades if they want. Here are string paths.

Re: Overhauled Windows: Review of Suncoast Designers in Hudson Florida

Reply #4 – January 06, 2018, 11:25:43 pm

Tim, I was not talking about the blinds I said the side valance, why is it still in place(or did they just stand it there after removing window??
JohnH

Re: Overhauled Windows: Review of Suncoast Designers in Hudson Florida

Reply #5 – January 07, 2018, 01:12:36 pm

Now that the discussion has switched to side valences...

When we put in MCD shades that do not need side valences to hide string or close off edge from outside eyes, we removed all side valences.

Without side valences the whole coach looked wider, nicer, simpler as the whole wall no longer has vertical things breaking up the look.

Our side valences fitted up inside our top valence, making the side to side inside valence measurement narrower. The wider the MCD shades, the more the window edge frame is covered when shades are rolled down. So without side valences, our MCD shades could be made wider and at night even though the inside lights are on, from the outside the coach appears to be dark inside.

Re: Overhauled Windows: Review of Suncoast Designers in Hudson Florida

Reply #6 – January 09, 2018, 10:15:37 am

I hope I don't have to go to Suncoast Designs.

Re: Overhauled Windows: Review of Suncoast Designers in Hudson Florida

Reply #7 – January 09, 2018, 10:29:15 am

Quote from: Travelin' Man – January 09, 2018, 10:15:37 am

I hope I don't have to go to Suncoast Designs.

Why.

Re: Overhauled Windows: Review of Suncoast Designers in Hudson Florida

Reply #8 – January 09, 2018, 10:59:51 am

Quote from: Bill Willett – January 09, 2018, 10:29:15 am

Why.

Because I'm a perfectionist.

Re: Overhauled Windows: Review of Suncoast Designers in Hudson Florida

Reply #9 – January 09, 2018, 01:46:42 pm

Quote from: Travelin' Man – January 09, 2018, 10:59:51 am

Because I'm a perfectionist.

If you can show me any company in the in the R V business that has never made a mistake I will go there, I have not found one yet.

Re: Overhauled Windows: Review of Suncoast Designers in Hudson Florida

Reply #10 – January 09, 2018, 04:42:56 pm

Quote from: Bill Willett – January 09, 2018, 01:46:42 pm

If you can show me any company in the in the R V business that has never made a mistake I will go there, I have not found one yet.

All I said was that I hope I don't have to go there. I don't want to have to go anywhere for repair work, so what's your point Bill?

Re: Overhauled Windows: Review of Suncoast Designers in Hudson Florida

Reply #11 – January 09, 2018, 05:03:01 pm

I mite be wrong, I thought were bashing them, I have had great service from them.

Re: Overhauled Windows: Review of Suncoast Designers in Hudson Florida

Reply #12 – January 09, 2018, 05:16:01 pm

I wasn't bashing them. I read all the posts prior to mine and from them I determined that I don't want to have to go there. Even if they do perfect work, almost 2 coach bucks a day for repair work is out of my league. Glad you had a good experience.
Semper Fi

Re: Overhauled Windows: Review of Suncoast Designers in Hudson Florida

Reply #13 – January 10, 2018, 08:29:36 am

The side valances were left in place in most windows. The technicians were adroit at knowing what window dressing to remove.

To do all this work myself would have been impossible. They did the job for half price of most of their competitors.

Re: Overhauled Windows: Review of Suncoast Designers in Hudson Florida

Reply #14 – January 10, 2018, 11:41:19 am

im, you must have really narrow Valances as there is no way in H--- you could get to screws on mine if left in. That is why I asked you last week if that damage(seems to be in line with screws) was done with not removing them. (edges all torn up with chuck touching???)
JohnH

Re: Overhauled Windows: Review of Suncoast Designers in Hudson Florida

Reply #15 – January 10, 2018, 12:02:33 pm

John, I just replaced the gasket on my LR window a few weeks ago and I had to remove all the inside window treatments to properly access the screws.

But, the damage you're referring to looks like a shredded string for the shade.

Re: Overhauled Windows: Review of Suncoast Designers in Hudson Florida

Reply #16 – January 10, 2018, 02:16:14 pm

Tman, actually if you expand the picture you will see the blind string laying down across the back of sofa/chair. It is definitly damaged valance material.
JohnH

Re: Overhauled Windows: Review of Suncoast Designers in Hudson Florida

Reply #17 – January 10, 2018, 02:25:33 pm

Probably true.......... I'm on a smartphone and scheduling cataract surgery.

Re: Overhauled Windows: Review of Suncoast Designers in Hudson Florida

Reply #18 – February 21, 2018, 10:35:58 pm

One issue has arisen. Several windows were very hard to open / close. I believe Suncoast Designers failed to hold tolerance on the outer part of the window that is held together only with sealant. The plastic tracks that keep the windows in place while sliding started to splinter because of this issue. I've got to order replacemant tracks to see if the windows can be made to slide easier.

Re: Overhauled Windows: Review of Suncoast Designers in Hudson Florida

Reply #19 – February 22, 2018, 06:54:01 am

Good night guys. I've got 22 grandkids who don't fight over something this trivial. Don't make me come down there!

Re: Overhauled Windows: Review of Suncoast Designers in Hudson Florida

Reply #20 – February 22, 2018, 07:53:41 am

Quote from: Tim – February 21, 2018, 10:35:58 pm

One issue has arisen. Several windows were very hard to open / close. I believe Suncoast Designers failed to hold tolerance on the outer part of the window that is held together only with sealant. The plastic tracks that keep the windows in place while sliding started to splinter because of this issue. I've got to order replacemant tracks to see if the windows can be made to slide easier.

Tim, this is exactly what I had to deal with last fall....& still must at some point....windows were all sealed shut, even FOT couldn't get 'em open, but for one, & I had to guarantee I'd buy a new one if it broke in the process. Spent an extra day after my trip going down to get 'em un-stuck...took them over an hour to pry & chisel & hammer them open.....bought a tube of CRL from Amazon to keep them lubed. A little "briefing" on that type of issue at time of the original service would have saved a lot of time & grief....

....now the tracking's dried out, cracking, & coming off in pieces (yes I know it's 21 years old) especially driver's window, took a piece of it to parts dept. at FOT & they do have some that might fit, but not what was made for the coach originally...(said that's not made anymore) I'll deal with that in April or May...they do have plenty of the piece they gave me, just had no time to mess with it at that time.

Let me tell you when you can't get your windows open for couple of months, it's hardly a "trivial matter"....

Re: Overhauled Windows: Review of Suncoast Designers in Hudson Florida

Reply #21 – February 22, 2018, 08:02:44 am

STICKY GOO! Don't use wax!
Suncoast gave me wax in a tube and "lubricated" both stuck windows. This initially helped, however:

- Wax froze up the windows when cold. Near impossibe to open.
- Wax balls appeared, which impeded movement
- Sprayed tracks with silicon RV Window track spray from Walmart. This caused the wax balls to become a sticky black goo.

Had to remove the Creation OEM lower plastic window track by prying and remove the goo. Nothing dissolved the goo. Isopropyl alcohol nor Dawn could clean it. Only elbow grease worked.

SOLUTION: Cut track in half and re-inserted it into the window track. This reduced friction, making the window slide easier. The window still has sufficient pressure against the exterior seal to prevent leaks. This may be a permanent solution. Time will tell.

I will order new tracks, if available, when time allows. Hopefully the new tracks will be more supple, allow for tolerance variations and make the window slide easier. Suncoast did a "swell" job, no pun intended.

Re: Overhauled Windows: Review of Suncoast Designers in Hudson Florida

Reply #22 – February 22, 2018, 08:07:29 am

You might want to replace a couple of the most used windows. I've use these in two rv's and they have an excellent reputation. They will ship loose windows, or if your in Washington state they will do the complete installation. Boat Windows, RV Windows, Custom Manufacturer| Motionwindows.Com

Re: Overhauled Windows: Review of Suncoast Designers in Hudson Florida

Reply #23 – February 22, 2018, 10:21:59 am

All our windows were replaced with Motion windows by previous owner. Darker, Lift bays instead of slider for passenger, kitchen.Highest quality. No putty between glass. Hard aluminum.

Re: Overhauled Windows: Review of Suncoast Designers in Hudson Florida

Reply #24 – February 22, 2018, 07:08:18 pm

Quote from: Tim – February 22, 2018, 08:02:44 am

STICKY GOO! Don't use wax!
Suncoast gave me wax in a tube and "lubricated" both stuck windows. This initially helped, however:

- Wax froze up the windows when cold. Near impossibe to open.
- Wax balls appeared, which impeded movement
- Sprayed tracks with silicon RV Window track spray from Walmart. This caused the wax balls to become a sticky black goo.

Had to remove the Creation OEM lower plastic window track by prying and remove the goo. Nothing dissolved the goo. Isopropyl alcohol nor Dawn could clean it. Only elbow grease worked.

SOLUTION: Cut track in half and re-inserted it into the window track. This reduced friction, making the window slide easier. The window still has sufficient pressure against the exterior seal to prevent leaks. This may be a permanent solution. Time will tell.

I will order new tracks, if available, when time allows. Hopefully the new tracks will be more supple, allow for tolerance variations and make the window slide easier. Suncoast did a "swell" job, no pun intended.

Don't wast your time on new track's, I changed 2 of mine and there was no difference.

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