| By Greg Vanden Berge
Most carpenters and construction workers
understand one thing about eye level. It had better be straight, square
and plumb. My dad could walk into a room take a quick glance at a wall
and notice almost every single flaw in that wall. I was always amazed
at his ability to find problems so quickly.
I have never quite developed the ability that my
father has in noticing construction defects at his level. But I can
tell you this most people notice a majority of flaws at their eye
level. What does this mean? Quite simply if you are 4'6" tall you will
notice every flaw possible between 3'6" and six foot.
If you are 6 feet tall you will notice every flaw
between 5 feet and 8 feet. You might not notice the window apron but
you will notice the window header if there are any problems.
Now the problem is installing windows at eye level
and making sure that the window sill is level and the jambs are plumb.
Windows seem to get used a lot and therefore will be looked at often.
The more we look at something the more we will notice the good and the
bad about that object.
Does the window slide easy, does the window lock
easy, does the window close and open with little effort? If the window
has grids this could be a bigger problem. If you are sliding the moving
panel of the window passed the fixed panel of the window and the window
is not level or straight you will definitely see it.
If you are installing Windows above 8 feet you
could probably get away with the window being a little bit out of level
or plumb. If the window is a two-story house and you can view it from
upstairs you could have a problem if the window is out of square or not
level.
Keep in mind is very important and not hard to do
when installing the windows during construction or remodeling to keep
them plumb and level. I know a lot of carpenters and window setters
that slapped the windows in, eyeball them for straightness and move on
to the next window to perform the same task.
Every person's eye level range will vary. A taller
person will notice most mistakes five foot and above. A smaller person
will notice mistakes five foot and below. Working at someone's eye
level is a mistake. Your work should be quality and when setting
windows should be done to the best of your ability.
You might ask why it matters. Because you never
know when someone smaller or taller is going to be walking through the
house and notice some simple problems that could have been fixed easily
during the construction process. Now the window will have to be
repaired which could be a costly process.
I like to build things right the first time. Take
your time, double check everything and assemble with pride.
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