Warranties and service for windows

Window Warranty Types

Profile Manufacturer’s Warranty

Most common term: 10 years

What it covers:

• Profile deformation without mechanical impact
• Color change (yellowing of white PVC)
• Peeling of the lamination on colored profiles
• Cracks in the profile due to manufacturing defects
• Deterioration of the PVC structure

What it does not cover:

• Scratches, chips from impacts
• Damage from improper use
• Deformation from overheating (leaving a dark object on the windowsill)
• Color change from exposure to chemicals
• Damage from improper installation

Warranty Validation Conditions:

• Installation by a certified installer
• Proper use (ventilation, cleaning)
• No mechanical damage

Aluminum Profiles: 10-15 year warranty on the profile, 5-7 years on Powder coating.

Wooden profiles: 5-10 year warranty depending on the wood species and treatment.

Claims related to the profile are rare (less than 1% of windows). The profile actually lasts 30-50 years without any problems.

Insulating Glass Unit Warranty

Term: 5 years (standard)

What it covers:

• Fogging from the inside of the insulating glass unit (depressurization)
• Clouding of the glass
• Peeling of the low-e coating
• Glass manufacturing defects

What it does not cover:

• Condensation from the outside or inside of the room on the glass surface
• Cracks from impacts
• Scratches
• Broken glass

Fogging inside the insulating glass unit is the most common warranty issue (3-5% of insulating glass units over 5 years).

Causes of leaks:

• Sealant manufacturing defect
• Damage during transportation
• Frame deformation due to improper installation
• Temperature fluctuations

How ​​to check for leaks:

• Fogging between the panes does not disappear
• Visible in any weather
• Dirt and stains sometimes appear inside

Hardware Warranty

Term: 2-5 years depending on the manufacturer

German hardware (Roto, Siegenia, Maco):

• 3-5 year warranty
• Real life 15-25 years

Turkish, Chinese:

• 2-3 year warranty
• Real life 7-12 years

What is covered:

• Mechanism failure without mechanical impact
• Manufacturing defects
• Corrosion of metal parts
• Destruction of plastic parts

What is NOT covered:

• Sagging Sashes (this is the installation, not the hardware)
• Wear due to lack of lubrication
• Breakage due to improper use (jerks, impacts)
• Worn seals (this is a consumable)
• Broken handle due to excessive force

Typical problems:

• Sagging sash — usually not covered by warranty, adjustment required (free for the first year)
• Jamming mechanism — often due to lack of lubrication (not covered by warranty)
• Broken handle — if broken by force, not covered by warranty; if it falls off on its own, covered by warranty

Installation Warranty

Duration: 1-3 years (depending on the company)

Reliable companies offer 3-5 years, confident in the quality of installation.

What’s covered:

• Drafts due to poor sealing
• Freezing of the installation joint
• Sash sagging due to improper installation
• Separation of window slopes
• Window sill issues (cracks, separation)
• Ebb tide issues (noise, leaks)

What’s NOT covered:

• Cosmetic damage to window slopes caused by residents
• Scratches on the window sill from use
• Issues due to building settlement (new buildings)
• Issues due to improper operation

Warranty on additional components

Mosquito nets: 1-2 years

• Only frame manufacturing defects
• The fabric is a consumable item, not guaranteed

Roller shutters: 2-3 years for the mechanism, 1 year for the slats

• Electric drive: 2 years
• Slats: not guaranteed (easily damaged)

Window sill: 1-3 years

• Cracks due to manufacturing defects
• Does not cover scratches and stains from use

What is not covered by the warranty

Condensation on the glass

The most common complaint is “windows fog up.”

Reality: Condensation on the inside surface of the glass is NOT covered by the warranty. It’s just physics.

Causes of condensation:

• High humidity in the room (cooking, drying laundry, many people)
• Insufficient ventilation
• A window sill that is too wide, blocking convection from the radiator
• Thick curtains that prevent heat from the radiator from reaching the window

What is NOT to blame: Windows. They simply indicate excessive humidity in the house.

Solution:

• Ventilate for 10-15 minutes 2-3 times a day
• Use a range hood in the kitchen
• Do not dry laundry in a closed room
• Install air inlet valves in the windows

Warranty case: Condensation INSIDE the double-glazed window (between the panes) is a leak; replacement is covered by warranty.

Scratches and mechanical damage

Any visible damage from use is not covered by the warranty.

What’s not covered:

• Scratches on the profile
• Scratches on the glass
• Chips
• Dents
• Cracks from impacts

Even if the damage appeared “on its own”, there was most likely an impact that went unnoticed.

Seal wear

Seal is a consumable, like tires on a car.

Service life: 5-7 years on average, up to 10 years with proper care.

Signs of wear:

• Seal has hardened and cracked
• Drafts when the windows are closed
• Sash closes with less effort

Color change

Slight yellowing of white PVC after 5-7 years is normal, especially on the sunny side.

Severe yellowing within 2-3 years is a warranty issue (poor quality plastic).

Color change in laminated profiles:

• Slight fading after 7-10 years is normal
• Film peeling is covered by warranty

Stains on the profile from chemicals (e.g., from cleaning with aggressive products) are not covered by warranty.

Wind noise in the flashing

The metal flashing rattles in the wind - a common complaint.

Causes:

• Insufficient fastening
• No damping tape under the flashing
• Aluminum is too light

**This is not covered by warranty if the flashing is installed correctly.

Solution:

• Glue vibration-absorbing tape (bitoplast) to the bottom of the flashing
• Foam the voids under the flashing

Warranty case: If the flashing leaks or falls off, yes, it is covered by warranty.

Problems due to improper operation

Not covered by warranty:

• Profile deformation from a nearby heater
• Damage from pets (scratches from claws)
• Mechanism jamming due to foreign objects
• Cracks in the glass due to large temperature changes (spraying with hot water in winter)
• Mold due to lack of ventilation
• Rust on fittings due to lack of lubrication

Mandatory Maintenance

Why Maintenance is Important

Windows are a mechanism that requires regular maintenance, like a car.

Without Maintenance:

• Fittings wear out 2-3 times faster
• Seals crack in 3-5 years instead of 7-10
• Sagging sashes
• Drafts appear
• Warranty may be voided

Many manufacturers’ warranty conditions include: Annual maintenance. Failure to perform maintenance voids the warranty.

Maintenance cost: 30-60 euros per window per year (if you call a professional) or free (if you do it yourself).

We have a great article about window maintenance. It will teach you how to care for your window and even perform maintenance yourself.

Conclusions

A window warranty isn’t just a piece of paper, but it only works if the terms and conditions are met. 60% of claims are rejected due to improper use or lack of maintenance.

Three rules for a long window life: 1. Regular maintenance — lubrication, cleaning, adjustment 2. Proper operation — ventilation, care, and avoiding overloading mechanisms 3. Prompt response to problems — don’t wait for a small problem to become a big one

The warranty is valid if: You’ve chosen a reliable company (5+ years of experience, good reviews)

• You have a written contract with clear warranty terms
• You’ve saved all documents
• You’ve performed mandatory maintenance
• The problem is truly covered by the warranty

In case of a warranty claim: You must file a claim in writing (email, WhatsApp, burofax)

• Save all correspondence
• Take photos/videos of the problem
• Don’t be afraid to defend your rights (Consumo and court are real tools)

Proper window care extends their lifespan from 15-20 years to 30-40 years. That’s 30-60 minutes a year for maintenance versus €5,000-€10,000 for replacement. The investment of time is clearly worth it.