THE FINE PRINT: Window Warranties

Ever stared at a foggy window and wondered, "Wait... wasn't this supposed to be covered?"

You're not alone. Window warranties are about as clear as, well, a foggy window. But most homeowners have no idea their windows come with multiple warranties... or even how to get started with filing a claim.

Let's walk through what you need to know. And at the end, we'll be straight with you about how Kenco handles warranty work and why we've had to make some changes to that process.

Your Window Likely Has Several Different Warranties

Unlike your car (one warranty) or your phone (one warranty), windows are more complicated. They're made up of different components, and each one typically has its own warranty:

1. Frame Warranty

This covers the vinyl, fiberglass, or wood frame itself. If it cracks, warps, or deteriorates, this is the warranty you'll need. Most quality windows offer 20 years to lifetime coverage on frames.

2. Hardware Warranty

Locks, handles, hinges, balances—basically anything that moves or helps your window operate. These warranties typically run 10-20 years, though some premium brands offer lifetime coverage.

3. Insulated Glass Unit (IGU) Warranty

This is the big one most people care about. The IGU is the sealed glass package and consists of two or three panes with gas between them. If you see fog or condensation between the panes, your seal has failed, and this warranty is designed to cover replacement of parts (but not labor or shipping). Most IGU warranties run 10-20 years... though, again, some manufacturer's offer lifetime coverage.

4. Glass Breakage Warranty (Sometimes)

Some manufacturers include accidental glass breakage coverage (think baseball through the window). This is less common and usually optional. ***Worth noting: vandalism typically isn't covered under any warranty as that is, instead, claimed on a home insurance policy.

A Word About Labor Warranties

Here's something the roofing and window industries don't advertise very loudly: almost no manufacturer warranty outside of roofing — for windows, doors, siding, or anything else — covers the cost of labor to fix or replace a defective part. That's true across the board, regardless of brand or price point.

What a manufacturer warranty actually covers is the part itself. If your insulated glass unit fails, the manufacturer will send a replacement unit. If a door component is defective, they'll supply a new one. But the cost of a trained installer removing the old part, handling it correctly, and putting the new one in? That's on the homeowner every single time.

This surprises a lot of people... especially when they're holding a "lifetime warranty" and expecting full coverage. The window warranty is real, but it's a parts warranty... not a service contract.

Kenco does offer a craftsmanship warranty on our installation work, but it's important to understand what that covers and what it doesn't. Our warranty protects you against issues caused by how something was installed: improper flashing, incorrect fastening, faulty sealing, that kind of thing. It does not cover the failure of the product itself. Those are two separate things, and conflating them is one of the most common sources of confusion we see when customers call us about a problem.

The short version: if something fails because of how we installed it, that's on us. If something fails because the product itself was defective, that's a manufacturer warranty conversation... and labor to make it right will almost always have a cost attached.

How to Check If Your Windows Are Still Under Warranty

Here's the secret most homeowners don't know: there's a sticker hiding inside your window that tells you everything.

Warranty sticker location

Here's how to find it:

1. Unlock the window

2. Lower the TOP sash

3. Look at the top of the frame on the inside where the top sash was sitting

4. You should see a white sticker with black text

   1. Sometimes this sticker is other colors, but it is NOT gold or silver. That's simply a third-party certification sticker.

      
      

This small sticker contains the manufacturer's name, model number, date of manufacture, and sometimes the warranty information itself.

Take a clear photo and include it when you submit your warranty request (more on that at the end of this article).

What to Do Next

A picture of an RJT warranty sticker (other brands look similar but may be formatted differently)

If you're a past Kenco window customer and you've got a window issue, we've made it simple. Just fill out our Window Warranty Request Form and include the following:

1. A detailed description of the affected window(s) — location in the home, what you're seeing, when it started

2. Proof of purchase from Kenco — a receipt, invoice, or any documentation showing we installed your windows

3. Photos of the warranty sticker — remember, it's inside the top of the frame once you lower the top sash; include a photo of the sticker itself for each affected window

4. Photos of the affected area — if it's a glass issue, we need a clear photo of each affected glass unit along with its corresponding warranty sticker

Once we receive your form, we'll review your coverage and follow up with your options.

And if you're not a past customer but you're curious about new windows, we're happy to have that conversation too.