Bryn Mawr Warranty for 1995 Installations

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helen67
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Bryn Mawr Warranty for 1995 Installations

#1 Post by helen67 »

Hi,
My contractor installed my windows in June of 2005. Approximately in 2005, they replaced the windows as the argon gas leaked. Now again, the gas leaked but they are stating it was only a 5 or 10 yr warranty. I thought it was lifetime warranty on the windows. I can't find my warranty paperwork but I do still have the contractors contract. Does this sound right? Inside the windows looks like lead crystals/dust.

If anyone can help, I'd sure appreciate it:)
Thanks!
Rosie

TheWindowNerd
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Re: Bryn Mawr Warranty for 1995 Installations

#2 Post by TheWindowNerd »

I do not have the documentation but I believe that a minimum 10 year seal failure should be expected, though I think 20 year is more likely.
The contractor is not the one giving you the warranty it is Certainteed.

ranger
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Re: Bryn Mawr Warranty for 1995 Installations

#3 Post by ranger »

This is one of the many reasons we never recommend certainteed windows. The new certainteed windows will be found under the name MI Windows which also make Xact and Cutting Edge; all low quality.
That said, you should be covered under your warranty.

helen67
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Re: Bryn Mawr Warranty for 1995 Installations

#4 Post by helen67 »

The letter received today stated the warranty in effect in 1995 was a 10 year warranty on the glass and therefore it ended in 2005. The hardware components were covered for a 10 year period. The "limited lifetime warranty" applies only to the main window frame and sash frame.

"Certainteed further warrants for a period of 10 years following installation of the window that the insulating glass component of the window shall be free from material obstruction of vision as a result of dust or film formation on the interiorglass surface caused by a failure of the hermetic seal due to faulty manufacture. In the event any such defect shall occur during the applicable period, and so long as the original purchaser is still living and retains ownership of the property".

Could I argue that is the sash frame that is faulty? I don't know much about windows or their components but how would you know the leak occurred at the component or where the component meets the sash frame??? Lastly, Bryn Mawr I and II- how to tell the difference? I searched the internet and all I see is Bryn Mawr II and on.

Thanks for the posts and feedback.

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Windows on Washington
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Re: Bryn Mawr Warranty for 1995 Installations

#5 Post by Windows on Washington »

Unfortunately, arguing the sash/frame is the issue is not likely accurate and completely unenforceable.

Sorry they somewhat railroaded you on the warranty.

If you want to, contact one of those de-fogging companies of call Certainteed and see what they charge for replacement sashes.

Make sure that when you guy the sashes, they come with new warranties.

helen67
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Re: Bryn Mawr Warranty for 1995 Installations

#6 Post by helen67 »

I found the warranty and its different than what was sent to me. There is no mention of the hermatic seal failure or components, just vinyl lineals. They said today that Virep went out of business and therefore there is no warranty of any kind. Am I out of luck with Certainteed? Again, thanks to all who have taken the time to respond:)

CertainTeed Corporation (CertainTeed). subject to
the conditions and limitations listed herein, war
rants its solid vinyl lineals. as specified for use in
CertainTeed windows and patio doors, to be free
from manufacturing defects, and when fabricated
according to CertainTeed's written instructions, and
when subject to normal anil proper use. they are
further warranted against peeling, flaking, blister
ing, and corrosion. This warraniy includes vinyl
products utilizing CertainTeed applied or autho
rized interior laminate. Should any manufacturing
defects occur during the lifetime of the original
purchaser, and as long as the original purchaser is
still living and retains ownership of the property.
CertainTeed will provide replacement vinyl lineals
for those vinyl lineals actually determined to be
defective (labor costs incurred in removing defec
tive lineals are not covered by this warranty).
CertainTeed further warrants for ten (10) years
following installation of the window or patio door
that vinyl windows or patio doors utilizing a
CertainTeed applied or authorized exterior coating
will be free from manufacturing defects, including,
when subject to normal and proper use. peeling,
flaking, blistering and corrosion. In the event a
defect occurs during the 10 year period cited
above. CertainTeed will provide replacement coated
vinyl lineals for those vinyl lineals actually deter
mined to be defective (labor costs incurred in
removing defective lineals or installing the replace
ment lineals are not covered by this warranty).
CertainTeed windows and patio doors are fabricat
ed under license from CertainTeed. Accordingly,
this warranty is extended only to those window and
patio door components manufactured by
CertainTeed. i.e.. the vinyl lineals. Such matters as
quality of installation, quality of fabrication, hard
ware, screens and screen frames, and insulated
glass units may be covered under other warranties
as extended by the fabricators or their suppliers,
but in any event are specificallyexcluded from this
warranty.
The coverage offered by this warranty automatical
ly ceases upon the sale of the property or the death
of the last of the original owners of the property at
the time of installation. The coverage in this war
ranty is intended to cover individual homeowners
and does not apply to products purchased by or
installed upon property owned by. for example,
corporations, governmental agencies, partnerships,
trusts, religious organizations, schools, condomini
ums or cooperative housing arrangements, or
installed on apartment buildings or any other type
of buildings or premises not used by individual
homeowners as their residences. For such pur
chasers or entities to which the coverage does not
apply, the warranty period will be twenty (20)
years following the date of original installation,
except the warranty period for CertainTeed win
dows or patio doors with an authorized exterior
coating will be 10 years.
Limilations
CertainTeed shall not be liable for. and this warranty
does not apply to, any failure, defects or damages
resulting from or connected with: misuse, neglect,
improper storage, vandalism, improper window or
door maintenance, or use of accessor)' products or
hardware not manufactured by or approved for use
by CertainTeed; impact of foreign objects, fire,
hurricane, tornado, earthquake, or other violent
storm or casualty or Acts of God; building move
ment, distortion or settlement or structural failure
of walls or foundations; or localized heating or any
other cause not involving inherent manufacturing
defects in the material supplied by CertainTeed.
The vinyl lineals manufactured by CertainTeed are
not warranted against the effects of air pollution,
exposure to harmful chemicals, mildew or normal
weathering resulting from exposure to the ele
ments. This warranty does not apply to CertainTeed
vinyl windows and patio doors which have been
painted, varnished, laminated or coated by an
applicator not authorized by CertainTeed.
CertainTeed reserves the right lo discontinue or
modify any of its products, including the color of
said products, without notice to the homeowner/
consumer, and shall not be liable to the homeowner/
consumer as a result of such discontinuance or
modification. In the event products covered by this
warranty are no longer available. CertainTeed shall
have the right to substitute products which, in the
sole discretion of CertainTeed. are of equal value
and quality.
Replacement components may vary slightly in color
or gloss in comparison to original components as a
result of normal weathering. CertainTeed shall not
be liable to the homeowner/consumer as a result of
such variance.
Other Conditions
THIS WARRANTY IS EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF
ALL OTHER ORAL OR WRITTEN WAR
RANTIES. LIABILITIES OR OBLIGATIONS OF
CERTAINTEED. PERTINENT STATE LAW
SHALL CONTROL FOR WHAT PERIOD OF
TIME SUBSEQUENT TO SALE A CON
SUMER/HOMEOWNER MAY SEEK A REME
DY PURSUANT TO THE IMPLIED WARRAN
TY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR OF FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT
SHALL CERTAINTEED BE LIABLE FOR CON
SEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES
OF ANY KIND. INCLUDING ANY DAMAGE
TO THE BUILDING. ITS CONTENTS OR ANY
PERSONS THEREIN. RESULTING FROM THE
BREACH OF ANY WARRANTY SET FORTH
HEREIN. NO REPRESENTATIVE OF CER
TAINTEED OR ITS DISTRIBUTORS OR DEAL
ERS IS AUTHORIZED TO MAKE ANY
CHANGE OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS
WARRANTY. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW
LIMITATIONS ON OR THE EXCLUSION OF
INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAM
AGES. SO THE ABOVE EXCLUSIONS MAY
NOT APPLY TO YOU.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and
you may also have other rights which vary from
state to state.

ellwood
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Re: Bryn Mawr Warranty for 1995 Installations

#7 Post by ellwood »

Back in 1995, Certainteed windows were manufactured by licensed fabricators who bought the lineals, along with the right to fabricate a "Certainteed" product. The warranty that you have covers only the frame and sash components produced by Certainteed. The insulated glass units were the responsibility of the fabricator and not Certainteed. Do you have any additional warranty that would state what the coverage was on the glass units? My guess is that it was not for more than 10 years. If the fabricator is out of business, the warranty expired along with them. Many manufacturers only had 5 - 10 year prorated warranties back then on the IG units.

EcoStar Remodeling
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Re: Bryn Mawr Warranty for 1995 Installations

#8 Post by EcoStar Remodeling »

Another reason most on here warn consumers against Certainteed windows. You are unfortunately out of gas on a warranty claim. As I see it you have 3 options. 1. See if a local glass company can replace just the glass. 2. Find out how much M.I. will charge to make new sashes and then hope something else doesn't go wrong. 3. Just replace the entire window.

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HomeSealed
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Re: Bryn Mawr Warranty for 1995 Installations

#9 Post by HomeSealed »

EcoStar Remodeling wrote: As I see it you have 3 options. 1. See if a local glass company can replace just the glass. 2. Find out how much M.I. will charge to make new sashes and then hope something else doesn't go wrong. 3. Just replace the entire window.
I agree.

helen67
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Re: Bryn Mawr Warranty for 1995 Installations

#10 Post by helen67 »

I did ask MI if they could sell me windows at discounted price, answer was no. I'm still waiting for return calls for replacing the glass but the problem is that I can't leave the window "open" for X number of days unless it can be done the same day. Lastly, I am considering new windows but I want one with a good warranty, an outstanding warranty, and one company to deal with.

As a consumer, I feel taken advantage of as I bought Certainteed windows. I had no idea about Virep or there was another warranty to consider. To me, Certainteed made the windows and wherever they got their parts, whomever made them with their label, it is still their window. No warranty was provided for the glass and no disclosure that the glass is another company. I bought from one company in my opinion. A consumer now has to look at each contractor a window company conducts business with is just absurd to me, just my opinion.

These windows have already been replaced in 2005 for the same problem and 6 years later its happening again, something doesn't seem right.

Again, thanks to all who took the time to answer my questions and help out, I do really appreciate it!

EcoStar Remodeling
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Re: Bryn Mawr Warranty for 1995 Installations

#11 Post by EcoStar Remodeling »

Once again, I'm really sorry this has happened to you. A lot of us on this board have to put up with consumers and other contractors bashing us because we like certain brands more than others. Your experience highlights why we recommend the brands we do.

I don't see why you have to leave the windows open while waiting for new sashes. Just order the new sashes and when they arrive, just remove the old sash and put the new ones in. Takes less than a minute per window with most balances.

helen67
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Re: Bryn Mawr Warranty for 1995 Installations

#12 Post by helen67 »

Sorry ecostar, I did not mean to come across as bashing you and other contractors. It's really the company that I am not happy with as well as their marketing of their product. I'm sure there are many fabulous contractors and window companies out there, I just happen to find one that doesn't appear so great.

I'll order a new sash, I thought they needed the frame to install the glass into. I'm also looking at Marving and Pella windows but I'm still researching companies to see how they compare in quality, price, warranty, and energy efficiency.

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HomeSealed
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Re: Bryn Mawr Warranty for 1995 Installations

#13 Post by HomeSealed »

Marvin makes a beautiful, high quality product (and pella's high end is not too bad) , but any new wood window is going to be hard-pressed to pull off 20 yrs without meticulous maintenance, and the warranty will certainly be lacking (20/10) ... For longevevity of product and warranty, high end vinyl really can't be beat.
You may say," well I have vinyl", but unfortunately, as other posters have mentioned, that product is not highly regarded.

EcoStar Remodeling
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Re: Bryn Mawr Warranty for 1995 Installations

#14 Post by EcoStar Remodeling »

Helen, I was not saying you were bashing those of us on this board. Over the many years I have been posting here, we have had consumers and contractors tell us that Certainteed windows are great quality and have the best warranties and that we just promote certain brands because we sell them. The truth is we sell certain brands because of our first hand experiences in dealing with them and seeing first hand how certain manufacturers treat consumers. Your situation is a pretty good example of what we are talking about.

If you stick with the brands that most of us agree we like, you should be fine if you decide that replacing your windows is your best option. We will also be here for you to help with your decision and help you learn what's important and what's just sales hype.

Door&WindowPlus
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Re: Bryn Mawr Warranty for 1995 Installations

#15 Post by Door&WindowPlus »

For those that bought Certainteed windows on the West Coast. Contact Ply Gem for warranty

Certainteed sold its plants to Ply Gem in California.

Ply Gem sells the Premium 1000 now - which is a redesigned Bryn Mawr

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