If you’re like most of the homeowners we talk to in our Cary, NC window store, you spent a lot of time researching replacement windows. You may have noted that the window you purchased offered a 10-year, 20-year, or even a lifetime* warranty. For most homeowners, their thoughts about their window warranty stop there.
*Note that this usually means ‘for the understood lifetime of a window’; we’ve seen Lifetime mean as little as three years of coverage!
What you may not know is that many common practices may void your window warranty.
In this post, we’re sharing the top 5 things that homeowners do that inadvertently void the coverage on their residential windows.
Of course, this post is intended as general advice. You should review your windows’ manufacturer’s warranty to confirm what is and is not allowable in your unique case.
Power-washing your Windows
Many top window brands expressly state that pressure washing or power washing windows will void the warranty on new windows. Other brands can be a little tricky. Their warranties explain how you should clean the window. Their implicit assumption is that you understand that cleaning it any other way will void the warranty.
We’ve known many homeowners who’ve been offhandedly asked “When was the last time you pressure washed the windows?” as part of their warranty claim submission.
Our advice is that you stick to washing your windows exactly as outlined in your warranty. Doing anything else puts you at risk of not being able to make a claim should your windows ever fail during the lifetime of the warranty.
Putting Security or Privacy Film on your Windows
Many homeowners will apply films to their windows for a variety of reasons. Security, light reduction, and privacy films are just some of the products we’ve seen.
Usually, the application of these films requires removing the seal on a window, and that practice voids the warranty on most major window brands.
Rather than plan to apply a film, we encourage homeowners to research energy-efficient glass, privacy glass, and other options. That way, they won’t need to worry about adding anything to their new windows that might void the warranty.
Not Having your Windows Installed Properly
Every window warranty we’ve ever read makes this point clear. The manufacturer will not cover product issues that result from poor installation.
Many homeowners believe that they will save money by installing their windows themselves. Or, they hire less experienced handyman-types to install them, rather than hire window installers.
Unfortunately, these homeowners are usually not considering the high cost they’ll incur if their windows fail because of poor installation, and they aren’t covered by warranty as a result.
Living Within 5 Miles of a Body of Water
We know that this one is probably out of your control, but we like to make our customers aware that some window warranties are void if you live near water. The usual distance we see is within 5 miles of a body of water.
While you may not be able to control how close your home is to the nearest body of water, it can still be helpful to know this.
Say, for example, you are comparing two window brands that both include this exclusion, but one has a longer warranty term.
It would not make sense to pay more for an otherwise comparable window just because it has a longer warranty, if you know that your property will likely be excluded.
Moving
Lastly, you should know that many window warranties are not transferable. This means that the protection does not transfer to a new homeowner if the homeowner who bought the windows sells the home.
Again, while it may be outside of your control, it can be helpful to know this information. Say, for instance, you are purchasing a home and the sellers installed new windows three years ago.
If they have a 20-year warranty, you may assume that you have 17 years of coverage left in the event that the windows show signs of failure.
Be sure to check, though, if the warranty is transferable. If it’s not, it’s the same as the window being out of warranty.
Professional Window Installation Company in Cary, NC, & Nearby Areas
We hope we’ve helped you avoid some of these warranty-voiding practices that are common.
At Window Works Co., we hope that when it’s time to buy new windows, you’ll see the value in trusting professionals who know the ins and outs.
When you’re ready to find the windows you’ll love (with a warranty that works for you) let us know! We’d love to help you out.
Use the calendar below to schedule your free, no-obligation window consultation call today!
