Even the highest quality impact windows and doors have issues from time to time. Yet impact window and door warranties remain a mystery to most Homeowners. As a result, it can be more then frustrating when a warranty does not cover certain parts of your impact window and doors.

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The reality is that not all impact window and door warranties are created equal. Warranties and window terminology can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, which can lead to mass confusion for Homeowners.

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What is a Limited Lifetime Warranty?

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Limited Lifetime Warranties for impact windows and doors are one of the most common warranties offered by replacement window and door companies. Often provided by their manufacturers, a Limited Lifetime Warranty covers defects regarding the aesthetics and performance of your impact windows and doors.

It is crucial to understand that a Limited Lifetime Warranty may only apply to the parts that need to be replaced and will not in most cases include labor required to repair the impact window and door.

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What is defined as a “Lifetime”?

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In a warranty when the word “Lifetime” is referenced, lifetime does not always mean lifetime. Its simply a length of time that the manufacturer of the impact windows and doors has predetermined that product quality will be maintained.

An example would be a very low-cost window that comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty, but in the fine print of that warranty it reads that the warranty is only valid for 2-5 years. Higher quality impact windows and doors can be warrantied for as many as 30 years or more depending on the manufacturer and material used.

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What the Warranty Covers?

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Impact windows and door parts and warranties vary by manufacturer. However, you can typically expect the following items to be covered under a Limited Lifetime Warranty:

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• Window Materials – Due to the material make up of the frame between aluminum, vinyl and wood, you may find a difference in warranty coverage. Window materials are often warrantied to last a certain amount of time (Ex. 5 Years) without deteriorating or showing signs of age. However, if the materials exhibit damage inside that period, it is often covered under the warranty

• Defects – Color deterioration is most common and would be covered under warranty. Please note that this assumes proper maintenance of product which again will vary by material used and is typically decided by the manufacturer of the impact product. 

• Hardware – Malfunctioning or defective hardware is often repaired or replaced under the warranty. Again, type of use and maintenance will be considered by each manufacturer prior to agreeing to replace the hardware.

• Installation – When a professional installation is provided, company error should be covered under the warranty. Homeowners often overlook the importance of this aspect of their warranty. Yet this should be the most strongly considered aspect of your warranty prior to choosing an impact window and door company to supply and install your product. 

• Glass Breakage – Some warranties will cover accidental impact glass breakage up to a certain dollar amount. Again, this is a very important part of the decision-making process when choosing company to purchase your impact windows and doors from as replacement impact glass is costly,.

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 Loopholes and Exclusions

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While any warranty is better than NO warranty not all warranties are created equal or with the Homeowner in mind. As a result, it is not uncommon for your new impact windows and doors to come with a warranty full of loopholes and exclusions.

As a result, it is the recommendation of Supreme Impact Windows that when choosing the company to replace your existing windows and doors with hurricane resistant windows and doors that you not only chose the company that you are comfortable with but thoroughly review the warranty to ensure your satisfaction and product performance years in the future.

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