Pella

Pella Aluminum Clad window frames rotting Pella, Iowa

14th of Mar, 2011 by User538349

Original Email to Pella: I moved into my new home that was built by ----- in March 1995. I have 23 Pella windows installed in my house. They are double hung windows, natural wood interior, Aluminum clad on the exterior, with grills. All of the windows are marked with the code 904 PCD. Looking at your website, they appears to be part of the Proline series. About 7 or 8 years ago, while opening one of the windows on the west side of the house, the bottom frame of the top window fell off. It had completely rotten away. The only part remaining was the interior strip of wood that the lock was attached to. Because it happened on a Friday night with a rain approaching, I did not have much choice but to repair the window myself. I figured this had to be a fluke. About 4 years ago, I had the identical problem with a window on the North side of the house. What are the odds that I would have two windows fail? But, again, I repaired it myself. About 10 days ago, while cleaning windows and repairing screens, I had another window fall apart on the East side of the house. Three windows - all failing the same way, this no longer appears to be an isolated problem but a trend. But again, because I could not afford to have rain blowing into the house, I had no choice but to repair it myself. Yesterday, while replacing the screens, I went around the house and checked all of the windows. I have another that appears to be ready to fall apart - and a couple more that may be rotting as well. You can understand my concern. I have 23 windows. They are about 15 years old. I have already repaired 3 and it appears that more are going to fail. From what I can tell, the glazing was not sealed properly to the wood frame. Water runs down the window frame, sits on the bottom rail, weeps into the wood, and rots out the frame. What is your remedy??? Pella's Response Good Morning, Mr. ----- it sounds like you are going to need to replace the sashes. Have these units ever been caulked since installed ? Part of normal maintenance is to caulk around the sash every year or as needed to prevent voids and allowing water to seep in behind the cladding. You are no longer under warranty for parts or labor. Prior to 10/1996 there was a 1 yr limited warranty.
We can schedule a tech out to look the sashes and gather all the information and quote the product that needs to be replaced or there may still be serial numbers located on the sashes and we can go based on that. Labor is chargeable for a tech to come at the rate of $100.00 trip charge which includes the first 15min and every 15min after that is $25.00. Thanks Lisa My reply to Pella Lisa, I appreciate the reply but I am VERY disappointed in the Pella Warranty! One year warranty on a window? The customer is suppose to caulk every window every year? Ridiculous Don't trouble yourself. I have been repairing your windows for almost 10 years, I guess I will continue to do so.

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