How to Read Andersen Windows & Doors Warranties

There are many things to consider when purchasing replacement windows and exterior doors, including the price, style, features, aesthetics, and how the new additions will complement your home’s architecture. One aspect homeowners often overlook in their research is the manufacturer’s warranty. While virtually all replacement windows and exterior doors include some type of warranty, the quality and duration of the coverage can vary. Andersen is an industry leader in the replacement window and door industry and a popular choice for North Texas homeowners. Using Andersen Window’s warranties↗ for illustration purposes, we’ll examine the sections of a typical warranty, what to look for, and how to evaluate the quality of the protection of your new doors and windows. Homeowners should consult their warranty plan for the terms of coverage on their specific products.

Use the links below to skip ahead:

Why is a warranty important and what should it cover?
What Else is Included in a Window Warranty?
So, What is Included in an Andersen Warranty?
The Information on what is NOT covered by the warranty
Dispute resolution process & opt-out procedure

Why is a warranty important and what should it cover?

Your windows and doors should have protection guaranteeing them to be free from defects for a set period of time. A warranty will ensure that if there are defects you won’t have to pay for the repairs yourself. Individual parts of the unit are often covered for different amounts of time. It should also include terms regarding under what circumstances the warranty is valid, and often contains specifications for installation, dispute resolution and claim procedures, required legal notifications, exclusions, and other information such as finding an authorized repair service.

Although the information presented in the warranty documentation can vary by manufacturer, warranties for replacement windows and doors should always cover five main points: breakage, failure, transferability, duration, and exclusions. The order of these topics can vary and may use slightly different terminology in discussing each aspect. We'll examine each of these points in further detail below.

Your Window Warranty Should Address:

Glass Breakage: What should I do if the glass in my window breaks? Is glass breakage covered under warranty?
Seal Failure: What should I do if the glass in my window becomes foggy? Is foggy glass due to seal failure covered by my warranty?
Warranty Transferability: I’m moving, can I transfer my window warranty to the new owners?
Duration: How long will my warranty cover my window? Is the coverage duration the same for glass, finish, and moving/non-moving parts?
Exclusions: What’s not included in your warranty is just as important as what is included.

Glass Breakage: What should I do if the glass in my window breaks?

Breakage refers explicitly to the glass package in your window unit. Andersen does not warrant their glass against breakage. Some companies might warrant glass against breakage but they are more likely to do so if they manufacture their own glass. Glass breakage may be addressed in the glass section or exclusions section of your warranty.

Seal Failure: What should I do if the glass in my window becomes foggy?

Glass breakage and seal failure are two common problems homeowners encounter with windows. Broken glass is usually caused by accident rather than spontaneous breakage so it’s not usually covered under warranty but premature seal failure may be covered by warranty. Seal failure is not unusual overall but it is unusual in the first years of having the window. If your window experiences seal failure soon after purchasing and installing the window there may have been a manufacturing defect, poor installation, or it may just be a low-quality product. Seal failure should be addressed in a general glass coverage portion of your warranty. If it is not mentioned there, check the exclusions section.

Transferability: I’m moving, can I transfer my window warranty to the new owners?

Transferability refers to the ability to pass the warranty on to a new owner should you sell your home before the terms of the contract expire. Although transferable contracts are becoming more common in the window industry, not all manufacturers offer this benefit. If your warranty is transferable it should say so in the documentation. There should also be instructions on how to register and later transfer the warranty should the need arise.

Duration: How long will my warranty cover my window?

Many manufacturers, including Andersen, do not have a specific section for the duration of the warranty contract. Instead, the coverage period differs for the individual sections of the agreement for particular parts. For example the glass may be warranted against defects for 20 years but the exterior finish or hardware may only be warranted for 10-15 years. That’s also why you should be wary of ‘Lifetime’ warranties. Some manufacturers might also consider proration in their warranties. That is the more time that passes from the purchase date the less the warranty covers.

Exclusions: What’s not included in your warranty is just as important as what is included

Exclusions are situations and items the warranty does not cover. In some cases, they might appear as an exception within a particular paragraph. For example, The Andersen 200 & 400 series warranty notes in the section for other non-glass components that commercial doors and doors and windows with wooden exteriors have a limitation period of five years instead of the standard ten years. Exclusions might also appear as a separate list or section in the contract.

What Else is Included in a Window Warranty?

Are Labor and Installation Covered?

Labor and installation are not covered by Andersen’s warranty. In fact, it’s not common for labor or installation to be included in the window manufacturer's warranty unless they do the installation themselves. Instead, check with your installer or dealer/retailer if they offer their own warranty on the installation of the windows or doors.

Additionally, be aware that Andersen warranties stipulate exclusions concerning improper installation. Make sure to have your windows installed by a trusted and experienced window technician.

Warranty Claim Procedures

All warranty contracts will provide information on how to make a claim should your doors or windows have a defect or an issue arises that is covered by the terms of the agreement. It will include contact information that may include a mailing address, phone number, email and/or website address. The next steps will be provided including what information is required from the consumer, how to obtain and submit any necessary paperwork, and an explanation of what to expect in resolving the situation. It may also provide an estimation of the turn-around time and what remedies the company will offer.

Andersen provides instructions on their warranty contract for buyers to either contact the vendor they purchased their windows from or contact the company directly via traditional mail, email, or through the website. It also provides a list of the requested information to expedite the claim including:

A description of the product with measurements
Glass logo information etched in the corner of the glass
A brief explanation of the issue

Read through your warranty to see what resolutions Andersen offers regarding glass, parts, and finish.

Dispute Resolution

Most warranties contain legal language that sets the terms for resolving a dispute in the event the customer is not satisfied with the outcome of their warranty claim. These terms outline how the consumer should proceed with filing a dispute and the procedures for how the company will resolve problems regarding warranty issues.

Arbitration is a common alternative to court cases. Many warranty policies contain a clause stating that customers must agree to use arbitration and that they will not file a lawsuit or join a class-action suit. You must read this section of your warranty carefully, so you understand the terms and don’t forfeit some of your legal rights.

Andersen’s warranties have a straightforward procedure for resolving disputes. The company requires written notice and provides instructions for how to obtain their form to begin the process. Andersen allows itself up to 60 days to respond in writing. It further states that by accepting the terms of the warranty, consumers agree not to join any class-action lawsuits and waive the right to a jury trial. Andersen provides a procedure for opting out that includes filling out a form from their website and states doing so will not alter the terms or void your warranty. The only way to know about this option is to read the disputes section of the contract thoroughly.

So, What is Included in an Andersen Warranty?

Andersen warranties vary between product lines but generally they cover many of the same things. Here is a generalized outline of some of the sections you’ll find in an Andersen warranty. We compiled this outline by looking at several of Andersen’s warranties and as such is not an exact match to what you’ll find in your specific warranty.

Information on how the warranty applies to glass
Information on how the warranty applies to non-glass portions of the product
Information on how the warranty applies to corrosion-resistant hardware
Information on how the warranty applies to exterior coatings
Information on how the warranty applies to exterior color finishes
Information on how the warranty applies to products with Stormwatch Protection (impact-resistant) glass
Legalities
Information on what is NOT covered by the warranty
Additional exclusions
How to register your Owner-to-Owner Limited Warranty online
Warranty claim procedure
Information addressing non-warranty repairs
Dispute resolution process & opt-out procedure

Information on how the warranty applies to glass.

Generally, Andersen warrants glass to be “free from defects in manufacturing, materials, and workmanship”. It also warrants the development of material obstruction of vision and material change in appearance as a result of manufacturing defects or premature failure of the glass or seal. Refer to the warranty for details on duration, limitations, and resolutions.

Information on how the warranty applies to non-glass portions of the product.

Glass is arguably the most important part of your window but that’s just it, it’s only one part of the window. Non-glass portions of your window are covered in a separate section of your Andersen warranty. This section may cover parts like locks, lifts, balance systems, hinges, screens, etc. Refer to the warranty for details on duration, limitations, and resolutions.

Information on how the warranty applies to corrosion-resistant hardware.

Corrosion-resistant hardware is warranted to be free from mechanical failure due to corrosion, not discoloration or pitting. Refer to the warranty for details on duration, limitations, and resolutions.

Information on how the warranty applies to exterior coatings

Some of Andersen’s products have additional exterior coatings to protect the material from damage caused from exposure to elements carried through the air, atmospheric salts for example. Refer to the warranty for details on duration, limitations, and resolutions.

Information on how the warranty applies to exterior color finishes

The color finish on exterior components of your product are warranted not to flake, blister, crack, peel, pit, corrode, or lose adhesion. Fading on the exterior finish of any products on the exterior of your home is expected, your warranty may provide some protection against extreme fading. Refer to the warranty for details on duration, limitations, and resolutions.

Information on how the warranty applies to products with Stormwatch® Protection (impact-resistant) glass

Will your Andersen windows or doors be made with Stormwatch® Protection glass? This type of glass is covered under a separate section of the warranty. Refer to the warranty for details on duration, limitations, and resolutions.

Legalities

Refer to the warranty to read the legalese of the warranty. This blog post is not written or sponsored by Andersen and is not an alternative to the actual warranty. Please refer to the warranty for details on coverage for your Andersen product. Andersen keeps an archive of warranties on their website.

The Information on what is NOT covered by the warranty

Andersen has two sections on exclusions in their warranty. The first section addresses product failure and the second addresses labor. Refer to the warranty for details.

Additional exclusions

Andersen has two sections on exclusions in their warranty. This section addresses labor, products not manufactured by Andersen, expected wear and tear, performance, and more. Refer to the warranty for details.

How to register your Owner-to-Owner Limited Warranty online

Andersen offers warranty registration online. Visit www.andersenwindows.com/warranty to submit your warranty information. Refer to the warranty for details.

Warranty claim procedure

You can make a claim under the warranty by contacting Andersen online, by phone, or in writing. Your window retailer or detailer may also be able to assist you. Andersen will ask about the documentation of the purchase, name, address, and phone number among other product-specific details.

Information addressing non-warranty repairs

You will be responsible for costs related to repairs not covered by the warranty. If you are unsure about warranty coverage you can request an on-site product inspection from Andersen. Andersen may charge an inspection fee for the visit. If the product has a defect covered by the warranty, the inspection fee will be waived. Refer to the warranty for details.

Dispute resolution process & opt-out procedure

Refer to the warranty to learn about Andersen’s Dispute Resolution Process. Be aware that you can opt out of the Dispute Resolution Process by completing and submitting a written Opt-Out Notice on Andersen’s website.

Now that you have a deeper understanding of the different parts of a window warranty, you’ll have a better idea of what to look for in the contract. Most window warranties have separate durations and terms for different aspects of the unit as opposed to blanket coverage for the entire assembly. You will know what questions to ask the dealer and what kinds of exclusions to look for in the terms. If you are considering new windows and are in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, contact Brennan for your next window project. We are factory-certified installers for all of the brands we sell, including Andersen Windows. Please use the contact form to get started.