From cars to home to life, great lengths are taken to protect the important things in life. When it comes to replacement windows, they are often an expensive and extremely valuable addition to your home. Quality windows, when made right, keep your home performing at peak energy-efficiency while letting in lots of natural light. To protect your investment, you need a warranty that works hard to preserve the lasting quality of your windows. That being said, not all warranties were created equal, meaning you need to be educated on how to get a comprehensive and effective warranty when it becomes time to replace those old windows in your home.
The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
Unfortunately, not all warranties exist to benefit and protect your windows. Unlike insurance, warranties are optional and unregulated, meaning each window and door company has the freedom to develop their own rules and regulations. Instead of a governing body, the onus falls on the homeowner to find a proper warranty that provides fair and complete coverage.
There are a few key points to take into consideration when negotiating or looking over a warranty.
The Good: Little To No Fine Print
Windows aren’t complicated, and their coverage shouldn’t be either. Simpler is better, and complicated and confusing language could be a warning sign that your warranty isn’t advantageous. If you notice that your warranty is starting to fill up with fine print, it might be time to reconsider your window and door company. But how will you know which company to choose? Professional and reliable companies like Centennial Windows & Doors are proud of their warranties and will emphasize that they have nothing to hide in their coverage.
The Bad: Misleading Policy Lifespan
Another element to consider is how long your windows are covered under your warranty. While some companies use terms like “lifetime”, many warranties actually last a fraction of that time. Often, warranties will last between 1 and 10 years of purchase, sometimes with special conditions. Regardless, it’s important to develop an understanding of when your warranty will run out — you don’t want to get caught unprotected!
The Ugly: Not Just For The Product
One aspect of window protection that can often go overlooked or unincluded in the warranty is coverage for the labour involved in installing the windows. While most, if not all, warranties do provide a level of protection for the product itself, there is a large degree of liability involved in labour as well. If you need a window replacement or repair and don’t have labour included in your warranty coverage, that will come out of your pocket. Don’t get caught with the bill — pay attention and ensure that your window labour is included.
Before you enter the market for a replacement window, remember to do your research and become educated on what to pay attention to. Warranties are vital to your window’s long-term health and can provide protection when you need it most. Get a long-lasting warranty that provides complete coverage without fine print — your wallet will thank you.
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