Kolbe and Kolbe Millwork

Windows are 14 years old have had multiple what problems starting at 4 to 5 years old have spent 10,000 dollars repairing them back then and now spend several thousand every few years . I have contacted manufacture and distributor both of which blamed me for improper maintenance which is ridiculous....

windows have been painted properly and sealed appropriately it is clear after perusing the internet i am not the only one..... several of my friends built at the same time using Kolbe they too have similar problems. Do not under any circumstance use kolbe.

Please take this complaint serious. Do your research!!!!!

Having read the numerous other complaints posted on this site we find ourselves joining in. We are experiencing the same issue with our K&K windows - sashes rotting away.

We are in WI and have found several others with the same situation. We are told by the company doing our replacements that the cause of this problem is a manufacturing error - factory should have put a silicone seal on the outside of the window where the glass meets the frame - they did not and therefore over time water can run down and penetrate the wood behind the frame. Seems the manufacturer's standard reply is to tell us, the consumer, that we have not properly sealed the wood portions of the windows - well in this case there would be no way to seal the wood BEHIND the outer frame and that is where the problem begins. It appears that windows manufactured between approx.

1996 - **** are experiencing this epidemic flaw. We are very interested in seeking restitution from the manufacturer and would appreciate receiving any additonal informaiton regarding this. Is there a class action suit in process?

If so, how do we become a part of it? Thank you for any information you are willing to share.

We installed about 40 Kolbe Ultra Clad Windows in 2003. We have since discovered that the windows sashes (both fixed and active) are rotting away.

The problem appears to be in the lack of angle in the sill. The sill has an almost non-existent angle which allows water to stand on the sill. It is subsequently wicked up into the aluminum clad sash and rots the sash. The distributor (North American Windows & Doors in West Chester, PA) came to investigate and determined the windows were installed correctly and agreed to replace about half of the sashes.

This however only covers half the problem as all but 4 of the windows are rotting. It also is only a temporary fix since the sill appears to be the issue. The problem will not be resolved unless the entire window is replaced. I contacted Kolbe directly to say I dispute North American's assessment and would they please have a rep come out but they told me they stand behind their distributor.

We are talking about $40,000 worth of windows plus installation. I am getting nowhere fast with Kolbe or their distributor and don't know what to do. Evidently I am not the only one with this problem as I have found numerous complaints on home improvement blogs.

I wish there was a class action lawsuit to get involved in so I can get some money back and replace these windows with something better by a company that stands behind their product. Whatever you do, do NOT buy Kolbe & Kolbe products, You will be sorry.

We moved into our custom built home in the spring of 2001. Within the first 6 months I noticed condensation on the window glass and sashes.

I addressed it with our builder and he came and made a void effort and sprayed the windows with something. Next he replaced the rubber seal between the top and bottom window. Of course this did nothing still. By this time I have mold to battle on every window in the house.

I finally decided to emai Kolbe & Kolbe myself, the manufacturer of the windows. I sent them pictures of the mold and at the time it was winter and there was actually frost and ice on the insides of my windows on the wood sash. I sent pictures of that as well. They were very friendly and sent a rep to our home to inspect the windows.

He said the windows were not leaking and the problem had to be something else.

This has gone on for over a decade. Don't buy Kolbe & Kolbe as they do not stand by their product.

We built a custom home 12 years ago and have had numerous problems with rotting sashes and frames on our home. A home that has a total of 64 windows and doors.

Needless to say with the whole back of my house having windows, I have a lot of money invested in windows. Have had the middle man Al Lorenzi building supplies out to my home 4 times, replaced sashes only to replace frames of the same windows 2 years later. It is a tedious process that takes about 6 months from onset of first calls till the windows are replaced. Of course now the 10 year warranty is no longer in effect and now I get to foot the entire cost.

Looking at a $10,000 cost to replace 5-6 windows and numerous sashes. They make it sound like I should be out there every year sanding and doing maintenance work and painting these windows every year. Hired a contractors a few years ago to recaulk every window.

Do not buy these windows. Looking for a lawyer to perhaps aide us in this painful process.