If you’re undertaking a home renovation project, you should be sure to understand manufacturers’ warranties. While these are assurances from manufacturers that their products will work as intended, not all warranties are created equal–and they can be a source of confusion for homeowners.
Home renovations are a long-term investment, so you want the warranty to reflect and uphold the quality of the product, whether it’s new windows, siding, or accessories. Ask about warranties before committing to a purchase to avoid unwanted surprises if any issues occur down the line. Here’s what you need to know about warranties:
1. What does Limited Lifetime Warranty mean?
Limited lifetime warranties are one of the most common offerings by home product and building manufacturers. A limited lifetime warranty covers defects in the aesthetics and performance of your product. It’s important to note this type of warranty may only cover the parts that need to be replaced and not the labor required to fix the product. This means the manufacturer will foot the bill for replacement parts, but you may have to pay to fix it. Check with your contractor for more information.
2. What does ‘Lifetime’ mean in respect to products?
The term lifetime warranty can be confusing as it’s easily misinterpreted. Lifetime warranty generally refers to the expected life of the product, not the homeowner’s lifetime. For example, vinyl windows have an expected life of about 25 years, so the lifetime warranty would cover that time period.
3. Installation Warranty
For installation warranties, you’ll generally spot defects within a few months to a year after the product is installed. It’s rare for installation problems to occur years down the line, so a minimum one-year installation warranty is acceptable by industry standards.
4. Are warranties transferable?
Most companies allow you to transfer the warranty to a new homeowner. If you plan to sell your home, this will add extra value and is a great selling feature.
5. What is typically warrantied for my windows?
Window replacement is one of the most popular home improvement upgrades since new windows enhance your exterior aesthetic as well as provide protection and comfort to your interior. Details vary among manufacturers, but you can typically expect the following to be covered in replacement window warranties:
- Window material
- Defects such as inconsistent color characteristics
- Malfunctioning or broken hardware
- Obstruction of vision or films caused by dust or moisture in the dead air space
If you’re doing a home renovation, make sure to check the potential warranty and talk through options with your contractor. And make sure to check out our peace-of-mind warranty coverage.