house window warranty
 

well i called the warranty dept. to report i have a cloudy window. i was informed to call romac. i called romac and was told , to inspect window and measure them. it would be a $50 fee. fyi , the windows have a 20 year warranty. the romac rep came over today ,looked at it and said yes the top half of the window is defective. we can replace it for $180 for labor so now I'm only going to pay $230 for a half
or top sash of the window for the warranty window. i bet that window didn't cost $100 installed new 10 years ago. I'm not a happy camper.:cus::cus::cus:

I had Lake Glass come over for exactly the same thing, they quoted
$ 550 !!!

Do you have a copy of the 20 year warranty? If so, what does it say about the coverage? Why not call the company who actually made the windows. I don't believe that the builder or Romac actually manufactured and warranted the windows. The builder only offers a 10 year warranty for the entire house, which does not include the windows.

I called Romac and they said it's a 20 year warranty

They said? Why not ask them to send you a copy of the written warranty document? If they cannot, then you don't have anything.

Top half of a double-hung window? Are they not "tilt in"? Won't a new one, pop right in?

The windows for many of The Villages houses were manufactured by Custom Window Systems in Ocala. You can read their warranty by clicking on this wensite:

Warranties | Custom Window Systems

I spoke with this company today, and they told me that the 20-year warranty only applies to windows purchased after September 30, 2024, and can only be transferred to one additional owner. Windows purchased before September 30, 2024 only have a 10-year warranty, and there is no transferable warranty. The company will furnish a replacement glass, but the warranty does not include any on-site installation. So, Romac can charge whatever they want to measure and to install the windows. Also, you do not need to hire Romac to install the windows. You can file a claim directly to Custom Window Systems, and you can hire anyone you want to install the windows. This is information that I received directly from the company who manufactures the windows.

My house was built in 2014 and the windows are warrantied for 20 years according to Romac, who has taken over the warranty responsibilities as per The Villages’ warranty department. I did pay an inspection fee and they agreed 3 windows (actually 1/2 of three windows) had the seals fail. The windows were no cost but the labor was $300 total. The techs said I can watch the procedure to replace in case I wanted to do the install myself if any other windows failed.

To clarify, the information I provided only applies to aluminum windows. I would suggest you talk directly to the Custom Window Systems warranty department. Romac will come to your house to measure the windows and order them from Custom Window. But, they told me that Romac did not "take over" the warranty. They even said that they will send someone from Ocala to measure the windows and that you do not need to use Romac for anything. They also said that my aluminum windows, purchased in 2016, were only warranted for 10 years and that the warranty is not transferable. Also, The Villages warranty booklet only covers windows for one year by the builder. The 10 and 20 year warranties are processed by Custom Window Systems.

The name of the window company should be stamped on the window somewhere. On mine, it’s on the locks. That company should be the one you call directly or internet search for warranty information. They have local (could be in Orlando) distributors who will honor warranty and it may or may not be Romac. Most warranties I have seen only cover the window pane so they will ship the pane to the distributor who can install it at their labor cost since labor is not covered under most warranties. I replaced many panes myself on my old home in this manner (Simonton brand) because they were tape glazed and they had how to videos, etc and would send me the tape glaze roll with the pane.
Also, recent discussion on same topic:
https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...ghlight=Window

For houses built in 2014, and perhaps other years, Romac is handling the warranty issues and the warranty is for 20 years. If your house was built in another year then you should contact The Villages Warranty Dept and they will advise you on how to proceed.

At the 9 1/2 year mark, I called warranty department, then called Romac, to inspect all the windows. Paid a single $50 inspection fee. They found several with broken seals. I had suspected they would. Paid the installation fee and got the windows far cheaper than new ones would have been.

Key is to do it before warranty expires, and don't do it one by one, inspect the entire house and replace all at the same time.

Do you have anything in writing from either Romac or from The Villages that states that they are providing a 10 year or 20 year warranty for the windows in your house, or is this all just verbal information? If so, please post it.

Don’t need it. They replaced 3 windows after our 10 year anniversary for labor only.

I've got enough on my plate without double checking what the vendor told me.
I've got an appointment with Romac in a couple weeks and it'll get taken care of then.

In houses that are stucco, Ro-Mac will only replace the glass, not the whole window. And you have to sign a waiver that they’re not responsible for any damage to the sash.

Top glass is a fixed sash, bottom is a tilt sash

Working in the glass warranty business for a long time (38 years) family owned lanai enclosure company out of Leesburg, most manufacturers will pay for the glass pane for 20 years, yes look for the stamp etched in the corner for manufacturer name, but only labor for one year. If you go to the manufacturer’s page, you can look up warranty transfer. PGT and Simonton both have that option for second owners, however, you will need to get original order information likely from them or The Villages, to complete it.

Newer homes with vinyl windows in The Villages and Middleton are likely to be PGT.

Most of the newer homes have Vinyl windows from PGT.

Window with warranty
 

You never said how long you had the windows and how long you were into the warranty that was not mentioned.

You don't say how long you had the windows? And you don't say how long you had warranty.

Yes, the wonderful warranty covers the windows but not the labor. There are replacement window companies out there that sell much better windows, and have warranty coverage that includes the labor of replacement but when you get your bid you better be sitting down with the sticker shock hitting you.

I went through the same thing last year. The warranty is for the window only. Not installation.

Custom Windows have replaced 4 windows under warranty - twice! and now they need replaced again. There is NO warranty on the replaced windows. and we have to pay for inspection and install each time. Now looking to purchase new windows elsewhere.

I was not happy with them either! I think they are price gouging!

the house is 11 years old , 9 more years for the warranty.

Original windows are single hung - fixed top sash

Window Warranty
 

Wonder what half a window costs? Had the same done for lower half, what a process to cut that out! Same $230 cost for a warranty covered window. What a racket! $50 to measure!!

I think some people are confused. Measuring and installing the window is NOT a warranty item. According the window manufacturer, Custom Window Systems in Ocala, they will replace a defective window, but not the cost to install it. And, you do not need to hire Ro-mac to install the window. The builder only provides a one year warranty on the installation of the windows in a new house. After that, you can hire any window installer you want. So, if you don't like the Ro-mac installation cost, you can hire another installer.

Window
 

You are being ripped off. My neighbor just had to replace a window that cost them $811.00. I would get quotes from other contractors/suppliers. Unfortunately, many companies/contractors/service providers are taking advantage of Villagers. Mostly our fault, because we allow it. The world we live in. Sad. Oh, your correct, window probably not even worth $100. Been a lot of problems with windows in the Villages.

FYI when you call for warranty and service, there are two “Custom Windows”. Custom Window Systems out of Ocala that does house replacements and Custom Windows and Exterior Design in Leesburg that does lanais only.

I’m in the same boat. If the seal became defective in the first year of a newly constructed home it would be replaced with no cost to me. I believe that to be true. Other than that the cost is as you stated. My kitchen window has a broken seal on the top panel. I live in a villa and have plantation shutters so I’m just leaving it as is. No one know but me…and my daughter. My daughter works for Anderson windows and on every visit she inspects my windows and I hear “yep, the seal is broken on this one, and this one, and this one…”. So far only the kitchen window has the fogging. Hopefully it will remain the only one. I thought they had a ten year warranty. Even better if it’s 20 but if we have to pay to replace it where is that a warrantee??? Inquiring minds want to know.

The warranty is on replacement of the glass and not for the labor past the first year for most glass manufacturers.

Correct. And, when The Villages warranty department refers people to Ro-mac for houses older than one year, they are misleading some people because Ro-mac only performs installation labor, which is not covered by any warranty.