I wouldn't use the 5 year mark as your measurement stick in this case.

Virtually every window, even the clunky ones, should be good for 5 years.

Can you get a larger sample study?

While I have no experience with owning or installing Semco products I have never heard anything good about there products and I have been in the window and door business as well as construction supply for 30 years. And I agree with wow, 5 years is not a a good case study.

Any direct experience, regardless of the time period, would be helpful.

Fenestration_Taylor, I'm still monitoring. Thanks for the input. Can I ask what window brand you chose to replace Semco? In other words, what affordable aluminum-clad wood window did you (do you) sell instead of Semco?

Semco was a very popular choice in my area for years, and they now have the replacement side of the industry booming. I see at least one job per week where we are replacing those units along with a couple other "favs".
Wood clad and "affordable" do not belong together if you want something to last past 10-15 years. The wood-ultrex Integrity is about the closest thing that I can think of to fit that.

Karateguy, can you provide more information regarding why these units are being replaced? Leakage around the glass, leakage around the window causing rotting of the framing, rotting of the window itself due to the aluminum cladding, etc.? And also, what wood-clad window would you recommend?

Fenestration_Taylor, I'm still monitoring. Thanks for the input. Can I ask what window brand you chose to replace Semco? In other words, what affordable aluminum-clad wood window did you (do you) sell instead of Semco?

All of the above.
My point is that a high qualty, low priced clad wood product is an oxymoron.
The Integrity product as I mentioned is the closest thing that I'd say is close to that.

We brought on Semco as a "mid level" brand. So a brand slightly less in cost than like Kolbe or Marvin would be. Ironically related to what Karateguy said we started replacing those sales with Integrity wood ultrex. Even though Integrity is a great product it still has it's limitations for design and options. Like mentioned already when it comes to lower cost, you are usually getting lower quality as well. Don't be afraid to spend money for quality when it comes to Aluminum clad windows.

Again, thanks to all for your input. As probably seems obvious, our construction budget is limited, so spending more than the cost of Semco isn't an option. We were looking for a "Honda" rather than a "Mercedes." Sounds as if there is a lot of controversy over the quality of Semco, but honestly, I don't see a lot of agreement on the quality of any brand on this board, with possibly the exception of Andersen and Marvin, which are beyond our budget. But I also don't see a lot of detailed explanation of what is wrong with the various brands, just that they are bad. Maybe somebody will start a website with detailed reviews of windows. I'd certainly visit it.

Poor quality control, poorly designed product, antiquated technology on some (pocket sills etc), water and air infiltration issues, just general poor quality that will not last from Semco and pretty dam near all other "lower" end products. Not to mention that box stores who sell predominantly crap products more often than not have no one in the dept who knows a dam thing about windows and doors. Honda vs Mercedes is not a good comparison, lower end windows and doors are more like Yugo's. I understand and feel for your position but windows are on of the few items in a house where you get to make the mistake only once, they are not east to change down the road. Look at possible the Integrity by Marvin, maybe the 200 series by Andersen, Simonton is pretty good window at an affordable price. Other vinyl guys like windowsonwashington are quite familiar with the area and may be able to help with a suggestion or two other than mine.

Agreed, this is not Honda vs Mercedes. I don't see much controversy either, just generally negative feedback.
On almost a daily basis homeowners post here looking for affirmation on purchasing a low-cost product but you just won't get it. If you want to do so, go ahead, its your house, just don't say that you weren't warned years from now.

This post was edited by Karateguy on Thu, Jul 3, 14 at 7:55

Look into Andersen, they're one of the few brands that when you pay lower in cost you get more value, but try to find a dealer for them rather than buying at Home Depot. They're are very responsive to warranty issues if there are any. I've seen an improvement in quality with Hurd and the price point can be lower, they don't have a very good track record in the past but I see them improving.

Some of Hurd's new products having intriguing options, however they have wiped the warranty slate clean too many times recently for my taste. I'd also agree that shopping for wood windows based on price-point is ill-advised. The main reason to purchase wood windows is the richness in look and feel, so I'd go with a highly regarded product. I'm not crazy about the vinyl/wood Andersen's , but the E-series (formerly Eagle) is not bad, Marvin is great, as is Kolbe.

+1 HomeSealed.

Tough to throw your weight behind a company that has stepped out on their warranty time and time again.

I have 10 Semco trapezoid windows in my home and 5 have been replaced due to broken seals. This causes the white film between the glass. They are just over 10 years old so the replacement is prorated at 50%. which amounts to several hundred dollars. Not all of the windows go out at the same time so there is a cost of up to a thousand dollars for replacement labor for each installation. At some point I believe I will have to replace all the semco trapezoid windows in my home. With the high cost of installation I will have paid for the windows at least twice.

I believe this should be considered for a class action law suite!!.

Unfortunately seal failures are the on the insulated glass manufacturer, and not Semco. Not absolving Semco as they are pretty far down the food chain and does not help your situation but probably all stems from the fact that they are just not a high quality product all the way around. Personally I would investigate changing them all out at out with another manufacturer or essential when you do replace the entire framed unit you will have done it close to three times dollar wise.

Getting ready to put and addition on my home I built in 97. The builder used Semco windows (the only thing he did right) In the 20 years not one of the windows has failed me. For that matter I will be reusing 4 of my windows in the new construction as they are in such good shape. Now this new builder would like to put in Lincoln for the rest of the window/doors and I sure do not like the reviews I am seeing. I would rather pay up front for good windows than have headaches down the road........what to do?

Pay for the good windows or unintentionally enter the consumer ranks for replacement windows. I think you made the choice correct the first go around and that is validated in your experience.

Bumping this up. Trying to choose between Anderson 400/E, Jeld Wen or Semco clad. Don't expect Semco to get better quality reviews than Anderson, but if they are close that may be good enough.
Any recent experiences would be great!

"Don't expect Semco to get better quality reviews than Anderson, but if they are close that may be good enough."

Jeldwen is the barely above the bottom of the barrel. And Semco is sitting right next to them sucking mud.

Thanks for the response. Any way you could elaborate on what differences I would see between Semco and Andersen? Trying to get some personal experiences to help inform my decision.

Fit and finish, quality, custom capabilities, availability of replacement parts, all lean toward Andersen Not that they would be my first choice but a substanitally better window than the other two you mention.

I have to replace a lot of glass from Semco door my house is 15 year I don’t thing is under warranty anymore for replacing glass ( seal is gone and it look dirty all the time) what is recommendation should I replace it with Semco part or look for something else if I have to pay .

1. Call them on Monday AM with any and all identification information that you can find on the units in question before you do anything.

If its covered under warranty, you might have just saved yourself a bunch of $$$.

I think this goes to the crux point of some earlier posts as well that 5 years is not a real benchmark of evaluation. Here you are with some 15 year old product and are have failure issues.

Thank I do that

Anyone use ply gem mira line? I unfortunately put their casements in my home and have had nothing but issues since. Over 10 IG seal failures and only 5 years old.

Plygems Mira is a builders line, plain and simple.

Millworkman you’re right the technology isn’t there with isolating the frame thermally also there are major quality control issues and at this point I’m assuming all units will fail sooner than later. If I spent a few thousand more I could have went with Integrity’s or Anderson E-series, you live and you learn I guess! This is what the inside of one unit looks like that I had to reseal myself. Also condensation forms on the inside of the aluminum frame and has nowhere to go and continues to soak the wood.

Condensation on inside of frame on interior side of weatherstripping.