Jeld-Wen windows are the worst, absolutely the worst for customer support. Avoid buying these windows. It took 3 years to get a Jeld-Wen service person to correct poor window installation issues and when he did arrive it took two days to get the work completed. Up to that point we were using masking tape and foam strips to stop the snow from entering the home on many of our casement windows. This was a brand new home with $60,000 invested in triple pane windows! Avoid this company like the plague.

Sorry to hear of the difficulties. Did the builder give you "options" for windows or was this a track home development?

That is a hefty window schedule to be certain. Sorry this has been a crapstorm.

No, it was a custom home on a private piece of land. The builder took me to the show room, and they did a little presentation on the windows in a conference room. The builder said he wished he had these windows in his home. I trusted him and the rotten retailer who has been absolutely rotten about the whole situation. I also was overwhelmed with everything that had to be done at the time to research any further. It's a huge amount of work to shop and select everything when building a house. I'm not complaining because I'm very grateful for the privilege to build a house, it was very unexpected, but there's a lot more to it than a person would think. I'm noticing a few more windows that are getting the spots on them. Sigh. Thanks for asking.

I know this is an old post, but I just had to add my experience with these windows. I bought a cute remodeled bungalow and the owners proudly pointed out the new windows in every room, which was a selling point. they are absolutely the worst windows. I've lived in 100-year-old homes with the original windows and the home I sold with replacement windows and never before has my house been so cold in the winter with cool air coming through the seams and the windows themselves being ice cold. There is no noise protection, and or heat protection. I'd be better off duct taping plexiglass in the frames. I am a woman and don't install or know much about windows, but I immediately knew why I was freezing in my house and that these windows were inferior to any I've ever had including the windows I put in the house I sold.

I have been selling windows for years and they are terrible. The mitred corners look like puffy white caulking. Also, they only hire people as reps that have no experience in windows so they can fill there head with lies about their product. They hired a flooring guy that worked in our store and said it was better that he was a clean slate. When I worked at Depot, I would steer people to Milgard. When I worked at Lowes, I steered people towards Milgard or Pella. They're cheap and can only be good for use in a quick flip.

"When I worked at Depot, I would steer people to Milgard. When I worked at Lowes, I steered people towards Milgard or Pella. They're cheap and can only be good for use in a quick flip."

And JELD-WEN would differ from Pella how?

brand New fixed units with nail fins, taking on cups of water between glass and flimsy vinyl seal. POOR design, not sealed. Poor craftsmanship Trying to leave reviews, on the class action page, and of course it's not allowing me. Don't you love it when they tell you your email is already being used. But no place to tell them, you know it belongs to me. Packed up the job on thursday. A 2 month job. On Friday we had our first big rain storm in a couple months. Owners called and said water flowing in. Vac'd out of interior channel and could watch the water flow in like it was on a faucet. Meant it had to go down the glass, behind a weather-strip, into a 1 1/4" channel, 3/4" high, same set up as a slider, and have enough pressure to push the water up the channel, and into what would be the screen door channel, and fill up. The same vinyl extrusions for a slider are being used as the jambs with these units, as they are the same size as one half a slider so the grids match up Thinking I'm done. I'm now looking at 5-6 very long days to install ne units, And why would I want to install the same units. These pages are loaded with class action suits for similar problems. I can only imagine what the rep is going say. I don't want the same poor quality units. Who pays for all the other 400 in material. My labor? And then I go knowing my customer is getting a raw deal. TO properly fix. I would have to buy all new slider, side lite windows to match, 3' x 6'8" , 2000 alone. All the other material from my pocket, and all my time. Stressful not knowing how far jeld wen will go to back their product. And I can't find the class action complaint page.

"Stressful not knowing how far jeld wen will go to back their product."

Oh I think deep down you know how far they will go to back the products. They have proven it time and again. If they actually gave a dam there would not be multiple class action lawsuit pages.

"And JELD-WEN would differ from Pella how?"

You're kidding right? Pella may not be the best window available but they are much better than junk-wen.....like comparing a Hyundai Pony to a BMW. That's a completely misleading comment.

They are not that far off from each other depending on which line you are comparing. Until recently with Pella releasing the Reserve line Jeld-Wens top line was superior to Pellas. The Pella Designer series is as garbage as it gets and the Architectural series is about 25 years behind most similarly priced windows.

"They are not that far off from each other depending on which line you are comparing"
No offense but I find most window recommendations good or bad are from distributors that either sell or don't sell a product. That's why I typically like to hear from contractors that use all windows or from homeowners experiences.

There should be a full disclosure clause here; if you sell the window you are promoting or vice versa it should be stated. I've been told by sales people representing the most horrible windows on the market that they are top quality because of xyz...yet when you look at the homeowner experience it speaks volumes. Take a look at Pella reviews vs JW, of course some people will complain about anything but I would say 90% of the feedback on JW is negative and maybe 30% of Pella feedback is negative. Look at this thread....maybe the JW line you are speaking about is better quality...maybe...but look at the experiences shared here. Terrible customer service coupled with defects and mismeasurments will equate to a bad situation regardless of the quality.

Pella does not make quality windows or doors. Any decent contractor knows this. Would I choose Pella over Jeld-Wen, I probably would based on customer service. However there are other companies that make a better product for a similar price which is why I don’t see any value in Pella or JeldWen. For example Andersen and Marvin are are better options for sure.

"Pella does not make quality windows or doors."
I'll have to agree to disagree. From a value perspective I agree with you, Pella is expensive for what you get compared to windows from Anderson, its apples to oranges as Anderson is a wood window manufacturer in my opinion...I wouldn't use them for a vinyl hybrid. There are many local manufacturers, depending on where you live, but I think the Pella 350 is a quality window and I know several contractors who agree.

Pella 350 is objectively not a good window.

Would like to hear some opinions from non window salespeople on what windows are posdibly worth purchasing & why. Reading lots of horror stories is stressful when we are trying to actually figure out what windows to buy. Thanks.

Grande1124 - "Pella 350 is objectively not a good window." Just because you use the word objectively doesn't mean that's actually the case, typically when laying out an objective argument you state the facts on which your argument is based, otherwise it just seems subjective. So why are they not a good window? I'd also like to know, do you sell windows and if so what brand?

Ceavig - do your own research. There are many good window manufacturers that may even be local to you. Don't take the advice of sales people or contractors that have a relationship with a manufacturer. In my opinion they always put down everyone else's windows except for the ones that are the most expensive because they know their windows will be so much cheaper you won't go that direction. Read reviews, everyone has bad reviews but you can see some manufacturers have nothing but bad reviews....ie JW. We have had Pella and LePage...both were vinyl and great in our opinion. They are a little more expensive but you get what you pay for. I'm pretty sure Grande sells or installs Marvin from his posts and he is forth coming so take his advice with a grain of salt.

You are the one promoting the Pella Window incessantly on here. Perhaps it’s your motives that should be questioned. There is absolutely nothing particularly impressive about a Pella 350 series window and I challenge you to tell me what the positives are.

If you insist on going Vinyl there are far superior options over Pella. Soft-lite, Sunrise, Okna to name a few. Anyone that has any window experience at all is well aware of this fact.

The 350 is dated with its pocket sill design, bulky profile and lower performance numbers. Contractors develop a relationship with manufactures/ brands for a reason and a good contractor would not be using the 350 since there many options that are better and at a lower cost.

Pocket sill is a NON-STARTER for me when there are so many good windows with sloped sills.

Grande - I'm not promoting Pella at all I'm just offering my opinion as someone who has used them and from contractors I've spoken to. To say they are garbage is contrary to what I have experienced and heard, of course there are better windows and there are also personal preferences involved. However I would bet that you are a window salesman and your comments should have that disclosure so people can understand what your motive is.

Comparing JW to Pella is laughable...just look at the comments on this thread. I also steer clear of anyone stating something as fact...with no eveidence to support their "facts". "Anyone in windows knows this, it's a fact" is a very adolescent type comment. If you don't like Pella fine, you're entitled to your opinion, but try to state reasons other than obscure comments packed with innuendos.

I am not saying Pella are the best windows, I'm saying they are decent and in my opinion I would use them over JW just from a support perspective. I don't know the other windows you suggested but I did say there are many local manufacturers that offer good alternatives...perhaps those are but I personally don't know.

I already stated I would choose Pella over JeldWen overall. However as has been expressed on here by many others, the 350 series is just not a good window at all. If a Builder is telling someone it’s a good window it’s because he’s capitalizing on the brand name in order to maximize his profit. Most homeowners don’t no any better so the sales pitch is “I’ll put in Pella 350 series windows, they are better than the 250 series. The customer figures they are getting a good deal. I see this all the time, happened a lot when Andersen owned Silverline too. I am not a Window Salesman, at least not directly as in I do not sell windows to Builders or Homeowners. I am in the window Industry but prefer not to divulge who I work for on Social media. Not saying you but people are crazy stalkers these days.

millwork and Grande which casement widows offer the best bang for the buck. looking at Marvin fiberglass. LocaLocated in Ohio

New construction or replacement? Marvin fiberglass (Essential or Elevate). Okna, Sunrise or Softlite in a casement window will offer better performance values. What were you looking for the interior to look like? Wood or a white finish.

New build All white in and out. Thank you for commenting

I would probably consider one of the vinyl mentioned above first.

Two and half years old and supposedly coastal series. Pure unadulterated junk. Even Andersens out perform and thats the pits folks. Not to mention warranty? did I just mention ”warranty”? Biggest misstep ever made.

I had JeldWen premium Vinyl windows in a house in N. cal for 10 years with no problems.

Pete E

If you claim you had no problems with JeldWen Junk, Im assuming you have’nt lived in your home for 10 years?

Peter E

If you are claiming that you had no problems with JeldWen junk / garbage windows, Im assuming you have’nt lived in the same home as the JeldWen junk ?

I purchased and installed a Jeld -Wen V-4500 slider in 2015. The outside slider window just shattered no reason . Called customer support for warranty. They said it's not under warranty. I won't buy or install anything from Jeld wen ever again.

Not sticking up for Jeldwen here but no one that I am aware pf warranty's breakage like that on a 10 year old window.

+1 @millworkman

Most companies have no warranty on Sliding Glass Doors because of the manner of use and the fact that they often take flung rocks from lawnmowers which would not be the fault of the door.

Many will have a 1 year glass warranty against breakage which would cover about 99% of the instances in which there might be an inclusion or stress crack that is on one of the cut edges.

10 year old, could be any number of things, but it's unlikely it was a defect that just manifested in this case.

Like @millworkman , not a JW apologist, but I am not sure you would have gotten a different answer from ANY supplier in this case, let alone them.

My builder installed 15 Jeld-Wen windows in my new home and 10 of the 15 windows continue to have trouble closing properly and locking. I have had numerous discussions with Customer Service and conducted a virtual & on-site review with different window technicians.

Both technicians admitted that the window channels were not aligning properly when pushing the window down which could cause the bottom window frame to potentially crack and if not properly aligned, will NEVER truly lock the windows. I was on vacation for several weeks and upon returning, I realized that my front windows were never locked due to the misalignment.

Pictures were taken by both technicians who ADMITTED that the channels were not aligning. One tech told me that I would have to FORCE close the window down which you should never have to do. Another mentioned that I would have to tilt the windows in and then back into the channel in order to fix the issue. Even though both techs agreed that issues existed, Customer Service refused to provide me any confirmation of their notes from their reviews and indicated no issues existed.

The TRUE problem is that there is too much play in the window channel which allows the sash to misalign with the fixed window channel when closing. Jeld-Wen has indicated several times that the windows are operating within acceptable levels even though both technicians visually seen & experienced the same issues I have been experiencing.

They refuse to make any adjustments, replace the sash windows and DO NOT stand behind their window warranty. I would avoid purchasing any windows from Jeld-Wen at all cost as they are not worth the aggravation and do not live up to their warranty claims.

The issue with that picture is the fact that the cam-lock is in the locked position and it is pushing against the keeper on the upper sash. Of course that gap is going to exist in that scenario.

Without being able to see the window and check for pretty basic things, such as plumb, level, square, it's impossible to know what is creating the issue. Given that it's a new construction application, it's equally as likely that they were installed poorly and are contributing to the operational issue as a result.

NO, this is the pic after I closed the window and attempted to locked the windows. This shows that the window channels do not align properly causing the gap and when closing the cam-lock, it never engages and the window can be easily pushed up from the outside for a break-in. the windows have too much play in the side channels which Jeld-Wen indicates is normal. So I guess they expect their windows never to be properly closed & locked and customers have to check & recheck everytime. This is not NORMAL!

I fully understand what I am looking at here. I am going to respectfully, disagree with you.

1. I don't doubt that there are operational issues with the window. Without seeing the unit and knowing how it was installed, it is impossible for me to make informed comments on what is creating that issue (i.e. materials, install, framing shift, or a combination of all of the above).
2. I do not disagree with you that the components might not be lining up. Perhaps the sash interlock (I think that is what you might be referencing with the "channels" comment) is not engaging correctly. This can create too much space to where the cam lock will not reach the keeper and allow the window lock to engage.
3. The picture that you have posted will ALWAYS create that gap as the window is NOT LOCKED properly here. If that is because of any of the failures noted above, or a use/operator failure, I cannot determine.

A window can be slightly out of alignment and the user/operator of the window will try to lock it without the cam lock engaging and you will get exactly what is pictured above. The window needs to be unlocked, checked for correctness and likely pushed together as you engage the cam lock to get the keeper engaged. Leaving it in the condition that you have pictured has likely now warped the sash lineals and will require additional tweaking to get it back right, if that was the only issue.

Again...not standing in front of the window so I cannot make a full assessment of the issues creating the failure to lock, but what you have pictured is a user issue and will only make the operational issues worse.

Your #2 comment is the issue, appreciate the feedback. When the sash interlock does not align, this causes the gap and the lock will never be engaged which is the image i provided. i requested how the windows could be adjusted and their response is its operating as expected. if i cant close & lock my windows, and to Jeld-Wen, this us NORMAL, then RUN from this manufacturer. 10 out of 15 windows is not normal, it’s a MAJOR ISSUE

Are you the original owner of the Windows/home?

We sometimes see lack of interlock engagement when the windows have been locked improperly as you pictured above for a long periods of time. It creates deflection and distortion in the sash rails.

Im the original owner and have complained to the builder, who complained to Jeld-Wen and i also had 2 Jeld-Wen techs experience the same issues with closing the windows. Youre hung up on the locking mechanism, the windows when pushed down do not align. Again, the pic was only to demonstrate the mis alignment which then shows the window cant lock. they were never left in that position for any period of time but appreciate the feedback.

Not really "hung up" on it. I see what the picture demonstrates, but what I am telling you is, if left "improperly locked" as pictured, for a couple of temperature cycles...they will never line up.

I am not a JeldWen homer here...far from it. That said, if the windows were poor fitting and not lining up previously...and then "improperly locked" like that for any length of time...they won't line up.

Call JeldWen and see if they can help with some sashes. In the meantime, I would delete the picture you posted or at least don't share it with the manufacturer as a demonstration of the failure. Feel free to show that deflection, but just don't have the cam lock in the frame.

If they won't help you out, you'll need to push the windows to get the interlocks to engage and see if you can, maybe with an extra set of hands, get the cam lock to latch and leave them like that for a few warm days in the summer. It might help correct some of the deflection.

" Youre hung up on the locking mechanism, the windows when pushed down do not align "

W.o.W. has said several times that withouit standing directly in fron to fthe window we can only go by what we see in a picture and from your description. Tract home bullders are notorius for not installing windows properly, and Jeldwen is notorius for a mediocre at best window system so you have a combo mean here in my opinion. The buidler passing the buck to JW is not surprising as they have no idea what they are doinbd with the windows and really doing nothing more than paying for them. JW as a whole is also notorius for lousy products, quality, fit and fininsh and customer service.

• If they won't help you out, you'll need to push the windows to get the interlocks to engage and see if you can, maybe with an extra set of hands, get the cam lock to latch and leave them like that for a few warm days in the summer. It might help correct some of the deflection.

When I had my windows replaced by Andersens one of them I had a cam lock that would not "catch". I didn't think alot about it but just pushed on the lower jamb and then I could have get it to lock properly - over time it seemed to get better.

@dennisgli

Thanks for posting that up. Spot on.

i talked with Jeld-Wen numerous times and they are refusing to honor any warranty or make any window adjustments or sash replacements. this occurs on 10 out 15 windows so its a major window lot defect in my mind either on the install or manufacturing

" this occurs on 10 out 15 windows so its a major window lot defect in my mind either on the install or manufacturing "

As crappy as Jeldwen is, with that many windows and a similar issue on all my bet is installation which Jeldwen (nor any other window manufacturer) will be responsable for the warranty or really have anything to do with. I would have someone independent come and take a look at the windows and not from the builder or the window company as you want an honest evaluation at this point. Just my .02 .

Appreciate everyone's feedback as I'm not really sure anyone (the builder or Jeld-Wen) will do anything at this point. All of my windows can close and lock with effort or requiring the sash window to be tilted out and back in so it's not that the windows won't lock or close. It's just that several attempts are required in order to propoerly close & secure the window which is why I continue to claim a window defect in some form or fashion. I'm unaware of any homeowner who is constantly required to lift and close their NEW WINDOWS several times in order to properly lock them in place.

Jeld-Wen should stand behind their windows and make the proper sash adjustements or replace the sash windows. Otherwise, their warranty paper is as good as toilet paper, worthless. Maybe everyone's comments will bring this issue to a Jeld-Wen Executive's attention who will step in to resolve.

" Otherwise, their warranty paper is as good as toilet paper, worthless. "

Been that way for 30 years, gotten worse as they are a huge company and have purchased many other product lines unfortunalte, all with the same end result.

Do not buy Jeldwin, we purchased 36 jeldwin windows for a remodel and there is a design flaw present in their casement windows that they will not address. In florida when hurricanes or strong wind blows the rain sideways it forces the water around the bottom seals and their is no weep holes so water floods the house. Their warranty dept sent someone out with hand pump sprayer to test the window , what a joke , you may as well just pee on it cause thats 0 pressure. They said thats the pressure we test them on and they are functioning within specs. Note> these are impact rated windows for hurricane requirements in florida. Jedwin is an a$$hole company.