Pella Design Flaw?

11 years ago

We spent $42K on Pella Architecture Series windows and french doors for our new home in 2001. Now the *exposed to the exterior* weather stripping on the french doors is rotting.

I don't see ANY exposed weather stripping on Pella's new doors. Was this a design flaw? The stripping inserts a good inch into a groove on the jambs and top, and that portion is still pliable and fine. The 'bulb' portion (top of the 'P') that sits on the exterior has rotted.

I have 11 french doors (active and inactive) that need help immediately. Pella quotes $755.46 for replacement stripping and $675 labor. I have 4 more doors that will need help.

What *else* can I do? Can I cut off the rotted heads of the "P" and apply a simple strip of seal there? Cut off and do nothing? Pella's solution seems ridiculously expensive.

I have never in 50 years needed to re-strip a window or door. Is there 'history' on this premature failure? (I find lawsuits on rotting Pella Pro-Line windows, but not this.)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

bpchiil
11 years ago
It's truly terrible that you are going thru this with Pella's inferior product, and you certainly have my empathy. The upside is you have 15+ years of age on these doors. If you can live with it for another 5 or so years, you will more than likely be in the total replacement planning phase.

Yes, Pella has some hefty prices for repairs. But then again, someone has to pay for the mass mailings and advertising they do. You may have to bite the bullet and pay them for repairs, or replace it now with another manufacturers door.

Good luck!
toddsimmpns
11 years ago
Weatherstripping is a wear item and 15 years doesn't seem to bad of a life span. Maybe install the stripping yourself and your only out $68 per door.
Related Professionals
Belleville General Contractors · Springfield General Contractors · Rolla General Contractors · Bloomington General Contractors · Palm Desert General Contractors · Reno General Contractors · Belleville Home Remodeling · Monroe Home Remodeling · Kansas City Home Remodeling · Burlington Home Remodeling · Sacramento Home Remodeling · San Francisco Home Remodeling · New Braunfels Interior Designers & Decorators · Anniston Interior Designers & Decorators · Edison Interior Designers & Decorators
millworkman
11 years ago
Post a picture maybe someone on here knows where you can get a knockoff weatherstrip to do the same thing?
chisue
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you for responding. I was hoping someone had already battled Pella over this DESIGN FLAW.

Although my 2001 doors have this problem, Pella stopped making their French doors with this exposed weather stripping. None of our Pella casement windows have exposed weather stripping. None of our entry doors have exposed weather stripping. The *unexposed* weather stripping is fine. I have never had to replace weather stripping in 50 years of home-owning -- because it was never on the *exterior* of a door or window. Re-caulking, yes. Weather stripping, no.

I believe I can use a narrow 'stick-on' strip over the edges of the door on the inactive French doors, leaving the good parts inside the jamb grooves. I may have to pay Pella to buy the elaborate stripping for the nine active doors. (I know they don't *make* it, but can't determine who does, and the manufacturer is probably wholesale-only.) I can pay a handyman to do the labor. He estimates 20 mins. per door to pull and replace.

Do I even NEED this exterior strip?

I don't know how to post a photo. The Pella part number is for a package of four TFH/CTFM Frame weather strips. Part # 09ZR0A94 I don't know if they show a photo of the item. I know I don't find anything like this at Lowe's or Home Depot.
Michelle Landon
11 years ago
Hi, my entire neighborhood HOA is getting together on our Pella Windows. Most are 13 years old. Many, Many houses have rotten Pella windows. Did you get anywhere on your fight?
Chuck Par
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Need to replace weather stripping on our Designer series Pella French door. Called Pella Northern Cal. 1 866 211-8072. Price for weather stripping 09ZR0A94 $84 + $35 shipping. Yikes! No choice however. I don't think you can find alternative online.