I want to know more about Windsor too!

In Chicago, 99% of contractor will install Marvin.

In terms of price from high to low, they are 2nd below Marvin. (Marvin > Windsor > Quaker.)

I haven't find contractor who offers Kolbe yet. I got the price from distributor directly and they are more expensive than Marvin.

My comment is only for double hung window. I don't know about other type of product line.

"Windsor website looks like crap"

Then it matches their windows. Product quality, fit and finish, durability, customer service are all lacking. Other than all that they are good. Price wise they should be about the same as Quaker, quality as well.

BG, what in particular do you like about the Windsor vinyl window? Most of the negative comments from professionals are based on the fact that we remove and replace Windsor windows with regularity, and in terms of the vinyl options, the thermal and structural performance ratings, product option content, etc, do not put it in the upper echelon of choices. There are some outdated, or low-cost fueled features as well such as aluminum used for sash reinforcement, which is just about the most conductive material that could be used for that function. Even many "builder grade" products have moved away from that and use fiberglass or a composite of some sort.

As far as appearance, there are vinyl windows that have hidden, butt-joined welds if you are interested in a window that truly looks like wood. Feel free to add more specifics if there are things that you believe are superior about that window.

@millworkman Brutal lol. When i looked at the display model, finish looked good. dual weather stripping inside and out. top sash went into a pocket that was double weather stripped. interlock I believe, and the bottom sash and frame meet together like the ultimate series. + Conceal jamb liner. Same hardware. sourced from a good wood company that uses "old growth trees" plus it looked like my father's old single pane marvin wood window. But that was one sample.... I'm not a installer not praising them. just saying what I saw. I did infact go with marvin elevate series window because I wanted to replace my late fathers marvin window with a marvin.

interestingly enough, the window windor dealer quoted me for L2 + Argon had a Ufactor of .31 where as the elevate was .28. So go figure. numbers don't lie.

It could be I just had a bad marvin window display model. It was dated and super beat up.

@HomeSealed Exteriors, LLC I liked it because it looked sufficiently weather stripped, and looked like a old wood window. their series all seemed to have the same consistent look. But yes they are not as air tight as other companies. I haven't seen another vinyl window look like wood window. Its incredibly annoying to try and compare windows. All these companies seem to have just a few pictures of the window that is zoomed out really far away and you can't see the details. Any time I try to go to a dealer its on the weekends and they are open for a half day. So I only have time to see one or two windows. so its hard to gauge a window. plus you really only see the difference when you have them side by side. (at least me with limited experience. So please enlighten me. on alternatives. At this point seems like best bang for my buck is marvin elevate which comes out ~520 bucks for a 34Wx68H double hung. They recently became a single step dealer. Sunrise was about 500 bucks. Provia was 370. I have to message Okna.

@Trey 567 do you have any pictures? not doubting you but I'm interested to see how they messed up. the display model looked so "crisp" but thats probably why its a display model.

I'm really interested here as well. We are building our dream home, and have fully priced Marvin- with most windows being Essential, ( except for a few large showcase windows that were moved up to Ultimate), and 10 huge french doors, Marvin Ultimate. Blowing our budget on windows and doors, but it's important to the overall structure of this house. Our problem is the color choices with Marvin windows....in order to get a Charcoal color, you have to move everything to Ultimate- and that is just outrageous.

So we looked at Windsor Pinnacle in matte charcoal today as well- and I have to say that we also were impressed. I'm hoping to hear more from the community from people that have had a positive experience with Windsor- and photos!

I ran across the pictures of the defective cladding from when our Windsor windows were delivered a while back. I can't find them now, and as I was in a purging mode at the time they may be lost. Again, for us the samples we saw looked fine, but the delivered product was not. Although Windsor "fixed" them and offered us an extended warranty, we ended up replacing a lot of windows starting at the 10 year mark. If I had to do it again I would do Marvin.

So when were your original Windsor windows purchased (the defective ones)? Over 10 years ago?

Don't they have a 20 year warranty?

Most 20 year warranties from wood companies (Andersen, Marvin, Kolbe etc.) pertain to the insulated glass. Ten year warranty on the frame and parts.

@B G -

It is Windsor's goal to continually improve both our products and service and to be easy to do business with. I can't say for certain, but I have a feeling that the lack of love by some here is from experiences from our earlier years and not a reflection of who we are now. We've worked hard to move forward with purpose and delivery products that perform.

@Brandi Holmes -

Here's an overview of our warranties with links to the PDFs:

Windsor's Pinnacle wood/clad products carry a Limited 20/10 Warranty, which provides coverage against insulated glass seal failures for 20 years and coverage for workmanship and materials for 10 years. In addition, we offer extended-life exterior aluminum surface finishes (AAMA 2605) that extend the warranty on such finishes to a period of 30 years.

Our Legend cPVC/hybrid warranty provides coverage for insulated glass seal failures for 20 years, cellular PVC components for 25 years and materials for 10 years. As with Pinnacle, we offer extended-life exterior aluminum surface finishes (AAMA 2605) that extend the warranty on such finishes to a period of 30 years.

Our Next Dimension vinyl products carry a Lifetime Limited Warranty, which provides coverage against workmanship and materials to the original owner-occupant, for as long as they occupy their single-family residence. If either the residence is sold, or these products are installed in a non single-family structure, then all warranties noted are limited to 10 years from the original date of manufacture, and by exclusionary items and conditions as noted in the Warranty.

Our windows were installed about 15 years ago. And that's the problem. The manufacturer says they're better now. I guess you'll know in 10-15 years whether today's windows really are. Personally, I favor a manufacturer that has done a quality product regularly for decades, rather than one that claims they've being doing it right for a year or two.

To be fair, it's not easy to do clad wood windows correctly. If ANY moisture penetrates the exterior cladding, you now have a situation worse than an unclad window, because that moisture tends to be trapped between the cladding and the wood. Essentially, it never dries out, leading to accelerated rotting of the wood. And no wood, even superficially treated, is going to hold up to that.

@CHI_IL im also in chicago and builders are all over the place with the windows they choose. It also depends on neighborhood. Many go with climate guard , pella, jeldwin. When you get more in suburbs Marvin does have a huge base as well. I’m working on a single family project where I need black exterior and black interior Colors. Also going for a more transitional design so trying to stay away from wood windows. So far I have Marvin essential, Andersen 100s , and I’m going to take a look at windsors next dimension classic line for my mix of double/single hung, casements and awnings Windows on this project.

I would believe the Windsor replies. My experience of their customer service is appalling. Please read our story and decide if this is the company you want to work with:

Windsor Windows have been a nightmare for us. The order is delaying our building site ten weeks and counting.

Having dealt with window companies in over a dozen different countries over the last 30 years, I can confirm Windsor are the worst. I cannot comment on performance yet as we don’t have windows. I can however confirm that their leadership is rotten.

We have been misled by Windsor multiple times. Windsor have said our complete order was on a truck on its way to site (in a very arrogant tone from their regional salesman when questioned for an update of status). The following morning the same person said the windows were not finished so nothing shipped. Later that week their quality control manager explained they did in fact ship all the screens. What good are screens if you have no windows. (The local supply company later confirmed that this was a lie, no screens had been received.)

This complete lack of communication has continued each week. The window package is now starting to arrive a few a week. No one at Windsor knows what has been completed or what is on the truck. It’s a weekly grab bag of miscellaneous window parts.

This has meant incredible delays as the window installers can only do a days worth of windows each week. No one knows when we are getting the rest or what they are shipping out.
Their head of plant quality control says you will know when they arrive. You honestly could not make this up.

Their reason for the delays is that our order was made and half the order (30 windows) did not pass inspection and had to be remade. Let me tell you that inspection standard is not very rigorous as we have already rejected $20k in doors (all doors made wrong) and several windows that are going back.

Even with these extreme delays and this level of error their ‘quality’ team is unapologetic and very abrasive. Their regional sales director has disappeared. He ignores messages or defers to the quality control guy who takes no responsibility for any of the issues and is incredibly disorganised.

I can’t imagine what Windsor will be like to deal with if there is a warranty issue. Right now they are miserable to even get a window package to site. If you have an option go with anyone else. If price is not an option, go Marvin. In the US Marvin are the best. Windsor were a big mistake for us.

And you have not even received the windows yet. The fun hasn't even begun unfortunately.

Imagine how they treat homeowners if they treat professionals in this way. It it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it’s a ….

I couldn’t recommend these windows more. The new Pinnacle Series is incredibly well built, and the wood-aluminum design looks stunning both inside and out. The energy ratings are excellent (as low as 0.28 for picture windows), and every opening operates beautifully. With so many options for style, size, color, and hardware, the level of customization is impressive. Well done Windsor. I dont know how it was 10 years ago but its not my first time buying wood aluminium windows: its a serious offering now.

We went with black interior/black casement and a white exterior frame, and it has completely transformed the look of our old house in the Hudson valley. The larger openings, new picture windows, and outswing French glass doors have made such a difference - the whole home feels brighter and more open.

PS: I honestly don’t get the poor reviews that only complain about delivery by others or delays. Please speak for the product.

We ordered approximately $80,000 in doors and windows in April 2024. We are still missing two windows, parts for a third window, functioning gaskets on 4 external doors (arrived ripped, wrong colour, ill fitting and incorrect), latch plates for four doors. All doors were not drilled properly for hardware despite approving shop drawings prior to manufacture. One pair of doors has a sill that freezes in the cold.

We notified Windsor of the problems with the missing parts, damaged parts and incorrectly manufactured windows in July 2024 and the freezing door sill in February 2025.

The regional sales manager Jim refused to help, the production manager Matt Wells refused to help and the customer service manager Nathaniel Mustin refused to help. All pointed us to the distributor Builders First Source, who likewise refused to help.

In the past two weeks Windsor’s warranty person Elyse Pate reached out and said she would only deal with the freezing door sill in a month’s time. When I asked about the remaining issues she refused to deal with them. I stated that Windsor has been aware the problems for over a year and have done nothing. I asked what the purpose of the 20 year warranty was if you won’t honour it or even deliver the correct original product. She stated she was unaware of the other issues.

A couple weeks and a several phone calls later, Elyse Oate reached out today to say send evidence of the other issues. I sent her my emails and text messages with Jim Erbes, Matthew Wells, Jim Erbes and the local distributor. She never replied. I received an out of office response minutes after I replied to her original email.

I have used Marvin windows, Eagle, and Munster joinery and never had an issue. Windsor failed to properly manufacture our product, shipped it with missing and damaged parts and even shipped a failed pair of doors and refused warranty repairs for months (they only replied when the distributor’s lawyer got involved).

Windsor are not worth the hassle. Their product is faulty and their distributor BFS hopeless. The warranty is not worth the paper it is written on. In addition to directly contacting the above parties, we also filed an online warranty claim a year ago. None of these actions have resulted in any of our issues being resolved or even attempted to be resolved.

Happy to post the email and text message exchanges if you don’t feel this is true.

While some readers may not believe you, the professionals here absolutely do. Sorry you're having to deal with so many issues and hope you can get them resolved.

1 pinnacle (seems like a decent window) and 7 Revive double pane box windows were purchased earlier this year and just installed due to an injury on my end. All Revives show daylight lower corners where sill seal meets vertical seal. 4 of the 7 Revives the painted wood interior (upcharge) is riddled with staple holes as I guess they ran out of wood putty that day. Another revive the lower part of bottom sash was damaged and then just painted over said damage. Sad level of concern for building a quality product.

Also unsure whos fault it is (maybe vender) but the windows I was sold are energy star certified in Florida as well a few other southern states but nowhere near Michigan (where I live).

Sorry to hear Steve. But, seems typical from my past with Windsor, albeit different product lines but overall same, result. All of which is why I would never recommend or sell their product, of course I do not sell residential windows any longer.

Note: More problems than prior post so here goes...

4 of 7 Revive doublehung windows are riddled with staple holes that were just painted over. Also have another with sash damage that was also just painted over. All 7 show daylight where sill seal meets verticle seal. Not the quality that we paid for but feeling generous so 2 stars.

I'll add a few of the many pics.

Dropping my generous review down to 1 star and I have reason for it. On all 7 of the Revive windows the aluminum exterior cladding is brad nailed ( 5 brads per window) onto windows from the exterior side. This creates 2 issues. 1st..these brads not only can but WILL rust as they are exposed to the elements. 2nd..you CANNOT use steel nail on aluminum trim. Galvanic corrosion will occur (When dissimilar metals like steel and aluminum are in contact, especially when moisture is present, a corrosive reaction (galvanic corrosion) occurs). This is very common industry wide knowledge. I.E. Windsors Windows knows you cannot use steel nails on aluminum but they do it anyways as I'm sure its cheap and fast. These windows are designed and built to fail.

Monday I plan to reach out once again to Windsor but I'm sure after seeing how their products are built they will not stand behind their product.

I should also added something regarding my issue with my new windows having leaky corners. It appears the leaks are cause by improper fitting side seals. A few locations do not leak and the mention side seal ends at the sill. The leaky areas the side seal appears too long and is folded down onto the sill. This fold in the round seal causes a crease which leaves a gap in the seal.

These very poorly built windows are coming out of my house and if we have to fight over the 12k I have into them than so be it.

I guess Ive reached my max pic uploads. I can email the seal gaps pics as well as many others to anyone interested. Windsor doesnt seem interested :(

Exterior cladding brad nailed

Damage they just paint over.

Good enough for Windsor Windows :(

" I'll add a few of the many pics. "

No pics are showing Steve Hall. Again sorry to hear of the issues but unfortunately none of this is surprising to me as they never truly gave me the feeling that they cared.

Edited, now your pics are showing........

Thanks for the update. I don't want to pile on here. Doesn't look great, but wouldn't those staples be non-visible when the window is closed?

Might have just been missed in the QA/QC finishes. Don't get me wrong, @millworkman feedback was spot on from the start...and with good reason.

Yes. Staple holes are hidden when windows are closed which is roughly 6 months out of the year. Not sure what the thought is for the other 6 months though.

Make no mistake...its a 100% QA/QC miss. No doubt.

Hopefully they will step up and make it right.

This is why I defer to @millworkman on so many of his opinions on these things. He sees them all the time...and he will NEVER give you anything but truthful and unvarnished truth.

These windows will never be right. I havent noted all my issues. Not sure if anyone noticed but these windows came with a 3/4 unfinished board tacked to the bottom of window. My 1st thought was it was a shipping block that needed to be removed. When I measure however I learned that removal of the board would result in a window 3/4 shorter than oirdered. I spoke with vender who reached out to the factory rep and the response was...you cant see that board as it is hidden as drops down behind the sill. My original Pellas do not have that type of sill. Can I pull the trim and rebuild inside to cover? Yes but had I known I would have just dropped my siding and gone with new construction windows as I did with the 1 Pinnacle I used to replace a slider.

Edit: I should add...I'm not placing all blame for this on Windsor Windows as I'm not doing a "normal" install but a heads up would have been helpful.

" Not sure if anyone noticed but these windows came with a 3/4 unfinished board tacked to the bottom of window. "

Kind of defeats the purpose of a clad exterior and prefinished interior no? That's a crock from my of view and should be an immediate redesign of they are capable.

I had purchased Windsor Pinnacle casement windows 2019 for my loft upstairs. and

2 Pinnacle sliding patio doors (those have all been great). Since I liked those so much

I chose to replace the rest of my home. Fast forward to October '25 - Just finished the lower lever of my home with 8 large gliding window and 2 transom windows. I used the installer from the window company selling Windsor. Two windows are out of square and the inside gliding portion is to be replaced. One window was set with the top leaning into the room. That had to be reinstalled. The 'plastic' glides are not set right on 3 windows. After the first rain 3 weeks later I have a leak into the glide part of one window. One transom was placed upside down and was reinstalled. WHAT A NIGHTMARE. There are defects everywhere. Staples not covered on iside of window casing, missing pieces on the outside at the base of the vertical rail, Silver screws visible on the ouside of my black windows.

So, so bad. I had the rep here from Windsor and the salesperson too. They are trying to correct the situation but I am really disappointed and upset that these window were made so poorly. I feel like this is the how things are being done now. Sacrifice the build quality so companies can pay hight wages and still make a profit. Stay away from Windsor Windows, especially the gliding Pinnacle aluminim clad. I so regret my choice when I could have had Anderson. It's hard to know these days - I've seen so many issues with all companies.

Seems a leopard does not change its spots. Quality control, fit & finish, and customer service were all lacking 30 years ago and still all lacking today. Yet they will still tell you they are the greatest thing since sliced bread.