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About 4 years ago I purchased new gentek windows for my brand new home, durinng our first winter we noticed a considerable amount of frost build up on the outside of ouur windows we called the manufacturer and to no avail, we had to take them to court and after four years two independant engineers failing the quality of the windows plus an independant inspection of the installation and a report, and 41, 000 in damages, legal expenses, I thought I woould share my experience with the rest of the world and suggest to anyone out there thinking of purchasing any products from gentek building products not too I will post pictures and reports if intrested
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
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Please advise whole story. I've got these windows. Thanks!
Islandtraveler:
Have you had any problems with your Gentek windows and did Mopar88 provide any more detials, ?
We were thinking of getting these windows, what kind of windows were they
I have the GentekSignature Series Gentek Windows in my Home. I have had no problems, I live in South GA. Had my windows installed in 2005. I ran across this post because i was looking for some pics of the outside of the window to email to my cousin. I, m referred him to the contractor that put my windows in.
I haven't had any of the problems that the other person posted about, but I live in South Georgia, We don't have any frost to be concerned with. Just thought I would post my experince with the my gentek windows.
I have also been told that Gentek makes the Windows for Window World. It is a Big Company in the South, have not heard any problems about their windows - just their price being high compared to small companies.
The frost build up on the inside of your new windows is due to the fact that your home is now sealed from the the installation, whereas before, your old windows were very poor in insulating your home and inside warm air was alowed to escape. Since the new windows were installed warm air is no longer able to escape the humidity in your home reaches the glass and forms ice. This is caused by high humidity in your home and is more prominent on cold days. Your issue has nothing to do with the windows.
i don't agree. window providers are trained to spread those false rumors. let science speak and shut up.
So, I know how old this post is, but I can't stand it when I hear people complain about condensation. It's pretty simple to understand.
If you take a can of beer or coke out of a refrigerator and go outside with it on a hot summer day, what happens? It starts to sweat. That is condensation.
Is the can faulty? No. Does the can make water somehow? No. The inside of the can is cold, the outside is hot. Condensation.
If you have a kitchen window and a gas stove burning while it is cold outside then chances are you will get condensation on the inside of the window. Natural gas has a inherent humidity which is then drawn to a colder surface.
If the inside of you home is much cooler than the outside (I live in Houston. It's hot and muggy outside for most of the year) then you can get condensation on the outside. And if you have plants next to those windows then chances are likely you will get condensation.
Go on any..ANY...manufacturers website and you will find a page dedicated to condensation. The best window or door is ONLY as good as the installation. The cheapest window can perform just as efficiently as the most expensive if it is installed correctly. It will just fall apart faster.
And as for air infiltration...venting windows are made to be opened and closed. To accommodate the mechanism that allows that window to function a window frame must have a recessed area for the balance to reside and operate. Let's call that area a "chimney". The bottom of the sash will have a bulb seal to compress onto the frame to reduce air infiltration as well as interlocks at the center meeting rail and multiple points of weatherstripping. All there for the purpose of reducing air infiltration. Reducing. It can't eliminate it. It can only reduce it. And all manufacturers submit their windows for independent testing to meet the strict codes and most surpass those numbers. But air, especially on a very windy day, will find it's way past all of the bulb seal and weatherstripping and travel up that chimney.
There is a solution, however. Fixed picture windows or very tight and expensive casements.
We installed Gentek windows in 2010. We live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. There are lots condensation in all windows since last week. Our room temperature is 20 degrees Celsius. Outside temperature is around -5 degree Celsius. We turned down the humidifier. It still didn't remove the condensation. I called M&M Windows Co. Inc. who installed the Gentek window for us. He said that my house is too cold. I should turn the temperature to 22 degrees Celsius. I didn't agree with what he said. I have breathing problems when the heat is too high. I like my room temperature to be 18 - 20 degrees. I didn’t have condensation problem last winter. The problem started last week. Can anyone give me some advice for what to do?
By the way, I can’t comment on Gentek windows if it is good or not yet. . I suggest you don’t use M&M Windows Co. Inc for installation. The workmanship was bad. They broke an old window. They didn’t clean it up and left the broken glass on the walkway and my backyard. I had to call them few times to clean it up.
I have had Gentek Vinyl Windows for a few years, specifically the Regency ones.
I live in Calgary Alberta, our winter temperatures are probably similar to the OP's. I've never had a frost problem, or noticed any condensation issues like the ones Anonymous Housewife mentioned. I did however have an issue with the release latches. Maybe I was too rough with them, or maybe they were just poorly made...
After a couple years the release latches that hold the sash in place had all broken. It's just simple plastic tab on the top of the window, and when the window is opened all the way (it's a vertical sliding window), the plastic tab hits the stopper above, after repeated use the tabs broke off. The specific model of latches I have are actually no longer made, so I assume they've made improvements since (These windows were manufactured in 2006).
I tried to get the company who did the install to come and fix it, but after a couple weeks of getting the run-a-round and not return my calls, I sent an email to Gentek using the form on their website. I received a reply within minutes, asking me for specifics (model number etc...). The woman who helped me offered to send the replacement tabs at no cost, and explained how to install the replacements. I was extremely impressed by the customer service at Gentek, so I wanted to post a review.
We purchases Gentek windows a year ago. I have talked directly to Gentek about a fog problem on our windows. Every morning from May until Nov. the outside of the windows is foggy until the sun burns it off. Our old windows never once had a fog build up on them. This is so bad we are not able to see out at all. Gentek told me it is because of insulation and high humidity in our house which I don't agree with. The moisture buildup is not inside. I really would appreciate if someone could tell me why our windows are doing this?
I have been a builder for many years i have installed pella dashwood pollard & pella vynl replacements with no problems. However these Gentek vynl double hung leak air where they join lots of air you might as well have window part way open
We got 2 replacement windows (gentec) double hung, and the air leakage is the same or worse than the old ones! They came and put more weather stripping on the one but it really makes no difference. I am so disappointed that I am going to have to go back to putting plastic film over my windows! What a waste of money!
That’s right, I have a video of the window shut and locked and a Kleenex blowing out level at the top of the window where they meet . This was at -17 degree weather ! I don’t know what to do about it. I have complained several times and the installer comes out, adjusts them, but no difference! I now have plastic over my newest windows. Wish I had kept the old ones!
We are experiencing same thing -cold and frost on our windows. Gentek sent over a sub contractor and gave us the same excuse that other poster experienced. Would you please share your file with us and advise how you went about suing this company. We are tired of the run around that we are angry.
Thank you
Does anyone know if triple glazing windows are better than double glazed ones for the Ottawa Ontario region? And would they cause frost build up? If so, what should I do to remedy the problem? Thanks for any advice.
I have just installed Gentek windows and I am having a similar condensation problem. The condensation is on the outside of the windows and windows, including the problem ones, pare wide open. There is no a/c nor heat and air temp difference between outside and in is zero as the windows are wide open. They fog up at about 5 am and clear around 11am when the sun burns it off.
Would Rainex or a similar product help?
I am not sure it is a fault with the window, but it is a phenomenon I have not seen until these new windows.
Do more research before you consider to install GENTEK windows!
We installed Gentek windows in the spring of 2011. One the glass was crack by itself last March. The temperature was -13 degree Celsius. I called M&M Windows Co. Inc. who installed the Gentek windows for us. The sales person explained that the temperature was too cold. Our house was an old house. The cold pressure made the wall change shape and pushed the window unevenly, eventually it cracked the window and the glass broke. Eh? Did it make any sense to you? The cost to replace the window was $500. Today, Temperature is -17 degree Celsius. 5 out of 21 windows has frosted (snow flakes) inside the glasses, yes, the frost are between the glasses. This is ridiculous. Please advise if you have any suggestions.
Gentek are 'builder windows' prone to condensation and frost build-up. This is not just aesthetics, this means the window is not performing/insulating. Start with purchasing a Higher Quality window to reduce the chances. Then choose TRIPLE-glaze windows (Not in Georgia, of course) to reduce it further. Up the quality scale again is Krypton Gas and Offset Technology - which all but eliminates this problem except in extreme environmental conditions. Great windows need a great installation. Just make an effort to find out WHY your windows are priced to slow BEFORE you buy them. It doesn't do you much good Afterwards. BTW, I'm completely biased ... as I happen to sell the great ones.
14 Windows installed in March of 2014. ICE, not condensate or frost INSIDE of my house. SEE Photo. I also was told TOO much humidity, room temperature is too cool. I sleep in this room ! I don't like to sweat at night, not to mention, the INSIDE of the window is LESS THAN 32 Deg F !
I received a quote from a local window and door business which I considered much too high so I did my homework and found other Gentek Dealers.
Windsor Plywood informed me Gentec will not give them a quote for me because I had a previous quote from my local dealer. This is terrible business practice. A homeowner should have the right to shop around for the best prices anywhere possible. I will be investigating and will be in touch with the Better Business Bureau.
They have a price book and can give you a price .They are a customer of Windsor plywood and don't want to take their business. Buying windows from a lumber company is very expensive .Use the gentek regency line or the 400 regency .
I just had 15 Gentek windows installed and I am not impressed with the spring loaded screening system they have for the windows. It leaves an open gap at the bottom of the screen system which allows tiny insects like
no-see-ums (black flies that bite) to easily enter the house. Also, I had the windows painted in brown to match outside of the house. They were delivered all scratched. The touch up paint they give you is so thick it makes a mess when you try to touch it up. By the way, it was not the installer who scratched the paint. I personally watched them remove the wrapping around the windows and the scratches were there. As for other issues with the windows, it is too early to tell. I will let you know after a winter has passed.
I had no condensation problems with the windows. All is good but the screens are still an issue (spring loaded) I had them replace the screens but there is still a problem with a gap. I had to use painters tape to seal the bottom of the window to keep the bugs out. Imagine paying $20K for windows and you have to tape the bottom because the screens don't fit properly!
Second time the Gentek Regency window cracked , the installer and the window guy from Lyon's where I purchased it , said , they do crack sometimes , but the odds of that happening twice was weird . Waiting to hear from Gentek , if warranty will be covered AGAIN !