Kolbe Windows and Doors Reviews

I am a retired architect with over 45 years experience. Purchased Kolbe doors on my personal residence. All have leaked during rain storms. After careful review I discovered the door design was flawed, allowing rain water to flow down the door face into a channel that overcame the drainage in the door threshold allowing water to flow into the interior. The ground floor doors leaked destroying the wood floors and the upstairs door caused mold and rot in the walls below. When I contacted Kolbe the said the warranty was expired and would not honor any compensation.

We installed quite a few Kolbe windows in our new home. We move in last December. The initial set of screens didn't fit. They sent out a team to remeasure and sent another crop of screens... Most of them didn't fit either. Now the salesman won't return our contractor's calls. The windows have a design with a lip at the top and bottom to hold the screens. With no lip on the side, the screens have to fit to prevent bugs coming in. We have too many bugs. The windows are beautiful, perfect for a modern home but the screens have been just awful.

I have Kolbe Windows throughout my house. One window was opened and the hardware came out of the bottom of the sash. I found it was totally rotten. I checked the rest of my windows and found four sashes totally rotten in the bottom. This included a stationary window. One sash was rotten across the bottom and six inches up the side. Kolbe offered less than a 20 percent discount on their ridiculously expensive replacement sashes. I would not chose these if I were installing new windows.

I spent a fortune on aluminum clad, wood casement windows when I built my house. I have 33 windows. They leak inside from condensation frost on the outside. They are drafty and the screens are so flimsy they fall apart when cleaning. I would not use this product again!

We had a custom home built in 1999 and used all Kolbe and Kolbe windows. The home is large and because we like light and the view we installed a total of 29 on the upper level and 17 on the lower walkout level. About one third crank out the remainder are fixed. In 20 years we have replaced only one fixed pane because it developed a gas leak. We live in Iowa hence we have brutal winters. All seal well against drafts. The secret is good initial installation to prevent air and water leaks. YES, happy after 20 years!

New home built in 1994, I purchased brand new Kolbe and Kolbe single sash casement windows for new construction. These are aluminum clad wood, double glass glazings with a metal bead separating the two glazings. I precisely installed these windows myself so I know it's not an installation issue. Every window operated perfectly when I first installed them. About 1 year in, many started to become difficult to close. This is when I first noticed the amount of water being held inside the sash. I thought I had a high humidity level so I started running ventilation. It hasn't helped. I live in PA and as soon as the weather starts turning cold, I get an amazing amount of "dew" developing on the bottom inch or two of glazing and if I open the window, it contains about two shot glasses of water all along the inside of the frame and sash. The moisture is condensing on the cold surfaces. I don't know where the cold is getting thru.

Almost all of my windows blow cold air in. I have to put towels and tape to minimize the cold air. None of them align correctly to lock properly but one will not lock at all, resulting in noticeable wind blowing in my bedroom. These windows leak like sieves and are worst than 1940s casement windows I once had.

Windows are horrible, wind blows right through, actually had a thermometer in the window inside and it read 32 degrees when the inside temperature was 72. Just had a double pane window break randomly on the inside and Horner Millwork says Kolbe will replace the window but we have to pay $150 for installation.

I wish I would have looked at reviews of Kolbe products before I signed the purchase order. I will not be buying more of these and If they could be taken out I would do it. They smell horrible and I have to run an air filter on high to sleep in the room. I’m really concerned now that others have had such terrible and costly issues with these doors and windows. Shipping damage and sending the wrong screen size is certainly an inconvenience as now the new panel coming to replace the damaged one will be day one smell again. I won’t comment on the extra cost of my contractor getting them in. It was $$$. The lock set already seems like it will be an issue and the screen lock was not drilled. The sash holds water when wet which requires wiping it down to get rid of the water. This is probably why people are getting mold, sweat and leaking. Has anyone else had an issue with the toxic smell?

I have three Kolbe double hung windows that are impossibly difficult to open and close. I have been calling these folks for four months. No reply. I bought these with the understanding that they had a long term warranty. Just words. Now I am going to have to pay someone to fix these.

I built a home in 2010 and my builder only uses Kolbe and Kolbe Windows. We really like the look of them because they are decorative and they let a lot of light inside our home. They are very easy to clean as the windows tilt in and the screens pop out very easy. The only reason I did not give it a 5 star is because the side tracks are hard to clean.

Built my home in 1999. Replaced close to 20% of windows while still under 10 year warranty. Next 8 years have been spent replacing more including some that were replaced under warranty! Frames and wood rotted and seals between two glass leak causing discoloration. Hardware also poor and does not function as it should.

Absolutely awful. We built a custom, architecturally designed house in 2008; it is a big house with many windows. We've had at least 8 windows explode, one just this morning. The wood sashes wouldn't hold paint and from what the factory "repairman" has told us, Kolbe has been aware of these problems. We're going to have to have our attorney handle it from here.

I purchased my aluminum clad wood Kolbe windows about 14 years ago as a Kolbe & Kolbe product dealer. I have been a professional glazier and cabinet maker for over 40 years and as such I made sure the window installation was perfect on my home. The windows are double hung and have always operated hard. My wife has broken her fingernails numerous times operating these windows. A few weeks ago a tree service contractor sent a rock through one of the windows and since the sash cannot be reglazed I contacted Kolbe for a replacement.

I have been in carpentry for over a decade and have installed hundreds, if not thousands of windows and doors from various manufacturers. Never before have I experienced such difficulty all across the board when it comes to the installation and operation of a window. First, the positive. They look nice. Now the negative. For starters, their windows have incredibly tight margins, which is great if you are working in a perfect environment. Out in the real world, however, it's a different story. Everything has to be dialed in to exact perfection with zero room for error. The slightest deviation from this will throw the operation of the window, making them difficult if not impossible to operate.

I purchased every window and four sets of French doors for my custom built home thinking Kolbe was a good company. The purchase was made through Portage Lumber and any and all complaints had to go through them. The purchase was made approximately 2003 or 4. I have since replaced the lock sets 4 times in my French doors due to the faulty system. The company sent out representatives and I was given extra lock sets but the design of these doors is horrible. Whenever we have company I have to review and notify all parties not to open up this door and only this one. Meaning if one of my visitors opens up the right door and has not opened the left door they snap all the locks and at the cost of about three hundred dollars per set you can understand why we are upset. We have resorted to using plastic wire ties to securing the locks of the doors not to be opened.

We installed Kolbe Windows on an extensive remodel and addition. They are the double hung, aluminum clad type with wood on the inside. Also a large sliding door, the window package was $ 18,400.00. The windows sweat and leak, we have mold growth all over our windows. You can see where the moisture is coming in, it has created an unhealthy environment in our bedrooms. Even with documentation, pictures, and info from our builder (long time reputable builder) they deny any issue. Kolbe is at its best in running away from problems, they take no responsibility at all, and do not stand behind their product. There has been many lawsuits. Stay away from this brand, and their poor customer service.

I purchased a Kolbe window as part of a kitchen remodel. The window was to be installed in front of the sink, so my wife would have to lean over the counter to open it. Well, guess what, this window is a double hung, turned sideways, and is not designed to bear the weight of the sash, so my wife can not open. Kolbe sent out a rep but all they do is lubricate the rail which really does not help. The Kolbe rep said he would get the company to mill me a handle to provide a better grip. They sent me a metal handle that looked awful and did not fit. They give lip service to fixing it but the only solution is to buy a Pella -- completely different design that works. I wish I knew that ahead of time.

I installed K&K windows throughout my house in 2001. In 2011 I noticed that the lower rail of a large casement window was rotted essentially to compost. I was able to FINALLY get the company to replace the sash but only after months of back and forth with visits from the retailer, photographs, denials, accusations of poor installation (absolutely not true). Now (2015) I notice at least 4 more sashes experiencing beginning or advanced rot. As another reviewer asked, "Is 12-14 years a reasonable life for such an expensive product?" I am not looking forward to reopening the battle with this company and am unsure how to proceed. It would be great if K&K could at least step up and admit a design flaw. For now, buyer beware!

I'm a professional journeyman painter with 27 years experience. I've been working on a custom home recently and was asked why the builder to come and stain the windows prior to the scratch coat for stucco being installed. I/we went out to the house on a 34 degree Celsius day to prep and stain the windows. At the end of 6 aggravating hours, I was ready to blow up the windows for the condition of the wood. After all the hard work there was silicone from ** to breakfast. Now I have the homeowner second guessing my abilities to competently finish the job.

I did an entire house of new windows. Spent approx $100k. One window will never open and they will not fix it. One slider is missing locking mechanism and they have promised for two months to fix and have not. They won't even return calls of my builder. I called corporate in Wisconsin. They did nothing to help.

I purchased Kolbe windows and doors and had them installed in a new home in 2000. Problems with doors and windows were handled by reps who came to the home within the first 3-4 years. A lady named Robin ** was very helpful. Recently I began painting the sashes and replacing the weatherstripping on the casement windows. I then noticed some rotting wood on at least 8 of the sashes. It was the bottom piece near the hardware in all cases. The sides and top of the windows were fine. The frames which had unpainted wood were fine and showed no signs of rot. The contractor who came out to fix the problem said the sills were too flat and did not slant out in order to let any moisture drain out. Basically, a design flaw. The moisture in many cases was trapped and allowed moisture and mold to destroy the bottom wood. Attempts to e-mail and phone the district rep have been unsuccessful. The dealer does not provide much help. I think I'll pay him a personal visit soon. I will continue to call the main office until I get someone who cares. I am extremely dissatisfied with the product and service. I can't believe $40,000 worth of windows will only last 10-12 years.

I purchased a custom Kolbe window through an authorized local dealer. It cost $2,000 and came with a lifetime warranty. It is a dual crank out style window where INSIDE wood edge is cut in a circular arc to give the illusion the window is round. I was told they were a top rate company, and I wanted the best product available. Within the first year the wood had large cracks on the seams where they glued the wood together. The Company did replace that side. The replacement side cracked in exactly the same manner. That time they sent a guy out to fill the cracks and repaint with their special paint.

I bought a condo in 2005 and the builder used Kolbe windows and sliding glass doors. Of the 5 sashes, 3 have been replaced. The installer kept saying the sashes, if properly maintained, should last 10-15 years. What? Windows should only last 10-15 years? The home my parents bought in 1951 and sold in the early 80's -The windows were never replaced because they were in excellent shape. Had windows when they sold the home. When the wind blows, I have to close my sash because the sash moves back and forth, back and forth on the wood frame, about 1/2". Eventually the movement will bend the metal components or snap away from the wood. I never heard of Kolbe windows. I think they make low-end products and have no engineers on their staff. The installer was friendly. Hopefully I will be able to sell my unit in a few years and rent.

We moved into a new house in 2007 that had Kolbe windows. I have had problems for some time with windows that at points were hard to crank and would cause a loud banging sound. I would look for interference around the window and saw none. I would spray oil on hinges and where the worm engages the circular gear, but it did not help. A short while ago, when I went to close a window, it would not close properly. The upper portion of the window was at an angle to the lower portion and could not be latched. I called the company and was referred to Pat **. He was a very nice guy and said it sounded like a broken Euro hinge. He asked me to take pictures and email them to him.

I have tried and tried to make a purchase of a commercial door for my office for over 10 months of a new product.... no follow through, no quote, no anything. If people do not want to sell products then do not offer them. If you are not interested in working or generating income then do not offer to sell me something. In a world where all we hear is how we need American jobs, maybe we should try to do the job you offer.

Kolbe windows and doors were installed in new home in 2000. Door frames required adjusting shortly thereafter. Local dealer handled under warranty. A few years later, the bottom frame of a fixed window showed rot. Local dealer replaced under warranty. Recently, the inner pane of a window (protected by shutters) shattered. In course of reviewing for repair, local dealer found rot in the frame, and then found rot in several more after I insisted on whole house inspection. He removed seal strips from bottom of all our window frames which he said were trapping water. Despite several entreaties, including argument that rot obviously had been occurring for years, and was likely the result of poor design, Kolbe absolutely refused to provide any coverage for the damage. I am now wondering whether I have to budget several thousand dollars every year to replace rotten windows. IMO, Kolbe business practices are disgraceful. Modern (quality) windows should last for many years beyond their shameful 10-year warranty. There is evidence in my experience that Kolbe has no respect for its products or its customers. Stay away from them!

We had the 20 year warrantied epoxy finish that did not last 10 years. The screen doors on three sliding glass doors did not work correctly from day one. One sliding glass door warped so badly the screen doors will not open. Another sliding glass door will not open. We had two pane failures on 4x6 windows and the replacement glass also had moisture inside it. The 4x6 window frame rotted out and has to be replaced. The 8 feet tall double doors warped (cost $4000). The door hardware tarnishes terribly. 4 windows leak horribly. 3 windows are almost impossible to close. These windows were a HUGE mistake to buy. We installed Pella windows in our previous house and were going to do that again until our incompetent contractor talked us into the Kolbe and Kolbe crap. I cannot believe that this company is still in business. Their product is truly a BAD product.

We installed Kolbe & Kolbe windows when we built our retirement home a few years ago. A hailstorm damaged the window sashes, and they had to be replaced. We worked with the distributor's sales and technical personnel when ordering the new sashes. When the sashes arrived, one glass was scratched, there were small dents in two of the aluminum frames, many of the holes were drilled incorrectly, and some had the wrong swing. The distributor's installers did an excellent job of installing the new sashes. Some of the old sashes were rotted on the bottom due in part to the flat metal seal that trapped water for the wood to absorb. The crank mechanism in the original frames were not installed correctly at the factory so the metal interior metal cover on the cranks did not seal correctly. We thoroughly stained and sealed all the wood on the replacement sashes hoping to prolong their life. We do not intend to open the sashes except to dry them after rains. Kolbe & Kolbe needs a better design and improvement in the quality control category. The windows are overpriced.

Bought a new house and they put the Kolbe slide window in. They looked nice until winter came and sand blows right through them. Haven't got a yard in yet. Also the cold air comes in like there was no window at all. Our furnace runs all night with these windows. I put take on all the cracks I could and towels in every window to cut down on the cold air coming in. My towels froze. It's that cold coming in from the windows. Don't let a builder but these windows in your house.