Kolbe windows is a last resort for those who cannot restore their original historic windows and also a good option for replacing a replacement window.
Compared to most window manufacturers, Kolbe Windows (and Marvin Windows), make good quality windows.
However, as good as Kolbe is, no way is this window comparable to an original window.
There are certain models of a wide product line that should only be considered for owners of old homes.
When I first encountered the Kolbe windows website, as with other manufacturers, I was a bit intimidated by all the options. After a few phone calls it made better sense. I narrowed down the options which should only be considered into a chart.
Kolbe Windows Sash Replacement
It is rare that an original window cannot be restored. When replacing a window the only sensible option is to replace the window sash ONLY. This is referred to as a “Traditional Replacement” according to Kolbe.
In this case you still keep your original historic window casing etc. except for the sash. The casing should never be replaced. The drawback replacing the window sash is that the replacement sash looks like a replacement sash. It’s not like a new sash was made to replace and duplicate the original design. It is a sash unit that is inserted into the original window casing. This results in a lip around the edges, creating a two piece look like the sash and window casing are separate units. When choosing between a Full Replacement and a Sash Replacement, the Sash Replacement is the only option.
Kolbe Windows, Sash & Casing
Never for an old house. For a full replacement window we will focus on the “Sterling” and “Traditional” window lines. Other window lines are excluded from my review because they are casement, over sized windows, or so bad they are not worth looking at.
The main issue with full replacement windows is the window casing and window sill. An important term you need to know is “Brick Mold”. If they say the window has a brick mold and you have a brick house, that’s good. If you don’t have a brick house that means you will get a narrow trim that should be around a window in a brick house only. It will be much too narrow on a wood house. Instead of a brick mold, you MUST have a Casing. That window casing must be 4.5 inches wide – not 3.5 like they will try to push off on you.
Do NOT forget the window sill. All windows must have a sill and today all window manufacturers try to leave them off. A sill is an important visual base for curb appeal of a window.
When choosing the best window, the part of the window that is sacrificed is the “Blind Stop”. To better understand this you need to understand my window diagram .
I recommend Heirloom Windows . You really should check them out. They not only make a new high performance window to historic proportions but they have some great information about where manufacturers go wrong and how they remedy the problem with their windows.
Best advice when window shopping is to take a photo of your existing window or my window diagram when you go to compare. Before selecting a window you MUST see an actual sample. Remember if you still had your original windows you wouldn’t have to go through this aggravation.
Here is my Kolbe Review Chart for Sash & Casing Combined.
Click to enlarge.
Hi Old House Guy!
You will be pleased to know that I am planning to restore the windows in my 80-year-old home. They are in really good shape, and just need reglazing, some minor repair to the muntons on a couple (due to the lock hitting the top one when opening the window and not moving the hinge back parallel to the window) and repainting.
What are your thoughts about basement windows? Our basement is mostly submerged, maybe the top 2 feet are above ground. These windows get exposed to a lot of moisture because they are so close to the ground. One is severely damaged and rotted and appears to be beyond repair. Are replacement windows the better option in this case?
Replacement windows don’t have a long lifespan. If the basement window is not in view weigh out the cost. I’ve experienced situations where the restoration was cheaper than a replacement.
Google Kolbe window sill rot and then think long and hard about installing Kolbe windows in any home. kolbe does not stand behind their products and continued to manufacture windows that they knew were defective for many years. I have a house that has over 75 Kolbe windows and cannot even get the distributor- Grand Openings in Austin, to repair rotted sills.
I also have 46 Kolbe and Kolbe windows in an addition that had sill rot within 5 years,the rep. said they do not cover that.I have a 92 year old house and the windows in the old part are in good shape. We painted the Kolbe and Kolbe with Ben Moore paint several times within the first 5 years and still they rotted. It is quite frustrating that these windows are in such bad shape. I would never recommend these windows as they are inferior quality and the company does not help when the windows fail. Our rep admitted that he “over sold those windows back in the day”yet they do not provide customer support.Also 2 windows have imploded and they are not helping with this situation. Definitely buy another brand wish I knew this before spending an incredible amount of money on shoddy windows.
I have a small house in Silver City NM with 17 windows. I replaced the pulley and weight windows about 10 years ago with Kolbe replacement clad sashes. So far they have performed extremely well. From the inside you can see the plastic track, but if you have drapes or curtains you don’t see it. Most of my windows are less than 24″ wide opening, so many inserts with frames would make the windows too narrow for emergency egress.
We were talked into purchasing Kolbe and Kolbe windows 20 years ago to match the windows on the old part of the house. ALL of the Kolbe and Kolbe windows have rotted even tho’ we painted them yearly.We complained to the company 4 years after they were installed and the company would not do anything about them. The windows on the old part of the house (90 years old) are fine. I WOULD WARN ANYONE WHO IS CONSIDERING BUYING KOLBE AND KOLBE WOOD WINDOWS TO CONSIDER OTHER WINDOWS!!!! We are getting bids to replace all the Kolbe and Kolbe and it will be close to $40,000.There have been several class action suits against them but no judgement.
I am thinking My house is a little more palatial than yours because I had $120,000 in Kolbe windows installed.Mine were installed by a five star contractor with excellent references.
I am loving my windows and doors after 20 plus years.Sounds like you cut corners on the install.
~1884 house in New Orleans…long-leaf pine construction, cypress windows/siding/half-cove shingles. A former owner [architect] renovated in 2000, opening the attic and adding central dormers. The design, execution, and materials selection were well done…except for using Kolbe windows in the new and rear original gables. The installations were trapezoids that had rectangular side lites, triangular lites above the crank-out windows, and a large fixed lite in the stair well. The house inspection entailed in purchase of the the house in 2011 did not identify rot in the Kolbe casings and window rails and stiles. We eventually found the problems and contacted the local Kolbe supplier. He visited, then returned with a regional Kolbe person. Bottom line was that the products were ~2 years beyond warranty, and that the windows “…should have been painted every few years.”
We designed appropriate French casement windows, had ’em made from Spanish cedar, had the Kolbe stuff removed, framed the openings using salvaged heart pine, made sill and sheathing from salvaged old-growth cypress, and had the new windows installed. Also installed were about a thousand old-growth cypress half-cove shingles I made to match the originals. We now should be good for another hundred years or so.
There is no substitute for craft and appropriate materials. As to any current mass-manufactured windows, caveat emptor.
John,
Can you please tell me what Kolbe line you installed? Were the windows clad or wood? My 20 year old original Kolbe windows and french doors are pretty much shot and I’m looking at around the same replacement cost as you ($100,000). May I also asked who did your installation and if Kolbe referred the contractor to you. Thanks so much for your information as this is a major project for me to undertake at this time.
I just spent $5000.00 on windows and the screens don’t fit !!!!!!! Really !! Called the place I bought them from and they said there 2 months out !!! Are you serious??? If that’s there quality control I would recommend another brand !!
Has anyone used Heritage? Thanks –