The class action was for windows installed from 99-06.
Marvin has also settled a lawsuit for windows and doors back on 04.
Pella is a great company and I have been installing the proline series for nearly 6 years. I have never had a single complaint. The vast majority of window issues are a result of poor installation methods and installation materials.
I believe Marvins was a result of material.
Pella was a result of bad design.
The cladding overlapped at the bottom, as in they put the bottom piece of cladding on last instead of first. That directed water right into the bottom of the sash where it rotted out the wood.
Now the Pella sliding patio door I like.
I think it is one of the smoothest and easiest rolling doors.
Completely agree...the install makes the difference on these things...my parent's house was built in 2000, and they have no problems at all (Proline's)...they're good windows installed properly.
Lawsuit for a window 15 years old? Really? c'mon people, nothin' lasts forever, especially if you've not done proper maintenance. I educate customers on window installs...point out the weep holes (which get plugged up all the dang time)...if I were a window mfg and was getting sued, that'd be the first thing I'd ask for...proof you kept weep holes clean, and photos of the install procedure, it makes all the difference!
Have you seen the agreement from that Pella lawsuit? The will give a percentage off new windows at mfg suggest pricing, gee thats just swell. Lawyers got millions customers got screwed. At least Marvin replaced the sashes at pro rated amounts.
The Pella problem is definitely a design issue, I had a customer who had a dozen or more rotted sashes. Once you cranked open the windows they would drop and would never close again, everything rotted under the cladding
I think Marvin stepped up a little bit more to rectify the problem, I think Pella tried to hide the settlement notice.
At least Marvin replaced some windows for free, I had a customer get 3 casement sashes for free even though 2 were bad.
The lady with the Pella's had to pay the Pella tech to look at hers and initially said there was no problem, she was cranking it wrong.
I think Pella followed the same path as GAF did with the Timberline shingle problem.
Both Pella and GAF made it very difficult for consumers to find out about settlement, made it very difficult to file claim, and had many restrictions on claim.
GAF made consumers not only produce receipt for shingles, they had to have a wrapper they came in. A customer of mine who keeps everything had both after 8 years and they still tried to only pay $1000 on a huge roof, they finally got $7 or $8000 after 6 months of threats.
I also know one of the executives at the GAF headquarters here in NJ, who said "unethical maybe, illegal no, we have to protect our shareholders". Which is what most major companies might say I guess.
We were part if the certainteed lawsuit and never had produce anything other than an inspection report with pictures.
And I'm not calling you a liar but it's easy to say I know a guy.