Oikodomisis

Window Warranty: What It Really Covers and What the Fine Print Says

You sign the contract, pay the deposit, and the fabricator proudly tells you: "Don't worry, you have a 10-year warranty!" That sentence works like the ultimate tranquilliser.

Three years later, the handle jams or the sealant peels off and water seeps in. You call the fabricator and hear: "Oh, that's not covered by the warranty - it's normal wear and tear." The truth is that a window does not have one unified warranty but is split into separate parts, each with a different responsible party. Let us untangle the picture together.

1. The Extrusion Factory Warranty (Profile & Paint)

This is the famous 5- or 10-year warranty you hear about so often. The large factories (Europa, Alumil, Exalco) do not make windows - they produce and paint 6-metre aluminium bars. Your local fabricator buys those bars, cuts them, adds his own mechanisms, his own glass, and creates the finished product.

Extrusion factory warranty - aluminium profiles and electrostatic paint

🛡️ What It Covers

The factory warranty covers exclusively the structural integrity of the profile - that the metal will not warp and that the thermal break (polyamide) will not disintegrate. It also covers the electrostatic paint: that the colour will not peel, blister or suffer extreme discolouration beyond normal sun ageing during the first 5 or 10 years depending on the manufacturer. Major Greek industries (Alumil, Europa, Exalco) typically offer a 10-year paint warranty in accordance with the QUALICOAT standard, while certain certified series reach up to 25 years.

⚠️ What It Does NOT Cover

The factory has zero liability if your door leaks water, if the lock breaks, or if the shutters drag. This crucial distinction between extrusion factory and fabricator is the source of 90% of misunderstandings. Never confuse the aluminium brand (e.g. Europa) with the person who fabricated and installed your window - they are two entirely separate entities with distinct responsibilities.

2. The Fabricator / Installer Warranty (Mechanisms & Installation)

This is the warranty that affects your daily life. It is provided exclusively by the professional who cut, assembled and installed the window in your wall. The law mandates a minimum warranty of 2 years for moving parts, but some reputable fabricators offer 5 or even 10 years in writing - always ask for it in writing.

Fabricator warranty - mechanisms, hinges, installation sealing

🔩 Mechanisms

Rollers, hinges, espagnolettes (handles), locks - these are the moving parts that wear out first. The typical statutory warranty is 1 to 2 years, unless the fabricator provides more in writing. Brand-name mechanisms (Winkhaus, GU, Roto) last incomparably longer than "no name" parts, with a typical lifespan of over 50,000 open/close cycles.

🏗️ Sealing & Installation

That the window was levelled correctly, that the sealants will not let water in, and that the profile joints are watertight. Installation quality depends entirely on the fabricator - even the best profile can fail if installed incorrectly. Ask for MS Polymer instead of basic acrylic sealant for long-lasting waterproofing.

🪟 Glass (Separate Warranty)

Glass panes carry their own separate warranty from the glazing manufacturer, typically 5–10 years against internal fogging between the two panes (i.e. that the airtight seal keeping the Argon gas in will not fail). If you notice condensation or fogging between the panes, the problem lies with the glass - not the profile or the mechanism.

3. The Fine Print: When Your Warranty Is Voided

Warranty cancellation - banned chemicals, lack of maintenance, force majeure

Even if you are within the time limits, the fabricator or factory can legally refuse a free repair if they find a breach of proper-use conditions. The 4 most common reasons for warranty cancellation are detailed below.

🧪 Banned Chemicals

If the factory sends an inspector and finds traces of bleach, Viakal, hydrochloric acid or nitro solvent on the peeling paint, the paint warranty is voided on the spot. Electrostatic paint withstands rain, sun and sea salt, but not corrosive chemicals. Even "all-purpose" cleaners that promise to handle everything may contain aggressive ingredients that damage the finish.

🔧 Lack of Maintenance

If a mechanism (hinge, espagnolette) breaks because it ran "dry" and full of dust for 3 years without a single drop of lubricant (silicone spray), it is considered "improper use". An annual service (10 minutes of lubrication + adjustment) is enough to protect the mechanism and simultaneously keep the warranty alive. Some fabricators offer free service in the first year.

🌪️ Extreme Weather (Force Majeure)

No warranty covers damage from walnut-sized hail that shattered the shutters, or tornadoes that ripped out the sashes. If you live in a highly exposed location, discuss reinforced security mechanisms and Triplex (laminated safety) glass with your fabricator.

🔨 Third-Party Tampering

If you called a painter to repaint the wall and they removed the window and reinstalled it crooked, the original fabricator is legally relieved of all liability. Any third-party intervention on the window (electrician, plumber, painter) constitutes grounds for cancellation. If removal is necessary during other works, have the fabricator himself do it.

4. What to Demand Before Paying the Deposit

Words fly, written records stay. Do not settle for verbal assurances. Before signing anything, make sure the Private Agreement clearly states the following - their absence is a major red flag.

Written warranties in the private agreement - requirements checklist

📋 Warranty Checklist

First, how many years the paint warranty lasts. Second, how many years the proper-function warranty covers the mechanisms (rollers, hinges, handles, locks). Third, whether free service (technician visit) is provided during the first year if the door needs adjustment. Fourth, whether there is a separate glass warranty from the glazing manufacturer.

✅ The Mark of a Serious Professional

A clear, written warranty with detailed terms is the hallmark of a professional who respects his work and has no intention of "disappearing" after cashing the cheque. Conversely, a fabricator who refuses to put the warranty terms in writing, or says "you don't need all that", most likely does not trust his own work. If you hand over €5,000 – €10,000 without a written warranty, you risk being left unprotected when something goes wrong - and statistically, most problems appear after the first 12 months.

📞 After-Sales Service

Ask specifically what the response time is in case of a malfunction. Reputable fabricators guarantee a technician within 48–72 hours. Also ask whether there is a dedicated phone line for after-sales issues, so you do not wait in the queue alongside new appointments. The quality of after-sales support is arguably the most important reason to choose a certified professional.

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