Our roof contractor subbed out windows to Kolbe and I wish I had researched and seen their bad reviews. Within a year we have multiple cracked windows and one where apparently an impact you can't even see on the outside popped a large chip off the inside of the window. They refuse to cover that under their warranty. The hardware is really cheap feeling and falls apart when using it. I regret even getting new windows, I wish I could have my $60,000 and old windows back. read more

Their casement windows prematurely rot. Some of mine have rotted in well under 10 years. Others continue to rot almost every year. I have replaced over twelve of them. They are very expensive and the only way to get them to match is to buy Kolbe replacements sashes. You would think that Kolbe would, at the minimum, offer a discount for these faulty sashes. The opposite is true. This year more are decaying. The price of one radius replacement sash 30" x 60" was quoted at $2,400 dollars, not including labor to install it! What disturbs me the most is that they are overcharging for the repalcement of their faulty and poorly constructed casement window. I called them last month. They promised that the regional person would get back to me. That has not happened, even after two more calls. Very disappointing, that a company would behave this way. And they promote these windows as qualit windows. Wow. read more

Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork - Look at the rot at the bottom cord of the sash. This has happened to many of my casement windows. Replacement cost over $2,400! - Windows Installation Near Me - Wausau, Wisconsin

All 98 windows and several doors replaced after 20 year. Mitculous painting and caulking did nothing to slow the rot issue. Several friend built around the same time same issue. Company and distributors could care less. Called after 5 years and got every song and dance why it was my fault the windows where failing. PLEASE DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT BUYING KOLBE WINDOWS MY PELLA REPLACEMENTS HAVE BEEN FABULOUS. THEY SHOULD BE OUT OF BUSINESS. HOPEFULLY PEOPLE WILL READ ONLINE REVIEWS BEFORE BUYING..... read more

Super helpful customer service! I contacted them with a request for a specific custom window I needed for a bathroom remodel. Carrie was incredibly helpful and informative. Even though they weren't able to provide windows in my very short timeframe, I'll definitely reach back out for future window projects. read more

I strongly encourage you NOT to purchase products from this company. We chose a Kolbe aluminum clad, wood casement window to replace some hail damaged Pella's. Since day 1 we've had moisture and even ice buildup on the interior even with the humidity in the house registering 25-35%. I contacted Kolbe they sent a rep to examine the installation and our home. They found nothing inappropriate. A year went by, again the same problems, I contacted them again. They refused to assist despite one of their core values listed on the website of being customer centric. I offered to purchase replacement windows if they installed them. They said NO. I contacted the better business bureau Kolbe still refused to assist. The kicker for me is the remaining Pella's in the house are rock-solid with NO moisture problems, only the Kolbe's. After spending nearly 2 years attempting to work with Kolbe and their staff I warn you NOT to purchase products from this company at all costs. I'll be going back to Pella. read more

We recently bought a home that has 12 Kolbe double-hung windows. We had some questions about their operation and parts so we reached out to the Kolbe Concierge, Val Cihaski. We were delighted that our initial request for assistance received a response within hours. We had some follow-up questions and needed a copy of the previous builder's order, as well as a pdf showing us the "guts" of the windows. On every occasion we received the information we needed within an hour! I'm not sure if we've ever had such excellent service from a company in 40 years of being home owners. If you want to deal with a company that puts the customer first, I'd suggest you contact Kolbe Windows in Wausau WI; they know how to do business! read more

We built our home 26 years ago using Kolbe & Kolbe windows. The contractor did a good job of installing them and we have had no problems. They look good. Recently I contacted Val Cihaski, the Kolbe Concierge, because several of the little metal clips that hold the ornamental grills in place had broken. Two days later I received a bag of clips in the mail free of charge. It's a little thing but I feel it speaks volumes about the way they do business. read more

DEFECTIVE WINDOWS, and a horrible sleazy company to deal with, do not buy these windows. We have a very large home with about 38 of the aluminum clad, wood casement crank-out windows. and a lot of them are now over 10 years old and the wood is rotting at the bottom, inside the window. I have been told the seal on the window is the problem. Moisture gets in the window and the wood rots. Kolbe & Kolbe has been just horrible in dealing with the problem. They adamantly deny any problems with the windows. They try to claim that they were installed improperly. In response, just do some web searches on this company and determine for yourself what a reputation they have. read more

I really like buying local and purchase kolbe windows for my house . I'm sorry to say the quality is not the best . I've had to replace several of them due to the seals in the glass failing and the windows fog up in the inside . Now the wood is also rotten . The service team is great and very helpful . Not sure I could build a new house and use kolbe windows again . Also don't know if any other company would be better ? read more

Worst windows we've ever had. Flimsy, frail, fall apart, don't close tightly. One of our French casements is stuck open, and won't move at all. Kolbe won't fix it, nobody else knows how to. We're stuck with a house full of these windows. You shouldn't be. Kolbe French Casement windows are just junk. Don't even think of buying them. read more

We installed aluminum clad casement windows on our home and couldn't be more pleased. They are 12 years old and we have had no issues. Sturdy and well built. We are installing 3 more in an addition and expect they will be as good as the first. read more

So we discovered several leaks in our fancy new Kolbe windows. The leaks were on the second story, and the water damaged the drywall and paint on the first floor. It was a nightmare trying to get Kolbe to fix the leak. Of course their first reaction was to blame the installation waterproofing, so they wanted me to pay thousands of dollars for professional leak testing before they would repair the windows. After spending hours and hours on the phone begging and pleading for them to repair the windows, they finally sent a couple technicians weeks after I had reported the leaks. The technicians spent a day caulking the leaking windows, and afterwards the leaks completely disappeared. Kolbe then refused to pay for the drywall and paint repairs, since I hadn't opted to pay thousands of dollars for a professional water leak test. 3-stars for the windows (I still like the windows, but c'mon - can't anyone make a window that doesn't leak?), 1 star for customer service. read more

Please take my advice (and the advice of other homeowners online), do not install Kolbe windows and doors in your home. We have a custom built 5600+ sq. ft. home with 26 very large $$$$$ custom-sized wood casement windows. These expensive windows should last 20-25 years or more. Well, after just 12 years there were multiple windows with mold, rot, broken mechanisms, and we actually had a window nearly fall out (we were able to secure it). The service to get a replacement grill is ridiculous, I waited nearly 4 months before finally getting one on order (none of the Kolbe reps seem to know what to do or do anything in a timely manner). After attempting to contact the company with no response (and I received an "out of office" message from one of executive level members) from multiple people at the executive level, we have decided to join the others who have brought lawsuits against this company for designing these windows to fail. Take a few minutes and google Kolbe window lawsuits, there are a lot of dissatisfied customers. There are customers in the lawsuit with windows as recent as 2014. I did finally have a sales representative that I ordered my replacement part ( a new wood grill) look at our window-- he reached out to his service department and for $75 they will come look at my windows. Seriously?! My windows are full of rot, the mechanisms don't work, and they want to charge me to end up doing nothing. The customer service at Kolbe is atrocious. We also had a Kolbe door and replaced that as well, it was a piece of junk for $$$$. PLEASE go elsewhere when looking for windows or at the very least, do a TON of research. This company should be ashamed of themselves. We are having new custom windows made for this home and when we upgrade and build our next custom home, Kolbe will not be in installed. read more