Kolbe Windows and Doors
Headquartered in Wausau, Wisconsin, Kolbe Windows and Doors is available throughout the United States, Canada and more. Nearly endless customization options, positive customer reviews and few complaints make this window company an excellent choice.
Our rating: 3.2 out of 5
Best for: Customer satisfaction
Average cost: $350 - $1,800
Kolbe Windows and Doors at a glance
Kolbe Windows and Doors’ four product collections are available exclusively through official Kolbe dealers, helping to ensure customers receive a personalized experience when engaging with the company and its products. Though it didn’t make our list of top window installation and replacement companies, it is an excellent choice for customer satisfaction.
Fast facts
- Kolbe Windows and Doors started in 1946 as a window repair operation that became a millworking company in Wisconsin. It manufactures its windows in Wisconsin and Arizona.
- The company maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB)* and, at the time of writing, has just four complaints recorded in the past three years.
- Kolbe Window and Doors offers four product lines: VistaLuxe, Ultra, Heritage and Forgent series.
What we like
Kolbe Windows and Doors prides itself on offering style and design options customizable by choice of color, finishes, wood species, hardware, lite configuration, trim work, screens, automation, glass details and specialty specs.
We appreciate that, though Kolbe Windows and Doors is a supply company, it provides contact forms and phone numbers for its dealers across the country directly on its site. Customers looking to avoid the run-around can begin the window-buying process by plugging in their ZIP code on Kolbe’s website for a list of local retailers and contact information.
Additionally, while some window companies had between 10 and 40 complaints in the last three years — with one outlier having over 500 — Kolbe Windows had just four in the same time frame.
What we don’t like
Ironically, Kolbe Windows and Doors’ website isn’t a good place for window shopping. Potential customers shopping only by price will find it challenging to understand their window project’s cost before having a representative provide an estimate.
*BBB scores are accurate as of October 2024.
Kolbe Windows pros and cons
Kolbe Windows and Doors is a member of the National Fenestration Rating Council. As a member, Kolbe helps the Council establish window and door performance ratings. The ratings allow all homeowners to make informed window purchasing decisions. We list its membership as a strong pro because it reflects the company’s commitment to the industry’s overall good.
As a downside, Kolbe’s warranties are more complicated than some competitors’. It lists seven warranties varying from five to 25 years and calling out different details based on window type, glass, finishing, materials and product series, which can be confusing for customers simply wanting a quick coverage answer.
Pros
- National Fenestration Rating Council member
- Highly customizable windows and doors available
- Reasonable pricing compared to other recognized brands
Cons
- Pricing information not available without contacting a dealer
- Potentially confusing warranty details
What products does Kolbe Windows offer?
Kolbe Windows and Doors offers four product lines with numerous window types available in each line. In addition to industry-standard sizes, shapes and types, customers have multiple customization options within each line.
- VistaLuxe Collection: This collection features two lines, the WD and AL options. Both feature aluminum exteriors, with the WD line offering wood interiors and the AL line providing aluminum interiors.
- Ultra Series: This series features aluminum exteriors and wooden interiors with over 20 standard finishes and custom options, including more finishes and hardware choices.
- Heritage Series: The Heritage Series is Kolbe’s all-wood window lineup designed with customizability in mind to match or complement any decor or home style.
- Forgent Series: This product line features Kolbe’s proprietary Glastra material, a multilayered technology designed to reduce heat absorption and resist fading. Wood or Glastra interiors are available.
Kolbe Windows services
|
|
Offered?
|
|---|---|
| Single-hung | ✘ |
| Double-hung | ✔ |
| Casement | ✔ |
| Awning | ✔ |
| Bay or bow | ✔ |
| Hopper | ✔ |
| Sliding, gliding or rolling | ✔ |
| Fixed or picture | ✔ |
| Folding | ✔ |
| Corner | ✔ |
| Garden | ✘ |
| Specialty shapes | ✔ |
| Double-pane window repair | ✔ (through third party) |
| Broken window repair | ✔ (through third party) |
| Window frame repair | ✔ (through third party) |
| Window mechanism repair | ✔ (through third party) |
| Window screen repair | ✔ (through third party) |
| Emergency/same-day repair | ✘ |
| Glass warranty | ✔ |
| Non-glass warranty | ✔ / material defects |
Kolbe Windows customization and add-ons
In addition to choosing between the company’s product lines, customers can also pick from special wood species, custom lite configurations, insulated glass options, numerous finish choices and trim variations to experience full customizability.
The company’s wooden interior window collections, including those in the VistaLuxe WD Line, Heritage Series and Forgent Series, are the most customizable due to the customer’s ability to choose from many standard or custom wood species and finishes. Prices vary for customizations, and obtaining an estimate from a dealer for pricing is necessary.
What does Kolbe Windows not offer?
My research revealed a puzzling exclusion in Kolbe’s glass warranty. While the glass warranty is otherwise straightforward, Kolbe doesn’t cover glass distortions and minor imperfections if there are no related issues. This means imperfections that don’t impact normal vision or glass performance aren’t covered. This exclusion seems strange to me because the company touts its quality and attention to detail.
How much does Kolbe Windows cost?
Pricing for a Kolbe window generally ranges from $350 to $1,800 per window, which is on the high end of the average price range for windows. Pricing depends heavily on the window type and other options the homeowner chooses.
Savings and discounts
Kolbe Windows and Doors products are available through individual dealerships. We were unable to identify any ongoing savings or discounts directly through Kolbe. However, authorized dealers may offer various discounts and incentives on Kolbe products.
Kolbe Windows customer service and experience
The company responded to my online inquiry within minutes by email with directions and contact information for my local Kolbe dealer. However, the local dealer took over 24 hours to respond to the follow-up inquiry. While every local dealer will be different, for those looking for a rapid response, consider calling your local dealer instead of waiting for a return email.
Here’s what some other customers have to say about these windows:
Kolbe Windows’s installation process
Kolbe Windows and Doors products are only available through authorized dealers. A window installation or replacement project through Kolbe can begin on the company’s website by submitting a contact form or calling a local dealer.
Kolbe Windows vs. competitors
Kolbe Windows and Doors is comparable in price to Marvin Windows, but compares best to the more-expensive Andersen Windows, based on product quality, customization options and selection.
Both companies offer multiple product lines with varying features and are widely available nationwide. However, while Kolbe products are generally available only through dealers, shoppers can often find Andersen products for sale at local retailers. Andersen Windows also offers a separate line of replacement windows through its Renewal by Andersen subsidiary.
Competitor comparison
|
|
Our score (out of 5 stars)
|
|---|---|
| Kolbe Windows and Doors | 3.2 |
| Andersen Windows | 4.5 |
| Champion Windows | 4.3 |
| Universal Windows | 4.1 |
| Window Nation | 4.1 |
| Castle Windows | 4.0 |
| Window World, Inc | 4.0 |
| Harvey Windows | 3.9 |
| Marvin Windows | 3.9 |
|
|
Best for
|
|---|---|
| Kolbe Windows and Doors | Customization |
| Andersen Windows | Certified Installers |
| Champion Windows | Window variety |
| Universal Windows | Window and exterior home replacement |
| Window Nation | Customer support |
| Castle Windows | Window service repairs |
| Window World, Inc | Replacement options |
| Harvey Windows | East Coast homes |
| Marvin Windows | Color options |
|
|
Made in the USA?
|
|---|---|
| Kolbe Windows and Doors | Yes |
| Andersen Windows | Yes |
| Champion Windows | Yes |
| Universal Windows | Yes |
| Window Nation | No |
| Castle Windows | Yes |
| Window World, Inc | Yes |
| Harvey Windows | Yes |
| Marvin Windows | Yes |
Methodology
To determine how Kolbe Windows and Doors compares to its competition, our research team compiled the results from its detailed analyses of 22 individual window company competitors.
The team then scored each company based on those results. Through the research stages, we gathered information based on multiple points within six primary categories. Categories include the window types available and the materials used, which accounted for 57% of each company’s score.
Other categories were quality assurance, which made up 18% of the score; customer support, which made up 12%; and company reputation and reviews, which made up 11%. We withheld a couple of percentage points until scoring was complete to reward companies that stood out by providing something special, such as exceptionally high energy efficiency.
We used that data, scoring and secret shopping research to generate this review.