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Kolbe and Kolbe Impact Glass windows

17 years ago

We are considering using Kolbe and Kolbe impact glass windows, we have bid out our windows in both the impact and non-impact glass and feel it it worth it to use impact. I have read some reviews on Kolbe and Kolbe (some good, one not so good) but I haven't heard anything about their impact glass. I am not very familiar with this brand and their impact glass, any information would be very helpful. FYI- we are building in Destin, Fl (the florida panhandle) on the bay, so impact glass is very important to us in light of all the recent hurricanes.

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Comments (5)

oberon476
17 years ago
I very much agree with your decision to go with impact windows in your new home. There are a good many positive benefits when using impact windows.

While I generally avoid commenting on specific window companies, I will say that windows that are advertised as "impact resistant" must pass the same testing regardless of who the manufacturer is.

Of course passing the initial testing doesn't necessarily mean that a company continues with the same level of quality...but I personally would be comfortable with a company like Kolbe staying true to the design and engineering requirments that got them certified in the first place.
kritlyn
17 years ago
I'd love to hear about the Kolbe & Kolbe impact glass windows as well. We at first thought Marvin might be better but have since learned about Kolbe and want to learn more about their impact glass windows. Anyone with first hand experience with Kolbe impact glass windows?
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kimberlysaint
Original Author
17 years ago
Kritlyn- In our research about Kolbe and Kolbe we ended up finding out more about Hurd impact windows, which are Miami Dade rated. (only some of Kolbe and Kolbe's impact glass is Miami Dade rated) We like what we have found out about Hurd. We are waiting for our bid using the Hurd windows. We already have our bid using the Kolbe and Kolbe impact so I will post how they compare price wise. If you are interested I can fill you in on why we are leaning towards Hurd now.
kritlyn
17 years ago
kimberlysaint - yes please do fill me in on why your interest in Hurd vs. Kolbe. I do not want to buy a window based on which is marketed the most, etc. I would rather buy an excellent hurricane window w/ good looks and that fits in our budget. We are sticking w/ only standard size windows to try and decrease cost. Thanks for any info. you have found so far and I will check out Hurd web site.
kimberlysaint
Original Author
17 years ago
Kritlyn-We got our Hurd bid back yesterday and if we use Hurd versus Kolbe and Kolbe we will save about 20%. We have a lot of windows and doors so this adds up. But then I started looking up more about Hurd and some people have apparently had problems with them. There was even a class action law suit about some gas trapped in the windows. However, all this information was years ago and it wasn't talking about the impact rated windows. (Plus, Hurd has since been bought out and is under new managment..good or bad I don't know) I have also read one site where people didn't like Kolbe and Kolbe. But I know that in the San Destin area a lot of people use both Kolbe and Kolbe and Hurd for their impact windows. We don't know what we are going to do yet. Apparently our contractor has never heard of Hurd. They didn't say we couldn't use them but they did emphasize how comfortable they are with Kolbe and Kolbe. Then again, we do stand to save a lot of money and the Hurd windows have been repeatedly tested and are Miami Dade rated. This is hard isn't it?! I am putting a link because I found it difficult to find any impact information on Hurd's site. Apparently, their impact product is fairly new but there have been a few hurricanes where the windows got tested in the real world. If you find out something let me know too. Thanks. I wonder if I should start a new posting with Hurd in the title to attract those with any information about Hurd Impact. Maybe I will do that so look there too and hopefully we will learn something. Thanks.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hurd Feel Safe

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