Appears to be finish failure. Have you contacted Andersen and on what section of the window is that? Not uncommon for dirt of other human issues to create a finish weakness at a given point of for there to be a batch of bad bonding in some spots. Definitely a warrantable claim.

Yes, I have been in contact with Andersen over the past 2 years with this issue.

This is actually an example from a set of 3 windows that were replaced in March of 2019. The original windows were installed as new construction around April of 2017; they began to show the same cracks in April of 2018 (about a year after installation during the framing of the home). This is on the right-side exterior of the frame; there are other areas on the exterior frame of this window and on one of the other units replaced last March.

We were planning to replace more of the windows that are displaying the cracks (up to 20...), but that is now on hold until I hear back from Andersen since the ”new” windows did the same thing as the originals. Hope to hear something regarding our next step sometime early next week.

Thanks for your reply.

Isn't the color part of the fibrex itself as opposed to a "finish"? Looks like a fibrex failure.

Yes, it’s a Fibrex failure.

Andersen has offered to send me 23 more windows, and about 1/3 of what it will cost to replace all of them...This is a two year old house.

Are you saying that they are only charging you 33% of the cost of new windows?... Or that they are sending you all new windows for free, but only providing the reimbursement for labor up at a rate of about 33% of what it will cost you to do so?

If the former, I'm not sure that I'd take that deal given that these are clearly product failures and should be fully warrantied. If the latter, that is certainly better news for you, and in fact, despite the inconvenience, I'd say kudos to Andersen for offering anything toward install. While a case could certainly be made that their defective windows made that cost necessary, very few manufacturers offer any coverage at all on the labor side of things. Many installation companies will offer that. In this case, it sounds like a builder? You could try that company as far as covering the labor and/or subsidizing. May or may not have luck, but worth a shot.

In this case, it’s the latter. My contractor replaced the first three, and Andersen reimbursed me for the $3000.00 costs associated with the replacement and repairs to the stucco, etc- but the frames of those windows also began to crack.

The amount Andersen is currently offering to offset the costs less than 33%,

So you had a second set and that set is now cracking as well?

(Hit post too soon...)it’s actually closer to 25% of previous costs, using the original builder.

I do realize that very few manufacturers offer any warranty for labor and installation, and I would argue that the failure of the material necessitates the replacement.

At this point, I don’t see the wisdom of going out of pocket for 75% of the labor costs to replace 23 windows with the same Fibrex material that has failed twice in the first three windows. The product doesn’t seem to be durable in the extremes of Arizona, considering the original windows had the issue, and so did the first 3 replacements.

To say we have just been “unlucky” and got two sets of windows that just happened to have the same “extremely rare” problem (as I have been told), strains credulity. If I sign a release for all the windows in the house, but can only replace a small portion, seems like a lose, lose...

spardi  -  How did this work out for you? Did you end up replacing with new Andersen? And if so, are you having g problems with the replacements? And if not, what did you replace them with?

Also for everyone else, how common is this fibrex failure? Is this a hot climate related problem?

To answer Home Sealed, yes, both the originals and the replacement widow frames cracked.

Seems to be an issue with UV exposure, based on the locations of the windows and the areas most affected on each unit.

It may be relatively rare to hear of issues, but my neighbors are also experiencing exterior frame cracks. Perhaps their higher-end widows (these are 100 series) don’t have the problem.

I suppose as the biggest window company in the US, they can build a factory where ever they want, it doesn’t mean there isn’t a problem with one of their products. I won’t be buying any more.

Pella made windows that essentially rotted from the inside out due to the cladding design for years and years, so I'm not sure if the size of the factory has much to do with product quality or issues.

I've personally replaced failed fibrex windows (higher end Renewal) that had warranty coverage denied. Condensation was cited as the cause, that was a cold climate problem.

Hi Spardi,

I’m curious what kind of resolution you (and perhaps your neighbors) have received from Andersen regarding your window issues. I have a new build home (2020) in southern Arizona and within about 10 months have the same cracking as you. As you mention, windows with a lot of sun exposure have the most cracks and windows with no exposure don’t have any. Clearly it’s UV/heat exposure issue. Andersen is trying to claim my windows were exposed to some kind of mysterious chemical that is causing the cracking….a laughable position. It seems that the dark Fibrex material is not suitable for Arizona sun. I’m not really sure what to do about this as I don’t want them replaced with Fibrex again as the same cracking is bound to occur (as it did with your replacements).

Happy to hear advice from any pros as well. Thanks!

(Pictures posted are just a few examples)