Who is the manufacturer of the product? Your warranty on the product would be with them.

What he ^^^^^ said. The glass would be warrantied by the patio door supplier and the installation would be on you. No need to get the installer involved if you do not want to.

millworkman -I seem to recall that the installer offered life time support should anything go wrong with the windows. Part of that was obviously product support and coordinating delivery etc. But also the guarantee wasn't valid unless they installed it. I feel that the installation should be sorted by the contractor - is that usually not the case?

Also, another incident, the contractor refused to deliver us the correct window sash (for one of the 22 windows we ordered) which they incorrectly ordered and installed. We chased them but the response was that they no longer work with the manufacturer so we should just call them directly and get one from them. We PAID for the sash. They didn't deliver despite numerous reminders and requests. Where are we on that? Any advice? I feel let down because we thought very highly of the business owner.

Thats different then on the install, if it was in your agreement then yes he should install the sash. But that is definitely outside the norm. Now couple that with your second issue and he has already told you he is not going to install the new glass, not in so many words but still; he told you. As far as the sash you paid for, unfortunately you are at the mercy of the contractor. I doubt taking him to court would be any cheaper if you could even prove the case. Afraid you will need to speak to the manufacturer and see what you can do. If he no longer sells the product I doubt he will even be able to purchase the new sash. You need to decide how you want to proceed assuming all of this will not be on you as I doubt he will be any help at all going forward.

Maybe I'm naive. It seems to me that if you have a legally binding agreement with X contractor to install Y window at Z price, and he doesn't, he's in breach of contract. Maybe he has to go to another installer who still works with that supplier and pay retail price for the window. So he loses some of his profit. That's too bad, but he shouldn't be making that your problem. He's the one who decided to junk his relationship with the supplier, right?

If it's a contract, the law is on your side. Whether it's worth your time and money to chase after him with your attorney in tow, well, that's another matter.