Absolutely beautiful home! Are you happy with your Kolbe Ultras? We are looking at them for new construction. Their bid is higher than the others we are considering, but I was impressed with the product in the showroom. Our current house has Kolbes and we almost didn't consider them again because we had 3 windows rot out within the first 10 years. But as I've researched further, we have aluminum clad wood that is not extruded (probably their "Classic" line now). The salesperson at Kolbe told me that the Ultras are a new product since our home was built, and with the extruded aluminum should hold up better. Trying to decide if it's worth the premium. They look solidly made from what I observed of the samples.

That's good to know Grande, thanks. I've love to 'do it right' regardless of the cost but I can't afford to get it fixed for another year or two if I do that, and I'm risking further water damage as it is. Denver has been damned wet this spring. This window shouldn't even be my responsibility but I live in a lazy HOA of cheapskates who don't seem to have any respect for the property as a whole, so I'm doing what I can on my own, asap. I've had no luck getting the single Kolbe installer who works with homeowners over for a quote. Calling Kolbe themselves was an exercise in being told what I already know, unfortunately. This has been quite an interesting experience.

Kym, The "Sound Control Lami" is laminated glass, which is considered the best for sound proofing. But I did a quick search on google and came across this statement: " Soundproof glass won’t do you much good if your windows have gaps or cracks between the seals. An airtight install, complete with adequate weatherstripping, creates a barrier to keep out unwanted noise. Additionally, insulated vinyl frames, which are filled with foam, also block outside sound and help soundproof your window frames. Also look for windows that have a nonmetal window spacer system. What does that mean? The window space is the piece that keeps the two panes separated. In a nonmetal spacer system, this part is composed of silicone rubber covered with sealant. That means it has better insulating properties than its metal counterparts. Essentially, anything you can do to better seal and insulate your home also improves its sound performance. So as a bonus, when you soundproof your home, you’ll also get better overall energy efficiency for windows and lower utility bills as well. " So this could be the problem. The glass might be fine, but maybe the seals (or frame) leak more than your Andersens did, which is why you're noticing more noise. Kolbe should have a spec for air infiltration for the windows you ordered. Might be worth checking that out. Good luck with it all. https://thewindowdog.com/air-infiltration-air-leakage-rating-2/

Our experience with Kolbe and local Massachusetts distributer We had more than 25 Kolbe Vistaluxe windows and sliders and back doors installed this past summer. We have had severe problems from time of order going forward. First, the local representative sales rep at Horner in Massachusetts “pressed the wrong button”when ordering the 3 direct set window sets ( $30 K of direct set large window sets). He ordered them for commercial application and didnt admit that until 6 months later. Set project back by 12 weeks while Kolbe came up with a way to make a nailing flange after market to apply to allow installation. Those windows were ordered in January 2018. As we are about to reach a year since ordering these 2 of the 3 large window sets are LEAKING!!! Then my kitchen window which had a nailing flange originally is also leaking when it rains. we have a GC but just the set back in time cost us 100 K in extra man hours as the project manager was already off site by the time the window flange ”fix” was ready. I am still asking HORNER Millwork massachusetts to get Kolbe to send warranty information for their after market fix that were installed in The summer and paid for a year ago. The local distributer has done very little and expresses no sense of responsibility for ordering the windows wrong to begin with. My one interaction with Kolbe involved being told that the order was placed to have flange cut off by manufacturer ( although this order was placed by their chosen local distributer) This Was a beautiful project transforming a traditional cape on a small lake into a gorgeous modern home. The cost went way over in part because the nailing flange issue but also other windows leaking and the double pain low e glass windows are not anywhere near as sound proof as my 20 year old andersen windows which saleperson guaranteed they would be... even in my master bedroom where I paid for triple pane glass still noisy. at some point I will post photos of the rain coming in to my kitchen through brand new vistaluxe the photos I included show why we chose these windows as they fit perfectly with the house aesthetic. The back of the house is not finished in photo but you can see the large window sets on back and front. we spent 2 years planning this project, had a great architect, had a GC with experience with complicated renovations and my husband and I supervised onsite full time since the project manager had to leave when we lost 12 weeks because the window fiasco.