Should I Consider AMSCO Replacement Windows for My San Diego Home?

AMSCO Windows is a manufacturer of new and replacement windows headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. The company has been in business for more than 60 years and prides itself on its “adoption of evolving manufacturing technologies.” They offer both vinyl and composite widows, with several product lines to satisfy both their budget-conscious and higher-end customers.

This makes AMSCO a company that is similar in size to one of our preferred replacement window manufacturers, Anlin Window Systems.

In general, AMSCO’s windows are offered at a competitive price point, but there are some things you should consider before purchasing AMSCO replacement windows for your San Diego home.

A Replacement Window Warranty That Leaves a Lot to Be Desired

AMSCO’s warranty is rather limited for a manufacturer of its size. The company offers a limited lifetime warranty, but this warranty does not include accidental breakage coverage, which we feel is a necessary component of any good replacement window warranty. All of the windows we sell at BM Windows come with accidental glass breakage coverage, and many of our customers have been very glad to have had this coverage over the years. AMSCO’s warranty also does not cover their window screens.

In addition, the window made by AMSCO are only covered for a lifetime if you continue to own and occupy the residence in which they were installed. So, you might want to think twice about installing AMSCO windows in an investment property, or in your own home if you have any plans to rent out in the future. AMSCO’s warranty is only good for five years from the original installation date of the windows once the home is no longer owner occupied.

However, the most concerning part about AMSCO’s warranty, in our opinion, is the fact that they will only cover the labor to repair a defective window for one year! After that, AMSCO will only supply a homeowner with replacement parts. They mainly rely on warranties by their San Diego replacement window dealers to take care of any labor needed to repair or replace their defective products. So, if you choose to go with AMSCO windows, make sure you go with a window dealer in San Diego that offers their own warranty, otherwise, you are on your own to make any needed repairs, or will have to pay out of your own pocket to have repairs done. The same goes if you purchase AMSCO windows from a dealer who then goes out of business—the cost of the repairs becomes your responsibility as the homeowner.

Are AMSCO Windows Good Quality?

Like just about any vinyl double pane window on the market, AMSCO replacement windows will offer San Diego homeowners better energy efficiency than older, single pane windows with aluminum frames. AMSCO Windows qualify for all of the major industry certifications related to thermal performance and structural integrity. Some of their product lines offer better energy efficiency than others, so make sure you check the ratings of any of the products you are considering and compare those numbers to other brands of replacement windows.

A common complaint with AMSCO windows from customers on review sites is that their windows tend to come off their tracks easily, making them difficult, if not impossible, to open and close. This can be extremely frustrating for homeowners, especially if one of the reasons your decided to replace your old windows was to have windows that were functional and easy to operate.

Window seal failure, which can lead to foggy windows, also seems to be a common problem with AMSCO windows. Recently, a Pacific Beach homeowner had this problem. She found condensation developing between the panes of her double paned AMSCO Windows. After multiple attempts to contact AMSCO without receiving a resolution, the homeowner was forced to contact NBC 7’s Consumer Bob for help in getting a response from the window manufacturer. Fortunately, the homeowner got her faulty window replaced, but she shouldn’t have had to resort to enlisting the help of a consumer watchdog to get the problem taken care of. We’re not saying this is typical of how AMSCO responds to warranty claims, we just found it interesting to see this story about a homeowner right here in San Diego dealing with AMSCO’s customer service at the same time we were writing this article.

So Which Replacement Window Brand Should I Choose for My San Diego Home?

With all of the replacement window brands on the market, San Diego homeowners can be picky. It’s possible to find quality, energy-efficient replacement windows that are still affordable, and that come with an outstanding warranty.

If you’re ready to start the process of replacing the windows in your San Diego home, contact us at BM Windows. We can come to your home for a free consultation and help you choose the best windows for your home.