Sales-speak decoder Sold under many names

Labor (workmanship) warranty

The installer's guarantee on the install itself — leaks, drafts, misalignment from bad sealing — as opposed to the maker's guarantee on the product.

What it means for you

The one that actually covers most real-world window problems, since install faults cause more grief than product defects. It's often short (a year to a few years) and worthless if the installer goes out of business — so a long product warranty next to a thin labor warranty is only half a promise.

Where you'll see it

A separate line from the manufacturer warranty; ask for it in writing.

Don't be fooled

“Lifetime warranty” usually means the product, not the labor — a bad install can void the product warranty, and the labor coverage may be brief.

Also sold as: installation warranty

Related terms

Defined by Marc Hanley

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