My opinion is to avoid Semco windows (http://www.semcowindows.com/). I have Semco casement windows in 20 window openings with about 35 sashes. In less than 10 years eight of the sashes have bromcg seals (moisture and stains between the panes of glass). The real problem is that most of the windows leak. The windows are aluminum clad wood frame. On the outside, there is a caulking material between the glass and the aluminum frame. The caulk has failed so water gets in between the glass and the aluminum frame and comes into our home within the structure of the sash and runs down the wall (lots of water). We contacted Semco about this problem. They lost our original contact information. We jumped through their hoops and after four years the denied all responsibility. So, I figured I would pass this experience on to others to use as information when making their purchasing decision.

A couple of things: If you have moisture between the panes of glass, that is a seal failure and you should contact the warranty department as they very well may be under some type of warranty. Further, if water is coming between the glass and frame, you likely could get some help. If however, the water is coming from between the window and the frame, the problem is with the installation and you should contact the contractor. There is a simple way to test the window to find out whether it is the window or the installation that is leaking. With respect to glider windows, you need to check the test data to find out if that is the proper product to use for your application, whether it is a Semco window or a window by any other manufacturer.

The information from AlphaXray is incorrect. Semco casement windows do not have caulking between the sash and the glass. Rather, there is a tape with silicone and dap behind the tape. Semco warrants their glass for 20 years, with the second ten years pro-rated and the first 10 with glass replacement. In most cases , certainly not in all, where water intrusion is reported, it is coming from around and not through the window. If this is the case, the installation needs to be repaired, not the window. Very few manufacturers will just ignore a homeowner problem, but few are willing to fix problems that are not the product itself.

All window units need to be FLASHED properly. Caulking at installation without having FLASHED properly first, will always lead to failure, as caulk will ALWAYS fail eventually, and building "breathing and settling" make caulk an ineffective cheat for having not flashed the window opening properly BEFORE installing the window (or door for that matter), period! end of story.

rjmcken may be correct about how Semco windows are constructed today. Regardless of what you call the material (tape or caulk) that seals the window to the aluminum clad, it is disintegrating on our windows. When cleaning the glass outside using soap and water, when the cleaning rag wipes against the material it smears white over the entire window. It is very difficult to clean off. Please don’t confuse the two separate problems that we are having with the windows. The first is seal failure of the window in which we get moisture between the two panes of the glass. It is surprising that this started to occur in less than five years. The second problem is the water infiltration THROUGH the sash—not through the frame of the window and not around the sash. The problems has nothing to do with flashing and caulk around the window—that is not how the water is entering. I contacted Semco and provided them with photos of the water entering through the base of the sash. Over a five year period they kept dropping the ball dragging out the entire process. In the end, they refused to solve any of their problems.

I put Semco windows in my house 25 years ago. I had a five year warranty. The glass fogged up within the first 3 years. Semco said I got a batch of bad glass and extended my warranty to ten years and replaced all bad glass. I, however, had to install it myself. At nine years went though the house and replaced all bad glass, including the patio doors. Now, today, at 28 years, I have one window that needs replacement and about 25 panes of glass to be replaced at my expense. I have 35 windows andtwo sets of patio doors which I replaced last year. You can't contact Semco, only through dealer. I'm locked in now, but wouldn't put them in a new house again. The seal just isn't there. It's funny that the windows on the west side of the house have been just fine, but they are smaller in size.

THESE LOSERS DO NOT WARRANTY THERE PRODUCT. THE GUARANTEE IS WORTHLESS.

THE WARRANTY REP BALD FACE LIES RIGHT TO YOUR FACE WITHOUT CONSCIENCE. HE HASN'T THE TIME OF DAY FOR
ANYONE WITH A DEFECTIVE SEMCO PRODUCT.

MY WINDOWS LEAK THROGH THE SASHES AND STILES LIKE SIVS. I'VE CAULKED
VIRTUALLY EVERY SEEM AND THEY STILL LEAK. I'VE CHANGED A ROTTED SECTION THAT
WAS 4 YEARS OLD AND COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED FROM WATER INFILTRATION.

THESE ARE WITHOUT A DOUBT THE WORST WINDOW IN THE WORLD, THEY'RE POORLY UN-ENGINEERED JUNK, THE
COMPANY IS DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT IN ANY WAY. LIKE TOMMY BOY--NOTHING MORE THAN A GUARANTEED PIECE OF WASTE.

SUE SUE SUE AND SUE SOME MORE. THESE THIEVES NEED TO PAY AND PAY BIG, THEY HAVE
TAKEN THE PUBLIC TO THE CLEANERS AND LAUGHED ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK, NOW IT'S OUR TURN.

I hate SEMCO WITH A HOT HATE

SUE SUE AND SUE.

THEY NEED TO PAY.

I hate SEMCO WITH A HOT HATE

I have Semco Windows in my home in Northern California. The windows are properly installed and have performed beautifully in some extremely harsh rain storms. I couldn't be more pleased with the product! The poster of this message seems to have some anger issues.