Transferable Window Warranties: A Hidden Selling Point for Your Home

When you sell a home with new windows, the windows themselves are the obvious selling point. But there is a secondary asset that many sellers overlook: the warranty. A transferable window warranty gives the buyer confidence that they are protected if anything goes wrong, and that confidence translates directly into willingness to pay your asking price.

This guide covers which major brands offer transferable warranties, how the transfer process works, and how to position warranty coverage as a competitive advantage when listing your Utah home. For the full financial picture on window upgrades before selling, see our window replacement ROI guide.

What Is a Transferable Window Warranty

A transferable window warranty is a manufacturer's guarantee that coverage can be passed from the original purchaser to a subsequent homeowner when the property is sold. Instead of the warranty ending when you sell, the new owner inherits some or all of the remaining coverage.

This matters because window warranties are long. Many manufacturers offer 20-year, 25-year, or even lifetime warranties on their products. If you installed windows three years ago and sell the home, the buyer could inherit 17+ years of remaining coverage. That is a substantial asset.

Not all transferable warranties carry the same terms for the second owner. Some manufacturers maintain the full original warranty. Others reduce the coverage period or limit what is covered. Understanding these differences helps you communicate the value accurately to buyers.

Why Buyers Care About Window Warranties

From a buyer's perspective, windows represent a significant potential expense. Replacing a single window costs $300-$650. A failed seal on a double-pane window costs $200-$400 to repair. Hardware failure on a casement window runs $150-$300 for parts and labor. If multiple windows develop problems, the costs multiply quickly.

A transferable warranty eliminates this risk. The buyer knows that if a seal fails, if hardware breaks, if the glass develops a defect, or if the frame warps, the manufacturer will repair or replace the window at no cost. That peace of mind has real value in a purchase decision.

Real estate agents report that warranty coverage on recent improvements is one of the most effective tools for overcoming buyer hesitation. When a buyer is choosing between two similar homes, the one with documented, transferable warranties on major components has a clear advantage.

Major Brands and Their Transfer Policies

Here is how the most common window brands handle warranty transfers. Policies can change, so always verify current terms directly with the manufacturer before making representations to buyers.

Andersen Windows

Andersen offers a limited warranty that is transferable to subsequent owners. The original owner typically receives a 20-year limited warranty on glass and a 10-year warranty on non-glass parts. When transferred, the coverage period resets based on the transfer date, and the remaining duration depends on the specific product line. Andersen requires notification of ownership change but does not charge a transfer fee.

Pella Windows

Pella's limited lifetime warranty transfers to the second homeowner with a reduced coverage period, typically limited to 10 years from the date of transfer. The transfer process requires the new owner to register the warranty within 90 days of purchase. Pella's warranty covers glass seal failure, hardware defects, and material defects under normal use.

Milgard Windows

Milgard is known for one of the strongest warranty programs in the industry. Their Full Lifetime Warranty covers the original owner for the life of their ownership, and it transfers to the second owner with a 10-year coverage period. Milgard covers parts and labor for manufacturing defects, which is more comprehensive than many competitors who cover parts only.

Marvin Windows

Marvin offers a limited warranty that varies by product line. Their Essential, Elevate, and Ultimate lines each have different warranty terms. Transfer is generally allowed with notification to Marvin, and the second owner receives coverage for a set period (typically 10 years) from the date of property transfer.

JELD-WEN

JELD-WEN's limited lifetime warranty is transferable with a reduced coverage period for the subsequent owner, generally 10 years. The transfer requires written notification and proof of the property sale.

Simonton, Ply Gem, and Other Value Brands

Mid-range and value-oriented brands also typically offer transferable warranties, though the original coverage period may be shorter (20-25 years rather than lifetime) and the transferred coverage may be limited to 5-10 years. Check the specific product warranty document that came with your windows.

How to Transfer a Window Warranty

The transfer process is straightforward but requires documentation. Here is the general process:

Step 1: Gather your records. You need the original purchase receipt or invoice, the warranty certificate or registration confirmation, the installation date, and the product model information. If you registered the warranty at the time of installation, the manufacturer already has most of this on file.

Step 2: Contact the manufacturer. Most manufacturers have a warranty transfer form on their website or accept a written request. Provide the property address, sale date, and the new owner's contact information.

Step 3: Submit before or at closing. Some manufacturers require the transfer request within 30-90 days of the property sale. Do not wait. Ideally, initiate the transfer as part of your closing process.

Step 4: Provide documentation to the buyer. Give the new owner copies of the original warranty, the transfer confirmation, the installer's contact information, and any maintenance records. A simple folder with these documents is a thoughtful and valuable closing gift.

If you have lost your warranty documents, contact the manufacturer with your name and property address. Most maintain digital records and can locate your warranty information.

Using Warranty Coverage as a Selling Point

To maximize the value of a transferable warranty in your sale, be proactive rather than passive.

Include it in the listing. Your listing description should mention the warranty specifically. Effective language: "New [Brand] windows installed [year] with transferable manufacturer warranty." This signals quality, recency, and protection.

Prepare a warranty packet. Create a folder or envelope containing the warranty document, transfer instructions, the installer's name and contact, product specifications, and NFRC energy ratings. Having this ready at showings demonstrates organization and care.

Mention it during negotiations. If a buyer's inspection identifies any concern about the windows (even minor cosmetic issues), you can point to the warranty as protection. This defuses potential price reduction requests.

Highlight it in the seller's disclosure. In the improvement section of your seller's disclosure, list the window replacement with the date, brand, and note that the warranty is transferable. This becomes part of the permanent transaction record.

Your real estate agent can amplify this advantage in their marketing materials and during showings. An experienced agent knows how to frame transferable warranties as a tangible benefit that justifies your asking price.

What Warranties Typically Cover

Understanding what the warranty covers helps you communicate its value accurately.

Almost always covered:

• Insulated glass seal failure (the fogging between panes that indicates a broken seal)
• Manufacturing defects in frames, sashes, and hardware
• Defects in finishes (vinyl color fade, factory-applied paint peeling)
• Structural integrity of the frame under normal conditions

Sometimes covered (varies by manufacturer):

• Installation labor for warranty repairs
• Glass breakage from thermal stress
• Hardware replacement parts
• Screen replacement

Typically not covered:

• Damage from improper installation (highlights the importance of a qualified installer)
• Damage from remodeling, accidents, or acts of nature
• Normal wear on weatherstripping and moving parts
• Cosmetic damage from cleaning with abrasive materials
• Condensation on the exterior surface of glass (this is normal and indicates the window is working correctly)

For the most comprehensive warranty protection, choose windows from a manufacturer that covers both parts and labor, like Milgard, rather than parts only. This distinction matters significantly when a warranty claim arises, because labor for a window repair can equal or exceed the cost of the replacement part.

Common Warranty Limitations

Be aware of these common limitations so you can set accurate expectations:

Prorated coverage. Some warranties are prorated after a certain period, meaning the manufacturer covers a decreasing percentage of the repair cost over time. A lifetime warranty that is prorated after year 10 is less valuable than one with full coverage for 20 years.

Original owner vs. transferred owner. As noted above, most manufacturers reduce the coverage period when the warranty transfers. A "lifetime" warranty for the original owner may become a 10-year warranty for the second owner.

Installation requirements. Warranties are typically void if the windows were not installed by a qualified professional or if installation did not meet the manufacturer's specifications. This is another reason to use a licensed, reputable installer and keep the installation records.

Maintenance requirements. Some warranties require that the homeowner perform reasonable maintenance (cleaning tracks, lubricating hardware, inspecting weatherstripping). Failing to maintain the windows could give the manufacturer grounds to deny a claim.

Protecting Your Warranty Before Selling

In the months before listing, take these steps to ensure the warranty is intact and transferable:

1. Verify the warranty is registered. Contact the manufacturer to confirm your warranty is active and registered to your property address.
2. Review the terms. Read the warranty document to understand what transfers and what does not, and any timeline requirements for the transfer process.
3. Perform recommended maintenance. Clean windows, lubricate hardware, and inspect weatherstripping. Document that you have done so. This supports any future warranty claims.
4. Organize documentation. Gather the warranty certificate, purchase receipt, installation invoice, contractor information, product specifications, and NFRC labels into one accessible location.
5. Photograph the windows. Take photos showing the current condition of each window. This creates a baseline record in case any damage occurs during the moving process.

These steps take an afternoon at most and add measurable value to your home sale. Combined with the other strategies in our pre-listing upgrade timeline and complete ROI analysis, a transferable warranty becomes part of a compelling package that justifies premium pricing for your Utah home.