Caradco Windows Presently manufactured and distributed through Jeldven Windows Caradco windows were the original windows in my custom built home (1992), which rotted out on or around 2004 . Portland, Oregon

Wondering if anyone has gone with the Jeld Wen replacement sashes for the Caradco window issues. Jeld Wen is offering me at a forty percent discount replacement sashes for the Caradco windows that are rotting. Is it throwing good money after bad to go with this choice. Should I choose another window to replace the rotting Caradco windows? What brand? Replacement window or new construction version?

Im in a similar position as yourself.  However you have some things wrong in your initial report.  First of all, the company that bought Caradco is JELD-WEN, not Jeld-Ven.  They bought them in 1997.  The leaf weatherstripping (V-shaped plastic weatherstrip) at the bottom of the sashes has nothing to do with the wood decay you experienced. 

The weak spot in the design was where the exterior cladding meets the glass at the bottom of the glass.  The leaf weatherstripping "falling" or "pulling" out when you operated your windows would have nothing to do with the decay.

Unfortunately the wood on these windows from the 1990's had a short warranty and it is long expired.  The EPA cracked down on all wood window companies at that time and most of the wood preservatives these companies were using to protect their windows were ruled to be hazardous.  To say that the new company (JELD-WEN) that bought Caradco and is now handling their product, isnt honoring the warranty is inaccurate if the warranty is expired.  When I asked our lawyer if there was any legal recourse we could take he just laughed and said, "Companies determine the length of warranty on their products, not the consumer". 

JELD-WEN did work with us on getting replacement sashes at a discount to try and help us out with our window situation.  They were nice, and easy to deal with.  They seem to be doing this for any homeowners from the '90's with wood decay trouble.  This is not something they are required to do at all, but something to try and assist people with on a product they didnt make.  Seems somewhat fair to me all things considered.

I also am a victim of this company and its products.  My home is similar to the one listed in the original complaint...however located in the south.  We have now discovered wood rot on virtually ALL of our windows.   This came to light when water damage began to occur when water came "pouring through" the rotted wood.  We have contacted the builder who supplied me with the invoices on the windows.....CORADCO.  He has said that they were installed properly and suggested I GOOGLE Coradco windows to see similar complaints.  We are potentially looking at $100,000 on repairs to the home and replacement of all the windows.  I have set up an email account Coradco.Window.Complaints@gmail.com to receive info, pictures, and details of similar victims.  I am in the process of contemplating legal action against Coradco but will definitely not be replacing any of my current windows with any of their products, or any of their parent company's products. 

We too have some casement windows that are only opened once a year...same problem as described...wood rot and weather stripping falling off making them difficult, if not impossible to close.  Wood rot as well on stationary windows that do not open at all.  Window seal break down on both fixed and double-hung windows...resulting in loss of gas and permanently fogged windows with trapped in moisture.   Contact the email address Coradco.Window.Complaints@gmail.com if you have previously pursued legal action or are contemplating such.   Products with these defects are criminal! H E L P! HELP!!

PHOTOS TO BE ADDED LATER

It appears that not until 2004 did Caradco (now Jeld-Wen) develop some firm process to keep most of their original pine wood windows from rot or rotting... Aurolast was  developed... It also appears that alot of Caradco owners, prior to 2004, have alot of window rot or window rotting? I wonder how many of the pre-2004 owners have been satisfied and helped by Jeld-Wen because of the rot or rotting of their windows?

The Caradco/Jeld-Wen Wood Pine Windows, that were NOT given the AURALAST TREATMENT and only dipped and sawed to size, are the ones that "ROT" all because of the weather/water enviroment... The AURALAST TREATMENT, I am told, began in 1994 and the Company gave a 20 year Warranty on the Windows...