Stanek windows was a small local manufacturer in the Cleveland area until they were purchased by Great Day Improvements the owners of the Patio Enclosures brand. Now they are sold throughout the country by Patio Enclosures stores and under the Great Day Improvements brand name. If all of these brand names sound a little confusing it’s because they are. There is a lot of marketing in the replacement window business. We’re going to skip all of that to focus on our reviews of Stanek windows.
We’ve known Stanek windows for a long time. When they were an independent company they had a reputation for high prices, high pressure sales and quality products. Now that they are part of the larger company the sales tactics and the prices seem to have stayed the same.
What’s good about Stanek windows?
Stanek windows use the upgrade block and tackle balances which is a nice feature and it demonstrates their desire to produce a quality product.
A major drawback of the Stanek windows are their thickness. The have very thick frames which lead to a significant amount of light being blocked out of the home. This is an older design and it’s not found in most newer models.
One thing that really bugs us about window marketing is the silly claims that some companies make. Stanek windows says on their website that no other windows can match the performance of their ULTRAXTREME windows (see pic above). There are clearly 3 things wrong with this statement:
- Lots of windows match their performance
- It’s rude to talk in all caps like that even when you’re trying to be XTREME.
- Using an X for extreme hasn’t been cool since the late ’90’s
We’ll have our detailed Stanek windows reviews online soon including pictures and product details. If you’re considering Stanek windows you should read through our other replacement window reviews along with our detailed info on replacement window sales tactics.
What’s the bottom line?
I would probably avoid Stanek windows. Not because the windows are horrible, but there’s just no good reason to work with them. In my opinion you’ll find a better solution from a larger manufacturer.
What if I have more questions about Stanek windows?
We can help! Find our Stanek windows FAQ page here. If you don’t see the answer to your question post a comment and we’ll answer your question for everyone to see.
Looking for any additional information on Stanek windows that you’re not finding here? Post a comment and let us know. We’ll be glad to help out!
What should you do if you think I’m wrong about something?
Post a comment below and let us know. It’s always our goal to post accurate info along with our opinions and I’m interested in your opinion as well.
How can you find a great window company?
When shopping for windows I do always suggest finding a great installation company before you fall in love with any particular window model. There are plenty of great window options out there but not as many local companies that are great to work with.
To know which companies to avoid you can find common window sales tactics here. That’s become one of the most popular sections on the site.
Remember, for more great window company info you can find our suggestions for the best local companies in 2023 right here. Whether you’re in North Texas or around the country we can probably help with a recommendation.
There’s no need to work with a company that gives you the run-around or makes the process difficult. There are plenty of fish in the sea as they say. The best way to get started is to check out our list of great window companies here.
One thing that is not mentioned but pretty relevant, is that Great Day is not honoring any of Stanek’s warranties. Anyone that bought Stanek windows prior to 2013 has no warranty.
To Previous Customers of Stanek Vinyl Windows, Corp.:
Stanek Vinyl Windows, Corp. ceased operations in December 2012. Great Day Improvements is neither related to nor the successor of Stanek Vinyl Windows, Corp. and has no obligations under any warranties that Stanek Vinyl Windows, Corp. may have offered customers who purchased from it.
However, Great Day Improvements has recognized the challenges the loss of warranty benefits has caused customers who purchased Stanek® brand windows from Stanek Vinyl Windows Corp.
As a gesture of good will, beginning September 16, 2015, Great Day Improvements is offering a new limited lifetime manufacturer’s warranty to previous customers of Stanek Vinyl Windows Corp. who 1) bought Stanek® brand products that were manufactured, sold and installed in the original customer’s residence by Stanek Vinyl Windows, Corp; and 2) whose residence is located within Great Day Improvements, LLC’s current serviceable geographic markets.
What this means to you is that parts for your Stanek® brand windows that are defective will now be covered under the new manufacturer’s warranty. Great Day Improvements current labor warranty is two (2) years so there will be a service charge to replace defective parts, but the parts themselves, in most cases, will be covered – which is the majority of the cost.
If you have a warranty issue, please call our service department in either Cleveland, OH at (216) 341-7700 or in Milwaukee, WI at (262) 798-0500 to learn more.
Thank you,
Great Day Improvements, LLC
This is a great move in terms of taking care of customers and protecting the image of the brand. I think Great Day Improvements made a great decision here.
You must work there because for us in any state other than Ohio like Florida we are on our own! So my suggestion is to shop around there are many great window companies out there! This is not one to do business with! They are legally right morally wrong! Buyer be ware!
Total BULLSHIT! Stanek Windows internet search is affiliated with you. The widows you sell are still called Stanek! All I need is a couple adjustments on the locks and you want to charge me $75. Just WRONG!
Yes nor are they friendly buyers beware buy another product they are crooks and use the “we are not the same company ” excuse there are many other choices out there shop smart?
Right! This is total BULLSHIT!! They should honor prior purchases!
Jim is spot on. The original/old Stanek Windows based in Cuyahoga Hts., OH is no more, so if you are buying a house with Stanek windows installed prior to the Spring of 2013 you are on your own. The original defunct Stanek warranty was transferable to the home buyer for 10 years. Reference url: http://www.dwmmag.com/index.php/great-day-improvements-acquires-assets-of-stanek/
A $75 service charge to replace a window crank is ridiculous. I’m so disappointed.
Several complaints for this company.
Day of install: 1) Installer damaged my wood floor dropping the window corner into the wood 2) Three of the windows did not open all of the way; 3) Installer would have installed a door over a board that had a rotted joyce if my sister had not told them emphatically “no,” as they said that we could fix it later (seriously?!!). It took only 30 minutes to totally repair the floor problem as a contractor was on site with materials for the repair. 4) Window cranks were very tight and it was quite difficult to open the windows.
Weeks later for repair of the windows:
1) Took time off from work for repairmen to come fix the windows, two people came and did not even bring the right tools, had to schedule another appointment. 2) Sprayed silicone on the handles to loosen how tight they were, and within days, the paint was coming off. I had to text my sales person for new handles and after numerous texts to my sales person Jason, I received a few handles.
3) Over a year later, and multiple texts to my sales person Jason to get the rest of the handles to replace the damaged ones, I have not received any handles. Jason hasn’t responded to the last two texts. I would not recommend this company.
Hi Dori, sorry to hear about your trouble.
Hi Everyone,
Great Day Improvements is a bad company. All they care about is your
money once they get that then it is. They think and treat customers like garbage i.e.
we are disposable. They don’t care they rip off customers because there are plenty of us
out here in the country. I had Great Day Improvements replace 8 large windows and 4 doors
on my home. One of the doors was a little harder to shut then the others. The installer
said it was because the door and the installation is new but it will get easier to close
over time. Well, we waited and now it is still hard to shut or open. I contacted Great Day
Improvements again asking them to have a door technician come out and find out what is
wrong. The technician said he does not know why it is not functioning properly. He said it
could of been installed wrong. He also said contact Amy at Great Day improvements in a
couple days when he has a chance to get back to the company. I said fine. I waited two weeks
almost to make sure they had a chance to talk. I then proceeded to contact the company.
One of the managers wrote me an email trying to blame the problem on everything and the sun.
I wrote back telling him what the technician said. He then wrote me another email blaming
even more stuff. It was interesting that between those two email he blamed the whole house
taking a wide shot. In the second email he narrowed down his blame to the vicinity of the
door. The one thing he never said could be the cause of it which his technician mentioned
and that is it could of been installed wrong. So, between God and the the earth the problem
lies somewhere in between according to Great Day Improvements. The end result is I will
have to have someone take the door completely out i.e. reinstall the whole thing and yes it
will cost me more money even after paying this company over 20 thousand dollars for the
new windows and doors. The lessoned learned is stay far away from this company as possible.
It needs to be put out of business it is that simple. Thank you for your time.
Sorry to hear about your difficulties. Let us know if you find a solution.
We had windows installed in 2018. 3 months later we had an issue with a screen not being taut, they came out and fixed it. Now we have same issue with that same screen and the window will not pull down from the top. It took me 3 weeks to get a hold of someone. They told me $40.00 to rescreen and they will fix the window BUT, they want to charge me $125.00 for truck service call. You spend all that money and you think they would at least honor the warranty. I will make sure I tell everyone I know NOT to purchase anything from Stanek windows or Great Day Improvements
Me too
Stanek’s competitor must have paid you off. My experience with Stanek – 3 times – before and after the Great Day acquisition – have all been excellent – sales, install, and service. I am planning an addition to my house and will use Stanek again.
Hi Terri, I certainly don’t mean to imply that everyone has a bad experience. If that were the case the company would have gone out of business long ago. They’re not a company I would suggest to my friends, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to have a perfectly good experience. Glad to hear you’re enjoying your new windows.