2/3/07
First of all, this review is based on my own personal opinion and was not solicited by anyone. I received no compensation from Gilkey or any other entity.
For a couple of years now, I have known that our windows were seriously in need of an upgrade. We have been dealing with our standard aluminum framed, double pane windows since we purchased this house nearly six years ago. This has been an expense I have put off time and time again.
This year, it finally came to a head and we decided to bite the bullet and go ahead with it. Who to choose?
Last year, we invited a rep from Airtite Windows into our home, only to get hammered with high pressure sales tactics, that resulted in broken promises and no new windows. This year, at the recommendation of my parents I decided to give Gilkey Windows a shot. I went the the website and requested an appointment.
The next day, we were called and an appointment was set up for today with Brian Schamel (Highly recommended for southwest Ohio 1-800-878-7771). He is the same guy that sold windows to my parents, as well as my Aunt and Uncle. Brian came as scheduled and showed us about Gilkey’s windows, and was very friendly and professional. He was not overbearing and seemed to truly have our needs in mind. We were impressed enough that we decided to also have him quote us for a back patio door, as well as a new front entry door system.
After two hours, we had ironed out all details of our purchase. We settled on a total of 11 new windows, a sliding patio door, and a front entry system (A steel door with the side window, and all the fixin’s). Total purchase price – about $9200. This price is well below retail, and well below what any kind of discount a coupon could give. This was “cut to the chase” sales and I like it. We financed a portion of this easy enough and we were told that they would be coming back out to take precision measurements, and that our new home upgrades will be ready for installation in 4-6 weeks. The front door may take a little bit longer because the factory is not local.
2/17/07
We were called this week to schedule the guy to come out and take accurate measurements of our existing windows and doors. The appointment was scheduled for the following day, but we had a major snow storm come through. Nobody showed up to take measurements nor were we called. However, we did get a call the following day and rescheduled the visit for Monday, February 19th.
5/14/07
With every major purchase in my life, there is always at least one thing that keeps everything from going perfectly. In this case, it has been the long delay in actually having the windows and doors installed. 6-8 weeks has turned into a matter of months, not weeks. Fortunately, the windows will be installed this Thursday (May 18th).
We are very excited, the house needs a face lift badly. I am dreading the fact that I will be taking down all of our blinds and curtains, including the mounting hardware. All this only to re-install everything later in the week.
Here are some images of our existing windows. I took the pictures this winter. Click on images to make them larger.
5/21/07
The day the windows were installed, I didn’t have to leave for work until 2pm. I normally sleep in a little bit on days I go in late. Today, my wife woke me up at 7:30am “The window people are here!”. They were right on time. I threw some clothes on and met the window installers.
The first crew to arrive were there to install my Gilkey front entry system. There were two of them. The other guys that showed shortly thereafter were to install the windows, and the patio sliding glass door.
Both crews were very friendly, and professional. My three year old son made a friend of one of them, and followed him around from room to room with his plastic tools asking him lots of questions.
By the time I left for work, all windows were installed and trim finished. The front door was also hung and very nice looking. Several days later, the only imperfection I can tell is where my son stuck his fingers in some caulk after the installers left.
I am confident that we made a good decision by choosing Gilkey. Only time will tell if the product is what they claim, but so far I am impressed.
2/18/2009
Two years has gone by since we made our purchase, and I am still very happy with my windows and doors. However I thought I’d post about my recent experience with Gilkey Service Department.
A few weeks ago, the locking mechanism on our new patio door broke. I called the service department, and made an appointment. When the service man came out, not only did he replace the lock on the patio door but he also made some adjustments on the front entry door. Very fast work, and professional. Thanks!
Here are more pictures of the installation:
If you are serious about making a Gilkey purchase, and call Brian, please let him know about this site!
8/24/09
A couple of weeks ago, our dog saw a bird, or a rabbit in the back yard and decided he couldn’t wait to be let out. He plowed right through the screen door and ripped the screen mesh out. I called Gilkey service, and they said to bring it in to the show room and they would replace it free of charge.
I took the screen to the showroom, dropped it off (took about three minutes) and a couple days later they called and it was ready.
After a few years since my Gilkey purchase, I am still pleased.
This article posted 05 13 07
Jason | 08-Aug-07 at 9:54 pm | Permalink
Still happy with the windows? We are looking into Gilkey. They were about $3000 more than other installations, but seem to have a superior product. I think that I am going to call back and ask for your salesman. Honestly, one of the things holding us back on ordering the windows is the saleman. All he talked about is how poor the other brands are.
Please email me and let me know how your Gilkey windows are doing.
Thanks,
Jason
Brad | 09-Aug-07 at 10:44 am | Permalink
Jason, email sent. I hope this blogs helps with your decision!
Brad | 12-Sep-07 at 4:15 pm | Permalink
[quote comment="16213"]Still happy with the windows? We are looking into Gilkey. They were about $3000 more than other installations, but seem to have a superior product. I think that I am going to call back and ask for your salesman. Honestly, one of the things holding us back on ordering the windows is the saleman. All he talked about is how poor the other brands are.
Please email me and let me know how your Gilkey windows are doing.
Thanks,
Jason[/quote]
Thanks Jason,
I received a $50 referral check in the mail today!
Richard Burns | 07-Mar-08 at 6:40 pm | Permalink
I am in the same situation as you. We have double hung wooden windows in our 20 year old house. Some of the sashes have rotted and one of the windows has a BB hole in the outer glass. I am just beginning to shop around and found your blog. Are you still happy with your Gilkey windows? Price? Service etc.
Brad | 07-Mar-08 at 6:55 pm | Permalink
Richard,
It’s been nearly a year now since we met with Brian and made the decision to go with Gilkey. This winter we found ourselves spending a lot more time in rooms that we avoided last winter due to the cold.
As far as price and service, looking back I am still very satisfied with our purchase. I was afraid I would have buyers remourse, but I am still seeing a dramatic improvement in our home and never regretted our purchase.
If you live in the the area, I would strongly suggest calling Brian, and don’t forget to tell him I sent you!
Fred | 06-Oct-08 at 6:22 am | Permalink
I have looked at a lot of windows these past few weeks for the replacement of our old vinyl windows.
Was very impressed with Gilkey. But I think you got hosed on the doors. Gilkey dosen’t make doors and you can bet that the marked up is high with doors comparable to what you can get elsewhere (Home Depot, Lowes).
BTW…I will be getting Gilkey windows. They are truly a superior in design and window construction.
Dennis dadej | 12-Nov-08 at 6:50 am | Permalink
This will be our second winter with New Gilkey Dbl Hung, Casement windows and Patio Door. After many visits from their “Professional Installers” we still get condensation on all windows? The Patio Sliding Glass Door leaks cold air when we get any wind over about 3 miles an hour. I will grant you that they do send out their “Top Notch Prodessionals” but we still have the same issues so what good is this doing. I made a big mistake when I paid them cash.I am calling them again today so they can send some more people over. Do not really expect any positive results though.
Thomas | 13-Nov-08 at 3:11 pm | Permalink
We got our new Gilkey windows beginning of the year (we did just the south side with 12 windows and two sliding patio doors) and had no problems whatsoever. No condensation, no wind blowing through it, energy costs are lower and we have not regretted buying our new windows from them. Brian was the gentleman that showed up at our place as well and he is a great person – seems to be very honest, convinced about the quality of the product, and – something we really appreciated – did not constantly try to trash his competitors. IN 2009 we will do the north side of the house and I do not see any reason to pick a different company for that.
Kirk | 15-Dec-08 at 3:32 pm | Permalink
We had our Gilkey windows installed over a year ago, all sliders including patio door. Many, many leak issues, not properly insulated, windows were never sealed from the factory causing air and water to come in. They have come out on numerous times to attempt to resolve, still having problems. It’s no fun when you have to block the drafts coming through your new windows. Just last night we had a windy, rainy night and both the air and rain were blowing into our house as if the windows were opened. We have put another call through to see if there is something that they can do, other than what has already been done. I see Dennis is having problems similar to ours. Does anyone know if the Government has efficiency requirements that must be met? Please Help
Michelle | 16-Jun-09 at 10:17 am | Permalink
My husband and I are going through the process of selecting replacement windows. And it is really tough trying to find different reviews on Gilkey, Champion and Air-Tite. Gilkey was actually the lowest bidder… we have 18 windows and a patio door that needs replaced. So we are talking a big chunk of change. And quite frankly I don’t have time or patients to deal with companies that don’t resolve problems 100% the first time! All the warrenties are similar and transferable (we are only planning on being in this house for about 2-5 years). Does anyone have any other reviews? Please help.
Brad | 23-Jun-09 at 7:25 am | Permalink
Michelle,
Before deciding on Gilkey we had some guy from Air-tite come out. About a year prior, there was a door to door person trying to drum up appointments and we figured it wouldn’t hurt to get an estimate.
I couldn’t remember what the estimate was, but they never would give it to us in writing. He said he had to mail it. After a couple of months, towards the end of the month, someone from Ait-Tite called asking why we never bought. We told her about not getting the written estimate in the mail and she said she would take care of it. She never did.
Follow up and customer care weigh heavy with me and Air-Tite just didn’t make the cut.
FC | 02-Jul-09 at 9:38 am | Permalink
I had Gilkey windows installed in May/June 2005. While the windows are fine, the crews are not. They stole my grandmother’s diamond ring and an envelope with $1,000 that was hidden in a dresser. My mother had hidden them there without my knowledge so that I would find them after she passed. I did not even know about it until some time later and when I went to look, the items were gone. I live alone, never have people over to my house, and the installers were the only people who were ever in that room unattended. If you use them, follow them from room to room and watch their every more so you don’t get robbed as well!
Kamila Terpstra | 24-Jul-09 at 8:32 am | Permalink
I had gilkey windows installed and although the windows are ok I’m sorely disappionted with the companys follow up and follow through after the contract is signed. I’m a strong believer in customer service which they did a very poor job of providing. And if this is the quality of service they provide to their paying customers, I worry about the follow through on their warranty. I had the bad experiance with the Gilkey in the Chicagoland area. Good luck.
FC | 29-Jul-09 at 4:18 pm | Permalink
My experience in my post above (dated July 2, 2009) regarding the installers stealing my grandmother’s diamond ring and an envelope with $1,000 that was hidden in a dresser is referring to the Cincinnati area branch. Didn’t realize they were located anywhere but Cincinnati.
John Stuckey | 12-Oct-09 at 9:30 pm | Permalink
The Gilkey folks are very smooth. We have a door that was installed out of plumb (falls open when you open it), 9 windows that the crew refused to insulate around and the wrong color aluminum trim on one window (I even offered to let them use some spare trim that is the correct color). By the time we got the windows installed I just wanted Gilkey out of my house – I resigned myself to getting someone else to fix their mistakes. I would pick Larry, Daryl and Daryl over Gilkey.
Janusz czech | 01-Mar-10 at 6:06 am | Permalink
We purchased home with Gilkey windows. 4 years ago we called them to replace their few deffective glass panels. It took them about week to do so. I was so happy and I sent them 2 new clients.
But, this year I found more Gilkeys glass panels with defective seels so I called them again. Technician came and took all measurements. After he left I still wait for Gilkey Company to call me with an update about replacement. But they are silent. So I have Gilkey windows with defect, looks like they don’t want replace them and now, my gas bill this year is higher.
Would I recommend Gilkey Company? I still wait with final answer to this question.
Janusz czech | 01-Mar-10 at 2:13 pm | Permalink
Update to my recent feedback:
They said (I called them) that glass panels are on order and it will take additional week or so before they arrive here to replace it. Important: you need to request them for follow up.
So, at this moment I’m just wait.