Kawneer submittal issues

Log Out | Topics | Search Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Author Message Phil Kabza Senior Member Username: phil_kabza Post Number: 681 Registered: 12-2002 Posted on Friday, February 19, 2021 - 04:06 pm:    We just reviewed a Kawneer curtainwall submittal for an architect client that provided test data over 20 years old, and warranty periods at one half of what was specified - which were normal warrant periods for our projects. Also a letter stating that Kawneer does not approve their installers. Is anyone else seeing this type of lowering of the bar? Phil Kabza FCSI CCS AIA SpecGuy Specifications Consultants www.SpecGuy.com phil@specguy.com Stephen Wilson Senior Member Username: swilson Post Number: 7 Registered: 02-2019 Posted on Friday, February 19, 2021 - 04:28 pm:    What warranty period was one half of what was specified? Finishes? What geographic region? I know the "default" for PVDF is 10 years for a lot of manufacturers but you can get 20 years if you ask for it. Just guessing but I think they use the lower default as a catch all to include costal regions. I'm not sure if having old test data is necessarily a problem if the product design itself is old and the design or testing standard hasn't been modified. Another question is whether or not it's the subcontractor sending you old / out of date information. I've had issues where I get a scanned fax of a submittal form that a contractor has sent out for 20 years, while I can find a shiny form with a current date on the manufacturer's website. It might be worth checking with the manufacturer or product rep about about it if you think you're getting out of date info. ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 1344 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Friday, February 19, 2021 - 09:06 pm:    As I recall this was put in place years ago when kawneer was bought by Alcoa, now Arconic. Philosophy is that they sell aluminum by the ton. They eliminated their architectural sales force, "innovate" by buying companies, and rely on the fact that architects work by inertia. Kawneer became the brand name of the industry back in the 80s. Alcoa bought the name recognition and eliminated the warranty and support 20 years ago.