
About us
WASCO Windows opened in Milwaukee in 1957 as Wisconsin Aluminum Supply Company, and was purchased by Dave Paulus in 1983. At that time, the company manufactured aluminum storm windows, siding and awnings. Under Paulus’ direction WASCO became the first company in this area to manufacture then-new vinyl replacement windows. Since 1983 the Paulus family has transformed WASCO into a company that leads the industry in manufacturing and installing highly energy efficient window products, engineered for Wisconsin’s unique climate.
Business highlights
Services we offer
Replacement of windows & doors including hung and slider, casement, European tilt & turn. New construction windows for passive and low energy homes.
Services we don't offer
Storm windows and doors are only sold in conjunction with other products. WASCO no longer builds patio enclosures.
Amenities
Eco Friendly Accreditations
Yes
Free Estimates
Yes
Warranties
Yes
Senior Discount
$10
Accepted Payment Methods
- American Express
- Financing Available
- Check
- Visa
- Discover
- MasterCard
- 11
Assorted photos uploaded by Wasco Windows
Number of Stars | Image of Distribution | Number of Ratings |
---|---|---|
79% | ||
12% | ||
5% | ||
2% | ||
2% |
Filter reviews by service
Windows
Great quality vinyl replacement windows. We ended up getting a few double-hungs, few casements, and one small picture window. The windows all look and fit wonderfully, and the installers did a very nice job trimming them out. We've only had them about a day now, but based on our limited experience, I'm confident they'll last a long time, save us money and energy, and generally just make the house more beautiful.
Customer Service
Here is where I feel a little uneasy about spending that $7k. I should say first re: service that the installers overall did a great job. They worked quickly in the cold (install took less than 2 days), and they are clearly experienced. However, there have been a few moments of concern.
Our salesperson Annie was overall pretty helpful. She visited our home initially for the consultation and then we met her at the Wasco on Lincoln a little later to give the official "you're hired". Between that initial meeting and the hiring, we tried visiting the Lincoln location during their posted hours, only to find the place closed! A little odd, we thought--the explanation was that their website was in need of an update and that their hours had changed. OK, fine. But again, it's a small detail that can make you wonder, "is this the company I want to hire?"
After we'd put down our 25% for the purchase and I walked away with paperwork, a few months went by. This is about what I expected, since I signed paperwork in November and I didn't expect installation until at least March. I was told that the installation couldn't happen unless it was 20 degrees or warmer, but the installers would contact me to schedule the install. So around the first week of February I began to think, "I wonder if we can schedule that installation yet." So I called Wasco to ask, and sure enough we scheduled it for less than a month later. I was happy and annoyed at the same time: great that we could get our installation soon, but why did I have to contact them to schedule it? If I hadn't called them until April, would they ever have called me to schedule something? It seems to me that when you take almost $2000 from me at the point of order, you should be on the ball to make sure you deliver the ordered goods/labor ASAP, not wait for me to call you.
Now a few complaints about the installation. The guys apparently had to remove some interior trim pieces to do the installation. I now have one trim piece that was broken and glued back together, and another that was removed and re-nailed and split length-wise in the process. This is minor, I know, but neither of the installers said a word about these damages to me. I also have a small nick in the plaster ceiling of one of the rooms they were installing in. Again, not a huge deal, but no mention of it. I realize that these kind of marginal damages are pretty common--construction is often messy and things get broken or damaged. But I think if an installer breaks something or bumps the wall or the ceiling he/she should own up to it, even if it is provided for in the contract with the installer.
Conclusion
Overall, I'm really pleased with my windows. They are great quality windows at a price that we could afford. I give the transaction a B because I think they can improve their customer service and communication. If I were to come back to Wasco, it's because of the product and the warranty, not the service.
"Thank you for taking the time to post a review!"
"Thank you for taking the time to post a review!"
It went fine, and gave me more options than Lowes... but was very expensive and not 100% what I wanted... but it was nice to have an option!
Salesman came out and gave me a price of $4000. He wanted me to sign a contract on the spot.
I had used Wasco 20 years ago for a sun room. I called them. An experienced salesman came out and wrote up a proposal. No pressure, just good professional service. I signed on the spot.
They delivered and installed the product 4 days before the required date so we are happy.
We did have to hire a locksmith to adjust the deadbolt lock on one of the deadbolts. The adult members of the duplex use different doors and have variable schedules so the complication was noticed after Wasco had left.
"Sorry to hear of this poor customer service. The salesperson clearly did not make the effort needed. Thank you for shopping WASCO windows and I hope you give us another try in the future."
We had several windows done in the 90s and were very happy with them. We decided to use the same Wasco windows in the living room last November.I was worried about the old wooden window frames were rotting.
Having 2 young cats, I was afraid to open the 2nd story windows for fear they'd give out and the cats would fall out. I was assured by the salesman this wouldn't happen....Wasco will make them secure.
This spring there were several nights I felt I could leave the windows open. You guessed it, one morning I awoke to an open window, screen down 2 stories on the ground and one cat missing!
Nevermind spending all day looking for a cat....nevermind the gas used to drive around the neighborhood....nevermind having to print out flyers, make phone calls and posting them -- when I finally found the cat, about 12 hours later, I had to take her
to the vet, get her completely checked out. Thankfully she was okay other than a sprained back and neck. I had to give her morphine 3x a day for about 3 weeks. I figure in total this escapade cost me $200 but 12 hours of a few folks time.
Now I can't feel comfortable opening these new windows. $1800 wasted as I'm right back where I was. The screens are so flimsy and cheaply constructed (and inserted) that I couldn't regret going with Wasco more.
"Sorry to hear about the antics of your cat. Sounds like a pretty determined cat. WASCO window screens are not pet proof and to that end no window screens are. These windows have a tough aluminum mesh but we would never want to imply a screen will keep your pet in your house. Thank you for the business. WASCO"
"This name does not match anyone in our customer database. We always respond promptly to our customers. It’s part of why we have over 75% of our sales leads coming from repeat and referral customers. WASCO"
"Dear Member, Thank you for taking the time to post a review. Best regards, David Paulus"
"Dear Member, Thank you for taking the time to post a review. Best regards, David Paulus"
"Thank you for your review. Best regards, David Paulus"
"Thank you very much for your review. Best regards, David Paulus"
"Thank you very much for taking the time to write the report! Best regards, David Paulus"
"Thank you for your feedback and looking at our products. I would like to use this opportunity to explain heat transfer through window frames from an engineering background. Heat is transfered through window framing by conduction though solid materials, and natural convection through any air-filled cavities, such as frame hollows or rebates (are between the fixed and moving parts of the framing, or between the framing and the glass). If a frame profile has a single, large cavity, natural convection heat transfer will be large, as there is nothing to stop natural air currents from occurring due to temperature differences on the inside and outside of the framing. One way of stopping this natural convection is to fill the cavities with insulation. Another is to break these cavities into smaller cavities. This way, there will be less temperature difference in any one cavity to drive heat transfer. Moreover, the smaller cavities resist these natural currents by providing the air with less room to move around. As natural convection is reduced, the air serves more and more as an insulator. (Argon is used in insulated glass for the same purpose -- to reduce natural convection. Making the insulated glass three-pane instead of two pane works like braking a frame into smaller cavities.) Foam-filling and multi-chambering are just two alternative ways to get good heat transfer performance, and these must be balanced with good structural performance. My personal philosophy is that we meet structural and longevity goals first, then ensure that the window has good thermal performance. In my opinion, it is generally easier to reinforce multi-chambered profiles, and it is easier to avoid weld contamination by not using foam. We certify all of our windows through third-party laboratories, who do two-dimensional thermal simulations on all of our frames. This is in addition to the simulations I personally do during product development. The simulations are validated through physical testing by accredited laboratories. Through these simulations, we get an accurate picture of heat transfer through our window frames, as well as surface temperatures of those frames. This is why we currently insulate the frames of our DH-100 double hung window, as is this is only a two-chamber profile. Heat transfer was too high through this frame for 2010 EnergyStar, and the most cost-effective way to reduce this heat transfer was to insulate the frame. However, even with insulation, it does not perform as well as the multi-chambered frames of our 700/DH, 1400/CA or 4500/DK windows! Our 700/DH double-hung window, with galvanized steel reinforcement and no insulation, but highly a multi-chambered frame and sash, has a U-Factor lower than our insulated, composite reinforced double hung when both units have the same glass. As the glass area is the same, all the reduction in heat transfer is through the better frame -- the one with steel and no insulation. However, this is a costlier frame to produce, and the price reflects this. (This window will be the double-hung we further develop for the tougher 2013 EnergyStar standards.) The casement and the Tilt & Turn both offer even better performance, again with no insulation. (As an aside, this year we are introducing a window that will meet the German Passivhaus standard -- much tougher than EnergyStar. We will be using special insulation modules in the largest frame cavities. However, even without this insulation, this window significantly outperforms every other window we make.) In the end, the presence of or lack of insulation cannot tell you how a window frame will perform. The best way to judge the thermal performance of frames is to compare U-Factors when both windows have identical glass packages. Then, any difference must be due to the frame. Best regards, David Paulus, P.E., PhD. Director of Engineering WASCO Windows"
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