I have a solid core storm door by Pella I purchased three years ago. The reason it is
a Pella, is because the last one I had was a Larson and it lasted only about three years. I replaced the Larson because over the short time I had it, the solid core swelled and eventually the outer skin ruptured and disintegrated. I checked with Lowes and they told me I needed to contact Larson which is the company that made it. It had a lifetime warranty but, as I recall it indicated that I would be required to package it and ship it back to them at my expense and then they would determine if it qualified. That seemed far to difficult to mess with so for $247.00 it was easier to buy a new one. The guy at Lowes told me that Pella was the best, so that is what I bought … the Best.
The Best Wasn’t Good Enough
Recently, I had the same issue with my new (three year old) Pella storm door. It did exactly the same thing after just three years that my previous Larson door had done. It actually started after the first year. This time I was far more determined that I was going to get it replaced under the lifetime warranty than I was before. I dug out my receipts, serial number, and warranty information and phone numbers for the Pella door.
Boomer Prepared to Battle
I called the phone number prepared for battle. They were even more prepared. It was one of those deals where you 
can’t really talk to anyone, but if you push the right buttons they will send you the claim forms to file. I started by “pressing (1) for English”. I received the forms in the mail approximately two weeks later. I filled them out “to the letter” including the complaint, exact door measurements, glass measurements, screen measurements, color, hardware style, serial number, and eight 4X6 glossy pictures with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one ( sorry, I’m an Arlo Guthrie fan – Alice’s Restaurant). I patiently waited for almost 4 weeks … Nothing!
A Real Boomer Never Gives Up when he is Right
Not giving up, I tried to call the Pella warranty claims number again. 
Of course you can’t talk with anyone so I elected to go to the Pella customer service website, which to my surprise happens to be www.larsondoors.com . Go figure! Larson Doors! (Remember my last post on Brand names? If not check it out here). No wonder my Pella door failed exactly like my old Larson door had done before. It R One!
Contact the Website
I cleverly used the “Contact Us” button on their Customer Service page and wrote a book in the little square. I recieved a reply within one day! The reply was from Steve with Larson Manufacturing. His reply simply said he was sorry but, he had no record of my previous contact. So I sent him an exact copy of the entire file via internet. Within one day I recieved another response. This time from Deb from Customer Service www.larsondoors.com. Deb was unable to open my files so she wondered if I could convert them to a PDF format. I really couldn’t then, but I went on line, purchased a PDF program for $39 and and got it done anyway. I was afraid that I finally had someones attention and I refused to take the chance of losing it. Once she recieved my files in PDF format, she was able to open them and I got an immediate response. Go Deb!
The Response – I Win! I Win! … I Think?
The response said that after reviewing my information it was an obvious failure of the door and ” I was approved to recieve a new storm door … minus the glass/ screen inserts, hardware, z-bars, and expander “. It said I needed to call the Pella phone number (same as the one above) with the reference number and they would arrange to send me the new door (or at least part of it). It did say there would be a ” processing fee” . I swear, if all they were really going to send me was the shell of the door, it was going cost more for them to ship it than it cost them to make it. I called and for a processing fee of $30, paid in advance by credit card, they agreed to ship me the door. At this point, I was not really very optomistic that I was getting my moneys worth, but I was determined to hassle them until I got a new door.
To Summarize
My first contact was on November 16, 2008. I recieved my new door via UPS on January 15, 2009. The good part is they screwed up, it was a complete door with glass and screen insert included (no hardware , z-bar s or expander, but that is - ok ) No hassles with disassembling the old door and re-assembling the new one. The bad part is it ended up costing me, excluding installation, which I will do myself, about $70, if I include the PDF program. That also assumes my many hours of frustated effort is worth nothing. Understanding manufacturing costs as I do, I am 100% confident that $70 is more than their cost to make the door.
“PB” says, Always Make ’Em Pay!
But, all is OK, because by golly, I made them pay? I just don’t know how many more times I can afford it! My basic math tells me that it cost me $70 and Pella/ Larson nothing! I haven’t decided what I will do three years from now when the door fails again. I pretty sure I will recall this experience, give in, and buy a new one! … The cheapest one I can find that still looks good! Heck with the warranty! At least I learned one thing … I’m no smarter today than I was three years ago … but, I’m just as stubborn! … Somehow, I think I just got Boombazzelled. Papa.
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Wood core doores are born to fail. This has been going on for decades. Gerkin doors are made to be the best.They don’t have any wood in them so the delamination and rusting you had can’t happen with Gerkin. Gerkin doors are made with heavy extruded aluminum and massive extruded aluminum internal corner gussetts.
You’ll also never get an automated prompt when you call Gerkin. A live person will answer your call every time!
On the contrary – GERKIN – ONE YEAR WARRANTY for MOST problem parts.
I paid close to $700 for my Gerkin storm door, and everything but the door slab itself has failed in 7 years. I was ttold by a rep that the warranty is for one year on parts… handle broke, brass expander is rusted beyond repair, strips to old in the screen or glass have frayed terribly, etc. They want $72 (plus shipping?) for the parts.
I am very surprised and quite disappointed in the warranty. I never had this (“we only expect it to last one year”) warranty with my Larson or Andersen storm doors, and Gerkin was much more expensive. I was told Gerkin really stands behind their products, but I guess it was just to get me to buy a more expensive door.
Never mind the parts. If I spend $72 dollars to replace an inferior product, my guess is that I’ll have to do the same again shortly. It makes better sense to go back to the door companies that have shown they care about their reputation and customers and just buy new door from a company that actually stands behind their product, and not a company that just wants your money and doesn’t care about long-term customer satisfaction.
Larson replaced an entire 15 year old door at no charge! THEY stand behind their product, UNLIKE GERKIN.
While I will be warning everyone about the Gerkin “365 day” warranty, This is very bad service for a storm door that cost close to $700 installed, when $200 Larson doors are guaranteed for LIFE!
Steve,
Hardware and parts warranty for most door companies including Larson is one year. Be fair in your criticism. You can check their website and see for yourself. In fact many of their doors don’t offer more than 10 years on the main portion of their door. Gerkin will do their best to help customers and be fair. I suggest that you call Gerkin directly. You will talk to a real person! They do have great doors and great people.
Had this rotting problem with two Larsen doors and got no satisfaction re waranty. Now in market for a good door for enclosed porch and went to Pella. (they now own or are owned by Larsen!). They were less than helpful. BUTat Lowes found a very knowledgable salesman who said all the solid core doors will do that because it just sucks the moisure out of the core and crumbles he coating. Pella does make an extruded aluminum door (which means it has no core) and this can’t happen. It is not cheap ($311+tax) for the one we like but it should hold up. Cant find that extruded feature anywhere else so far.
All of Gerkin’s storm doors are extruded and can’t soak up water. They make a great door.
I have a Larson storm too, where the core has swollen and has ruptured the outer skin in several places. This will allow rain water to enter the interior of the door. The door is 16years old. The inside surface of the door still looks new. I just completed a claim form with all the measurements of the door and window. We also took closeup pictures of the ruptured surfaces. I sent all of this by first class mail to Larson. I will keep you posted on the outcome.
Nice to know what I am facing. I submitted the Pella Warranty info about two weeks ago and have begun to wonder if they got it since I haven’t heard back. Given your experience I guess I should get on their website and follow up.
I too am having the same problem with a Pella storm door only it is decaying around the door handle. I am still in the early process of dealing with Pella/Larson with the claim form and measuring out the door. I explained to customer service supervisor, Lisa, that I am not comfortable with doing the measuring, but, I will do it at best to my ability. If they decide to replace the door, I will make special note of the hardware, processing fees, etc. Bad enough it will cost me another $100 to have the old one removed and the new one re-hung, my question to Pella/Larson is where is their so called customer service since I had to do the measuring and finding a person to do the necessary changes. What makes this even worse is that Pella has an authorized distributorship only a few miles from my home where they are fully staffed with trained personnel. Thank you for the information and I will continue to stay on Pella until I am satisfied. If that day does not come, I will purchase another storm door, but rest assured it will not be another so called top brand name since it seems the name is only as good as the products they sell.
I am in Property management for over 30 years and we have over 3,000 homes that we are directly responsible for. We purchase hundreds of doors per year and I am totally sold on Larson. I have had experience with all of the brands (Larson, Gerkin, Croft, Andersen, Pella, Cole Sewell, Chamber, MI, Better-bilt and Comfort-bilt) and by far the quality of the Larson and customer service is the best. Larson makes a line of extruded doors that can not delam. The delamination problem occurs from time to time when a door does not have a overhang or allows water to somehow penetrate through the seem. I have had this happen on a few doors and did not get a run around. I know you are all think with the volume of doors that We buy we would get preferred treatment, but that is not the case. I make it a point never to let manufactures or companies no our buying potential until it is neccessary. This let’s me know who is going to be a straight forward company and who will not. I have never had to pull that trump card with Larson. Their new E-Z hang system is also another reason to buy. They are the fastest doors to install and require little skill. Our installers LOVE them. As for Gerkin, I thimk they are over priced for what you are getting and most of their line seems dated. Larson is the Largest Manufacturer in the world for Storm doors and they did not earn that offering poor quality or poor service.
That’s my two-cents!!!
John in Virginia
I received a notice from Larson on my storm door that had swollen & ruptured within a week.
They offered a replacement door, but I would have to transfer all the glass & hardware & pay $30.00. They also offered up to $100.00 rebate if I purchased one of their better storm door’s and I can get another 30% off of the purchase price when I file my 2009 income taxes. I chose this offer since I would have to wait 5 or 6 weeks for delivery of the replacement door. I also had a 20% coupon from Home Depot that Lowe’s accepted on the new door. I purchased
their extruded door with the disappearing screen. The original price was $378.00
reduced to $358.00 and with 20% off it was $287.00 so with the Larson rebate my door cost less than $200.00. Since the old storm door lasted 16 years this new door will be here when I’m long gone.
Well I guess I’m in for the RUN AROUND also. I just called Pella today for the exact same problem with my storm door I purchased in 2004. I noticed the eroding at the bottom of the door a couple of years ago. I ran across my paperwork in an old file today…so I thought I would give them a call. I guess I shouldn’t expect much. The darn part about it is I purchased 3 Larson storm doors this year. Thinking it was a different manufacturer. If you can’t stand behind the quality. You shouldn’t even put a warranty on your product (20 years…right!). I just makes you look like a liar.
I was sure I was in for REJECTION this past Saturday when I read about Pella’s lifetime warranty woes! But, I just received an email from Larson Doors and they are going to replace my Pella storm door, minus the parts and for a shipping fee of $30. The door was bought in 2004 and had the same eroding problem at the bottom of the door. I went to the
warranty_claim_form@larsondoors.net and filled out everything. 3 Days later all is taken care of! Try Larson doors warranty form, it worked for me.
A great place to consider is ProVia Door – they have a great line of storm doors that you can customize too!
This is a great blog btw!!!
This is all BS they are feeding us! from pellet or Larson who ever they are, lifetime means lifetime and nothing else-end of story, there should be no shipping charges and they should be responsible and stand behind what they are sell and list. They are lying SOB’s ( in writing no doubt)and should be taken care of legally. I buy Craftsmans tools because when one breaks, I take it back and get another-thats lifetime!I buy many other things this way and make dam sure they honor it, Not this BS they are feeding us. If they are not going to honor -than don’t list it Lifetime! This is door # 3 or 4 for me, and I never paid shipping and will refuse to. If they want to come to DE to small claims court- we will, I have nothing to do & make dam sure I file.
My Larson doors did he same thing, rotted out. I was in the process of replacing two doors and a patio door. I thought I was doing the right thing by going with Pella instead of Larson for the new doors! I’m glad I came across this post. So, is there a reliable door out there anywhere?
I agree with Vinny lifetime should be lifetime, but the fine print states limited. The first 20 years it cost $30.00 for replacement and then after 20 years you get a new door at 50% off. I had an EMCO door in which the core expanded and they replaced the door minus the glass, etc. Now it is about five years later and again the core expanded. I think all these companies should be able to find a core material that doesn’t expand when it gets wet. After all it is a storm door.
The Larson replacement door I chose is Model number 35560032 that has the disappearing screen. Larson refunded the $100.00 rebate one week after I submitted the copy of the cash register receipt. This door has the extruded aluminum without the wooden core. There should be no problem with swelling.
I will keep the receipt just in case there is a problem.
Looking at the pictures, and noting you have had not one door failure but two, I would have to guess maybe the moisture is coming off the roof and causing this problem. How big is the overhang above the door? I don’t think it will matter what brand you install there if excessive moisture is causing the problem. You may want to consider a door without a wood core, I think it would last much longer.
Sorry Randy I thought you were Pella rep, I sent this to Pella:
The soffit is around 12″ and the gutter is what 6″ wide, that should be plenty of overhang. I pretty much figured out 2 possible failures occurring 1) the door seal area’s are failing in the lower corners were the screen /window frame is, 2) or the sealant being used is corroding the aluminum. The corrosion appears to start on the interior panels of the door. Once this starts it appears that the sealant around the press board is lost and starts swelling.
Regardless, this door was intended and rated for exterior usage and should not do this, it should be able to take cross wind rain anyway, to extent I understand, and last for more than 18 months- these doors seem to have a built in timer and fail in this aprox service life. It is quite apparent that these type Pella doors are poorly engineered and was left to the customer to do all the R & D work at their expense. From my research on the Internet many dis-satisfied customers have had the same problem. I have Anderson and Sears doors in other similar locations and have had no problems, only the Pellas have failed.
I will not and refuse to pay any replacement cost, if you do not wish to replace it, have it your way, but when people come over my house and see the corrosion and the door (especially two of my builder friends who build over 100 houses a year) I tell them that’s a Pella! When I get tired of looking at it I will replace it, you can bet your ass it will not be a Pella, nor will a Pella product ever go on any of my properties again. Thats a Lifetime Guarantee I offer– with no fine print.
Thank you for your response, have a great day— Vinny
No problem Vinny, No I am not a Pella Rep. and by no means was I suggesting the door failure was your fault. You are absolutely right, the door should be able to get wet without ruining it…. that is the objective of the door.
I personally think the doors have a design flaw. If you notice the picture of the bottom of the door. The adjustable sweep is over the bottom of the door frame, therefore directing any water into and behind the adjustable sweep. Hence a door failure.
I am a builder also and have had to deal with various brands doing this.
My pella front storm door zbar lost the bottom piston. Since July 2009 I have called Larson for the replacement zbar inwhich I paid for. The wrong Z was sent. They have sent me 4 different tubes with Zbars and side bars that do not fit my pella door. This has been going on from July August Sept October. I called today and they will send me the side bar.Stating that the door does not shut they said to tighten the plungers.My son had to use a hammer to the side bar or drip bar to make the door shut and tightening the plunger to close the door SLAMPS
shut. I have glass windows that will brake and hurt my kids if it BREAKS. I am really upset with this Company Larson they said the door is a LIFETIME but the parts to FIT IN RIGHT are not. I just want my door to work properly. Also I did notice the bottom of the door has some rotting and bloating on the bottom of the door.
I have asked Pella if they have a district or regional manager or door manager in my area to look at my problem answer was NO. I asked if they can send me a NEW DOOR or a Credit Slip for a new one again NO.
I will await this last Tube they are willing to send and if this does not work and they do not help me to resolve this problem and any of my family or friends get hurt I will contact HIGHER Sources.
Pella pricing is a big secret. I have searched the internet and it appears to be impossible to comparison-shop – Lowe’s is the exclusive retailer. I am about to purchase a Pella Helena model # 3525. My doorway is 34″ x 81″ and this size is unusual. Pella is the only manufacturer with this size in a half-decent door even if it is a 1″ solid-core with an aluminum exterior. Although this is a Pella standard manufactured product, it is not on the shelf at Lowes. Here’s the bite – Home Depot offer the same price whether in-stock or special order, but Lowes want to charge an additional $60 just to hit the order button. I’ll never be able to find out what the actual price was had it been available on the shelf. Is anyone out there willing to talk about what they paid for their storm doors. I’ll have hit the jackpot if I can see prices paid for Pella Helena model # 3525. Does Lowe’s match Home Depot offers?
I wouldn’t buy that door-you will be sorry you did. Many Many Many people have purchased that type door and we have all had the same problems. I wish you the best, but in my opinion for an exterior door I would not get anything with a press board core, or should I say a Pella press board, they do not manufacture this door correctly or stand behind their doors and are grossly overpriced from when they use to make a quality door. The lifetime guarantee they offer is BS and is limited. The lifetime offer is used to suck you in, then when it fails in 2-3 years they tell you you can get 50% off another door that is grossly over priced and then pay $75 shipping to boot–it’s a typical marketing scam.
Vinny, Many thanks for your response. From what I read, you are correct that the press board solid-core door does have a problem – swelling and bubbling. The problem is that my door is a non-typical size of 34″ x 81″. I really want a fullview storm door with a rolscreen. There is the Anderson 3000 series that only comes in 80″ standard. The Larson Tradwinds or Pella Montgomery only comes 32″ or 36″ standard. Lowes quoted $260 for the Pella Montgomery standard (32″ or 36″) or $575 for a custom size of 34″!! I’m not sure which way to turn, but I will not pay the $575 and I don’t know of any other options.
Yes, they do match HD prices, I did it with a Werner attic stair set
I would like a claim form sent to this e-mail address
thank you
Dear Vinny,
I wanted to buy a Larson door due to the ease of installation but my door measures 35 3/4″ wide and Larson doors need 35 7/8″. Only 1/8″ difference! Lowes personnel told me the door should fit. I don’t believe them! Anyway, I told my nephew about it (he does all home improvements) and he said all you have to do to make any door fit is to adjust your moulding that the rails rest against accordingly. Of course that would mean possibly having to recut and install new moulding but it’s better than paying for a custom made door for your opening. I hope this helps.
BTW, I’m glad I found this site. I was seriously considering the wood core option because of their so-called weather protection but not now! I’ll go with all aluminum.
Hello Patty,
Good thing you did your homework, because I didn’t and have to pay. Your on the right track, stay away from wood core doors if you can. Actually there is nothing wrong with wood core doors, the problem here is they need to be engineered correctly. Depending on your climate, all Aluminum is your best bet.
Apparently in todays market even big guys like Pella who use to sell the best, sub-contract out to the cheapest bid, QC goes right down the tubes, I don’t know that for sure but it’s pretty obvious what happened here. It’s a shame because like I said, Pella use to be #1-now they are #0 they lost my bussiness.
Best Wishes, Vinny
Patty,
Here’s another vote for the aluminum door instead of a wood core.
I’m pretty sure the door you want will fit in the 35-3/4″ space. They are normally a little undersized. If not, just remove one piece of trim and cut it down. Good Luck.
So after seeing all these comments who DOES make a great storm door/ im looking to replace a 30yr old one /in a carport/ does not get direct rain/just the humidity of it . need a retractible screen. live in the carolinas. Any suggestions? other than pella or larson/the gerkin is too expensive and may not weather well.we decided not to replace our windows cause of the problem people were having w pella and marvin and anderson
Thats what you get for buying the door at a big box retailer..if you had purchased the door at a pella dealership, the service dept. would have taken care of all the process for you. I would know because I am a Pella branch Serv. Dept. Coordinator. If you buy it from the dealership, we handle it. You buy it from Lowes..you handle it. The serv. dept. in my branch would just have ordered you a new door, (p.s. we would have told you wood core storm doors rot before you bought it) and came out and installed a new door for you. But you bought it from a counter boy making 6 bucks an hour at lowes. And so you had to go through the National Account service version of it. Let this be a lesson to you in the future. If you want service when something goes wrong, go to the dealer when your looking to buy.
LARSON REPLACED MY DOOR FOR SHIPPING COSTS. THEY DID NOT TELL ME WHY THE DOOR CORRODED. I CUT THE OLD DOOR UP AND REALIZED THE CORE WAS PRESSED WOOD . THE INSIDE OF THE ALUMINUM WAS NOT COATED(AS FAR AS I COULD TELL). THE WOOD CORE ALONG WITH THE GLUE REACTED WITH THE ALUMINUM AND DISINTEGRATED THE ALUMINUM CLAD. THE NEW DOOR HAD A COMPRESSED FOAM INTERIOR. SO FAR (3 YEARS) SO GOOD. I WILL NOT BUY ANY LARSON DOOR AGAIN. I HAVE MANY FRIENDS THAT DID NOT BUY THE LIFETIME WARRANTY AND THEY WERE COMPLETELY OUT OF LUCK. LARSON NEW OF THIS DESIGN PROBLEM AND SHOULD HAVE REPLACED ANY DOOR WITH THIS OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW……………PERIOD
All storm doors directly say Limited Lifetime Warranty. The frame is Lifetime (excluding shipping charges) and 1 year on the hardware. Anything that is made of wood WILL disintegrate over time, that’s just the way of nature. If your going to put a storm door over a door where there is no overhang, you MUST spend the extra money and put an aluminum door on.
Per comments above the exteriors are aluminum and that’s what we all thought we were getting, an aluminum door that would last at least 20 years. Nothing last forever I understand, but these doors should not be failing in this short period of time, and also I have had wood porch doors last 10-15 years no problem- the issue is you must maintain a wood door-I’m to lazy for that. From what I gathered the sealant is corroding the aluminum, this is clearly a manufactures defect and Pella/Larson should replace these doors free of charge, including shipping. Limited Life Time Warranty they are offering is scam and is BS and that story the are feeding us has allot of holes in it, it’s either Lifetime or not, and most people are only getting 2-3 years anyway before these ALUMINUM doors fail–I guess limited life time means 2-3 years? —-They can suck! Anyway these doors are pieces of sh-t, and yours WILL fail again unless they made some changes. Also do you see any of the Pella/Larson people commenting on this in this forum? They don’t care that got your money, and that want $75.00 for shipping me a new door that I can go to the Lowes/Depot and buy a new one for $100.00-I don’t think so—they can kiss my a-s—-they lost my business. They should be thankful that the factory plant or engineering is not close to were live, because I’d take that door at throw right on their laps-I am serious-I’ve done it before and I’ll do it again. They are rip offs and manufacturing thieves! I am not a wealthy man, but $75 bucks is really nothing to me–it’s the point and principals here. Yes—- I need to calm down it’s only a stupid door.
Vinny..I am a Pella guy and I commented…you might want to read it… and once again…if you bought the door at lowes…yeah.. you get Lowes treatment…. If you bought the door at a Pella dealership…the treatment would be entirely different…starting with the part where I said earlier.. we would of told ya the wood core doors rot before you bought it…. we dont even sell that piece of crap at my dealership… by the way…if anyone is wondering …boy it seems like the Pella dealers and the big box retailers are in competition with each other……we are….. and the Branches (dealerships) sell service… if you bought it from my dealership…replacing faulty product wouldn’t have cost you anything… but you went to Lowes… good luck and hahaahahaha