There was a time when having your windows replaced was a popular fad. It was new and exciting, and the improved energy efficiency was an added benefit.
Today, with the novelty worn off for at least a decade, window replacement is more of a necessity than a trend. With retaining heated or cooled air and managing heat gain and emissivity based on the specific home’s needs, choosing one of the best window replacement companies is critical.
To help homeowners shop for their perfect contractor, we conducted extensive research and compared the top window replacement companies.
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This guide will highlight those companies as well as some of the most important factors that homeowners should consider when comparing and choosing one.
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Price Range: $-$$
Customer Rating: Excellent
Lowe’s is our top choice for the best window replacement company. This large home improvement chain provides a wide range of installation services, including replacement windows as well as entry doors, siding, and other upgrades, making it an excellent one-stop shop. The company has access to the largest selection of replacement windows, including those by Pella, Jeld-Wen, Reliabilt, and United Window and Door.
We’ll acknowledge that Lowe’s pricing can be high on some installations. However, Lowe’s will help customers find the best financing option for their needs.
Customers can also take advantage of a large network of vetted and trusted installation partners, which, in our opinion, makes Lowe’s the best option in the window replacement industry.
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Cons:
Price Range: $$$
Customer Rating: Good
Homeowners looking for a window replacement company with a long history of quality products and installation should consider Renewal by Andersen. These window replacement experts are a subsidiary of Andersen Windows and have been in business under the Renewal name for almost 30 years. It’s available in 48 states, as well.
Renewal by Andersen offers a wide selection of both stock and customer replacement windows. Customers can use the handy virtual design tool to get an idea of what their windows will look like, including options like colors, grids, and hardware choices, allowing customers to design and envision the perfect window their needs — unless their needs require a vinyl window at an entry-level price, as Renewal doesn’t offer them.
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Cons:
Price Range: $-$$
Customer Rating: Great
Replacement windows aren’t a cheap endeavor and homeowners would be wise to hunt for as many discounts as possible.
Window Nation offers several of those discounts, allowing customers to stretch their budgets as far as they’ll go. Discount options include 5% for military members, 5% for senior citizens, or deals where customers can purchase two windows and get two windows free. Customers can also earn up to $250 for referring a friend or family member.
Window Nation offers over 1,500 custom combinations for windows and doors. The replacement windows are available in vinyl and wood, making them relatively affordable compared to the higher-end materials of other installation companies. However, specific pricing and design details aren’t readily available online.
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Cons:
Price Range: $-$$
Customer Rating: Great
Champion Windows is a popular window replacement company and could be a great fit for your needs. The company has been in business for over 70 years and offers a wide range of services, including siding and sunroom installation.
One of Champion Window’s most attractive aspects is its warranty. It offers a limited lifetime warranty that customers can transfer to new buyers, providing peace of mind and making the deal more attractive. Unfortunately, the material options are limited to vinyl and wood-look vinyl.
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Price Range: $$-$$$
Customer Rating: Good
Anyone looking for a one-stop shopping experience for all of their exterior project needs might want to consider Home Depot. This big-box home improvement chain offers window and door installation services, allowing customers to choose from a wide selection of window types, materials, colors, and more. The Home Depot team will even assist with installation, appointing an installer to help speed up the process.
It’s important to note that Home Depot can be relatively expensive compared to other companies. However, the company often offers a wider variety of financing options than other companies, potentially making it a great choice for some homeowners.
Pros:
Cons:
Price Range: $-$$
Customer Rating: Good
While all of the companies on this list offer quality, high-efficiency window options, Pella excels at it. Pella offers several window styles that exceed EnergyStar certification and offers better insulation value than the competition. For folks in older homes who want to upgrade their existing windows for efficiency’s sake, Energy Star-certified windows from Pella will make a significant difference.
Beyond the efficiency, there are a few other things to know about Pella. For one, window material options include vinyl, fiberglass, and wood windows. Also, though the company offers generous warranties, these warranties shrink considerably upon the sale of the home they’re installed in — not ideal for the new owners.
Understanding the importance of having your windows replaced will help with balancing the cost of the project and whether it’s worth it for your home.
Replacement windows will improve or restore your home’s energy efficiency levels. By preventing air leaks and heat transfer, they will help reduce energy consumption and lower your utility bills. Their insulated glass units (IGUs) are made of two panes of glass with an inert gas between them, trapping your heated or cooled air inside the home and allowing systems to work more efficiently.
It’s also worth noting that replacement windows improve your home’s overall comfort by preventing drafts and air movement around the windows. Drafts can make sitting near windows uncomfortable, preventing homeowners from using their rooms how they wish.
Also, replacement windows can control outside noises, making your home quieter and calmer. Rather than dealing with noises from the street, neighbors, or other loud sources, replacement windows help keep sounds at bay.
New replacement windows can give your home a fresher, cleaner appearance and improve curb appeal. Older windows can become dingy and dirty-looking, while fresh windows can offer a new look, contrast, or just a brighter overall look.
Replacement windows can improve your home’s security level over existing windows. New windows will typically lock better and be more durable, making them harder to break into. Double-pane glass windows are also more difficult to break, reducing the risk of storm damage and other hazards, ultimately making your home safer.
Improving your home’s energy efficiency, comfort, security, and curb appeal with replacement windows will ultimately increase your home’s property value. If you plan to sell, your asking price may be higher and you’re more likely to get closer to the asking price. Also, if you decide to refinance the project and pay it off, you’ll have more equity to do so with.
Finding a window installation company comes down to more than just choosing the company with the best warranty or design options. The following are some of the most important factors to keep in mind when choosing a window replacement company.
Business reputation is one of the most important factors to keep in mind. Customers can get an excellent idea of what a company will be like to work with based on what its past customers say about it. If several people are lodging the same complaints, it’s clearly a sign to avoid the company altogether.
There are a few ways to investigate a company’s reputation. The first is to use word of mouth and ask for recommendations from friends and family who have had their windows replaced. The other is to check online reviews from customers. Major consumer trust sites rate companies based on the reviews customers are leaving, allowing potential customers to get an idea of what it will be like to hire these companies.
Even with a sterling reputation, a window replacement company isn’t much help if it doesn’t offer the window options you’re looking for. Make sure that whatever company you choose offers your desired window style, material, and size to ensure they’re a good fit for your needs.
Some companies offer a design tool on their website. Customers can choose the type of window they want to design, then materials, colors, whether or not they’d like grids on the sashes, and even the color and style of the hardware. This allows the customer to get an idea of what their windows will look like and to decide if those windows will work for their taste and home.
Also, give some thought to the company’s replacement and repair services. If the window should break or fail, will the company be able to help you navigate the warranty policy and repair your window? Does the company offer its own warranty on the installation work? These are critical aspects of hiring a window installation company.
Window replacement project costs can vary quite a bit depending on the company. While all replacement windows will likely be efficient, some companies might focus on inexpensive vinyl windows with simple hardware, while other companies are known for offering only high-end windows in luxurious materials with stylish hardware. Also, windows with rock-solid warranties will typically cost more than those shorter warranty terms and protection.
Getting multiple quotes and discussing options with experienced professionals will help make these decisions easier and balance the cost against the product quality.
Most window replacement companies will assist the customer with financing options. This could mean financing directly with the company, using a third-party lender, or securing a credit card. Finding a monthly payment that works for your budget is important, but also consider the term length and interest rates.
Any time you’re working with a home improvement company, customer service is vitally important. After all, these projects can easily be delayed due to supply chain issues, contractor availability, and other factors. Customers should be able to contact the replacement company and discuss their project whenever they have questions.
We like to have a few different methods of contacting customer service. A phone line is always the most direct option, but email is also a big help. Live chat can also be helpful. If these are factors that matter to you, consider the methods your window replacement company uses to ensure they meet your preferences.
But customer service quality is much more important than the contact method. You’ll want to check reviews and see what existing customers are saying about the level of customer service they received. Common issues to look out for are rude service agents, false promises, delayed responses, and repeat issues. If those problems keep popping up in review after review, it might be worth looking for another window replacement company.
Discounts can help customers save quite a bit of money on their window replacement project. Some companies offer discounts to certain people, such as military members and senior citizens. While the percentages are relatively low (around 5% to 10%), they still add up to several hundred dollars by the end of the project.
Some window replacement companies will also offer deals based on the volume of windows the customer replaces. “Buy two, get one” deals are common, allowing customers to have multiple windows replaced in their homes for free. It’s important to realize that there may be stipulations as to the types of windows being replaced and their value, but these deals are a great way to save money.
We know that choosing a good window company can feel overwhelming, but you can simplify the process with the right approach. Here’s what you should do.
Best Window Replacement Companies
A company’s reputation will tell you almost all you need to know about them. If the internet is flooded with complaints about the quality of windows, poor installation, messy job sites, project delays, or other issues, you’ll know to look elsewhere right away. However, if customers mention a pleasant, stress-free experience with excellent communication throughout the project, consider getting a quote from that company.
Sometimes, the most important aspect of finding a good window replacement company is finding the right type of windows. Some companies might offer affordable windows made from vinyl, while others might only offer wood or fiberglass windows, which cost quite a bit more.
Also, some replacement situations might call for custom windows or unique window sizes. When this is the case, it’s best to go with a company that either offers custom sizes or has access to multiple window brands and large supply chains to ensure they can find the replacement window to fit your home’s needs.
Commit to getting quotes from multiple contractors. While the process isn’t typically enjoyable, it will help ensure that you’re getting a fair price. If most of the quotes are in the same basic range except for one, you’ll know that the price is either too good to be true (you’ll run into headaches later) or that the contractor’s price is inflated.
Make sure to give some thought to the companies’ warranties. A company that offers a limited lifetime warranty might be more expensive but provide more peace of mind than one with shorter, less-encompassing terms.
Also, some replacement window companies offer transferable warranties. When the homeowner decides to sell the home, they can transfer the warranty coverage to the new owner. This can make a home more attractive to a buyer and potentially help the home sell faster and closer to the asking price.
Choosing the right window replacement company is a critical step toward improving your home’s comfort, efficiency, and value.
Each company has something to offer—from custom design options to energy efficiency and strong warranties—ensuring homeowners can find a great match for their needs and budget and reap the long-term benefits of window replacement.
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