When it comes to choosing the best windows for your home, there are a lot of options.
Many brands offer high-quality, durable windows that can make the home more comfortable, more aesthetically pleasing, and more energy efficient.
But because there are so many options, determining which are the best window brands is anything but easy.
That’s exactly why we put together this guide on the best windows and their manufacturers.
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We reviewed over 24 different brands to find the best options for your home based on their prices, warranties, options selection, and other criteria.
| Lowe’s | Andersen Windows & Doors | Renewal by Andersen | Pella Windows | Marvin Windows | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Best Premium | Best Replacement | Best Eco Friendly | Best Durability | |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A+ | A+ | A+ | A+ |
| Pros | Wide selection of window options Large network of installation partners One-stop shop for several project types | Large selection of premium windows and materials Large network of distributors Established window brand | Offers high-quality windows Installations are handled in-house Offers several window brands for customers | Options for many price ranges and tastes Available all over the U.S. Highly energy-efficient, made from recycled materials | Several options are hurricane-rated for durability Can produce custom design options High energy efficiency |
| Cons | There isn’t one specific Lowe’s brand | Typically more expensive than most brands | Prices are typically high No vinyl or aluminum | Warranty terms can be complicated | Prices are generally on the higher end |
| Warranty | Lifetime* | Up to 20 years | Up to 20 years | Limited lifetime* | Up to 20 years |
| Financing | Lowe’s assists with finding financing | Possible through some suppliers | Yes, through third-party lenders | Possible through some suppliers | Possible through suppliers |
Keep reading to learn more about the best window brands and what you need to know when choosing one for your home.
State Availability: 50 states
Warranty: Lifetime warranty, depending on the product chosen
Financing Options: Yes, through credit or third-party lender
Pros:
Cons:
While technically not a window brand itself, Lowe’s Home Improvement is one of the best places to purchase the top window brands. Lowe’s offers a truly massive selection of different window shapes and sizes, as well as replacement windows and windows for new construction. It offers products from favorite brands such as Pella, Jeld-Wen, Reliabilt, and United Window and Door.
Along with offering a selection from some of the best window brands in the industry, Lowe’s can help customers secure financing for their project, whether it’s through a credit card or a third-party lender. Customers can also shop for doors, skylights, and other features at Lowe’s, making it a great one-stop shop for almost any home improvement project’s needs.
State Availability: 50 states
Warranty: Terms vary by product, but up to 20 years
Financing Options: Possible through some suppliers
Pros:
Cons:
Not to be confused with Renewal By Andersen, which focuses mainly on replacement windows, Andersen Windows & Doors is its own line of new construction windows and doors. It’s one of the best-known names in the window industry, and its products are available throughout the country through its large network of distributors and home improvement partners.
Andersen offers a large selection of premium window styles and materials. Customers can choose from wood, vinyl, fiberglass, aluminum, and composite Fibrex materials, as well as energy-efficient insulated glass units. Warranties vary between 10 and 20 years, depending on the product, but they are transferable to new owners.
State Availability: 50 states
Warranty: Up to 20 years
Financing Options: Yes, through third-party lender
Pros:
Cons:
When it comes to replacement windows, Renewal By Andersen ranks at the top. This company specializes in replacement windows, helping homeowners regain their home’s energy efficiency and good looks by removing their old windows and installing new efficient options. Installations are handled by Renewal’s in-house installation team, providing customers with peace of mind.
Renewal By Andersen offers high-quality windows, and its warranties last up to 20 years, depending on the product chosen. The company offers a wide range of styles and lines, as well as wood and Fibrex composite material options and a variety of hardware styles and colors.
The prices are relatively high, unfortunately, but this is likely because Renewal doesn’t offer vinyl or aluminum window options.
State Availability: 50 states
Warranty: Lifetime in some cases
Financing Options: Possibly through the supplier
Pros:
Cons:
Homeowners trying their best to reduce their carbon footprint should give Pella Windows some consideration. Many of Pella’s products boast Energy-Star ratings, improving a home’s energy efficiency and allowing customers to save money each month on their energy bills. But the eco-friendliness doesn’t stop there, as many of Pella’s products are made from recycled materials, including its aluminum cladding and much of its glass.
Pella customers can choose from a large selection of both replacement and new construction windows to fit almost any situation. These windows are available in all 50 states from a large network of suppliers. They come with limited lifetime warranties, but warranty terms do get complicated upon sale, as the warranty term shortens to 10 years for new owners.
State Availability: 50 states
Warranty: Up to 20 years
Financing Options: Possibly through the supplier
Pros:
Cons:
Marvin Windows makes some of the most durable windows on the market, making it a great choice for anyone who lives in areas prone to extreme weather. Several of the Marvin models are hurricane-rated and feature high-strength hardware, ensuring they’re ready for high winds and impacts from wind-driven debris and rain penetration.
Beyond their durability, Marvin offers high-efficiency windows to improve a home’s comfort level while reducing its utility bills. Marvin can also produce custom designs to fit any style in a wide range of material options. But, due to the quality, Marvin windows are often more expensive than the competition, which is the main downside of the company. Also, Marvin doesn’t offer any installation services, though its warranty terms cover the window for up to 20 years.
The average price of windows is around $650 each.
We found this by looking at the most common window types (double-hung and casement) in the most common sizes and then comparing their prices across multiple retailers. However, many factors could easily skew that average, so let’s take a deep look at what might impact the price of windows.
Window type has a significant impact on the price of windows. Some windows, such as single-hung windows, have very few moving parts and don’t need to meet the same tolerances as other windows, such as double-hung or casement.
For that reason, single-hung windows might be considerably more affordable than other models. Also, hurricane-rated windows are built to higher standards than typical windows, which also increases their price.
The larger a window is, the more materials it will take to build and the more attention it will require to quality control. This is why larger windows generally cost more than smaller windows of the same style and material.
Some materials demand a higher premium than others, impacting window prices.
Wood windows will be more expensive than vinyl windows in almost every case. Fiberglass is typically more expensive as well, while aluminum windows tend to be more affordable. Composite materials, which are extremely durable and energy-efficient, tend to be on the higher end of prices as well.
Windows are rated for energy efficiency following the guidelines of the National Fenestration Rating Council and looked at based on four main criteria:
U-factor describes how well the window retains heat.
Heat gain describes how well the window resists unwanted heat gain from the sun.
Visible transmittance describes how much light a window allows.
Air leakage describes how much air will enter the room through the window.
A window that excels on all of these levels will be made from high-quality materials, well-engineered, and manufactured to tight tolerances.
As a result, the cost of producing the window is higher, so the manufacturer will charge the consumer more. Luckily, consumers can reap some of the benefits by experiencing lower energy costs each month.
Homeowners can sometimes get discounts based on the number of windows they purchase. Usually, this is on the cost of installation, which our average price does not take into account.
However, it’s worth noting that there are discounts for purchasing several windows at once.
If you purchase your windows from a contractor who will also install them, you can often get a discount on the cost. In some cases, contractors will provide buy-two, get-one deals where the homeowner can get free windows, driving down the average cost of windows.
Depending on where you live, contractors and suppliers might sell fewer windows in the colder weather. If that’s the case, they may lower the prices to help move them quicker. If you’re looking for the best price, it may be worth purchasing the windows during the winter and waiting to install them until spring or summer.
Some companies offer discounts to specific types of customers. For example, many window companies offer discounts for veterans or military members, and senior citizens may also be eligible for discounts.
These discounts are usually reasonable, but they can add up to significant savings when purchasing windows for an entire house.
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We’ve already mentioned that there are many window brands to choose from, so shoppers should follow some guidelines when looking for the best windows.
Reputation, warranties, quality, and the installation process are important factors to consider to ensure you find the best window brands for your needs.
You’ll want to look into every company’s reputation before you decide on purchasing windows.
Most companies have pages on major review sites where actual customers can leave feedback or stories about their experience. These stories can be incredibly valuable as they offer an inside look at what it might be like to choose windows from those companies without the risk.
One important thing to note about reputation: Unhappy customers are far more likely to complain about their window purchase than happy customers are to mention their positive experience. It’s important to remember that there are more happy customers in the “wild” than what review sites would show.
But if you see the same issues constantly in different customer reviews, there’s a good chance these complaints have some merit.
Be sure to consider the warranty coverage that each window brand offers. They certainly vary, and it’s important to understand them when making decisions.
Each manufacturer’s warranty coverage is different, so be sure to request a written copy and read it thoroughly before purchasing.
Product quality is a major factor to keep in mind.
Homeowners spend a lot of money on their windows, and they want the best possible quality for their money. Look for brands known for producing high-quality windows with sturdy hardware and durable seals that will operate properly for 15 to 30 years.
The window installation process might be a factor for homeowners who aren’t performing their own installations. Most companies will walk the homeowner through the installation process before ordering, helping them understand the process and timeline so they can make a better decision.
In general, the installation process for replacement windows involves:
Depending on the source, the average person spends between $3,400 and $11,900 on windows for their home. Regardless of which end of the spectrum they land on, that’s a lot of money, so it was important for us to find the best brands.
We took several things into account when choosing the best brands.
We ensured that each brand offered several window types and materials and that energy efficiency was a focus of all its products. We also looked into each company’s reputation to ensure they have a track record of satisfied customers. Prices and the quality of the windows they produced were also taken into consideration. To make our list, they also needed to be widely available and offer excellent warranty terms.
Andersen windows sells the most windows and doors, year after year. A large part of that success comes from partnering with Lowe’s Home Improvement, which is an Andersen dealer.
Renewal By Andersen offers the best window replacements. It offers excellent-quality windows, in-house installation teams, and robust warranties.
All types of windows have strengths and weaknesses. Generally speaking, double-hung and single-hung windows are the most durable. Casement windows are also durable, but their hardware can fail over time.
Best Window Replacement Companies
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