How To Choose a Window Company in Carpentersville
It's essential to find a window installer that meets your individual values, needs, and preferences. Consider the following areas during your hunt:
Window Cost by Type
When you're shopping for replacement windows, it's essential to remember that there's more to cost than just purchase price. You want a high-quality and durable window. Although top-of-the-line replacement windows may be more expensive to buy, they often provide better long-term value due to their increased lifespan. The age of your home, together with the materials, sizes, and styles of replacement windows you select, can impact pricing. Transom windows are inexpensive with their simple size and straightforward form factor, while a custom-cut arch window in a master suite will cost more. If you're unsure, a window provider can help you decide which options are most suitable for your home.
To help you form a rough estimate, this table shows the typical cost of the most common residential window types.
| Window Types | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Arched | $234-$1441 |
| Awning | $339-$946 |
| Bay | $783-$5808 |
| Custom | $348-$968 |
| Casement | $271-$1570 |
| Double-hung | $126-$817 |
| Egress | $232-$580 |
| Glass Block | $46-$587 |
| Picture | $203-$1506 |
| Single-hung | $92-$1549 |
| Skylight | $116-$1398 |
| Sliding | $266-$1355 |
| Storm | $55-$382 |
| Transom | $283-$593 |
Window Material Cost
Window prices also vary based on material. Each option offers different benefits depending on the local climate and energy efficiency needs. Vinyl and fiberglass are readily-available materials, so they tend to cost less. Likewise, composites and aluminum look sleek and stay strong against the elements, so they tend to cost more.
| Window Types | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | $55-$1549 |
| Composite | $559-$1256 |
| Fiberglass | $92-$783 |
| Vinyl | $188-$1742 |
| Wood | $279-$1570 |
Other Window Replacement Costs
Your total cost for new windows will also include applicable warranty fees, permit application fees, and labor. Ensure that you discuss each of these elements with an estimator before committing to a window company.
Experience and Training
The longer a window installer has served your area, the better its workmanship will likely be. Call a company representative to learn more about its experience, guarantees, and public and private credentials. Company websites often keep photo galleries demonstrating previous work technicians have done.
Licensing and Credentials
Illinois doesn't issue state contracting licenses to window installers, but municipalities in the Land of Lincoln might have their own requirements for companies to follow. In Chicago proper, window installers must have a Class D or E license and submit copies of business disclosures for the public record. Outside the Windy City, licensing requirements are different.
Types of Windows Offered
The kind of window you want should factor into your company choice. Not every contractor will necessarily be familiar with the types you want. A company website will tell more about the window types it focuses on, such as:
- Awning
- Bay
- Bow
- Casement
- Crank-out
- Custom
- Double- or single-hung
- Egress
- Garden
- Jalousie
- Picture
- Sliding
- Skylight
- Specialty
- Storm
- Transom
- Vent
Customer Feedback
Reading other customers' stories is a surefire way to screen different window companies. Trustworthy sources for customer reviews include Trustpilot, Yelp, and Google Speak with people you know who have used the company you're evaluating, and ask a representative for professional references.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Window Replacement in Carpentersville
How much energy and money will I save by upgrading my windows?
According to the national Department of Energy, as much as 33% of a house's HVAC usage is to compensate for the heat or cold entering through windows. Efficient windows help keep heat out in the summertime and retain heat in the wintertime, both protecting your comfort and saving you money.
What should I do if a window is molding or has rot?
Should I replace my windows a couple at a time, or is it more economical to replace them all at once?
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviewsteam@thisoldhousereviews.com.
