How To Choose a Window Company in Champaign
Each window installer has different offerings and approaches. To streamline the company search, keep these factors in mind:
Window Cost by Type
When you're shopping for replacement windows, it's crucial to remember that there's more to cost than just purchase price. You want a high-quality and durable window. Although high-quality windows may come with a higher initial price tag, they often provide better long-term value due to their increased lifespan. The material, size, and style of your replacement windows are the most significant factors in your final cost. Simple double-hung windows deliver great value with their straightforward style and simple mechanisms, while a custom-cut arch window in a master suite will cost more. A window expert can help you with choosing the options that fit your needs.
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 | $237-$1459 |
| Awning | $344-$958 |
| Bay | $792-$5879 |
| Custom | $352-$979 |
| Casement | $274-$1589 |
| Double-hung | $128-$827 |
| Egress | $235-$587 |
| Glass Block | $47-$594 |
| Picture | $206-$1524 |
| Single-hung | $93-$1567 |
| Skylight | $117-$1415 |
| Sliding | $270-$1371 |
| Storm | $55-$387 |
| Transom | $287-$601 |
Window Material Cost
Materials also help determine a window's cost. You might choose a material based on the local climate, your desired look, and your energy efficiency goals. For example, wood windows can give your home an organic design without breaking the bank, but you'll have to invest more toward maintenance. Aluminum and composite windows cost more up-front, but they're incredibly durable against the elements, so you'll spend far less on maintenance.
| Window Types | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | $55-$1567 |
| Composite | $566-$1271 |
| Fiberglass | $93-$792 |
| Vinyl | $190-$1763 |
| Wood | $283-$1589 |
Other Window Replacement Costs
Ask each company you're evaluating about warranty fees, labor costs, and permit fees. This will help you get a better picture of the overall expenses involved in the project.
Experience and Training
The longer a window company has served your area, the better its workmanship will likely be. Call a company representative to learn more about its public and private credentials, guarantees, and experience. Company websites often have 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 more varied.
Types of Windows Offered
No two window installers offer the same window styles and materials. Find one that's an expert in the type you want for your home.
- Awning
- Bay
- Bow
- Casement
- Crank-out
- Custom
- Double- or single-hung
- Egress
- Garden
- Jalousie
- Picture
- Sliding
- Skylight
- Specialty
- Storm
- Transom
- Vent
Customer Feedback
Perhaps the best way to prescreen window companies for your job is to find out what previous customers have said about them. Trustworthy sources for customer reviews include the BBB, Google, and Yelp Speak with people you know who have used a company you're interested in, and ask a representative for a copy of its reference list.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Window Replacement in Champaign
How could new windows help my energy efficiency?
According to the federal Department of Energy, as much as 33% of a house's HVAC usage is to compensate for the heat or cold entering through windows. Energy-efficient windows help keep heat out in the summertime and in during the wintertime, both protecting your comfort and saving you money.
Are there tax incentives for installing energy-efficient windows?
I broke my window's glass. Could I replace just the glass?
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