How To Choose a Window Company in Elgin
It's important to find a window replacement company that matches your individual values, needs, and preferences. Consider the following traits during your search:
Window Cost by Type
When you're shopping for new windows, it's crucial to remember that there's more to cost than just purchase price. You want a high-quality and durable window. Choosing economy windows could actually raise your overall cost, since they come with a reduced lifespan and more intensive maintenance needs. The age of your home, as well as the sizes, styles, and materials of replacement windows you opt for, can affect 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 undecided, 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 | $252-$1547 |
| Awning | $364-$1016 |
| Bay | $840-$6236 |
| Custom | $374-$1039 |
| Casement | $291-$1686 |
| Double-hung | $135-$877 |
| Egress | $249-$622 |
| Glass Block | $49-$631 |
| Picture | $218-$1616 |
| Single-hung | $98-$1663 |
| Skylight | $124-$1501 |
| Sliding | $286-$1455 |
| Storm | $59-$411 |
| Transom | $304-$637 |
Window Material Cost
Replacement window prices also vary based on material. Each option provides different benefits depending on your 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 | $59-$1663 |
| Composite | $600-$1348 |
| Fiberglass | $98-$840 |
| Vinyl | $202-$1870 |
| Wood | $300-$1686 |
Other Window Replacement Costs
Ask each window installer you're considering about warranty fees, labor costs, and permit fees. This will help you get a clear picture of the total costs involved in the project.
Experience and Training
Choose a company that focuses on window repair and installation, and look for this information on its website:
- How long it's been serving the Elgin area
- Photo galleries of projects its crews completed
- Privately-issued accreditations attesting to its workmanship
Licensing and Credentials
Illinois doesn't issue state contracting licenses to window installers, but cities 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 their business filings for the public record. Beyond the Windy City, licensing requirements are not uniform.
Types of Windows Offered
There are a variety of replacement window types you can choose from, and it's important to find a company that has expertise with the ones you want. Browse a company's website and reviews for any of these types:
- 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 screen window companies for your job is to check what previous customers have said about them. Trustworthy sources for customer reviews include Yelp, Google, and the BBB Ask 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 Elgin
What are the benefits of hiring a window installer?
When's the best time to replace my windows?
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.
