How To Choose a Window Company in Joliet
Trustworthiness is essential when it comes to choosing a window installer. However, your chosen company should also align with your priorities and respect your vision. Consider the following factors during your company search:
Window Cost by Type
When you're shopping for new windows, it's essential to remember that there's more to cost than just purchase price. You want a high-quality and durable window. Choosing budget windows could actually raise your overall cost, since they come with a reduced lifespan and more intensive maintenance needs. The age of your home, together with the materials, sizes, and styles of replacement windows you choose, can impact pricing. Simple double-hung windows deliver great value with their straightforward style and simple mechanisms, while a sweeping, custom-size picture window will cost more. An installer can guide you through picking the solutions that fit your preferences.
In this table, you can find cost data for the most common residential window types to determine how much you might pay.
| Window Types | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Arched | $248-$1522 |
| Awning | $359-$999 |
| Bay | $827-$6135 |
| Custom | $368-$1022 |
| Casement | $286-$1658 |
| Double-hung | $133-$863 |
| Egress | $245-$612 |
| Glass Block | $49-$620 |
| Picture | $215-$1590 |
| Single-hung | $97-$1636 |
| Skylight | $122-$1477 |
| Sliding | $281-$1431 |
| Storm | $58-$404 |
| Transom | $299-$627 |
Window Material Cost
Materials also help determine a window's cost. You might pick a material based on your energy efficiency goals, your desired look, and the local climate. 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 | $58-$1636 |
| Composite | $590-$1327 |
| Fiberglass | $97-$827 |
| Vinyl | $199-$1840 |
| Wood | $295-$1658 |
Other Window Replacement Costs
Ask each contractor you're considering about warranty fees, labor costs, and permit fees. This will help you understand the financial commitment involved in the project.
Experience and Training
Select a business that focuses on window installation and repair, and look for this information on its website:
- How many years it's been operating
- Photo galleries of projects its crews completed
- Official non-government accreditations attesting to its workmanship
Licensing and Credentials
Illinois doesn't issue state contracting licenses to window installers, but towns 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 more varied.
Types of Windows Offered
There are several replacement window types you can choose from, and it's important to find a company that specializes in the ones you want. Look on 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 the BBB, Google, and Yelp Speak with people you know who have used the company you're interested in, and ask a representative for professional references.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Window Replacement in Joliet
Why should I hire a professional to install or replace my windows?
How frequently should I upgrade or replace my windows?
Do window installers also work with blinds and coverings?
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviewsteam@thisoldhousereviews.com.
