How To Choose a Window Company in Inver Grove Heights
Each window installer has varying offerings and approaches. To streamline the company search, keep these factors in mind:
Window Cost by Type
When it comes to replacing your windows, cost-effectiveness is most important. Each window you replace should provide optimal durability at an affordable price point. Although high-quality windows may be more expensive to buy, they often provide better long-term value due to their longer lifespan. The material, style, and size of your new windows have the greatest impact on your final cost. Transom windows are inexpensive with their simple size and straightforward form factor, while a sweeping, custom-size picture window will cost more. A professional can guide you through selecting the options that fit your requirements.
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 | $240-$1475 |
| Awning | $348-$969 |
| Bay | $801-$5946 |
| Custom | $356-$991 |
| Casement | $277-$1607 |
| Double-hung | $129-$836 |
| Egress | $237-$593 |
| Glass Block | $47-$601 |
| Picture | $208-$1541 |
| Single-hung | $94-$1585 |
| Skylight | $118-$1431 |
| Sliding | $273-$1387 |
| Storm | $56-$392 |
| Transom | $290-$607 |
Window Material Cost
Replacement 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 in Inver Grove Heights' strong storms, so they tend to cost more.
| Window Types | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | $56-$1585 |
| Composite | $572-$1286 |
| Fiberglass | $94-$801 |
| Vinyl | $192-$1784 |
| Wood | $286-$1607 |
Other Window Replacement Costs
Your total cost for new windows will also include warranty fees (if applicable), permit-related costs (if required), and labor. Make sure to discuss each of these aspects with an estimator before committing to a window company.
Experience and Training
Peruse a company's website and contact a representative to learn more about its product and service offerings, pricing, and warranties. Many window companies also keep online photo galleries that showcase past projects.
Ensure that the company specializes in window replacement. The more specific training its staff has, and the longer it has been in business, the more likely it will deliver excellent craftsmanship.
Licensing and Credentials
In the North Star State, installing windows and doors is considered carpentry work, and companies need either a remodeler or residential building contractor license from the Department of Labor and Industry. A company representative must clear a pre-application exam, provide copies of Secretary of State filings, and enroll in continuing education classes every two years once licensed. If a window contractor makes $15,000 or less per year, it can request a Certificate of Exemption in place of a certification.
Types of Windows Offered
The type of window you prefer should factor into your company choice. Not every installer will necessarily be familiar with the window brand you want. A company website will tell more about the kinds of windows it specializes in, 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 an interesting way to screen different window replacement companies. Trustworthy sources for customer reviews include Yelp, Google, and Trustpilot 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 Inver Grove Heights
What are the benefits of hiring a window installer?
What time of year should I replace my windows?
How can I gauge the quality of a replacement window?
- "visible transmittance," which measures how much light enters through the window
- "solar heat gain coefficient," which tells you how much UV light the window absorbs and releases as heat
- "Condensation resistance," which determines how well a window can resist moisture (the higher the number, the better)
- "Air leakage," which evaluates how easy it is for air drafts to develop (the lower the number, the better)
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviewsteam@thisoldhousereviews.com.
