8 Best Replacement Window Companies (2023 Guide)

Finding the best company for window replacement is about more than cost. You should consider durability, energy efficiency, glass type, frame materials, warranty options, and more. It’s a lot of information to juggle, and comparing window brands on your own may be difficult.

We reviewed the best window brands available using a rigorous in-house methodology. We analyzed window costs, services, and products, and surveyed 1,000 homeowners to determine the factors most important to them. Compare top-recommended brands in our review.

These are the top replacement window brands based on our extensive research:

• Renewal by Andersen: Most Hands-Free Install
• Champion Windows: Best Financing and Discounts
• Castle Windows: Best Warranty
• Milgard: Best Fiberglass Windows
• Marvin: Most Innovative Windows
• Harvey: Best Custom Hardware
• Pella: Best Energy Efficiency
• Simonton Windows: Best Ongoing Maintenance

The tool below helps give you a quick idea of what each top replacement window brand offers.

Replacing windows is one of the most common home improvement projects. You’ll need to consider many factors when shopping, such as each window’s design, material, and placement. All of these factors affect your up-front costs. 

Check for Energy Efficiency

According to Josh Ramsey, Renewal by Andersen’s Midwest regional training manager, one of the biggest reasons homeowners replace their windows is to increase energy efficiency in rooms with poor temperature regulation.

Though more costly than standard windows, energy-efficient windows help you save money on your energy bills. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) joint program, Energy Star, reports that replacing clear-glass, single-pane windows in a single-story, 2,000-square-foot home with new Energy Star-certified windows can save you $101 to $583 per year.

Windows certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) have a label that helps you compare energy-efficient windows on key metrics including the U-factor, solar heat gain coefficient, visible transmittance, and air leakage. Check out the NFRC’s website for more information on these factors and what to look for.

Vet Window Installers

Finding a reputable professional window installer will ensure your project is completed properly, safely, and efficiently. Many major window manufacturers provide networks of installers certified to work with their products. Using a contractor recommended by your window brand prevents problems later on, because the manufacturer can’t blame the installer for issues or vice versa. We recommend getting multiple free quotes and checking the American Window and Door Institute to ensure your installer is certified.

Your pricing estimate should include specifics such as the window brand and model, number of windows, size, and type, plus any add-on features. Installation details should be noted, and labor and material costs should be broken down separately.

A replacement window company should also help you explore and answer the following questions. 

Questions to Ask Yourself

Consider the following when thinking about what window type you need:

• How do I need the window to function?
• What size window is being installed?
• What room are the windows being installed in? 
• How will they look in that room?
• Do I want the windows for style, energy efficiency, or both?

Ask these questions about the window’s framing material:

• Do the frames match my home’s style? 
• What is the climate around my home? 
• How much maintenance do the frames require?

Think about the following questions when choosing a glass type: 

• Do I need more energy-efficient glass?
• Do I need weather-resistant glass?
• Do I need noise-reducing glass?

Shopping for windows can be overwhelming, given the many different components and materials to consider. We’ve broken down the key things to remember to help make the process easier. Additionally, we’ve included a breakdown of window parts below, as illustrated in our How to Replace a Window article. 

Frame Materials

Window manufacturers provide replacement windows with various framing materials. Each option has its own benefits and drawbacks. We’ve compiled common frame materials and their pros and cons below.

• Aluminum window frames: Aluminum window frames are highly durable and stylish. The material is strong, so it fares well in extreme weather conditions. It’s also rot- and mold-resistant. Aluminum windows are less likely to fade and show signs of wear and tear than other options. However, aluminum frames are not energy efficient, and the material conducts heat rapidly.
• Composite window frames: These window frames are cost-friendly and usually don’t require paint or stain. Composite frames combine fiberglass with other materials, such as laminated wood or plastic. They can mimic the appearance of solid wood while providing more durability and better performance due to the embedded fiberglass needles.
• Fiberglass window frames: Fiberglass frames are one of the most durable options. They’re stronger than vinyl and resist fading and cracking for a longer period of time. Fiberglass windows are excellent for homes that experience extreme weather conditions, because they’re resistant to weather and sharp temperature changes. However, they’re more expensive than aluminum and vinyl frames. They also require more maintenance because they must be repainted over time.
• Vinyl window frames: Vinyl frames are the most common and affordable window frame material. They’re made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Vinyl windows work with almost any home style, have solid energy efficiency ratings, and are a great insulator. They also require little maintenance. However, vinyl isn’t as durable as wooden and aluminum windows.
• Wooden window frames: Typically a luxury option, wooden windows are highly durable and stylish. Many homeowners choose wooden frames for their beautiful appearance, which can be made to match any interior and exterior style. Wood is also a great insulator, so these windows are typically very energy-efficient. The only downside is that wooden frames require a lot of upkeep, as they’re naturally susceptible to mold, termites, and rotting. They’re also one of the most expensive options.

Window Types

You’ll want window styles that complement your home’s architecture. Many contemporary homes have casement or sliding windows. Historic homes often feature double-hung and awning windows, while farmhouse-style homes have bay or bow windows.

Read about popular window types below and look for companies that provide windows that match the look of the room(s) you’re upgrading.

• Arched windows: Also called arch-top windows or radius windows, arched windows have square bottoms and an arch or half-circle on top.
• Awning windows: These windows have hinges at the top of the frame and swing outward from the bottom. They often have a crank or a type of glide hardware. 
• Basement hoppers: These are small windows in your basement that increase natural light and airflow. They run across the top of your home’s foundation and are hinged at the bottom to open at the top. Many homeowners choose to convert basement hoppers into egress windows to act as emergency exits.
• Bay and bow windows: Bay windows have a 3D shape that curves outward from your home. Adding a box seat or ledge can transform them into a bookshelf or an additional seating area. Bay windows are angular, while bow windows are more curved. 
• Casement windows: This popular window style has a hinge on the side and swings open to the left or right via a crank. Casement windows are often placed in hard-to-reach areas, such as over a kitchen sink or in a bathroom. 
• Double-hung windows: These windows have two locks and open at the top and bottom. They’re often found on high floors.
• Garden windows: Garden windows protrude from your home, creating a space to grow plants and herbs. They’re ideal for a kitchen window. 
• Glass block windows: These windows are translucent, thick blocks of glass. They allow light into the room but obscure the view, which makes them a popular option for basement and bathroom windows. 
• Picture windows: These oversized windows are floor-to-ceiling accents. They cannot be opened and provide a lot of natural lighting.
• Shaped windows: Sometimes called geometric windows, shaped windows provide an accent that lets light in where standard windows might not work. Popular shapes include half-round, round, eclipse, triangles, and trapezoids. 
• Single-hung windows: These windows function similarly to double-hung windows, but they only open on one end. They’re also typically smaller than double-hung windows. 

Features to Consider

Think about the following additional features when planning your replacement window project: 

• Cladding: Many windows have an exterior covering called cladding to protect their wooden interiors and increase longevity. Wooden windows may be clad with aluminum, vinyl, or fiberglass, all of which remove the need for painting. Additionally, clad windows increase durability to help you avoid paying for cracked window repairs.
• Extra insulation: Triple-pane and double-pane windows have additional glass panes with argon or krypton gas sealed between them for extra insulation. This dramatically reduces a window’s heat transfer.
• Low-e coating: Low-emissivity (low-e) coatings are metal or metallic oxide coatings that block ultraviolet (UV) rays. This helps to reduce heat transfer.
• Storm windows: If you live in a region with inclement weather and intense storms, consider a company that installs storm windows. These windows have an extra glass pane that goes over the existing window for an extra layer of protection from hurricanes and storms. Storm windows also increase energy efficiency. Check out our guide to the best storm windows to learn more. 
• Tilt-in sash: Many single- and double-hung windows have a special sash (the moving part of a window) that you can tilt in for easier cleaning and maintenance.
• Weatherstripping: Weatherstripping is a specialized system that seals window openings to keep out weather. Windows that include weatherstripping last longer.

Warranties

Window installers include warranties on their products to protect your investment. The length and stipulations of these warranties vary by product. High-end options, such as wood windows, typically come with comprehensive warranties, while vinyl windows may have warranties as short as one or two years. Window warranties are often broken into separate warranties for workmanship and components rather than one warranty for both.

Unfortunately, lifetime warranties are not standard in the windows industry. In our survey of 1,000 homeowners, 37% said they received only a two- to five-year warranty. However, 91% of homeowners said their warranty was fulfilled when they made a claim. An installer that offers lifetime warranties on its windows or doors is a secure investment.

Reviews

Reading reviews on popular sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trustpilot, and Google can help you understand customers’ experiences with the companies you’re interested in. Take note of the pros and cons each reviewer shares. Ramsey recommends looking for companies that have one-stop accountability, meaning their products and services are primarily in-house rather than contracted out. He says providing an in-home consultation is a positive sign of professionalism and good customer service.

Many customers will also mention whether or not a company stands behind its work with its warranties, and how helpful customer service reps are. You may want to consider a different installer if you notice many negative reviews.

Most homeowners we surveyed (46%) opted to hire a local contractor, citing that they were scared to make a mistake, wanted to protect their windows with a warranty, or simply didn’t want to deal with the hassle of installing windows themselves.

Many companies offer professional window installation. One way to whittle down your options is to look for installers who are certified for the particular window brand you want. You should also confirm which companies service your address.

Use our tool below to quickly connect with reputable, certified window installers that service your ZIP code and schedule in-home assessments.

It’s possible to install replacement windows on your own, but if your project requires more than swapping out one simple window, consider hiring a professional. Windows are crucial to your home’s appearance, safety, and energy efficiency. Why risk minor mistakes turning into major headaches? 

We recommend Renewal by Andersen for a top-of-the-line, hands-free window replacement experience. If you want long-lasting fiberglass windows, we suggest Milgard. See our guide to affordable replacement window brands if budget is your primary concern, and check out Champion Windows’ ongoing discounts.

We suggest requesting at least three quotes from different window installers before deciding. Use our tool below to obtain free quotes from our top recommendations.

The This Old House Reviews Team backs up our window ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each provider. We conduct research by speaking with company representatives, browsing product selections, analyzing window line specifications, and conducting focus groups and consumer surveys. We then score each provider against our review standards for window variety, value, trustworthiness and transparency, window features, and customer service to arrive at a final score on a 5-point rating scale. 

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.