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The Best Vinyl Window Companies of 2024

Author Image Written by Jessica Wimmer + 1 other Reviewer Icon Reviewed by William Powars Updated 07/15/2024

Vinyl windows are a great option for homeowners who want a well-performing window that won’t break the bank. They’re much cheaper than windows made from other materials but still energy-efficient enough to lower your electric bills and keep your home comfortable. The main disadvantage of vinyl windows is that they’re less durable when not well-made, but you can avoid this by choosing a company with trusted energy certifications, beneficial warranty coverage, and a high level of customer satisfaction. 

Our team researched 15 of the leading window brands to see which offer the best vinyl windows. We surveyed 1,500 people who bought windows in the last three years to understand their buying process and what customers should be aware of. We also spoke with two of our team members who recently bought windows and two industry experts, plus joined an installation team at a jobsite to see what window installation is like. Finally, we read more than 1,500 customer reviews, compared warranty policies, looked into financing offers, and checked energy certifications. 

From this research, we developed a scoring system to rate each company on value, performance, reputation, selection, services, and customer support. The following five companies got our vote for best vinyl windows.  

Key Takeaways

Our top picks for vinyl windows are Castle and Champion Windows. Both are Energy Star-certified and have an average cost of under $1,250 per window.
We recommend prioritizing lifetime warranty coverage, an Energy Star label, and beneficial loan terms when shopping for windows.
Always read the fine print of warranty policies and financing terms and look for both positive and negative themes in customer reviews before choosing a window company.

Compare Our Top 5 Vinyl Window Brands

Before we get into the details of our top five picks, here’s a look at all 15 window companies we reviewed and scored. You can see how each brand fared against our review standards and compare other key factors we think are important when shopping for windows.

Overall Rating

4.8 / 5
4.7 / 5
4.6 / 5
4.6 / 5
4.3 / 5
4.2 / 5
4 / 5
3.9 / 5
3.5 / 5
3.5 / 5
3.5 / 5
3.3 / 5
3.1 / 5
3 / 5
2 / 5

BBB Rating

A+
A+
Not Rated
A+
Not Rated
A
A+
A+
F
A+
A+
A+
A+
A+
A+

Avg Price Per Window***

$1,194
$1,210
$1,141
$800
$1,162
$1,500
$1,200
$1,261
$1,105
$1,288
$1,597
$1,323
$1,436
$1,497
$1,513

Warranty Type

Limited transferable
Lifetime transferable
Limited lifetime transferable
Limited lifetime transferable
Lifetime transferable
Lifetime transferable
Limited lifetime transferable
Limited lifetime transferable
Limited lifetime transferable, lifetime transferable
Limited transferable
Lifetime transferable, limited transferable
Limited transferable
Limited transferable
Limited lifetime transferable
Limited transferable

Energy Efficiency

Energy Star Partner of the Year 2015–2024
Energy Star-certified
Energy Star-certified
Energy Star partner
Energy Star-certified
Energy Star-certified
Energy Star-certified
Energy Star partner
Energy Star-certified
Energy Star-certified
Energy Star-certified
Energy Star-certified
Energy Star-certified
Energy Star 2023 Most Efficient winner
NFRC-certified

Material

Composite
Vinyl
Vinyl
Vinyl
Vinyl, wood
Vinyl
Vinyl
Fiberglass, vinyl, wood
Aluminum, vinyl
Aluminum, fiberglass, wood
Vinyl, wood
Aluminum, vinyl
Composite, vinyl, wood
Vinyl
Aluminum, wood

Financing Offers

In-house financing, 0% down, deferred payments, discounts
0% down
In-house financing, 0% interest, 0% down, deferred payments, discounts
In-house financing, 0% interest, deferred payments, discounts
In-house financing, 0% interest, 0% down, deferred payments, discounts
In-house financing program
None
In-house financing program, 0% interest loan, discounts
None
None
None
None
None
None
None

State Availability

50
11
29
50
18
23
15
44
13
50
19
50
50
50
50

Pros

  • Energy-efficient Fibrex material
  • In-house installation
  • Energy efficiency demo during consultation
  • Lifetime warranty
  • In-house installation
  • 24/7 customer support line
  • Financing perks
  • Glass block privacy windows
  • High customer rating from large sample size
  • Budget-friendly
  • In-house installation
  • Energy Star partner
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Wood and vinyl windows
  • Financing perks
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Above-average customer ratings
  • Convenient scheduling
  • Above-average customer ratings
  • Variety of installation services
  • Quick installation
  • Fiberglass, vinyl, and wood options
  • Financing perks
  • Availability at home improvement retailers
  • Lifetime warranty coverage on some windows
  • Above-average customer ratings
  • Positive warranty claim experiences
  • Aluminum, fiberglass, and wood options
  • Nationwide locations
  • Diverse window styles
  • Lifetime coverage on some windows
  • Vinyl and wood options
  • Diverse window styles
  • Diverse window styles
  • Nationwide shipping
  • Aluminum and vinyl options
  • Composite, vinyl, and wood options
  • Online chat support
  • Nationwide shipping
  • Diverse window styles
  • High energy performance
  • Availability at home improvement retailers
  • Aluminum and wood window options
  • Nationwide shipping
  • Architectural styles

Cons

  • No 0% interest loan option
  • Limited warranty
  • Some installation delays
  • Vinyl windows only
  • No picture windows
  • Vinyl windows only
  • Appointment cancellation issues
  • Vinyl windows only
  • Limited lifetime warranty
  • Some incorrect window deliveries
  • Difficult to reach according to customers
  • No picture windows
  • No financing perks
  • Limited customer support
  • Vinyl windows only
  • Limited customer support
  • Poor customer ratings
  • No in-house installation team
  • No in-house installation team
  • No financing perks
  • Limited warranty coverage
  • No in-house installation team
  • Higher pricing on average
  • No in-house installation team
  • Limited warranty coverage
  • Lower-quality materials
  • Higher pricing on average
  • Limited warranty coverage
  • Vinyl windows only
  • Limited warranty coverage
  • Limited window styles
  • Limited warranty coverage

Summary

We recommend Renewal by Andersen if your priorities are energy efficiency and durable materials. 

We recommend Castle if you prefer full, long-term warranty coverage.

We recommend Champion if you plan to finance and want to reduce upfront costs.

We recommend Window World if you want quality windows on a budget. 

We recommend Window Nation if you want wood windows.

We recommend Universal Windows Direct if you want lifetime warranty coverage and vinyl windows.

We recommend Power Home Remodeling if you want to upgrade multiple aspects of your home at the same time.

We recommend Pella if you want to check out the windows at a home improvement store before buying.

We recommend Milgard if your priority is a company that stands by its warranty.

We recommend Marvin if you want plenty of material and style options

We recommend Harvey for those who want vinyl or wood windows and don’t mind hiring an installer.

We don’t recommend PlyGem due to its poor customer ratings that cite low product quality and service.

We don’t recommend Jeld-Wen because of its above-average window costs and poor customer reviews.

We don’t recommend Simonton due to poor customer ratings and above-average pricing.

We don’t recommend Loewen because of its limited window styles and number of unsatisfied customers.

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Rating Categories

Value

3.8 / 5
2.8 / 5
4.3 / 5
3.5 / 5
2.8 / 5
2.3 / 5
1.8 / 5
3.3 / 5
1.8 / 5
1.8 / 5
.8 / 5
1.8 / 5
.8 / 5
.8 / 5
.8 / 5

Performance

4.6 / 5
4.4 / 5
4.6 / 5
4.6 / 5
5 / 5
5 / 5
4.4 / 5
4.2 / 5
4.4 / 5
4 / 5
4.2 / 5
3.8 / 5
3.2 / 5
4.2 / 5
3.2 / 5

Reputation

3.3 / 5
4.7 / 5
3 / 5
4.3 / 5
2.3 / 5
5 / 5
5 / 5
2.7 / 5
2.7 / 5
3.3 / 5
5 / 5
3.33 / 5
2.7 / 5
3.3 / 5
0.0 / 5

Selection

2.5 / 5
1.8 / 5
2 / 5
2 / 5
2.3 / 5
1.8 / 5
2 / 5
3.5 / 5
2.0 / 5
3.5 / 5
2.8 / 5
2.5 / 5
3.5 / 5
2.3 / 5
2 / 5

Services

5 / 5
5 / 5
5 / 5
5 / 5
5 / 5
5 / 5
5 / 5
2.5 / 5
2.5 / 5
5 / 5
2.5 / 5
2.5 / 5
2.5 / 5
2.5 / 5
2.5 / 5

Customer Support

3 / 5
4 / 5
2 / 5
2 / 5
3 / 5
1 / 5
0.0 / 5
2 / 5
3 / 5
2 / 5
1 / 5
1 / 5
3 / 5
1 / 5
1 / 5

*BBB ratings are accurate as of June 2024. Note that BBB scores change frequently. 

**Champion and Window Nation do not have BBB ratings as of June 2024. We detail why in our reviews below.

***Average window prices are based on our 2024 survey of 1,500 recent window buyers.


What Are the Parts of a Window? 

If it’s your first time buying windows, you may be unfamiliar with some of the terms you’ll see on window websites and hear during your consultation. The below video details the basic parts of a window so you’ll know what you’re looking at when browsing windows online or placing your order with a representative.


Our Top-Rated Window Replacement Companies


How We Selected the Best Vinyl Window Brands

To determine the best brands for vinyl windows, we read over 1,000 customer reviews and surveyed 1,500 homeowners about their most important factors when shopping for windows. We researched these factors and split them into six categories to score our 15 window companies: value, performance, reputation, selection, services, and customer support. We detail how we approached scoring these categories and which brands stood out below.

You can also get a quick glance at how our top five brands compare on price versus our overall score in the graphic below.

Value

We evaluated this category based on two factors: cost and financing offers. This gave us a good idea of the investment you’ll make, while the remaining categories helped us evaluate your return. 

Because we know windows are expensive, we aim to recommend budget-friendly companies that don’t compromise on quality. We used data from our 2024 survey to determine that the average cost per window is roughly $1,130 for vinyl. We gave more points to companies with below-market pricing of $1,400 or lower.

Most companies we reviewed fell in the $1,000–$1,400 range. A few were more expensive, such as Harvey, Jeld-Wen, Simonton, and Loewen. Interestingly, these brands had some of the lowest overall scores despite their high price tags. On the flip side, Window World averaged below $1,000 per window but still ranked highly enough to make our top five.

After cost, we looked at financing offers. If you’re buying several windows at once, you’ll likely consider financing them and paying the purchase off monthly. Some vinyl window manufacturers leave you to figure out financing on your own with your bank. Others have in-house financing options that come with incentives, such as 0% interest rates, no money down, or no payments for the first year. We rated companies with these benefits higher.

Champion and Renewal by Andersen had the best finance offerings of the companies we reviewed. Both allow you to delay payments, put no money down, and get a 0% interest rate. While we recommend reading the fine print once the contract is in front of you, these are still valuable perks if you need windows now but don’t currently have the budget. 

Multiple companies also offer discounts. In addition to Champion and Renewal by Andersen, we saw discount offers on Window World, Pella, and Window Nation’s sites. Window Nation also provides a 5% discount for seniors and military members.

Value Score

Performance

Performance is our most heavily weighted category, as this is where you’ll see the most return on your investment. You can tell a vinyl window is of good quality by looking at two main factors: warranty coverage and energy efficiency. 

You’ll get an idea of how much a company stands behind its products based on the scope and length of its warranty. Companies don’t typically over-promise performance and then routinely have to pay customers back when the product doesn’t deliver. Because of that, they test each window part to assess its lifespan. Many window companies’ warranties are also transferable, which is valuable if you sell your house because you can transfer them to the next homeowner.

There are three primary types of window warranties:

  • Lifetime warranty: We most recommend lifetime warranties because they cover every aspect of the window for its lifespan. We gave the highest points to brands with this coverage level. Castle and Universal Windows Direct came out on top. 
  • Limited lifetime warranty: These are common but not as comprehensive as a true lifetime warranty. Limited means only certain aspects of the window are covered for the window’s lifespan, but not all. Which parts are covered depends on the brand.
  • Limited warranty: A limited warranty caps coverage for varying window parts at a certain number of years—for example, 20 years for glass and 10 years for hardware. This isn’t automatically a bad warranty, nor does it mean that the company doesn’t stand behind its product. Twenty years is a long time, just not as long as lifetime coverage. Well-maintained vinyl windows can last up to 40 years. 

A lifetime warranty is especially valuable for vinyl windows, which aren’t as durable and long-lasting as high-performance materials, such as fiberglass. Companies that offer these warranties for vinyl windows increase our confidence that the window’s engineering has been tested and determined to last a long time.

Next, we looked at energy efficiency. This is an important factor because the more energy-efficient a window is, the better it will lower your energy bills, keep your home comfortable, and prevent your HVAC system from working overtime. Energy-efficient windows cost more than those without advanced energy features, but the return is worth it. 

We could go into the specifics of how a window’s energy performance is measured, but the easiest way for the average shopper to ensure they’re getting an energy-efficient window is to look for labels from two of the industry’s most reputable organizations: Energy Star and the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC). A sticker from each of these organizations certifies that a window has undergone rigorous, independent testing to evaluate various energy performance metrics and has been deemed efficient.

Windows that meet Energy Star certification criteria don’t vary much in performance. However, you do need to check the label’s climate recommendation. What’s considered efficient for the southwest likely isn’t the same as the northeast. 

We never put a company in our top five that doesn’t have these certifications.

Performance Score

Reputation

Our survey takers said positive customer reviews were their second-most important factor when shopping for windows, right after energy efficiency. We mainly read customer reviews and ratings on Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot to assess reputation. If companies had less than 50 reviews on each of those sites, we also checked Reddit, Facebook, and Google Reviews.

BBB’s letter scores indicate the company’s business practices, which is why we gave higher points to companies with higher scores. However, these grades don’t paint the whole picture. For example, a company could lose its rating for not paying its BBB fees in time. Typically, companies with low scores have an alert on their BBB profile that tells you about improper business conduct, but sometimes BBB provides no reasoning. As such, we treat customer reviews as our main source of truth. 

Both BBB and Trustpilot display star ratings averaged from customer reviews. We awarded the most points to companies with 4 or more stars, then descended from there. Window World, Universal Windows Direct, and Power Home Remodeling all had exceptionally high customer ratings. Pella Windows and Jeld-Wen fared the worst despite a high BBB letter score.

Reputation Score

Selection

We typically evaluate material quality in this category when reviewing window brands. Because this article focuses on vinyl windows only, we looked at which companies have the broadest selection of window styles and product lines. We found that most brands sell seven to 10 types of windows, including popular styles such as double-hung, picture, casement, awning, and bay windows. Since vinyl can be painted, most brands also provide different paint colors, grid layouts, and hardware options to choose from. 
The companies we researched were pretty similar in this category. Only one company that made our top five makes single-hung windows, which are typically the cheapest window style. Window World offered the most exterior colors, but Universal Windows Direct had the most grid layout and hardware options.

Selection Score

Services

Not all companies manufacture and install their own windows. Some simply manufacture their windows and leave it to a network of dealers to sell and arrange installation. Others sell their windows at home improvement retailers such as Home Depot, and it’s up to you to hire a contractor to install them. 

We prefer a company that both makes and installs its windows in-house, as did 48% of our survey takers. The fewer parties involved, the less room for miscommunication and mishandled project management. Using a company’s in-house installation team should also get you a better outcome, as the crew is trained to install that brand’s windows specifically. Plus, it should reduce warranty disputes since it’s harder for a company to fault the workmanship of its own employees. 

About half of the companies we reviewed provide in-house installation, including our top five picks. 

We also looked for additional services companies provide, such as installing doors, siding, roofing, sunrooms, and other home features. Tackling multiple projects at once is convenient for homeowners, and bundling projects may help you save money, so we gave these companies additional points.

Window World and Universal Windows Direct stood out for their additional services. Window World provides siding, shutters, and entry, patio, and garage doors. Universal does entry doors, siding, attic insulation, roofing, gutters, and bathroom remodels.

Services Offered Score

Customer Support

When it’s late at night and you notice water seeping around your window during a storm, you want to be able to call for service immediately or have access to a helpful, user-friendly website. 

We looked at companies’ support hours and website features to score this category. Castle is the only company we saw that provides customer support 24/7. All other companies provided support hours five or six days a week ending between 5 and 6:30 p.m. More than half had an online service form, but we doubt these requests are handled as quickly as speaking to someone on the phone and immediately scheduling service.

We gave additional points to companies that have an online chat feature, since this is a convenient way to get a quick answer for simple questions. Castle, Window Nation, Universal Windows Direct, Milgard, and Jeld-Wen were among the companies that had this. We also gave points to those with helpful educational resources on their site, such as maintenance guides or tutorials.

Customer Support Score


Our Top Vinyl Window Brand Picks

The following five vinyl window brands scored the highest overall in our review process. We’ve highlighted their noteworthy features and what we believe are the biggest pros and cons based on our consumer research. 

You’ll notice we don’t spend much time talking about energy efficiency or cost. Though these are important factors, these brands of windows are all similar in those regards. They’re each Energy Star-certified and fall within the $1,000–$1,400 range per window, except for Window World, which averages $800. 

We didn’t dig into the details of each company’s vinyl for similar reasons. Those that made our list sell vinyl options of similar quality. Instead, we focused on differentiators, such as warranty coverage, financing programs, and customer reviews.

Best Warranty: Castle

4.7
Overall Score
#2 out of 15 reviewed companies
Cost: $1,210
States Covered: 11
Warranty: Lifetime transferable
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What We Liked

  • Provides a lifetime warranty that covers glass damage for any reason, which is rare
  • Is the only company we reviewed with 24/7 customer support
  • Has a 0% interest loan option

What We Didn’t Like

  • Doesn’t advertise discounts like many competitors do
  • Doesn’t sell picture windows, an industry rarity

Our Scores

Castle earned 4.7 out of 5 stars. Its best selling point is its true lifetime warranty. 

Value Score
2.8 / 5
Services Score
5 / 5
Customer Support Score
4 / 5
Performance Score
4.4 / 5
Reputation Score
4.7 / 5
Selection Score
1.8 / 5

Our Review

Castle is our top pick for vinyl windows. It scored well in multiple areas, including warranty coverage, financing offers, customer support, and reputation. The company’s been in business over 50 years and has a couple features that are rare in the industry. For starters, it’s the only brand we scored that has 24/7 customer support. Other companies offer support during traditional business hours Monday–Friday, with some offering limited Saturday hours. Not all service needs can wait until Monday morning, especially considering that 26% of our survey takers said glass damage was why they were searching for new windows. 

The company’s other standout is its lifetime warranty coverage, which only two other companies we researched offer. We believe a lifetime warranty is the best option for windows because it means every aspect of the window is covered for the window’s lifespan, and Castle has some of the most inclusive terms of any policy we read. Whereas many companies won’t cover glass damage due to vandalism or acts of nature, Castle covers glass repair for any reason—both the replacement glass and the labor.

We didn’t find any major red flags about Castle, but we did notice it doesn’t provide discounts, at least not any we saw advertised (many other companies do offer discounts). Castle also doesn’t make picture windows, so cross it off your list if that’s what you’re looking for.

Customer Reviews

  • Responsive
  • Good warranty
  • Courteous representatives
  • Service delays

Castle has been accredited by the BBB for over 40 years and has an A+ rating on the site. It has 3 out of 5 stars from customers on BBB and 3.8 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, which is slightly above average compared to competitors. 

Many customers said they were happy to get a Castle rep on the phone who quickly and helpfully resolved their issue. This reinforced for us that the 24/7 support line isn’t just for show. We also saw reviews backing up Castle’s lifetime warranty coverage, saying that their warranty claims were approved and handled without dispute. 

A common complaint was waiting longer than desired for service. This may be due to short staffing at certain locations, or it could be supply chain issues beyond the company’s control. Service typically requires replacement parts that may take a while to reach the service provider from the manufacturer.

Most Budget-Friendly: Window World

4.6
Overall Score
#4 out of 15 reviewed companies
Cost: $800
States Covered: 50
Warranty: Limited lifetime transferable
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What We Liked

  • Has the lowest vinyl window prices of any company we scored
  • Doesn’t charge loan interest for 15 months
  • Has above-average customer ratings

What We Didn't Like

  • Has a limited lifetime warranty, so it only covers select window parts
  • Has issues with incorrect product delivery according to some customers

Our Scores

We scored Window World 4.6 out of 5 stars. The brand stood out for its below-average pricing.

Value Score
3.5 / 5
Services Score
5 / 5
Customer Support Score
2 / 5
Performance Score
4.6 / 5
Reputation Score
4.3 / 5
Selection Score
2 / 5

Our Review

If your top priority is saving money, start your search here. Window World has some of the cheapest vinyl windows you’ll find, averaging roughly $800 per window. No other brand we reviewed averaged below $1,100. We ensured that the low price doesn’t mean low-quality products or services; most locations’ customer reviews are some of the best we’ve seen.

We also like that Window World offers an interest-free loan option for the first 15 months. It isn’t the only company that has this, but it’s a nice perk if you plan on financing. 

Window World’s only minor downside is that it doesn’t offer the true lifetime warranty that we prefer. Insead, it offers a limited lifetime warranty. This is common in the industry and means the company only covers some window parts for the window’s lifespan, not all. We saw that Window World covers vinyl, glass, and mechanical parts for most window styles. Oddly, garden windows have a separate warranty. Damage from hurricanes, tornadoes, fire, and vandalism are not covered, which isn’t entirely uncommon but isn’t as comprehensive as Castle’s all-inclusive warranty. Given that vinyl isn’t as durable or weather-resistant as other materials, we’d like to see more damage protection.

Window World’s warranty policy says it doesn’t cover condensation, which also isn’t great. Condensation on the outside of window glass is normal, but condensation between window panes is not. The policy doesn’t make this distinction.

See Window World Review

Customer Reviews

  • Friendly installers
  • High-quality windows
  • Quick installation
  • Incorrect orders

Window World has an A+ BBB rating and has been accredited since 2000. It has an impressive 4.2 out of 5 stars from customers on BBB but only 2.2 out of 5 on Trustpilot. Combined, this is average to slightly above average for a window brand. 

Customers liked how friendly, respectful, and knowledgeable Window World’s installers were. Several reviews mentioned how thorough the installation team was when cleaning up after the job was complete. Multiple customers said the company went above and beyond for them, and every aspect of the process was smooth and skillful. 

We noticed a pattern of complaints about incorrect orders, meaning the windows installers arrived with weren’t the windows the customer claimed to order. This could be due to miscommunication or an issue with packaging and shipping. Because of this issue, installation was delayed.

Best Financing: Champion

4.6
Overall Score
#3 out of 15 reviewed companies
Cost: $1,141
States Covered: 29
Warranty: Limited lifetime transferable
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What We Liked

  • Has one of the best financing programs of any brand we rated
  • Is the only brand we evaluated that sells glass block privacy windows
  • Has many customer reviews praising its helpful and personalized consultations

What We Didn't Like

  • Charges a travel fee for installation and repair appointments
  • Has some customer complaints about responsiveness and missed appointments

Our Scores

Champion Windows scored 4.6 out of 5 stars. Its many financing offers set it apart. 

Value Score
4.3 / 5
Services Score
5 / 5
Customer Support Score
2 / 5
Performance Score
4.6 / 5
Reputation Score
3 / 5
Selection Score
2 / 5

Our Review

Champion Windows has significantly more customer reviews than any brand we researched, so we trust the favorable picture over 4,450 buyers have painted of the company. Champion stands out for its many financing offers, making it a good choice if you need to buy lots of windows at once but can’t pay for them all upfront. The company offers a low-interest, no-money-down loan and advertises discounts frequently. For example, at the time of this writing the company’s site says you can get 35% off windows, entry doors, siding, and sunrooms.

We also like how helpful and transparent the company’s website is. Champion provides a window buyers guide, a step-by-step look at installation, an energy worksheet so you can see how much upgrading your windows will save you, and many articles on measuring, cleaning, and operating your windows. 

Be aware that the company charges an unclear travel fee to send technicians to your home for installation or service visits. This isn’t entirely uncommon for the industry but is an added expense.

See Champion Review

Customer Reviews

  • Smooth process
  • Helpful representatives
  • High-quality windows
  • Missed appointments

Champion isn’t currently rated by the BBB. There are many reasons BBB revokes scores, such as not paying its dues or advertising in a way it doesn’t like. We saw an alert on Champion’s BBB profile saying that the company has a pattern of complaints regarding unreturned customer calls, missed appointments, and delays in resolving warranty claims. We would dock Champion heavily for this if not for two things. For starters, customer reviews are largely positive and don’t mention these issues more than we see in other company’s reviews. Secondly, BBB gives low letter scores for poor business conduct, so simply being unrated makes us think this alert isn’t why the company has lost its rating.

Nearly 750 Champion customers rated it 3 out of 5 stars on BBB and more than 3,700 customers rated it 4.1 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. One positive theme frequently mentioned was the informative consultation experience. Buying vinyl windows from any company starts with a representative visiting your home and walking you through options. Customers wrote that Champion’s reps were incredibly courteous, knowledgeable, patient, punctual, and helpful at advising them on the best vinyl replacement windows for them. 

We also saw a negative theme of missed appointments that contradicts this, so customers seem split on this aspect of the brand’s customer service. We recommend reading reviews specific to the branch in your location to check if this is a pattern.

Best Discounts: Window Nation

4.3
Overall Score
#5 out of 15 reviewed companies
Cost: $1,162
States Covered: 18
Warranty: Lifetime transferable
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What We Liked

  • Provides a lifetime warranty, meaning windows are fully covered for their lifespan
  • Offers buy-one, get-one discounts and discounts for veterans and seniors
  • Also sells wood windows if you want multiple material types

What We Didn't Like

  • Is one of two of the 15 brands we rated that doesn’t sell picture windows
  • Can be difficult to reach according to some customers

Our Scores

Value Score
2.8 / 5
Services Score
5 / 5
Customer Support Score
3 / 5
Performance Score
5 / 5
Reputation Score
2.3 / 5
Selection Score
2.3 / 5

Our Review

Unlike the other brands on this list, Window Nation doesn’t just sell vinyl windows—it also sells wood options. This is a highlight because you may want to install wood windows on the front of your house for elevated curb appeal, then use vinyl for the rest of your home to lower your overall cost. 

Window Nation is one of the three brands in our top five with a lifetime warranty, the best coverage type in the industry. Lifetime warranties cover your entire window for its lifespan, saving you significant money if your window ever needs service or part replacement. Window Nation’s website also provides a more in-depth look at its energy savings than most companies we rated. It details the energy efficiency features it uses in every window, such as low-emissivity (low-e) glass and argon gas filling between glass layers for added insulation, plus additional efficiency upgrades, such as triple-pane window glass. 

Window Nation offers traditional industry discounts, such as buy-two, get-two, plus some unique offerings, such as an additional 5% off for seniors and active and veteran military members. 

We don’t like that the company’s website isn’t as informative and transparent as others we’ve seen. It doesn’t provide many financing or warranty policy details or guides for customers on window care.

Customer Reviews

  • Fast installation
  • Knowledgeable technicians
  • Repeat customers
  • Miscommunication

Window Nation is another company not rated by the BBB. Like Champion, this doesn’t necessarily mean the company did something wrong. In cases of poor business practices, we’d be more likely to see a D or F letter score. No rating typically means the brand hasn’t fulfilled an obligation to the bureau that doesn’t relate to customers. Plus, the BBB hasn’t flagged any alerts on the company’s profile, so we’re not concerned. 

What matters most to us is what customers say. The company has 3.2 out of 5 stars from customers on BBB and 2.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot. These aren’t the best we’ve seen from a window company, but they’re far from the worst. 

Customers noted how much they love their windows’ look and that the installers were professional and helpful. We noticed more Window Nation customers mentioned reduced noise pollution than any other brand’s reviews. 

The biggest negative feedback theme we saw was around installation day disappointments. Either installation was delayed due to windows not being ready or installers arriving with the wrong windows. Windows not being ready is typically a supply chain issue that the company doesn’t have full control over. Arriving with the wrong windows could be due to incorrect packaging at the warehouse or miscommunication on order forms.

Most Convenient Scheduling: Universal Windows Direct

4.2
Overall Score
#6 out of 15 reviewed companies
Cost: $1,500
States Covered: 23
Warranty: Lifetime transferable
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What We Liked

  • Provides a lifetime warranty, covering your entire window for its lifespan
  • Has an online chat feature for quick questions
  • Offers generous discounts and five years of interest-free financing

What We Didn't Like

  • Doesn’t have a copy of its warranty policy online, so we can’t see coverage details
  • Doesn’t explain its financing options like most competitors do

Our Scores

Universal Windows Direct earned a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars. Its highlights are great customer reviews and lifetime warranty coverage. 

Value Score
2.3 / 5
Services Score
5 / 5
Customer Support Score
1 / 5
Performance Score
5 / 5
Reputation Score
5 / 5
Selection Score
1.8 / 5

Our Review

Universal Windows Direct is the last vinyl window company on our list with a lifetime warranty, our preferred coverage type. We know that lifetime warranties cover the entire window for its lifespan, but Universal doesn’t have a copy of its warranty policy on its site, so we couldn’t check the details. Its site does say that the warranty is 100% transferable and covers parts, materials, glass systems, frames, locks and hardware, and all installation and labor. We also saw praise for the company’s warranty terms and handling in customer reviews, so we trust the policy’s fine print is favorable.

The brand doesn’t say much about its financing options, just that its loan is interest-free for five years. Like several competitors, Universal offers a buy-two, get-two window discount, so you should be able to reduce window costs significantly if you’re updating your entire home. 

We noticed on the company’s website that it doesn’t have many locations, so we recommend checking its list of authorized dealers first to see if it’s available in your area. Most locations are on the eastern side of the country, with some scattered throughout the west.

Customer Reviews

Universal Windows Direct holds an A rating on BBB along with 4.1 out of 5 stars from over 500 customers. It also has a 4.2 out of 5 stars from more than 250 customers on Trustpilot. Both are above-average customer ratings compared to the brands we reviewed. 

Of the company’s countless positive customer reviews, a major theme was how smooth the process was from start to finish and how thorough and helpful everyone was at every stage. Many people said they would absolutely purchase from the brand again and recommend it to friends. Quick installation was another common highlight: one customer said the installation crew put in 33 windows in just eight hours.

One concerning theme we saw was that Universal’s customers complained about windows leaking air or moisture more than any other company on our list. This is obviously a big, costly problem, and we’re not sure what to make of it given how many customers say they’re happy with their new windows’ performance. Universal has responded to many of these leak complaints saying they’ve left the customer a voicemail and are interested in resolving the issue, but the customers didn’t follow up to say what the resolutions were.


FAQ About the Best Vinyl Windows

How can you tell if a vinyl window is good quality?

You can judge a vinyl window’s quality by checking that it’s Energy Star certified. This will tell you that it meets or exceeds energy performance standards. Also, look for ingredient additives and the number of internal chambers. Quality vinyl windows often include additives such as titanium dioxide or organic tin to prevent warping and yellowing due to sun exposure. High-grade vinyl windows will have at least five internal chambers designed to provide superior insulation.

Which vinyl is best for windows?

Opt for premium-grade vinyl made with five to seven internal chambers and polyurethane frame insulation to increase energy efficiency.

What's the best vinyl window on the market?

Champion Windows, Castle, and Window World have some of the best vinyl windows on the market due to their Energy Star certification and quality warranty coverage.

What is the best company to buy windows from?

Castle and Window World are among the best companies to buy vinyl windows from. Both are Energy Star certified and rate well among customers on review sites regarding product quality and customer service.

Are there different grades of vinyl windows?

Yes. Vinyl windows can be grouped into builder-grade and premium-grade. Builder-grade, also known as contractor quality, vinyl windows are typically cheaply made with poor insulation and limited security features. Premium-grade vinyl windows are made with a more weather-resistant ingredient blend, better insulation, and more durable locks and seals.