5 Best Vinyl Window Brands for Your Home (2024)
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Vinyl is one of the most popular window materials for good reason. It’s durable, affordable, and low-maintenance. We’ve spent over 400 hours researching the top-rated window brands to find which offer the best vinyl windows. We chose Renewal by Andersen as our top pick due to its impressive energy performance, warranty coverage, and in-house installation.
Our guide also lists Champion, Castle, Milgard, and Harvey as close competitors. We evaluated each company’s product selection, average window costs*, warranty coverage, customer reviews, and more to see which have the most to offer for vinyl window shoppers. We’ve also provided shopping tips to help you narrow down your choices.
*Unless otherwise noted, brand-specific window pricing was sourced from brand websites.
Top Vinyl Window Replacement Brands
According to our detailed methodology and industry research, these are the best vinyl window brands:
Compare Vinyl Window Companies
See how we rated each brand’s products and services compared to its average price.
| Star Rating | Best For | Price Range | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renewal by Andersen |  | Most Hands-Free Install | $400–$1,850 | Visit Site | |
| Champion |  | Best Financing | $300–$1,700 | Visit Site | |
| Castle Windows |  | Best Warranty | $300–$2,325 | Visit Site | |
| Milgard |  | Best Fiberglass Windows | $300–$1,700 | Visit Site | |
| Harvey |  | Best Custom Hardware | $500–$2,350 | Visit Site |
| Renewal by Andersen | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Star Rating | |
| Best For | Most Hands-Free Install |
| Price Range | $400–$1,850 |
| Champion | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Star Rating | |
| Best For | Best Financing |
| Price Range | $300–$1,700 |
| Castle Windows | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Star Rating | |
| Best For | Best Warranty |
| Price Range | $300–$2,325 |
| Milgard | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Star Rating | |
| Best For | Best Fiberglass Windows |
| Price Range | $300–$1,700 |
| Harvey | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Star Rating | |
| Best For | Best Custom Hardware |
| Price Range | $500–$2,350 |
Our Top Picks for Best Vinyl Windows
These five brands rated highest for best vinyl windows when testing against our methodology. We looked at the number of styles offered, customization options, energy performance, warranty coverage, customer service, reviews, Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating and more to make our selections.
Renewal by Andersen
Most Hands-Free Install
Champion
Best Financing
Castle Windows
Best Warranty
Milgard
Best Fiberglass Windows
Harvey
Best Custom Hardware
Factors To Consider When Buying Vinyl Windows
Even if you’ve narrowed the window material you want to vinyl, there are still so many other factors to look at to pick the best windows for you and your home. Here’s what we recommend looking at to determine your best fit.
Window Style and Appearance
First, if the brand you’re looking at doesn’t have the style you’re after, there’s no point in considering those windows any further. If you’re set on a certain window type and look, start there. See common window types and their descriptions below.
Common Window Types and Their Functions
Awning 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.
These small basement windows 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.
These windows have a 3D shape that curves outward from your home. Adding a box seat or ledge can transform them into a bookshelf or additional seating area. Bay windows are angular, while bow windows are more curved.
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.
These windows have two locks and open at the top and bottom. They’re often found on high floors.
Garden windows protrude from your home, creating a space to grow plants and herbs. They’re ideal for a kitchen window.
These are translucent, thick glass blocks. They allow light into the room but obscure the view, making them popular for bathrooms and basements.
These oversized windows are floor-to-ceiling accents. They don’t open but still provide lots of natural lighting.
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.
These windows function similarly to double-hung windows, but they only open from one end instead of both. They tend to be smaller than double-hung windows.
Energy Efficiency
The next feature to look for is energy efficiency. This is arguably the most important element to look for in a window because it can give you the most impactful return on investment. The Department of Energy reports that 25%–30% of your home’s heating and cooling use goes toward combating heat gain and loss through windows. A highly energy-efficient window not only keeps your home more comfortable year-round, but it lowers your heating and cooling costs and prevents your HVAC system from having to work so hard.
Look for energy-saving additions that help windows perform better, such as low-e glass coating and argon-gas filling. Both will help control how heat leaves and enters your home. Also, avoid single-pane windows. Invest in triple-pane windows for maximum insulation if you live in a particularly cold area. If your climate stays moderate most of the year, go with double-pane windows.
Always check that a window has an Energy Star label. This ensures it’s undergone rigorous testing to meet performance standards for your climate.
Warranty Coverage
Don’t overlook warranty coverage. Most window brands have a sample policy linked on their website, so you can check out the fine print.
Common warranty types include:
- Lifetime warranties: These cover all window parts for a predetermined time designated by the manufacturer, typically between three and 15 years.
- Double lifetime warranties: This warranty type is rare, but as the name suggests, you’re covered by your warranty for double the expected lifetime of your window.
- Limited lifetime warranties: Limited lifetime warranties are also determined by the window manufacturer but only cover some aspects of the window.
- Transferable warranties: These are helpful if you ever plan to sell your home because you can transfer the warranty to the new homeowner. Coverage may be limited for nonoriginal warranty holders.
- Labor warranties: The warranties above protect the windows themselves. Labor warranties protect the workmanship. Also known as contractor warranties, these cover issues related to workmanship as long as a licensed, manufacturer-approved company installs the windows.
Customer Reviews
Always check customer reviews on sites such as BBB, Trustpilot, Best Company, Yelp, and Google Reviews before making such a large purchase. Most of these reviews will be regarding the brand’s customer service or general quality, which is still good to see, but you can find window-specific reviews on retailer sites such as Home Depot and Lowe’s. Read at least a few dozen reviews from the past year to note any patterns in poor window performance, warranty issues, or unexpected costs.
Customization Options
Next, you can look for window options that allow the customizations you want, such as specialty glass, color, grid layout, hardware, etc. When buying a window, these are less important features since they don’t contribute much to performance or ROI, so you may need to compromise here to ensure you get higher-priority features.
Cost
Lastly, once you’ve whittled down your options in all other categories, go with the windows that offer the most for the lowest price. Consider which features are necessary for you and which you can compromise on while staying within your budget. Ask your manufacturer and installer if they’re running any discounts or about financing options if the windows you want are just outside your budget.
Why Is Vinyl a Popular Window Material?
Vinyl is a popular window material among homeowners for a few reasons. It’s typically more affordable than wood, composite, and fiberglass windows. Second only to aluminum, it’s one of the most budget-friendly window materials out there. But you don’t have to sacrifice quality to get an affordable window. Vinyl is also highly durable, long-lasting, and low maintenance. While it’s less energy-efficient than fiberglass or composite windows, it still performs well in most climates. It’s easy to find in top brands’ inventory and won’t warp, rot, or rust.
How Much Do Vinyl Windows Cost?
The average vinyl window replacement cost is $100–$900 per window. The price primarily depends on the window’s style and glass type. Higher-grade vinyl costs roughly $300 more than lower-grade options. Though price is important, we recommend balancing cost with quality. Cheaper options may not last as long and will need more frequent replacing, costing you more money in the long run.
How To Find a Local Window Installer
Our survey of 1,000 homeowners showed that most (71%) opted to hire a professional window installation company. Their reasons varied, but many said they were scared to make a mistake, wanted to protect their windows with a warranty, or didn’t want to deal with the hassle of taking on the project themselves.
You can streamline your search for reliable window companies by looking for certified installers for your desired brand. Many window brands provide a website search function to search for certified installers near you.
Use our tool below to quickly connect with reputable, certified window installers that serve your ZIP code.
Our Conclusion
Vinyl windows provide a sought-after balance between affordability and performance. We recommend Renewal by Andersen’s vinyl windows due to their highly tested and awarded energy efficiency and for the brand’s white-glove window replacement experience. Though Renewal by Andersen costs more on average than most competitors, it comes with a high return on investment, so you’ll save money in the long run thanks to lower energy bills.
When buying vinyl windows, prioritize the option that offers the best energy efficiency at the maximum price you can afford. If budget concerns you, check out our guide to cheap replacement window brands. We suggest requesting at least three quotes from window installers before deciding.
FAQ About Vinyl Windows
How can you tell if a vinyl window is good quality?
Look for vinyl windows with premium-grade polyurethane for maximum energy efficiency. Check that the window has an Energy Star label to ensure it’s been tested and meets strict standards for superior energy performance. A good way to see how customers feel about a window’s quality is to check customer reviews for feedback on the window’s operation, durability, and performance.
Are there different grades of vinyl windows?
Yes, there are different grades of vinyl windows. Building-grade vinyl windows typically have two to three internal chambers, while premium-grade vinyl windows have five to seven chambers. Premium-grade vinyl windows provide superior energy efficiency, as they often use polyurethane insulation in their frames.
How long do vinyl windows last?
According to Glass Doctor, vinyl windows can last 20–40 years, depending on how well they’re cared for.
Should I buy black or white vinyl windows?
We recommend buying white vinyl windows. White provides a simple and clean look paired with excellent energy efficiency and performance. Black vinyl windows are a great way to add contrast to your home, but they will absorb more heat and make your home warmer in summer.
Our Rating Methodology
We back 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.
