Start Your Project Here
The window industry is a confusing place, even for us. Companies are constantly changing their products, top windows aren't even available to the everyday consumer, bids and quotes can vary by tremendous amounts of money, the list goes on and on and on. Typically, if you're here, it's because your windows are single pane aluminum frames from the 50s and they need to go. Or your windows are drafty and there's condensation between the window panes. Or your window sills and frames are rotting and it's time to swap it all out.
So how do you go about the process and find a good quality window at a price point that makes sense for your budget? Here's my attempt at explaining the answer. There are really only a couple of questions that you need to answer before calling up some local companies.
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Step 1: Decide What Material You Want
Honestly, 90% of homeowners should probably go with vinyl window replacements. Maybe 80%, but you get my point. Vinyl windows have (or had) a bad reputation and the reason is that there are hundreds of builder grade vinyl window manufacturers who make a bottom-of-the-barrel product.
Notice I didn't say you should buy a crappy vinyl window. Most homeowners will be well served with a quality mid range vinyl window that is properly installed. Vinyl windows are more energy efficient than wood windows, carry a much better warranty, require no maintenance, and typically cost much less. That's a lot of advantages.
The other options are wood, fiberglass, composite materials, and aluminum. Fiberglass is 10% to 20% more expensive than vinyl, and is perhaps a bit more durable than vinyl over the long term. Composite windows are a complete mixed bag depending on who makes it and what they make it out of. Aluminum is very strong, but very energy inefficient, it really only makes sense in extremely hot climates that call for a really tough window.
Step 2: Get A Few Free Bids
They're free and they provide you with information. You don't have to sign anything then and there. In fact, don't sign anything then and there. Any company who tells you that you will get a huge discount if you sign a work order that day is probably not a company you want to go with. Take your time, get a few free bids and collect as much information as you can. Check out our recommended window brands to see which window companies owe recommend. Then find local companies who carry these windows and service your area.
Step 3: Negotiate The Best Price
Not everyone loves this part, but you can save yourself quite a bit of your hard earned money. This is usually what I tell people who are uncomfortable negotiating; call up the wincore rep (I'm going to use Wincore windows as an example only because this was a question I recently answered for a consumer and I'm too lazy to change the verbiage) and thank them for coming out -- be super nice and pleasant...then tell him that you REALLY want to go with him (i'll assume its on the 7700 model) -- you've done your research and you know that the 7700 Wincore Series is a good window and you've read good reviews on his installation -- but the price is simply out of your budget and you don't know what to do...if he was able to work with you on the price, then you're ready to sign that day.
Then say as little as possible (figure out what you want to say beforehand in case he asks).
If he says his quote is his lowest price, thank him and tell him you've got to think on it and you will be in touch.
I can almost guarantee that he will knock off something from the original quote.
Step 4: Choose The Best Option You've done the work to get the bids, you've compared them, you've negotiated to find the bottom price for the company and brand you want. Now go forward with the project.