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Vinyl replacement windows are an excellent investment in your home and combine the best of aesthetics and sturdy construction with lower costs, less maintenance and better energy conservation over other window types.
Here are our recommendations for the top five companies that offer vinyl replacement windows, what to look for when shopping for vinyl windows and the benefits and home value they can add for homeowners.
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With more than 115 years of expertise in the business, high customer satisfaction and an A+ BBB Grade, Andersen Windows tops our list of the best vinyl replacement window companies in 2022. They offer nearly every type of window style you could want, including specialty shapes, with by far the most color choices (up to 57) to match your home inside and out.
Their windows come with a standard 20 year glass warranty, so rest assured you can trust that even your windows that receive the most direct sun stress (such as garden windows, bay windows , awning windows and even large sliding or gliding windows) will be protected through their full expected lifespan.
Kolbe Windows and Doors has been in business for more than 75 years, so you can trust that these experts know their trade. While they don’t offer single-hung or garden windows, they offer virtually every other type of window that you could hope to install for your home. Their warranty offers vary between five and 20 years, but they have an A+ BBB grade that is certainly reflective of quality products and customer service.
Plus, with more than 50 color choices, you are likely to find vinyl windows in great colors and styles to match the interior and exterior of your home.
With the highest customer reviews ratings on this list (4.8), and an A+ BBB grade after more than 60 years in business, Harvey Windows is clearly a solid choice for window shopping. The company offers every standard type of window option except for folding windows and corner windows, and has five to 10 window pane color choices.
Their glass warranty is 20 years, so your windows will be covered through their expected lifespan, no matter where they sit in your home.
In addition to offering every type of window (except for folding windows and corner windows), Window World, Inc also offers acrylic block windows—the only company on this list to do so. They have two to 20 color choices and a lifetime glass warranty, so you can feel confident in your product (and even pass on the warranty to the next homeowner).
Mi Windows is the only company on this list to offer projection windows, or windows that have an arced design with three or more panels that project from the exterior wall of the home, giving the viewer inside a wider and less obstructed view. Bay and bow windows can be projection windows and offer a beautiful focal point in a room.
This company offers glass warranty ranging from 20 years to lifetime and 10 different color varieties. With more than 70 years in business and boasting an A+ BBB grade, you can be confident in your purchase from this highly-rated window company.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is the synthetic base material for vinyl windows, which have improved and grown in popularity over time thanks to various additives and structural adjustments. Vinyl windows present an appealing, wood-like finish while remaining more lightweight and easier to install in addition to being reliably stronger and more durable than other window materials such as wood and metal.
They also offer tremendous versatility in styles, glass options and color choices that won’t fade, peel, yellow or show weathering in extreme climates over time.
If you choose vinyl replacement windows, you won’t have to go through the window replacement process again any time soon, as these windows should last for several decades with basic care.
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There are a number of factors to consider when choosing vinyl replacement windows, including selecting the company with a high quality product that looks great, offers optimal function and lasts for decades.
Here’s what research we recommend before purchasing vinyl replacement windows.
There are several key markers of a well-built vinyl window that are important to look for when shopping for vinyl replacement windows. The thickness of a window correlates to its strength and efficiency; the thicker the vinyl window and the more glass panes, the more durable the window. A window frame with multiple chambers will add additional reinforcement, rigidity and insulation. Frame extrusions and sashes should have welded corners, and the highest quality construction should even make it look seamless, as if they are constructed from one continuous material.
This unbreakable seal should also prevent condensation between the panes and support smooth functionality and operation of the window’s opening hinges and locks. A beautiful, wood-like finish on the vinyl window is also to be expected.
Each vinyl window manufacturer has its own “recipe” or combination of chemicals and materials that combine to create their proprietary vinyl. More chemical additives usually means a lesser quality vinyl. However, some additives also protect against wear and tear on your windows, such as color fading, yellowing, brittleness and climate damage.
The best quality vinyl windows utilize metal as an internal structural element to stiffen and support the window frame while staying insulated from the elements.
You’ll want to choose vinyl replacement windows that have optimal functionality, not only from the frame, but also the glass. More glass means more barrier between you and the outside, which also minimizes noise, reduces heat loss or gain, protects your indoor furnishings from sun damage and promotes energy efficiency.
Some vinyl window manufacturers offer double-pane or triple-pane windows, so especially consider these in areas of your home that could benefit from added protection.
Your vinyl replacement windows should last 20 years or more with basic maintenance, which includes seasonally scheduled window cleanings. Ideally, your manufacturer should provide a warranty that lasts at least this long. Many companies will offer a lifetime warranty on your window, and some will offer what is called “double lifetime warranty,” meaning it can even be transferred to the next homeowner, potentially adding value to your home appraisal.
Energy conservation is one of the biggest benefits to installing vinyl replacement windows, and not all are created equal. Even if the manufacturer guarantees the window performs well, you can look for independent verification from organizations that specialize in product testing, establishing performance standards, energy efficiency certifications and labeling for windows and more, such as the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) and the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA).
Vinyl windows are popular for a reason: they’re low maintenance and they outlast other window types. Vinyl windows do not require painting or staining, they are scratch-free and resistant to peeling, cracking, warping, fading and wear from major climate changes. With basic maintenance (and regularly scheduled window cleaning), your vinyl replacement windows should last for decades and come with a warranty to match, which can potentially even be transferred to the next homeowner.
The facts are in the numbers: vinyl replacement windows cost less than other materials such as wood and metal. And when you consider their longevity, strength, resistance to damage or fading and the potential for a lifetime warranty that extends from homeowner to homeowner, vinyl windows are a solid investment in comparison to the alternatives.
The color options for vinyl windows are countless, vibrant and resistant to fading over time. Premium vinyl window options can even match or contrast your home with different colors on the exterior and interior.
Designed with energy conservation in mind, vinyl windows are unmatched in their structural integrity and ability to optimize your energy efficiency. They are top-rated in airtightness and their ability to minimize heat loss and heat gain inside your home, even in extreme temperatures. The strength of insulation with options for multiple panes of glass are vast thanks to vinyl window frames and window panes, which can even help protect your furnishings from fading, supported by Low-E glass coatings.
All of these factors can save you additional costs on your energy bill, so it’s really a win-win situation.
In addition to saving energy output, vinyl windows last longer than other materials such as wood and aluminum and need to be repaired less, reducing your environmental impact on multiple fronts. Plus, they’re recyclable.
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To determine the best vinyl replacement windows ranking, the Forbes Advisor editorial team analyzed data on 13 companies, with each company’s rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including:
The national average cost for a double-hung vinyl replacement window is $550. The average range homeowners can expect to pay is $400 to$800 per window, with labor costs ranging from $100 to $300 per window.
Vinyl windows are easier to install and replace than other types of windows. They are less heavy than metal windows and most wood windows, and it is easier to save the glass on a vinyl window replacement than it is on some older window materials.
The basic steps to replacing vinyl windows with replacement windows starts with removing the old window and getting precise measurements for both the opening and the new window. If your measurements are in between two sizes, round down to ensure your window is not too large for the opening.
You’ll want to remove the inside trim and moldings, and if applicable, the stops, cords and weights. Save the stops for later and throw the rest away. Also remove the top and bottom sashes and pry out parting stops.
After carefully lifting the replacement window and making sure the installation is level, add insulation tape on the outside to ensure there is no leakage of water and caulking on the inside to prevent any air gaps.
New vinyl windows can last between 20 and 40 years. Factors contributing to the life expectancy of vinyl windows include the climate and exposure to harsh conditions, extreme temperatures or bright, direct sunlight for extended periods of time. The majority of companies producing quality vinyl windows should offer a warranty that covers the expected lifetime of the window, averaging 20 years or more.