5 Best Window Brands for Your Home (2024 Styles & More)

Choosing the Best Windows for Your Home

When it comes time to replace your home’s old windows, whether because of old age, poor energy efficiency or damage, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of options you’ll have.

There are tons of popular replacement window brands, frame materials, and glass types of windows to choose from, all of which make your decision more challenging.

In this guide, we’ll discuss how to choose the best windows for your home. We’ll also compare different window brands, help you navigate the many different frame and glass materials and discuss which types of windows are best for the average eco-conscious consumer.

What to Look for in a Window Manufacturer

If you’re still not sure which brand is right for you and want to continue your research, there are a few considerations you should start with. We’ll discuss the most important aspects of a window manufacturer below, which will help you find the best type of window from a brand you can trust.

Warranty Coverage

One of the first things many homeowners look for is the length of the warranty offered with new windows. Every company’s window warranty varies, with some providing just 10 years of coverage and others offering a lifetime warranty. Of course, the longer the warranty, the more peace of mind you’ll have that you won’t run into an issue with your windows down the line.

Many window companies offer different warranties for the windows themselves, the hardware and the installation, so you’ll need to confirm how long your coverage is for each. 

• In most cases, the labor warranty is the shortest, but it’s one of the most important coverages, as it protects against issues like leaks that are caused by a faulty installation. If you choose a window company that only manufactures products, your workmanship warranty will come from the third-party installer you choose to complete the work.
• Hardware warranties are usually longer than workmanship coverage but shorter than window warranties. Hardware is the least expensive part of your windows, so while coverage is a great thing to have, decades of protection aren’t totally necessary.
• Most important is the warranty for your window itself. This warranty will cover things like manufacturer defects, which can cause water leaks, air leaks and other issues that compromise the seal and your home’s energy efficiency. Longer warranties are always better, but you should ideally be looking for coverage for at least 15 to 20 years to ensure you get your money’s worth.

Energy Efficiency

Next, you’ll want to consider the windows’ energy efficiency, which has a huge impact on your overall energy consumption. Energy-efficient windows conserve energy, affecting not only the comfort level of your home, but also the size of your utility bills for years after installation.

Many manufacturers offer different window product lines with varying levels of energy efficiency. You can start by either checking the efficiency ratings of a line of window you like the appearance of, or you can search for windows with highly efficient materials, like fiberglass frames and triple-pane glass.

Alternatively, you can look for Energy Star ratings, which are provided by the Department of Energy for windows that meet its criteria for high efficiency. This rating takes into consideration heat transfer through glass and frame materials, sunlight absorption by the glass and more.

Some windows might instead have specific ratings. For example, U-factor provides information about general insulation, and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) provides information on heat loss through the window.

You can learn more about the specifics of energy efficient windows in this video: 

Regardless of the ratings, energy-efficient windows are a must-have. Energy-efficient windows will help:

• Reduce the amount of money you spend on heating and cooling your home 
• Provide more insulation from outdoor noises 
• Put less stress on your heating and cooling equipment, which leads to fewer repairs and a more comfortable living space

Durability

Replacing windows can be expensive, especially if you’re upgrading all of the windows in your home at once. To avoid unexpected costs in the future, one of the most important factors to consider is window durability. Your windows are under constant stress from the elements, so ensuring you get windows that will last is essential.

Durability is challenging to estimate because there are no rating systems to help guide you like there are with energy efficiency. Instead, you’ll have to rely on the reputation of the brand, customer reviews and, most importantly, the warranty coverage. You can get a good idea of how durable your windows will be by looking at the warranty. Manufacturers with confidence in their products tend to offer strong warranty coverage of 20 years or more.

Price

Of course, every homeowner will be concerned with the price of the windows they’re purchasing. The cost of a single window can vary by hundreds of dollars based on the brand you choose, even if all other factors — like frame material and glass quality — remain the same. In many cases, durability, consistency and energy efficiency will be the factors that are affected most by price, so you’ll have to balance the cost with the product quality.

More important than the price is the value you get for your money. It’s easy to think that more affordable windows are a better option, but they may be more likely to give you issues after installation and provide a lower level of energy efficiency. This could end up costing you more in energy bills over time. 

We recommend buying windows near the top of your budget from a brand name you can trust to avoid less durable and less reliable brands that are appealing solely because of the price.

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Window Materials

Not every window company offers every frame material and glass type, so you might need to be discerning based on your preferences. For example, if you’re looking for maximum energy efficiency, you’ll probably want fiberglass window frames and triple-pane glass. 

Many companies don’t carry either of these options, so you can rule them out right away. Similarly, some homeowners want wood windows for the curb appeal they provide, but some companies don’t offer them because they aren’t particularly energy-efficient.

Manufacturing and Installation

As we mentioned above, some window manufacturers — like Renewal by Andersen — manufacture windows and provide professional installation services. Others — like Marvin — only manufacture windows and require that you go through a third-party installer.

Generally speaking, companies that provide windows and installation are a bit better. Not only do they make the process more convenient, but if anything goes wrong, you have one company to turn to fix it. If you instead buy windows from a manufacturer and have them installed by a third party, you might have trouble getting one or the other to cover the issue under its warranty.

Additionally, companies that manufacture and install their windows can often accommodate custom windows to suit your home exactly, which is a nice option to have if your home has non-standard windows.

Years of Experience

We recommend you look at how long a window manufacturer has been in business as well. Some of the best window companies have over a century of experience, and many have several decades of success behind them. Companies with longevity are more likely to provide a positive experience and good customer service, as well as products that have been tested time and time again.

Customer Reviews

Finally, we suggest reading through some online customer reviews for the company you’re considering. Online reviews give you a quick look at what you can expect from a window company. You can read some positive and negative reviews to get a good idea of how a company is likely to treat you throughout the consultation and installation process and beyond.

Which Window Manufacturer Is Best for Your Home?

Again, there’s no perfect window manufacturer that will appeal equally to all homeowners. You’ll have to find the best one for your purposes by comparing the aesthetics, price points, window frame materials, glass types, overall energy efficiency and availability.

With that being said, Renewal by Andersen is our top pick for window manufacturers. Andersen has over 110 years of experience and is a highly trusted and respected name in the window industry that provides durable windows backed by a long warranty. 

Best of all, Andersen is committed to energy efficiency, which means you’ll have your pick of high-efficiency window frame materials, glass types and glass coatings that can serve to reduce your utility bills, reduce your environmental impact and keep your living space more comfortable.

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Finding the Best Window Frame Material for Your Home

While choosing the right brand of window for your home is an important decision, your work is far from over. The next choice to make is what kind of window frame material you want for your windows. There is no single frame material that is best for every homeowner, so we’ll discuss the different options below and include some pros and cons to help you decide.

Here’s a quick overview to get you started:

Aluminum Window Frames

Aluminum is usually the most affordable window frame material, and it’s widely available. Most major window manufacturers offer aluminum window frames, and the majority of installers will install them. Aluminum can be painted for some aesthetic appeal, but it’s not the most durable frame. Aluminum frames typically come with the shortest warranty coverage.

While aluminum is affordable and low-maintenance, it’s also the least energy-efficient frame material available. It’s not ideal for homes that are in extreme climates, although it can serve as a decent budget option in mild climates. We recommend homeowners in extreme climates choose a different material to minimize heat transfer between their living spaces and the exterior of their homes.

Vinyl Window Frames

Vinyl window frames are some of the most popular because they offer a great blend of energy efficiency and affordability. Vinyl replacement windows are only slightly more costly than aluminum windows in most cases, and they provide much better insulation from the exterior temperatures. Vinyl has great durability and is rated for about 20 years. It cannot be painted, so while it comes in many color options, you’ll be stuck with that color until you need to replace the window again.

Premium vinyl is a great option for energy efficiency, as it provides better insulation than aluminum and wood windows. This is especially true if you choose vinyl window frames with voids in the center, which can be filled with foam insulation for optimal energy efficiency. Many vinyl windows are Energy Star rated.

Wood Window Frames

Wood window frames are more expensive than vinyl and aluminum frames, and they often have a lower energy efficiency rating than vinyl windows. Most homeowners who choose wood windows do so because they like how they look. Wood offers a classic and traditional appearance, and the curb appeal is usually preferable to other materials for most homeowners. Some other materials — like composite and fiberglass — can be made to look like wood, but they’re more expensive.

Wood isn’t the most energy-efficient frame material, although it’s often rated better than aluminum. Wood can be painted and stained for a customized appearance, adding to the visual appeal. Some window manufacturers offer wood frames with an aluminum or vinyl shell on the outside to provide added energy efficiency. These windows are often referred to as aluminum-clad or wood-clad windows.

Composite Window Frames

Composite window frames are made out of multiple materials — most often a highly efficient material lined with wood on the outside to make them more attractive. Composite frames are usually more costly than wood frames, but they provide the appearance of wood with the energy efficiency of fiberglass or insulated vinyl.

Composite frames vary in their levels of energy efficiency depending on the materials used. You can check the windows’ u-factor and insulative properties on your manufacturer’s website in most cases. Composite frames are also more durable than many other materials, so you will often be looking at a warranty of 20 years or more.

Fiberglass Window Frames

Finally, fiberglass frames are the most expensive option available, but they provide the best durability and the highest level of energy efficiency. Fiberglass windows are the most likely to come with a lifetime warranty, and many of them last for 40 years or more without any major issues. While the window cost is much higher for fiberglass than you’ll pay for other materials, these windows also last significantly longer in most cases.

Fiberglass is the most energy-efficient material, so it’s ideal for extreme climates and for reducing energy bills. It can be textured to look like wood, and it can be painted as well, so you get the benefits and appeal of wood windows with a superior energy efficiency rating.

What’s the Best Glass Type to Choose for Your Windows?

Once you’ve chosen your window brand and frame material, you’ll have to choose the type of glass you want for your windows. Most window companies offer at least two options, plus some glass coatings that can improve energy efficiency or reduce the amount of UV radiation coming into your home. Below, we’ll explain the key differences between window glass options and coatings to help you decide which is best for your budget and needs.

Single-Pane Glass

As the name suggests, single-pane glass consists of one layer of glass. This type of glass will keep rain, snow and debris out of your home, but it’s not particularly insulative. As such, it’s only suitable for mild climates, usually in areas where air conditioning and heating systems aren’t required.

Some manufacturers don’t even offer single-pane glass because it’s far less popular than double- and triple-pane options. However, it is the most affordable, at a little more than half the price of double-pane glass.

Double-Pane Glass

Double-pane glass consists of two layers of glass in each pane. The layers are separated using window spacers that are designed not to transfer energy readily between the panes. The void created between the panes is filled with an insulative gas — usually argon gas — which further serves to insulate your home from the exterior.

Given how insulative double-pane windows are, this option is far more energy-efficient than single-pane windows. Most Energy Star-rated windows have at least double-pane glass. Other benefits of double-pane windows include fewer issues with window condensation and better noise insulation to limit outside disturbances. However, double-pane windows are nearly twice as expensive as single-pane windows.

Triple-Pane Glass

Triple-pane glass is made of three layers of glass. Spacers make two separate voids between the panes, both of which are filled with insulative gas. Given that triple-pane windows are geared toward homeowners who want maximum energy efficiency for their homes, they often come with the option of argon gas in between the panes or even more efficient krypton gas.

Triple-pane windows are the most insulative, so they’re best suited for extreme climates and can help lower energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint. Triple-pane windows are also best for keeping noise from landscaping equipment, traffic and noisy neighbors out of your living space. 

Triple-pane windows come at the highest price point, however, at around double what you can expect to pay for an equivalent double-pane window.

Other Considerations

In addition to the type of glass, you’ll also have to decide if you want any glass coatings, which you can use to improve the energy efficiency of your windows or reduce sunlight and UV radiation from coming into your home. There are two primary glass coatings that you’ll find from the major window manufacturers, which we’ll explain below.

Low-E Coating

A low-emissivity (or Low-E) coating is a film that goes over your windows to reduce the energy transfer that occurs through your windows. It reflects heat in the direction from which it came, meaning a Low-E coating will help keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. 

Low-E coatings are relatively inexpensive, especially for the value they provide. They can often pay for themselves in the added energy efficiency they lend to your home.

Low-E glazings can be applied by most major window manufacturers, and many window installation companies can also add the coating as an aftermarket option.

Window Tinting

Window tinting is another popular window treatment that most homeowners are more familiar with. Window tinting is also a film applied to your window glass, but rather than reflecting energy in the form of heat, it absorbs sunlight and limits the amount of light coming through your windows.

Of course, window tinting will reduce the amount of natural light entering your home, so they’re best suited for areas where the sun is intense. By reducing sunlight entering your home, window tinting can help keep your home cool.

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Energy Efficiency of Home Windows

Windows come in many different styles, and the type of window you choose can affect your home’s energy efficiency, the amount of sunlight you receive and the ventilation of your living space.

When it comes to energy efficiency of your home windows, those with thick glass that don’t open or close and maintain a perfect seal between your living space and your home’s exterior will be the most efficient. Specifically, glass block windows provide the best energy efficiency. This window style doesn’t allow for any ventilation and provides minimal natural light in most cases, so it’s only suitable if you’re looking to maximize energy efficiency.

Best Windows for Energy Efficiency and Sunlight

For homeowners who have energy efficiency in mind but also want to let plenty of sunlight into their homes, picture windows are the best option. These windows don’t open or close, so they provide a perfect seal and protection from the elements and outdoor temperatures. 

They’re large and aren’t opaque like glass block windows, so they let plenty of light in while providing views of the outdoors.

Best Windows for Energy Efficiency, Sunlight & Ventilation

If you want the best of all three worlds — windows that open and close to provide ventilation, provide natural sunlight into your home and provide good energy efficiency — then casement windows, which are often found on bay windows and bow windows, are your best option.

Casement windows are hinged on the sides and open like a book. They usually use manual cranks as their opening mechanism, and when they close and lock, the weatherstripping gets clamped between the window sash and the frame to provide a good seal. While casement windows will never be as energy-efficient as solid windows that don’t open, they are the best option for efficiency while maintaining the option for ventilation. 

Awning windows and hopper windows are two other good options for providing energy savings while maintaining ventilation in your living area. These are more window types with a sash that clamps against the frame, providing a better seal than windows with sliding sashes. Single-hung windows and double-hung windows are less efficient.

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