24 Best Window Replacement Companies in Birmingham, AL (Feb 2023)
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How Installing Energy-Efficient Windows in Birmingham Saves You Money

Switching to energy-efficient windows can improve the comfort of your home and help you save on power bills. Here's more information on how switching out your windows could benefit you:

• Save money on power bills: According to the Department of Energy, heat gained or lost through windows makes up about 25-30% of household energy use. Installing energy-efficient models can help lower how much energy is used in your home, therefore saving you about 12% more on your bills.
• Protect your investment: When your home is on the older side, your windows could also be outdated or drafty. Keeping your windows up to date is an important part of maintaining your property and its value.
• Protect your valuables from fading: When you upgrade to energy-efficient windows that have low-emissivity coatings, your floors, carpets and furniture will fade less due to their ability to filter out harmful UV rays.
• Decrease your carbon footprint: Because energy-efficient windows improve the insulation in your home, you can reduce your carbon footprint by about 12%, according to Energy Star.

Estimated Cost of Window Replacement in Birmingham

Each window installer provides varying services and has different price points based on a few factors.

How Much Do New Windows Cost?

On average, Birmingham homeowners can expect their replacement window installations to range from $250 to $1,200. The most common installations sit at about $600. This is because the cost of window installations depend on several factors specific to your home, like the size, material and number of windows you need to install, as well as the location of your property.

It's important to keep in mind that windows with higher efficiency may cost more initially but can save you hundreds of dollars via returns on your energy bills. Investing in Energy Star certified windows can save Birmingham homeowners $420+ a year when replacing single-pane windows.

Costs will also vary depending on the material you choose for your window frames. Aluminum frames are the least expensive. They're sturdy, light and easy to maintain, but provide poor insulation. Vinyl frames are a bit more expensive and provide good insulation. Composite frames made from wood fibers encased in plastic also provide good insulation and are moderately expensive. Wood frames cost the most and are the most in-demand. They're also aesthetically pleasing and provide decent insulation for your home.

What Services do Window Installers Offer?

The first question to ask yourself when planning a window installation is: Should you get a full-frame installation or a pocket installation?

Full-frame installations involve replacing the complete window, including the frame, sill and trim. You most likely need a full-frame installation when you want a new style or your window has noticeable deterioration. Because full-frame installations are more involved, they will raise overall costs. A pocket installation involves installing a new window without replacing the frame. This means instead of removing the whole window and reinstalling it, the contractor will just slide the replacement window (also called a retrofit or insert window) into the frame.

Your window installation company will be able to advise you on the best type for your project. In Birmingham, the decision will mostly be influenced by the efficiency of your home and how old your existing frames are.

How We Choose the Best Window Installers in Birmingham

EcoWatch is different from most reviewers since we evaluate these companies through a sustainability lens. Along with energy efficiency, we reviewed several window installers in Birmingham and ranked them based on the following methodology:

Service Area

Since this is a guide for Birmingham, we only included companies that cover the city. There are other reputable providers that didn't make the list because of the low odds that they would serve the average homeowner in Birmingham.

Work Quality

When selecting new windows, the quality and breadth of services can often play just as important of a role in insulation and performance as the brand you get. We do give window installers higher marks if they offer high-quality products, but we also factor in workmanship as reflected in customer feedback.

Customer Reviews

We analyzed patterns in recent customer feedback to determine the companies with the most customer satisfaction, weighted by sample size. Customer satisfaction may be the most important factor, as it indicates the quality of services across most other categories, including quality of parts, warranty, cost, professionalism, quality of installation and more.

Cost

This one is a give-and-take: similar to most services, cheap window companies are not going to provide the highest quality service. Still, we want to ensure we're highlighting companies that offer a variety of price and financing options so they're accessible to most homeowners.

Warranty

Protecting your investment in new windows is important to many homeowners. For that reason, window installation companies with lengthy warranties for products, parts and labor rank higher with EcoWatch.

Years of Experience

Due to Birmingham's climate, homeowners need to be wary of low efficiency, water damage and rot. We factored in local experience to reflect the ability of Birmingham window companies to prepare homes for the climate. If a company has less than 10 years of experience, it loses points in this category.