20 Best Window Companies in Merced, CA (2024 Reviews)

How Installing Energy-Efficient Windows in Merced Saves You Money

When you switch to energy-efficient windows, you may see a few benefits, including:

• Decrease your carbon footprint: You can reduce your carbon footprint by about 12% when you install Energy Star certified windows. In Merced, that’s about 117 pounds per year on average.
• Protect your valuables: Many energy-efficient windows have low-emissivity coatings, which filter out harmful UV rays, preventing fading of your furniture, carpet and other valuables.
• Protect your investment: The older your home is, the more likely it is that switching to energy-efficient windows will benefit you. Older homes usually have windows that are outdated, drafty or potentially even damaged in some way. Updating your windows could help increase the value of your home if you decide to sell.
• Save money on electricity bills: The Department of Energy estimates that heat gained or lost via windows makes up around 25-30% of energy use in your home. Installing energy-efficient windows can help reduce that amount, which helps you save more on your bills.

Estimated Cost of Window Replacement in Merced

Let’s go over the cost of updating your windows and the types of services you may need for your home.

How Much Do New Windows Cost?

Generally, homeowners in Merced can anticipate that most window installations will range from $250 to $1,200, with the most common installations sitting at about $600. This is because the cost of window installations are based on several factors specific to your home, like the size, material and number of windows you need to replace, as well as where your property is located.

Bear in mind that energy-efficient windows may have a higher price, but Energy Star estimates the upgrade will save you between $101 and $583 per year when you install single-pane windows and between $27 and $197 a year when replacing double-pane, clear glass windows. Your exact savings will vary based on your local climate, energy rates and individual home characteristics.

Another factor that influences the overall cost is the material of the frame you choose. Aluminum frames are typically the least expensive and are sturdy and relatively maintenance-free, but they provide poor insulation. On the other hand, wood frames are the most expensive because they are aesthetically pleasing and offer decent insulation. Fiberglass and vinyl frames provide good insulation and cost somewhere between the other two.

What Services do Window Installers Offer?

The first step of a window replacement is to clarify whether you should get a full-frame or pocket installation.

A full-frame installation is a total window replacement. This service involves taking out the old window, the sill, and the exterior and interior trim. It also involves other materials, including insulation and drip edges, which raise the total cost of the project. It’s also worth noting that you may have to touch up the paint around the window after a full-frame installation. A pocket installation involves replacing a window without taking out the complete frame, which tends to be less expensive than a full-frame installation.

Your window installation company can help you figure out which type of installation you should get.

How We Choose the Best Window Installers in Merced

In our search to make your home improvements easier and more eco-friendly in Merced, EcoWatch examined dozens of companies before settling on these. Along with energy efficiency, we reviewed each installer and assigned rankings using the following methodology:

Service Area

Since this is a guide for Merced, 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 Merced.

Work Quality

When selecting new windows, the quality and range of services can often play just as important of a role in overall efficiency and performance as the type of window you opt for. We do rate window installers higher if they offer high-quality products, but we also consider workmanship as reflected in customer feedback.

Customer Reviews

We analyzed patterns in recent customer feedback to find the companies with the most customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction might be the factor we place the most value on, as it indicates the quality of services across most other categories, including quality of installation, professionalism, quality of parts, cost, warranty and more.

Cost

Cheaper windows certainly don’t mean better windows, but we know many of our readers try to keep costs as low as possible. When analyzing the prices of providers, we awarded higher points to companies with reasonable prices and accessible financing rather than “cheaper” services.

Warranty

Protecting your investment in new windows is important. That’s why window installation companies that offer lengthy warranties for products, parts and installation (aka workmanship) rank higher with EcoWatch.

Years of Experience

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