11 Best Window Companies in San Luis Obispo, CA (2024 Reviews)

How Installing Energy-Efficient Windows in San Luis Obispo Saves You Money

Switching to energy-efficient windows can improve the comfort of your home and help you save on energy bills. Here are more ways switching out your windows could help you:

• Save money on electricity bills: The Department of Energy estimates that heat gained or lost via windows makes up about 25-30% of energy use in your home. Switching to energy-efficient windows can help decrease that number, which helps you save $521 a year on your bills.
• Decrease your carbon footprint: By using less energy once upgrading to Energy Star certified windows, you’ll also be reducing your indirect greenhouse gas emissions by about 12%, according to Energy Star.
• Protect your valuables from fading: When you upgrade to energy-efficient windows with low-emissivity coatings, your floors, carpets and furniture will be protected from fading due to their ability to filter out damaging UV rays.
• Protect your investment: The older your home is, the more likely you are to benefit from switching to energy-efficient windows. Older homes tend to have windows that are outdated, leaky or potentially even damaged in some way. Updating your windows could help increase the value of your home if you decide to sell.

Estimated Cost of Window Replacement in San Luis Obispo

Let’s take a look at the cost of window installation and the types of services you may need for your home.

How Much Do New Windows Cost?

On average, homeowners in San Luis Obispo can expect that most window installations will cost between $250 and $1,200, with the average cost at around $600. This is because of the fact that window installations are based on a variety of 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.

Whether or not you pick energy-efficient windows is another factor that will influence the cost. These will typically cost more than other windows, but on the other hand, you can save about $521 a year on your energy bills in San Luis Obispo.

We advise getting free quotes from several window installation companies to find the one that works best for your budget.

What Services do Window Installers Offer?

The first step when considering a window replacement is to decide whether you should get a full-frame or pocket installation.

A full-frame installation is a total window replacement. This service involves removing the old window, the sill, and the exterior and interior trim. It can also involve additional materials, including insulation and drip edges, which raise the overall cost of the project. It’s also worth noting that it’s not uncommon for homeowners to have to touch up the paint around the window after a full-frame installation. Pocket installations (or retrofits) entail replacing a window within its existing frame, which makes pocket installations less labor-intensive and costly. However, if the frame has any rot or deterioration, you will likely need a full-frame installation instead.

Your window installation company should be able to help you figure out what’s best for your needs. In San Luis Obispo, the decision will mostly depend on the age of your home and if there’s any moisture damage. Wood can decay if it’s not properly maintained over the years, so it’s good to have a professional examine your frames and window sills.

How We Choose the Best Window Installers in San Luis Obispo

In our hunt to find the most reliable, eco-friendly window installers in San Luis Obispo, EcoWatch assessed many companies before settling on these. Along with energy efficiency, we evaluated window companies all across the state and ranked them using the following methodology:

Service Area

Since this is a guide for San Luis Obispo, we gave more points to companies that serve 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 San Luis Obispo.

Work Quality

We’re willing to bet that you’re looking for a company to do a great job installing windows. We’ve vetted each company featured on this list to make sure its technicians are well-qualified and that the company has gotten lots of positive customer feedback to vouch for its service.

Customer Reviews

Another self-explanatory yet very important review factor is customer feedback. If the majority of customers don’t have nice feedback about their experience with a certain installer, it won’t be featured on EcoWatch.

Cost

Cheaper windows certainly don’t mean better windows, but we know many of our readers would like to keep costs as low as possible. When analyzing providers’ prices, 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 give you lengthy warranties for products, parts and installation (aka workmanship) rank higher with EcoWatch.

Years of Experience

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