20 Best Window Companies in San Rafael, CA (2024 Reviews)

How Installing Energy-Efficient Windows in San Rafael Saves You Money

Energy-efficient windows can benefit you in more than one way. Here are some reasons you may want to consider making the switch:

• Save money on energy bills: According to the Department of Energy, heat gained or lost through windows makes up around 25-30% of household energy use. Switching to energy-efficient models can help reduce how much you have to pay, 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• Protect your investment: When your home is on the older side, your windows could also be outdated or leaky. Upgrading your windows is an important part of maintaining your property and its real estate value.
• Protect your valuables from fading: When you upgrade to energy-efficient windows that have low-emissivity coatings, your floors, carpets and furniture will be protected from fading because of their ability to filter out harmful UV rays.
• Reduce your carbon footprint: You can reduce your indirect greenhouse gas emissions by about 12% once you install Energy Star certified windows. In San Rafael, that’s about 117 pounds per year on average.

Estimated Cost of Window Replacement in San Rafael

Each window installation company provides various services and has different prices based on a few factors.

How Much Do New Windows Cost?

On average, homeowners in San Rafael can anticipate that most window installations will cost between $250 and $1,200, with the average cost sitting at around $600. But costs will vary considerably depending on the quality of your products, your location, the number of windows you need and the current condition of your home. A lot of window companies also offer replacement door installations and other add-ons like coating, shutters, baths and more. These extra services will increase overall project costs.

It’s important to remember that windows with higher efficiency may cost more upfront but can save you hundreds of dollars by lowering your energy bills. Investing in Energy Star certified windows can save San Rafael homeowners $451+ a year when replacing single-pane windows.

We advise getting free quotes from multiple window installers to find the one that works best for your budget.

What Services do Window Installers Offer?

The first question to ask yourself when getting new windows is: Do you want a full-frame installation or a pocket installation?

Full-frame installations are usually done when you want a new style or your window has significant rot or deterioration. With this service, your professionals will replace the total window, including the sill, trim and frame. Pocket installations (also known as retrofits) are when you replace a window while leaving the existing frame. Pocket installations are on the simpler end and will be less expensive, but you can’t do this kind of installment if you have any pre-existing rot or water damage.

If you’re unsure which type of window installation service you should get, your installer can help you out. Generally, the decision is based on factors like the age and condition of the home, the type of building material, budget and time restrictions.

How We Choose the Best Window Installers in San Rafael

EcoWatch differs from most reviewers, as we’re examining these companies through a sustainability lens. We’ve reviewed the best window replacement companies in San Rafael primarily based on their energy efficient offerings, as it’s what’s best for the environment and for you as a homeowner. Energy Star certified windows have been shown to lower electricity bills by hundreds of dollars. Along with energy efficiency, our rating methodology considers the following factors:

Service Area

Since this is a guide for San Rafael, we only included companies that cover the city. There are certainly reputable providers that didn’t make the cut because of the low odds that they would serve the average homeowner in San Rafael.

Work Quality

When it comes to new windows, the quality and variety of services often plays 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 factor in workmanship as reflected in customer feedback.

Customer Reviews

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

Cost

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

Warranty

As discussed, windows are a considerable investment, so you’ll want to be certain that investment is well protected. Window installation companies with lengthy warranties for products, parts and labor rank higher with EcoWatch.

Years of Experience

Lastly, we like to see companies that have been in the industry for quite some time. Window installers that have more years of experience are going to earn higher rankings by our standards. We like to see at least ten years of experience.