20 Best Window Companies in Santa Cruz, CA (2024 Reviews)

How Installing Energy-Efficient Windows in Santa Cruz Saves You Money

Energy-efficient windows can benefit you in more than one way. Here are some reasons you may want to take the plunge and make the switch:

• Reduce your carbon footprint: You can reduce your carbon footprint by about 12% when you install Energy Star certified windows. In Santa Cruz, that’s about 117 pounds per year on average.
• Protect your investment: If your home is on the older side, your windows are most likely in need of replacement. Updating your windows can improve the insulation in your home and also help increase the value of your property if you decide to sell.
• Save on power bills: The Department of Energy estimates that heat gained or lost through windows makes up around 25-30% of energy use in your home. Switching to energy-efficient windows can help decrease that amount, which helps you save some money on your bills.
• Protect your valuables: Many energy-efficient windows have low-emissivity coatings, which not only provide better insulation for your home, but also filter out harmful UV rays, preventing your furniture, carpet and other valuables from fading.

Estimated Cost of Window Replacement in Santa Cruz

Windows come in various shapes, purposes and styles, so costs and services will differ remarkably depending on your project. Below, we detail the average cost and services that you can get from window installation companies.

How Much Do New Windows Cost?

Generally, Santa Cruz homeowners can expect their window replacements to range from $250 to $1,200. The average cost sits at approximately $600. But costs will vary considerably based on the quality of your products, the number of windows you need, the current condition of your home and your location. Many window companies also offer door installations and other add-ons like shutters, coating, baths and more. Additional services will increase overall project costs.

With windows, efficiency is one of the most important factors for most homeowners. High efficiency windows may cost more upfront, but by increasing the efficiency of your home — especially if you live in a hot climate — they can give you many years of energy savings. According to Energy Star, purchasing certified energy-efficient windows can save Santa Cruz homeowners $568+ per year after replacing single-pane windows.

Something else that influences the total cost is the material of the frame you pick. Aluminum frames are generally the least pricey and are sturdy and light, but they offer poor insulation. On the other hand, wood frames cost the most 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?

Generally, there are two types of window installation services companies provide: full-frame and pocket installations.

Full-frame installations involve replacing the entire window — the sill, frame, trim and all. These are typically done when you want to change the style of your window or when it has significant rot or deterioration. Full-frame installations are more time-consuming and will increase overall costs. Pocket installations are on the simpler end and won’t carry as large a bill because they involve merely replacing the window within its existing frame. But if the frame has any damage or rot, you may have to get a full-frame installation instead.

Your window installation company should be able to help you figure out which type of installation you need.

How We Choose the Best Window Installers in Santa Cruz

In our hunt to find the most reliable, eco-friendly window installers in Santa Cruz, EcoWatch examined dozens of companies before settling on these. Along with energy efficiency, we reviewed several window installers in Santa Cruz and assigned rankings using the following methodology:

Service Area

This one is self-explanatory, but we’ve chosen to highlight window installation companies that serve Santa Cruz so you can find the right window installation company near you.

Work Quality

When it comes to new windows, the quality and breadth of services can often play just as important of a role in overall efficiency and performance as the brand 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

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

Cost

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

Warranty

Protecting your investment in new windows is important. For that reason, window installation companies that have 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 earn higher rankings by our standards. We like to see at least ten years of experience.