20 Best Window Companies in Cedar Falls, IA (2024 Reviews)

How Installing Energy-Efficient Windows in Cedar Falls Saves You Money

When you switch to energy-efficient windows, you may see a few perks, such as:

• Save on energy bills: Because energy-efficient windows reduce how much energy you need to heat or cool your home, they can help you save about $421 annually on your energy bills in Cedar Falls.
• Protect your valuables: The low-emissivity coatings on many energy-efficient windows help prevent your floors, carpets and furniture from fading by filtering out UV rays.
• Decrease your carbon footprint: You can reduce your carbon footprint by about 12% when you install Energy Star certified windows. In Cedar Falls, that’s about 715 pounds per year on average.
• Protect your investment: The older your home is, the more likely it is that getting new windows will benefit you. Older homes tend to have windows that are outdated, leaky or potentially even damaged in some way. Updating your windows could help raise the value of your home if you decide to sell.

Estimated Cost of Window Replacement in Cedar Falls

Windows come in varying styles, purposes and shapes, so costs and services will differ remarkably depending on your project. Below, we describe the average cost and services that you’ll find from window installation companies.

How Much Do New Windows Cost?

The average cost to replace one window is about $600 but can range from $200 to $1,200. How much it will cost depends on several factors, including type, the location of your home, number of windows, size, material and more.

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 — particularly during the summer and winter — they can provide decades of energy savings. According to Energy Star, purchasing certified energy-efficient windows can save Cedar Falls homeowners $421+ each year after replacing single-pane windows.

Something else that affects the overall cost is the material of the frame you select. Aluminum frames are usually 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?

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

A full-frame installation is a replacement of the full window. This service involves taking out the old window, the windowsill, and the exterior and interior trim. It also involves other materials, such as insulation and drip edges, which increase the overall cost of the project. Also worth noting: you may have to touch up the paint around the window after a full-frame installation. Pocket installations are simpler and won’t carry as large a bill, as they entail simply replacing the window within its existing frame. But if the frame has any damage or deterioration, you should opt for a full-frame installation instead.

If you’re unsure which window installation service you should get, your installer should be able to help you out. Typically, the decision depends on factors such as the age and condition of the home, the type of building material, budget and time restrictions.

How We Choose the Best Window Installers in Cedar Falls

EcoWatch reviews are different from other reviews, as we examine these companies through a sustainability lens. Along with energy efficiency, we evaluated each installer and ranked them based on the following methodology:

Service Area

Because this is a guide for Cedar Falls, we only included companies that provide services to the city. There are certainly other reputable providers that didn’t make the cut because they wouldn’t be able to serve homeowners in Cedar Falls.

Work Quality

When installing new windows, the quality and breadth of services often plays just as important of a role in insulation and performance as the brand of window you choose. 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 online reviews to find the companies with the highest rates of customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction might be the most important factor, as it indicates the quality of services across nearly every category, including quality of installation, professionalism, cost, quality of parts, warranty and more.

Cost

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

Warranty

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

Years of Experience

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