11 Best Window Replacement Companies in Charleston, IL (Mar 2023)
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How Installing Energy-Efficient Windows in Charleston Saves You Money

Energy-efficient windows can offer benefits in more than one way. Here are a few reasons you may want to make the switch:

• Protect your investment: Keeping your windows up to date is an important part of maintaining your property and its real estate value, particularly if your home is on the older side.
• Save money on electricity bills: The Department of Energy estimates that heat gained or lost through windows makes up around 25-30% of residential energy use. Installing energy-efficient windows can help lower that amount, which helps you save more on your bills.
• 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 harmful UV rays.
• Decrease your carbon footprint: Since energy-efficient windows improve the insulation in your home, you can lower your carbon footprint by about 12%, according to Energy Star.

Estimated Cost of Window Replacement in Charleston

Let's go over the cost of replacing your windows and the types of services offered by installers.

How Much Do New Windows Cost?

Although the average to install a single window is around $600, it can range from $200 to $1,200. This is because the cost of window installations are based on a variety of factors specific to your home, such as the size, material and number of windows you need to replace, as well as where your property is located.

Keep 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 installing single-pane windows and between $27 and $197 per year when installing double-pane, clear glass windows. These savings vary depending on your local climate, energy rates and individual home characteristics.

How much your window installation costs will also vary depending on the kind of material you choose for the frames. Wood windows are generally the most expensive, although it depends if they are 100% wood or clad with aluminum or vinyl. Fiberglass windows also tend to be somewhat more expensive than vinyl, but they are more efficient.

What Services do Window Installers Offer?

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

Full-frame installations are usually recommended when you want to change the style of your windows or your window has significant rot or deterioration. With this service, your professionals will replace the full window, including the trim, sill and frame. Pocket installations (or retrofits) involve installing a new window within the existing frame, which makes pocket installations less labor-intensive and costly. However, if the frame has any damage or rot, you should opt for a full-frame installation instead.

If you're still trying to decide which type of installation to get, you can talk to your installer and get their recommendation. The choice mostly depends on how old the frames are and if there's any damage.

How We Choose the Best Window Installers in Charleston

The EcoWatch Reviews team is different from most reviewers since we're examining these companies through a sustainability lens. Along with energy efficiency, we reviewed several window installers in Charleston and assigned rankings using the following methodology:

Service Area

Since this is a guide for Charleston, we only included companies that provide services to the city. There are certainly other reputable providers that didn't make the cut because of the low odds that they would serve the average homeowner in Charleston.

Work Quality

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

Customer Reviews

Another self-explanatory yet super important review factor is customer feedback. If the majority of customers don't have good things to say about their experience with a certain window installation company, you won't see it featured on EcoWatch.

Cost

This one is a give-and-take: as with most services, cheap window installation companies are not going to provide the highest quality service. Still, we want to ensure we're highlighting companies that provide a range of price and financing options so they're accessible to most homeowners.

Warranty

As discussed previously, windows are a hefty investment, so you'll want to make sure that investment is well protected. Window installation companies with lengthy warranties for products, parts and labor rank higher with EcoWatch.

Years of Experience

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