20 Best Window Companies in Chicago, IL (2023 Reviews)

How Installing Energy-Efficient Windows in Chicago Saves You Money

Switching to energy-efficient windows can improve the comfort of your home and help you save on electricity bills. Here's more information on how switching out your windows could benefit you:

• Save on electricity bills: The Department of Energy estimates that heat gained or lost through windows makes up about 25-30% of energy use in your home. Installing energy-efficient windows can help decrease that number, which helps you save more on your bills.
• Protect your valuables from fading: The low-emissivity coatings on many energy-efficient windows filter out harmful UV rays, preventing fading of your furniture, carpet and other valuables.
• 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 Older homes tend to have windows that are outdated, drafty or maybe even damaged in some way. Upgrading your windows could help raise the value of your home if you decide to sell.
• Better temperature control in your home: When you reside in a city like Chicago where the winters can get very cold, you usually need to rely on your heater to keep your home warm. Energy-efficient windows can decrease how hard your heater needs to work to heat your home.

Estimated Cost of Window Replacement in Chicago

Windows come in all shapes and sizes, so costs and services will vary tremendously. Here are the typical costs and services that you can find from window installers.

How Much Do New Windows Cost?

The average cost to install a single window is about $600 but can range anywhere from $200 to $1,200. These amounts vary depending on specific characteristics of your installation, including size, number of windows, the location of your home, material, type and more.

Bear in mind that energy-efficient windows may cost more, but Energy Star estimates the upgrade will save you between $101 and $583 per year when you install single-pane windows and between $27 and $197 per year when you install double-pane, clear glass windows. Your exact savings will vary depending on your local climate, energy rates and individual home characteristics.

Something else that influences the total cost is the material you select for your frame. Aluminum frames are usually the least pricey and are sturdy and light, but they provide poor insulation. On the other hand, wood frames cost the most, as they are aesthetically pleasing and provide decent insulation. Fiberglass and vinyl frames provide good insulation and cost somewhere between the other two.

What Services do Window Installers Offer?

When considering window replacements, there are typically two types that your provider will have: full-frame and pocket installations.

A full-frame installation is a replacement of the full window. It involves taking out the old window, the sill, and the exterior and interior trim. It can also involve other materials, like insulation and drip edges, which raise the overall cost of the project. It's also worth noting that you may have to touch up the paint surrounding the window after a full-frame installation. A pocket installation means replacing a window without removing the complete frame, which is usually less expensive than a full-frame installation.

If you're hiring a reputable window installation company, your company can advise you on the best type for your project. In Chicago, the choice will mostly depend on how much damage there is currently and how old your existing frames are.

How We Choose the Best Window Installers in Chicago

EcoWatch reviews are different from most reviews since we evaluate these companies through a sustainability lens. Along with energy efficiency, we analyzed several window installers in Chicago and assigned rankings based on the following methodology:

Service Area

Since this is a guide for Chicago, we gave more points to companies that serve the city. There are certainly other reputable providers that didn't make the cut because they wouldn't be able to serve homeowners in Chicago.

Work Quality

When installing new windows, the quality and range of services often plays just as important of a role in overall efficiency and performance as the brand you opt for. We do give window installers more points 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 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 nearly every category, including quality of installation, cost, professionalism, quality of parts, warranty 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

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

Years of Experience

Last but not least, we like to see companies that have a good track record in the industry. Window installers that have more experience earn higher rankings by our standards. We like to see at least ten years of experience.