20 Best Window Companies in Big Rapids, MI (2024 Reviews)

How Installing Energy-Efficient Windows in Big Rapids Saves You Money

Energy-efficient windows can benefit you in more than one way. Here are a few reasons you may want to think about making the switch:

• Save money on energy bills: Since energy-efficient windows reduce the amount of energy needed to heat or cool your home, they can help you save around $491 annually on your energy bills in Big Rapids.
• 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.
• Decrease your carbon footprint: In Big Rapids, you can lower your indirect greenhouse gas emissions by about 471 pounds per year once you switch to energy-efficient windows.
• Protect your investment: When your home is on the older side, your windows could also be outdated or leaky. Keeping your windows up to date is an important part of maintaining your property and its real estate value.

Estimated Cost of Window Replacement in Big Rapids

Windows come in various shapes and sizes, so costs and services will differ remarkably. Here are the average costs and services that you can find from window installation companies.

How Much Do New Windows Cost?

Typically, Big Rapids homeowners can expect their replacement window installations to range from $250 to $1,200. The most common installations sit at about $600. But costs will vary significantly depending on the number of windows you need, the current condition of your home, the quality of your products and your location. A lot of window companies also offer replacement door installations and other add-ons like shutters, coating, baths and more. Additional services will increase overall project costs.

It’s also worth keeping in mind that energy-efficient windows will cost more upfront, but Energy Star predicts that switching out the windows on your Big Rapids home translates to an average energy savings of $236 to $319 per year for single-pane window replacement, or between $87 to $126 per year for double-pane windows. The amount of money you’ll save by installing energy-efficient windows depends on your local climate, energy rates and other factors unique to your home.

Asking for free quotes from several installers is the best way to figure out which one is right for you.

What Services do Window Installers Offer?

When it comes to window installations, in general there are two kinds that your provider will have: full-frame and pocket installations.

A full-frame installation is a total window replacement. This service involves taking out the old window, the sill, and the exterior and interior trim. It can also involve other materials, such as insulation and drip edges, which increase the overall cost of the project. Also worth noting: it’s not uncommon for homeowners to have to touch up the paint surrounding the window after a full-frame installation. Pocket installations (or retrofits) involve installing a new window within its existing frame, which makes pocket installations take less time and therefore cost less. However, if the frame has any rot or deterioration, you should opt for a full-frame installation instead.

Your window replacement company will be able to help you choose what’s best for your needs. In Big Rapids, the decision will mostly depend on the age of your windows and if there’s any moisture damage. Wood can decay if not properly maintained over the years, so it’s good to have a professional evaluate your frames and window sills.

How We Choose the Best Window Installers in Big Rapids

EcoWatch differs from most reviewers because we look at these companies through a sustainability lens. Along with energy efficiency, we assessed window companies all across the state and assigned rankings based on the following methodology:

Service Area

Because this is a guide for Big Rapids, we gave more points to companies that serve the city. There are other reputable providers that didn’t make the list because of the low odds that they would serve the average homeowner in Big Rapids.

Work Quality

When installing new windows, the quality and breadth 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

Customer feedback is another very important review factor. If most customers don’t have positive feedback about their experience with a certain company, it won’t be featured on EcoWatch.

Cost

Cheaper windows don’t necessarily mean better windows, but we know many of our readers would like to keep costs low when possible. When analyzing the prices of providers, we gave 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. For that reason, window installation companies that have lengthy warranties for products, parts and labor rank higher with EcoWatch.

Years of Experience

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