20 Best Window Companies in Durham, NH (2023 Reviews)

How Installing Energy-Efficient Windows in Durham Saves You Money

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

• Protect your valuables from fading: The low-emissivity coatings on some energy-efficient windows filter out harmful UV rays, preventing fading of your furniture, carpet and other valuables.
• Better temperature control in your home: Living in a warm place like Durham can often mean depending on your AC to keep your home cool. Energy-efficient windows can cut back on the amount of cool air lost through your windows when cooling your home.
• Save money on electricity bills: Upgrading to energy-efficient windows lowers your energy bills by about 12% since you use less energy.
• Protect your investment: Keeping your windows up to date is an important part of maintaining your property and its real estate value, especially if your home is on the older side.

Estimated Cost of Window Replacement in Durham

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

How Much Do New Windows Cost?

Typically, Durham homeowners can anticipate their window replacements to range from $250 to $1,200. The average cost sits at about $600. These estimates are based on the specifics of your installation, including size, type, number of windows, material, the location of your home and more.

With windows, efficiency is one of the most important factors for most homeowners. Windows with higher efficiency may cost more initially, but by increasing the efficiency of your home — especially during the winter — they can give you decades of energy savings. According to Energy Star, buying certified energy-efficient windows can save Durham homeowners $459+ each year after replacing single-pane windows.

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

What Services do Window Installers Offer?

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

Full-frame installations require replacing the entire window — the sill, frame, trim and all. These are typically done when you want a different style for your windows or when it has significant deterioration. Full-frame installations are more comprehensive and will increase overall costs. Pocket installations (or retrofits) involve installing a new window within the existing frame, which makes pocket installations less labor-intensive and costly. But, if the frame has any rot or deterioration, you will most likely need a full-frame installation instead.

Your window installation company should be able to help you understand what's best for your needs. In Durham, the decision will mostly be based on the age of your windows and if there's any moisture damage. Wood can decay if it's not properly maintained over the years, so it's a good idea to have a professional assess your frames and window sills.

How We Choose the Best Window Installers in Durham

EcoWatch reviews differ from most reviews because we examine these companies through a sustainability lens. Along with energy efficiency, we evaluated several window installers in Durham and ranked them using the following methodology:

Service Area

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

Work Quality

We're willing to bet that you're looking for professionals who do a great job installing windows. We've vetted each installer included on this list to ensure its contractors are well-qualified and that the company has received plenty of positive customer feedback to vouch for its service.

Customer Reviews

We analyzed patterns in recent online reviews to determine the companies with the most customer satisfaction, weighted by sample size. Customer satisfaction might be the most important factor, as it indicates the quality of services across nearly every category, including quality of installation, warranty, professionalism, cost, quality of parts and more.

Cost

This one is a give-and-take: similar to most services, cheap window installers may not provide the most quality service. On the other hand, 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, windows are a hefty investment, so you'll want to make sure that investment is well protected. Window installation companies that offer lengthy warranties for products, parts and labor rank higher with EcoWatch.

Years of Experience

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