20 Best Window Companies in Columbia, SC (2024 Reviews)

How Installing Energy-Efficient Windows in Columbia Saves You Money

Upgrading to energy-efficient windows can improve the comfort of your home and help you save on electricity bills. Here are more ways switching out your windows could help you:

• Protect your valuables from fading: When you switch to energy-efficient windows with low-emissivity coatings, your floors, carpets and furniture will fade less due to their ability to filter out harmful UV rays.
• Protect your investment: The older your home is, the more likely it is that switching to energy-efficient windows will benefit you. Older homes tend to have windows that are outdated, drafty or potentially even damaged in some way. Upgrading your windows could help increase the value of your property if you decide to sell.
• Save money on electricity bills: Switching to energy-efficient windows reduces your energy bills by about 12% since you need less energy.
• Decrease your carbon footprint: Since energy-efficient windows improve the insulation in your home, you can lower your indirect greenhouse gas emissions by about 12%, according to Energy Star.

Estimated Cost of Window Replacement in Columbia

Windows come in different shapes, purposes and styles, so costs and services will vary greatly depending on your project. Below, we describe the typical cost and services that you can get from window replacement 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. This is due to the fact that window installations depend on a variety of factors specific to your home, like the size, material and number of windows you need to replace, as well as where your property is located.

It’s also worth noting that energy-efficient windows will almost always cost more initially, but Energy Star predicts that upgrading the windows on your Columbia home can mean an average energy savings of $236 to $319 per year for single-pane window replacement, or between $87 to $126 each 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.

Costs will also vary depending on the material of your frame. Aluminum frames have the lowest price. They’re sturdy, light and maintenance-free, but provide poor insulation. Vinyl frames are somewhat expensive and offer good insulation. Composite frames made using wood fibers encased in plastic also provide good insulation and are moderately expensive. Wood frames cost the most and are the most in-demand. They’re also aesthetically pleasing and provide decent insulation for your home.

What Services do Window Installers Offer?

In general, there are two types of window installation services companies provide: full-frame and pocket installations.

Full-frame installations entail replacing the total window, including the sill, trim and frame. Full-frame installations are necessary when you want to change the style of your windows or your window has considerable damage or rot. These installations are more involved and will increase the overall cost. A pocket installation entails installing a new window without replacing the frame. So, instead of tearing out the whole unit and reinstalling it, the contractor will just slide the replacement window (also called a retrofit or insert window) into the frame.

If you’re unsure which kind of window installation service you should get, your installer can advise you. In general, the decision is influenced by 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 Columbia

In our hunt to find the most reliable, eco-friendly window installers in Columbia, EcoWatch landed on the above companies as the best window installation companies in the city. Along with energy efficiency, we evaluated each installer and ranked them based on the following methodology:

Service Area

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

Work Quality

We’re certain that you’re looking for a company to do a great job installing windows. We’ve vetted each company in our guide to ensure its contractors are well-qualified and that the company has received a lot of positive customer feedback to vouch for its service.

Customer Reviews

Customer feedback is another super important review factor. If most customers don’t have positive things to say about their service from a certain installer, you won’t see it featured on EcoWatch.

Cost

This one is a give-and-take: as with most services, cheap window companies won’t always provide the most quality service. Still, we want to make sure we’re highlighting companies that offer a variety of price and financing options so they’re accessible to most homeowners.

Warranty

Protecting your investment in new windows is important. For that reason, window installation companies that have lengthy warranties for products, parts and labor rank higher with EcoWatch.

Years of Experience

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