20 Best Window Companies in Madison, WI (2024 Reviews)

How Installing Energy-Efficient Windows in Madison Saves You Money

There are quite a few benefits of switching to energy-efficient windows. Some reasons you may want to consider making the change are the following:

• Decrease your carbon footprint: Since energy-efficient windows improve the insulation in your home, you can cut your carbon footprint by about 12%, according to Energy Star.
• Protect your valuables from fading: The low-emissivity coatings on many energy-efficient windows filter out harmful UV rays, preventing your furniture, carpet and other valuables from fading.
• Protect your investment: When you have an older home, your windows could also be outdated or leaky. Keeping your windows up to date is an important part of maintaining your property and its value.
• Save on electricity bills: Since energy-efficient windows lower the amount of energy needed to heat or cool your home, the switch can help you save about $505 annually on your energy bills in Madison.

Estimated Cost of Window Replacement in Madison

When researching window installation, each company provides different services and prices. Let’s look at some typical costs and services.

How Much Do New Windows Cost?

Even though the average cost to replace a single window is around $600, it can range from $200 to $1,200. But prices differ considerably depending on the size of your home, complexity of the installation, your location and the quality of the company you choose. Many window companies also provide door installations, which will add extra costs to your project.

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

Something else that influences the total cost is the material of the frame you choose. Aluminum frames are typically the least expensive and are sturdy and relatively maintenance-free, but they provide poor insulation. On the other hand, wood frames cost the most because they are aesthetically pleasing and offer decent insulation. Fiberglass and vinyl frames provide good insulation and cost somewhere between the other two.

What Services do Window Installers Offer?

There are typically two kinds of window installation services: full-frame and pocket installations.

Full-frame installations entail replacing the total window, including the trim, frame and sill. You most likely need a full-frame installation when you want to change the style of your windows or your window has considerable deterioration. These installations are more involved and will increase overall costs. A pocket installation involves replacing a window without replacing the frame. So, instead of removing the whole window and rebuilding it, the contractor will just put the replacement window (also called a retrofit or insert window) into the frame.

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

How We Choose the Best Window Installers in Madison

The EcoWatch Reviews team differs from most reviewers because we assess these companies through a sustainability lens. Along with energy efficiency, we analyzed window companies all across the state and ranked them using the following methodology:

Service Area

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

Work Quality

When selecting 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 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 customer feedback to determine the companies with the most consistent customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction may be the most important factor, as it indicates the quality of services across nearly every category, including cost, quality of parts, professionalism, quality of installation, warranty and more.

Cost

Cheaper windows certainly don’t mean better windows, but we know many of our readers want to keep costs low when possible. When analyzing the prices of providers, we gave higher points to companies with reasonable prices and accessible financing rather than “cheaper” services.

Warranty

Protecting your investment in new windows is important. That’s why window installation companies that give you lengthy warranties for products, parts and labor rank higher with EcoWatch.

Years of Experience

Lastly, we like to see companies that have been in the industry for a while. Window installers that have more years of experience will earn higher rankings by our standards. We like to see at least ten years of experience.