4 Characteristics of the Best Window Companies

Sep 18, 2020

And the 24 Questions to Ask Them.

Cooler weather is coming

Autumn is here and the weather is already starting to turn crisp and cool. This time of year, it’s easy to throw on a sweatshirt or grab a cozy blanket to deal with a draft in the house, but those temperatures are only going to keep dropping. If you know air infiltration around your windows is affecting your comfort and already causing battles over when to turn on the furnace, now’s the time to set an appointment to learn about your replacement window options.

At ImproveIt, we want to make sure you have all the education you need to find the right company to replace your windows. It’s a big investment, and you deserve to work with a company you can trust with your home and your hard-earned money. Finding that company comes down to four easy-to-spot characteristics: product performance, installation, company support, and value.

1. Windows Designed for Peak Performance

High-quality windows will have a long lifespan, and will improve your home’s energy efficiency. To achieve this, they need to be made from the best materials and components available – especially the glass, spacer, and frame. As you shop for energy-efficient replacement windows, ask the companies you interview about the quality of their glass, spacer, and frame options, and how they compare to other windows out there.

2. Expert Installation from Exceptional Installers

Even the best windows are only as good as the installers that put them in. A great window with improper installation is no longer a great window, and your investment loses value rapidly. Take time to ask potential replacement contractors about their installation process and installer training. How much experience do their installers have? Does the installation include insulating and air-sealing around the window opening? What are their prep and clean-up routines entail? All of these will have an impact on how the product performs and your customer experience.

3. A Lifetime of Support

In the home improvement industry, it’s not uncommon to see companies go out of business in just a few years. This is especially concerning when it comes to warranties. Will the company you’re planning to work with still be in business if you have a warranty issue five or 10 years from now? Does the warranty even offer coverage for that long? Carefully interview potential contractors to learn if their business practices and philosophies will keep them around for the long-haul, and how they offer product and service support.

4. Confidence in the Bottom Line

The ideal home improvements always balance product performance with affordability. When you find that sweet spot, it’s called “value for money.” The best replacement windows will help you maximize that that value by offering all the benefits of energy efficiency, lower utility bills, product lifespan, and warranty support with a fair price. Take time to compare the prices you’re offered to ensure you’re actually getting the best-of-the-best in products, installation, and company support for that price point.