7 Best Window Brands for Your Home (2023 Guide)

Windows play a bigger role in a home than many realize. They’re not only a design element. They greatly impact your home’s energy efficiency, internal temperature, ventilation, and more. That said, choosing the right window brand for your project is important. We’ve researched the best replacement windows, analyzing brands’ reputations, costs, product performance, and more. See our top picks for window companies below.

 

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Top Window Brands for Your Home

Based on our research, the following are the best window brands:

• Best Selection: Andersen
• Best for Sunrooms: Champion Windows
• Best Warranty: Castle Windows
• Best for Coastal Homes: Marvin Windows
• Best for Wooden Windows: Harvey Windows + Doors
• Best Specialty Windows: Milgard Windows
• Best Eco-Friendly Windows: Pella

Compare the top window brands in the table below.

 

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Best Selection: Andersen

Fast Facts:

• State availability: 50
• Warranty options: Limited and lifetime limited warranties 
• Price range: $680–$2,700
• Energy-efficient products available: Yes

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits	Drawbacks
Offers a massive selection of window lines	Has no online cost information because prices vary by location
Available at nationwide retailers like The Home Depot and Lowe’s	Charges higher prices than competitors according to customer reviews
Offers various warranties that apply for 20 years of coverage to glass and 10 years to non-glass items

What we like: Andersen is one of the largest and most respected window manufacturers in the United States. In addition to featuring some of the highest-rated customer service, Andersen offers 35 different window types. Each Andersen window has multiple operational styles, color options, frame types, and shapes. Andersen also supplies its fully customized E-Series of windows for unique installations, such as accent windows. Andersen is the parent company of subsidiary window replacement company Renewal by Andersen. 

Recommended products: The E-Series complements double-hung and casement windows, which Andersen offers in multiple window lines. Namely, its 400 Series is a premium option for any window replacement. This series offers Andersen’s highest-quality glass and comes in vinyl and wood. Andersen also lets you pick between contemporary and traditional profiles to match your home’s aesthetic. 

Types of Windows Available

Here are the types of windows and doors Andersen offers:

• Awning windows 
• Bay windows 
• Bow windows 
• Casement windows 
• Double-hung windows 
• Entry doors 
• Gliding windows 
• Hinged French patio doors 
• Pass-through windows 
• Picture windows 
• Screen doors 
• Sliding doors 
• Specialty windows 
• Storm doors

Read more: Andersen Windows Review

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Best for Sunrooms: Champion Windows

Fast Facts:

• State availability: 17*
• Warranty options: Limited lifetime warranty
• Price range: $400–$850
• Energy-efficient products available: Yes

*Available in Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, South Carolina, and Wisconsin.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits	Drawbacks
Offers a wide selection of sunroom and patio options	Can be more expensive than some competitors
Features several ENERGY STAR-certified windows	Has limited state availability
Offers in-house installation and customization	Provides limited pricing information online as quotes vary by location

Recommended products: We like that Champion offers numerous eco-friendly products, such as its Energy Star-certified Comfort 365 Window Glass. This glass features a specialized low-emissivity (low-e) coating and an insulating argon gas filling that blocks roughly 94% of harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. These features mean that you, your guests, and your pets stay cool during the summer and warm in the winter, while still receiving plenty of natural sunlight. This is a standout benefit given that the homeowners we surveyed cited improved energy efficiency as their second-highest motivation for investing in new windows.

We especially recommend Champion for sunroom or patio projects. The company offers completely customized sunrooms with an in-depth, personalized installation process. This includes projects such as all-season sunrooms, three-season sunrooms, patio enclosures, and screen rooms. 

Types of Windows Available

See Champion’s window selection below:

• All-season sunrooms
• Basement hoppers
• Bay windows
• Bow windows
• Casement windows
• Double-hung windows
• Entry doors
• Garden windows
• Glass block windows
• Patio doors
• Patio enclosures and covers
• Picture windows
• Screen doors
• Screen rooms
• Shaped windows
• Sliding doors
• Storm doors
• Three-season sunrooms

Read more: Champion Windows Review

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Best Warranty: Castle Windows

Fast Facts:

• State availability: 11*
• Warranty options: Lifetime warranty
• Price range: $300–$500
• Energy-efficient products available: Yes

*Available in Connecticut, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits	Drawbacks
Provides a comprehensive lifetime warranty	Has limited state availability
Offers deadlite, transom, and other custom specialty windows	Doesn’t include online pricing, as price varies by location
Makes stylish basement hopper windows with double weather stripping and insulated glass

What we like: Castle Windows, also known as “The Windows People,” has been providing window replacement services since 1977. Having served over a million homeowners, Castle has built a trusted brand with high-quality replacement windows, entry doors, and roofing siding services.

We like that Castle features a 24/7 customer support line, which we tested by calling at 10:30 p.m. ET. The call was answered quickly and a friendly support representative answered our question about how we could request service over the phone or through a form on the website. We also like that Castle offers a transferable lifetime warranty, covering all parts, glass, and components of your windows, including screens. The generous warranty also covers workmanship with free labor on all services.

Recommended products: Castle makes design-friendly double-hung and basement hopper windows with double weather stripping, insulated glass, and a maintenance-free vinyl frame with a tilt-slash for easy cleaning.

Types of Windows Available

Below are Castle Windows’ door and window options:

• Awning windows
• Basement hoppers 
• Bay windows 
• Bow windows
• Casement windows
• Deadlite, specialty, and transom windows 
• Double-hung windows
• Exterior doors 
• Garden windows
• Patio sliders 
• Slider windows

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Best for Coastal Homes: Marvin Windows

Fast Facts:

• State availability: 50
• Warranty options: Limited warranties
• Price range: $250–$900
• Energy-efficient products available: Yes

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits	Drawbacks
Produces durable windows ideal for coastal homes	Features limited warranty options compared with other providers
Offers grilles between the glass	Doesn’t have online pricing due to customization and location
Has many custom design options, including hardware

What we like: Based out of Minnesota, Marvin Windows has more than 100 years of experience in the window replacement industry. This leading manufacturer has eight factories across the United States to produce various window types and materials. Marvin produces windows with wood, fiberglass, and extruded aluminum materials, and it offers three different signature collections. 

Recommended products: We recommend Marvin’s Signature Ultimate windows and doors. These are available in a range of wood species and various stains and paint options. Marvin sands, conditions, stains and oven-cures each piece of wood for an added layer of luxury. This process provides a rich finish. We also suggest Marvin’s Signature Coastal windows if you own a coastal home. The company designs these windows to operate in extreme storms and hurricanes.

Types of Windows Available

Below are Marvin’s window and door options: 

• Awning windows 
• Bay windows 
• Bi-fold doors 
• Bow windows
• Casement windows 
• Corner windows 
• Double-hung windows 
• Entry doors 
• Garage doors 
• Interior doors 
• Lift-and-slide doors 
• Multi-slide doors 
• Picture windows 
• Pivot doors 
• Skylights
• Specialty windows 
• Sliding windows 
• Sliding doors 
• Swinging doors

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Best for Wooden Windows: Harvey Windows and Doors

Fast Facts:

• State availability: 16*
• Warranty options: 10-year and lifetime warranties 
• Price range: $500–$1,350
• Energy-efficient products available: Yes

*Available in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits	Drawbacks
Offers high-quality wood window line, Majesty Wood	Has limited state availability
Protects quality vinyl windows with lifetime warranty	Offers only 10-year warranties on its Majesty Wood windows
Offers UV Tough Coat paint	Doesn’t include pricing information online

What we like: A trusted name in the Northeastern United States, Harvey Windows and Doors offers two different window lines. We consider its solid Ponderosa Pine Majesty Wood collection one of the best wooden windows on the market. These windows have been specially treated to resist rot, degradation, splitting, warping, and mildew. They also have extruded aluminum exterior cladding to protect the sashes from outdoor conditions. Additionally, Harvey bevels these windows to match the aesthetics of other wood windows.

Recommended products: The Majesty Wood collection is backed by only a 10-year warranty, but Harvey’s Classic Vinyl collection includes a lifetime warranty. Its Classic Vinyl collection comes with five BetterGrain interior finishes, which mimic the look of natural wood windows. You can pair these premium vinyl windows with the company’s UV Tough black or bronze stock colors. This coat is seven times stronger than industry-standard water-based paints, ensuring your windows will look great longer. 

Types of Windows Available

Here are the window and doors Harvey offers:

• Awning windows
• Bay windows
• Bow windows
• Casement windows
• Custom shaped windows 
• Double-hung windows
• Entry doors
• Garden windows
• Gliding patio doors
• Gliding windows
• Hoppers
• Majesty hinged patio doors
• Picture windows
• Single-hung windows
• Rolling windows

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Best Specialty Windows: Milgard Windows

Fast Facts:

• State availability: 16*
• Warranty options: Full and limited lifetime warranties
• Price range: $200–$600
• Energy-efficient products available: Yes

*Available in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits	Drawbacks
Provides a full lifetime warranty option	Has no online pricing information due to location variation
Manufactures glass units and vinyl components in-house	Has limited state availability
Offers SmartTouch Hardware for easy locking and unlocking

What we like: Unlike other window companies that rely on third-party providers to produce their glass and hardware components, Milgard manufactures all parts of its windows entirely in-house. We used Milgard’s chat feature on its website to ask what the benefits of in-house manufacturing are. A representative explained that keeping everything under one company allows for better communication due to fewer parties involved, as well as faster production and delivery, a higher likelihood of product quality, and more comprehensive customer support. It also means a more robust warranty.

Recommended products: Though Milgard doesn’t offer wooden windows, it provides various other options to fit your home’s style. Its Trinsic Series | V300 has a modern look with thin frames and a minimalist design. TheUltra Series | C650 uses wood-clad fiberglass, so it withstands heavy weathering but maintains a traditional wooden window aesthetic.

Milgard offers an excellent selection of specialty windows, including skylights. Other specialty window options include high-quality radius, bay, bow, and garden windows.

Types of Windows Available

Here are the doors and windows Milgard offers:

• Awning
• Bay windows
• Bi-fold glass walls
• Bow windows
• Casement windows
• Double-hung windows
• French-style sliding doors
• Garden windows
• Horizontal slider windows
• In-swing French doors
• Out-swing French doors
• Picture windows
• Pocket glass walls
• Radius windows
• Single-hung windows
• Sliding patio doors
• Stacking glass walls

Read more: Milgard Windows review

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Best Eco-Friendly Windows: Pella

Fast Facts:

• State availability: 50
• Warranty options: Limited warranties 
• Price range: $450–$2,000
• Energy-efficient products available: Yes

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits	Drawbacks
Focuses on eco-friendly and energy-efficient windows	Doesn’t provide a lifetime warranty
Features nationwide availability, including Lowe’s storefronts	Cost information unavailable online
Offers cost-effective yet stylish options

What we like: Pella is one of the largest window manufacturers in the United States and can be found at home improvement retailers such as The Home Depot and Lowe’s. We like that it prioritizes green technology and energy-efficient windows, helping you to keep your home comfortable during cold winters and hot summers while benefiting the environment.

Pella uses sustainable sources and works with wood vendors who practice responsible harvest and replenishment. Additionally, most Pella windows and doors meet Energy Star performance guidelines and include a low-e insulating coat. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) even recognized Pella for its efforts in pollution prevention with an Energy Star Award in 2009. 

Recommended products: Pella offers a large selection of window lines. Its Architect and Lifestyle series include high-quality, detailed wooden windows. These windows feature a traditional, timeless design with finely detailed sash and grille profiles to add architectural interest to your home. Pella also offers a minimalist, durable line of fiberglass windows in its Impervia series. 

Types of Windows Available

See what door and windows options Pella offers below:

• Awning windows
• Bay windows
• Bow windows
• Casement windows
• Custom options
• Double-hung windows
• Front doors 
• Patio doors 
• Picture windows
• Single-hung windows
• Sliding window
• Specialty windows

Read more: Pella Windows Review

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How to Choose Windows for Your Home

Numerous factors determine which windows are right for your home, including your location, budget, and style preferences. For example, homeowners in a sunny state like Arizona will want high-performing glass that reduces heat gain.

We’ve listed some of the top things to consider when choosing windows below.

• Architectural style: There are many window types, as noted below. Choose one that complements your home’s style. 
• Climate: If you live in an area with extreme temperatures or weather, the material and design of your windows need to be suitable for that climate. 
• Energy efficiency: Improving energy efficiency is one of the best and most common reasons to upgrade windows. Look for windows certified by ENERGY STAR and that provide maximum efficiency for your space. 
• Practicality: Customizing and opting for all available features can significantly raise the price of your window project. Focus on high-quality windows with features that truly benefit you. For example, if you live in a mild or moderate climate, there’s no need to splurge on triple-coated windows. 

Types of Windows

Below are the most common window styles you’ll encounter during your search.

• Awning windows: Awning windows swing open to the outside of your home as if you are pushing a latch open. This design makes them easier to clean and ideal for climates with a lot of rain, as the design pushes rainwater away from your home rather than towards it. 
• Bay windows: A beautiful feature in any home, bay windows extend from an exterior wall and create a small shelf in the home. They use multiple flat windows set into an angled frame that protrudes from the home. This design creates a beautiful accent to your home’s walls and provides curb appeal. 
• Bow windows: Bow windows use custom curved windows to create a circular area along the outside of your home. They provide extended views of lawns or gardens and are ideal for breakfast nooks and dining areas. 
• Casement windows: Casement windows swing out to the side or up to open. One of the most popular windows you see in homes, they tend to be constructed of solid glass and lend to a sleek, minimalist design. 
• Custom windows: Most window replacement companies offer custom windows. So whether you want a window designed to look like a sailboat or one that captures the spirit of nearby mountains and forests, if you dream it up, a window replacement company can most likely help make it a reality. 
• Double-hung windows: These are among the most common types of windows you find in homes. Though similar to a single-hung window, a double-hung window has a lower sash and upper sash that moves up and down. Often, these windows feature a built-in slash tilt for easier cleaning. 
• Garden windows: These windows are one of the best ways to instantly add character and charm to your home. Garden windows are similar to bay windows as they protrude from your home. However, they feature small shelves to store plants and herbs to receive sunlight and be visible from outside.
• Hopper windows: Typically found in basements and bathrooms, hopper windows are ideal for any room with limited wall space. Commonly used for ventilation, they open from the top and usually crank open to tip down. 
• Picture windows: Picture windows don’t have visible frames or other breaks, making them ideal for enjoying an obstructed view and making your interior feel larger. These fixed windows can’t be opened, but they are often paired with other windows for design and functionality.  
• Skylight windows: Skylight windows act like windows for your roof. They are an excellent way to add more natural light to your home with limited wall space. 
• Single-hung windows: Single-hung windows open vertically with their bottom window panel. The lower sash moves up and down, but the upper sash remains stationary. 
• Sliding windows: Ideal for elongated walls, sliding windows feature two sections usually made from single windows. One of the sections slides horizontally over the other to open or close. 
• Transom windows: Transom windows are often used as decorative accent windows. They help break up space or add a design focal point. You often find them around doors or above other windows, and they tend to be semicircles, rectangles, or squares.

Window Warranties

Most window manufacturers offer limited lifetime warranties and/or labor warranties. Limited lifetime warranties cover the cost of the window parts but do not always cover the labor.

The term lifetime often refers to the estimated time the window will maintain its manufactured quality. For example, lower-quality windows may have an estimated life span of fewer than five years, while higher-quality windows may be expected to last for more than 15 years. The length of the warranty will match those estimations. However, some manufacturers mean the actual lifetime of the window. These warranties also tend to be transferable to new homeowners.

Lifetime limited window warranties typically cover the following items:

• Window materials
• Cosmetic defects
• Broken or malfunctioning hardware
• Energy-efficient glass
• Obstructed vision/issues with the seal
• Installation/errors performed by the installing contractor
• Custom aspects of your design
• Accidental damage to the glass

A labor warranty covers installation errors, not manufacturing defects. Labor warranties may require you to pay a service call fee.

Window labor warranties typically cover the following:

• All installation and labor
• Glass systems and frames
• Pieces, parts, and materials
• Locks and hardware

We recommend hiring a window installation contractor that the manufacturer approves. This makes it easier to receive coverage if an issue occurs. Otherwise, the manufacturer may try to blame the installer or vice versa. 

Energy Efficiency

Nearly 92% of the homeowners we surveyed said Energy Star certification was important to them, and over 78% said they noticed a reduction in electricity bill costs after upgrading their windows. If you want windows that don’t just look nicer in your home but also help you save money, look for Energy Star-certification and other markers of energy efficiency. Some common features include triple-pane glass, a low-e coating, or additional insulation.

“[Energy Star] carries the reputation of being the best on the market, and will put a few dollars back in your pocket with your heating and cooling bills,” says Colin Sullivan, director of production for Renewal by Andersen’s Carolinas division.

What to Look for in Homeowner Reviews

Reading other homeowners’ reviews will help you gain an accurate insight into what it’s like dealing with a particular company. We read more than 100 reviews for each company we researched to see what homeowners had to say about product performance, customer service, timeliness, responsiveness, professionalism, pricing, and other factors that affect your experience.

These are the most important factors to note:

• Response time and scheduling: Take note of how long homeowners said they waited for windows to be installed. A company that takes a while to schedule an installation date may not be a dealbreaker if your remodel doesn’t require a fast turnaround. However, if you need a shattered window replaced quickly, you may want to find a company homeowners praise for speedy response times.
• Warranties: Customer reviews are also an excellent opportunity to tell if a company honors its warranties or puts misleading language in them. Pay attention to reviews that mention trying to use a warranty for glass repair or a malfunctioning lock to gauge whether or not the window brand stays true to its word.
• Workmanship: Note how homeowners describe the quality of  both the installation and the windows themselves. Avoid brands whose workmanship might involve cheaper parts or a sloppy design.

 

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How to Find a Local Window Installer

Take the following steps to find a reputable local window installer.

• Check for certification: Many window manufacturers recommend hiring an installer trained and certified for their products. Using a certified contractor helps you avoid any bureaucratic headaches if any issues occur. The manufacturer should be willing to help resolve problems with a certified contractor. We recommend visiting a local showroom of the brand you’re interested in to connect with local certified installers. Double-check for certification from the American Window and Door ­Institute.
• Read customer reviews: Google Reviews and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) are two great sites to find reviews. We suggest paying special attention to the criteria listed above when reading homeowner reviews, such as scheduling, warranty options, and workmanship.
• Pay attention to the quote process: Some red flags might occur during the quote process. A reputable installer should measure each replacement window, explain their installation process, and estimate how long the job will take. You want an installer who will replace each window one at a time, rather than taking out all the old windows at once and installing new ones. If an installer seems too quick to start the job or tries to avoid some of your concerns and questions, you may want to check out another local installer.

 

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Our Recommendation

The right windows for your home will add style and charm, improve your home’s energy efficiency, increase its value, and provide beautiful natural sunlight to make your home’s interior glow.

We recommend Andersen Windows as our top brand because it’s so well-rounded. The company has a large product range backed by comprehensive warranties. We like that you can find many of Andersen’s products in stores such as The Home Depot and Lowe’s, so you can see the selection in person and purchase them yourself.

We suggest reading testimonials and getting a price estimate from at least three window brands before making your decision. You can use our tool below to get quickly matched to local installers.

 

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How We Chose the Top Window Brands

We researched and analyzed dozens of window manufacturers. Then, we crafted a rating system based on each brand’s standard product offerings and energy-efficient options for windows and doors. 

We spoke directly to a representative at each company to learn how the installation process with each provider works and determine how each brand personalizes its custom windows for each home. We also closely analyzed each company’s warranty options to ensure their product and labor guarantees match or exceed industry standards. 

Other factors include the manufacturer’s years of experience and customer reputation. In addition, we analyzed the 100 most recent Google Reviews for each provider across various locations and branches.