Windows For New Homes | Cheap Replacement Windows

Summary: Cheap replacement windows and cheap windows for new homes can be the best buy. Why spend a fortune on new home windows when cheaper windows will do the job.

Note: As windows are a major source of heat loss or heat gain, your new home windows should be energy star qualified.

Carl, I have your book, the 5th edition, and find it very useful.

I am sorry you don’t recommend windows because I am having a horrible time with the selection.

I even subscribed to Consumer Reports but they hardly had a selection of windows reviewed, and it appears from those reviews that none of them are any good.

I have spent lots of hours on the window and door research and I am getting nowhere. If you don’t recommend windows, do you know of a reputable site or resource that does?

I need to decide on my windows and doors this week.

Please help. Thank you, Alysha

Hi Alysha, there are many, many excellent window and door manufacturers.

You can find manufacturers by zip code that offer ENERGY STAR qualified windows, doors, and/or skylights at Windows, Doors, and Skylights Manufacturer Search. Great site!

I can’t believe that the reviews said that none of them are any good…that’s ridiculous.

I do know, however, exactly what you are going through…wait till you get to flooring if you think window selection is difficult.

Here are the basic guidelines I use to select new windows and doors.

1. I look for the best window price both from window manufactures and the window suppliers. Almost all window manufacturers or window suppliers put their windows on sale from time to time, or have low builder price builder lines. Glass is glass, and windows are over 90 percent glass! Only the window sashes and the window operating hardware are different on windows. Why pay more for a certain brand? When you remove the window manufacturer,s label, NO ONE can tell who made them. Surprised?

2. I decide on the architectural style and type. This is very important to me. To me the window and door design of a house is second only to the roof design.
Then I try and use standard or stock window sizes. This is very important and needs to be considered when a new home is being designed. When replacing windows you are rather limited as to size selection as the window size has already been made. However, a good carpenter can make minor adjustments to accommodate a slightly different window size.
Once you deviate from stock or standard window sizes, the price increase is exponential. You could say that your budget goes right out the window.

3. They must be energy efficient as windows and doors are the one of the greatest sources of heat loss or heat gain, second only to ceilings. They must be ENERGY STAR qualified.

4. I decide on the exterior sash material based on the exterior siding or veneer of the house. I will never ever use unclad wood (again) as it will eventually rot no matter what you do to it.

5. I decide on the interior sash material. I love wood interior sashes as they can be stained as well as painted.

6. I look for the best (longest) warranty. The warranty should include the labor for replacement. All windows will fail sooner or later. What is window failure?

7. I find my windows at the BEST price with the BEST warranty at a supplier I trust. Trust means they replace if the window is defective, no hassles.

8. I don’t care what manufacturer makes them…Surprised? They are all capable of making good windows, at least good enough for me.

Here are 4 window and door manufacturers that I have had good experiences with.

Andersen - JELD-WEN - Marvin Windows - Pella Windows

Hope this helps, Carl Heldmann