Renewal by Andersen is the best window brand in our ratings thanks to its energy-efficient products, expert installation services and longtime positive reputation.
Installing new windows can make your home more comfortable and energy-efficient, improve your home’s curb appeal and even reduce outside noise. However, window replacement typically isn’t a do-it-yourself project, especially if you have old or damaged windows. It’s costly, and our research found that not all window brands are equal.
You can pay for window replacement without exceeding your budget and still get the best value for your money. Our rating methodology rewarded companies with outstanding customer service, a wide selection of window options, energy-efficient offerings and lengthy warranties.
The 7 best window brands
Here are some of the top window brands we have extensively researched:
- Renewal by Andersen: Our top pick
- Castle Windows
- Champion Windows
- Pella Windows
- Harvey Windows + Doors
- Marvin Windows & Doors
- Simonton Windows
Compare our top window brands
The total project cost and a company’s warranties are two items you must consider when choosing a window brand. The chart below breaks down the costs and warranties offered by the brands we reviewed, as well as the rating we gave each company based on our methodology.
How do you choose the best window brand?
Keeping home improvement costs as low as possible is a priority for many homeowners. But, as is the case with hiring an electric contractor or plumber, choosing a window brand should go beyond the window’s price and labor costs.
In addition to considering the brand’s total cost, we recommend taking into account its customer reputation along with its services and window options — particularly when it comes to energy-efficient windows. You should also review all your available warranty options because even the most expensive windows can fail.
The table below shows our overall ratings for our top window brands.
| Company | Overall Rating |
|---|---|
| Renewal by Andersen | 4.7 |
| Castle Windows | 4.4 |
| Champion Windows | 4.4 |
| Pella Windows | 4.4 |
| Harvey Windows + Doors | 4.3 |
| Marvin Windows & Doors | 4.2 |
| Simonton Windows | 4.0 |
| Industry Average | 4.1 |
Find a brand with window options and services that meet your needs
A company’s window options and services are two of the most important things to consider when choosing a brand to work with. Window options include styles, frame materials, glass types and any customization offerings. A brand’s services may include virtual and in-home consultations, in-house installation and financing options.
While many of the companies we reviewed have a wide selection of window styles and materials to choose from, that’s not always the case. Champion Windows, for example, only sells vinyl windows, which we took into consideration when evaluating the company.
Marvin Windows & Doors, on the other hand, scored highest in this category because it manufactures a vast selection of window styles with many frame and glass options to suit any home.
Ensure that the company you’re considering offers the window style and frame material you want and can afford. If you have the budget and want to install specialty or custom windows, talk to your sales representative to ensure the brand offers that option.
Not all companies we reviewed manufacture and install windows. Simonton only manufactures its products and works with third-party companies for installation. This isn’t always a con for window brands, but labor warranties may vary depending on the installation company.
If a lengthy labor warranty is high on your priority list, make sure your chosen brand will install the windows it manufactures.
A company’s additional services may extend beyond window replacements. Although Harvey only manufactures its products, the company also specializes in producing doors. If you’re interested in tackling multiple projects at once, you may want to consider working with a brand that handles window and door installation.
The table below highlights the ratings each window brand scored in the “window options and installation services” section of our review standards.
| Company | Window Options and Installation Services Rating |
|---|---|
| Marvin Windows & Doors | 4.8 |
| Renewal by Andersen | 4.4 |
| Champion Windows | 4.4 |
| Pella Windows | 4.4 |
| Harvey Windows + Doors | 4.4 |
| Simonton Windows | 4.3 |
| Castle Window | 4.3 |
| Industry Average | 4.2 |
Choose a reputable brand with high customer ratings
A brand’s window options and installation services aren’t the only two things to consider about a company. You should also choose a company with positive customer reviews, especially when it comes to trustworthy employees and responsiveness to warranty claims.
A professional window installer will be in your home anywhere from a few hours to a few days, depending on the project’s scope.
According to our October 2023 survey of 1,500 homeowners who bought windows within the past five years, the majority of respondents, 46%, said the project lasted between one and three days. You’ll want to choose a company that hires skilled, trustworthy and background-checked employees.
Renewal by Andersen earned 4.7 out of 5 stars in the reputation and reviews category — the highest of any company we scored. Customer reviews on websites including the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot mention the installers’ professionalism and high-quality customer service.
A brand’s reputation goes beyond the individuals who actually install your windows; it also applies to the customer service representatives you’ll speak to before and after your windows are installed — especially if you need to file a warranty claim for your replacement windows.
You may want to think twice before hiring a company if you read negative reviews that mention poor customer service or failure to honor warranties.
The table below shows each provider’s ratings based on the “reputation and reviews” category of our review standards.
| Company | Reputation and Reviews Rating |
|---|---|
| Harvey Windows + Doors | 4.8 |
| Renewal by Andersen | 4.7 |
| Champion Windows | 4.3 |
| Marvin Windows & Doors | 4.3 |
| Castle Windows | 4.0 |
| Pella Windows | 3.9 |
| Simonton Windows | 3.9 |
| Industry Average | 4.0 |
Select energy-efficient windows that are suited to your climate
Based on our survey, nearly 26% of respondents said energy efficiency was the most important factor in their decision-making process. And for good reason, too. When installed by trained professionals, new windows can significantly reduce your heating and cooling bills while making your home more comfortable all year.
The best way to ensure you’re buying energy-efficient windows from a reputable brand is to confirm that your windows are certified by Energy Star and the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC).
Every Energy Star- and NFRC-certified window will have a sticker listing these certifications, and you’ll also see a label noting which climate the windows best suit: northern, north-central, south-central or southern. Energy Star performance criteria are based on energy ratings certified by the NFRC and vary for each climate zone.
Michelle Blackston, the senior director of development and engagement at the NFRC, said, “The first thing you should do when you’re considering an NFRC-rated window is you have to think about what climate you live in because the ratings matter; they’re specific to your needs.”
Understanding energy-efficient window stickers
The stickers on Energy Star- and NRFC-certified windows have specific terms that aren’t easy to decipher if you’re shopping for windows for the first time. Here are the terms you need to know when reading energy-efficient window labels for the first time:
The U-factor is the rate at which the window transmits nonsolar heat flow or how well the window insulates. The lower the U-factor, the more insulative and energy-efficient the window is. A good U-factor is between .20 and 1.20.
SHGC refers to how much of the sun’s heat the glass will absorb and reflect into your home. If you live in a colder climate, you want a higher SHGC rating because it will absorb more heat in winter to warm your home. If you live in a warm climate, you want a lower rating so the window doesn’t let in heat, which raises your home’s temperature during the hotter months. Look for a rating greater than .35 for northern climates, less than .40 for north-central, and less than .23 for south-central and southern climate zones.
This reflects how much air can pass through the window. A window with a lower air leakage rating is tighter and more energy-efficient. Energy Star won’t certify a window with a high leakage rating.
This is how much visible sunlight the glass allows inside. A number between zero and one represents VT. A product with a higher VT lets in more light, which can help reduce energy bills since you depend less on your home’s interior lighting fixtures during the day.
LSG is the ratio between the VT and the SHGC, which is how much light a window lets in while blocking heat transference. The higher the number, the more light is let in without adding excessive heat.
Blackston said that the importance of each term depends on your location. For example, the U-factor might matter more to a homeowner in a colder region, such as Minnesota, when their primary concern is keeping heat inside in the winter. On the flip side, the SHGC is likely more important for a homeowner in Arizona who wants to reduce the amount of heat beating in through their windows in the middle of the summer.
The bottom line is that energy efficiency matters regardless of where you live, but you need to be mindful of what window types a brand offers to accommodate your region.
We like that Renewal by Andersen offers a variety of energy-efficient glass options designed for specific climates. Its High-Performance Low-E4 glass filters out the sun during the dog days of summer, while its Enhanced Triple Pane with SmartSun glass has an added layer of insulation to keep the frigid winter winds from slipping inside during a chilly winter.
Learn more about your window pane options
The number of panes held within a window frame affects a window’s price, energy efficiency and noise reduction. These are the top pane options for your new windows:
A single-pane window only has one piece of glass between the frame. This is the cheapest option but also the least energy-efficient. Because these products perform so poorly, you may never see a single-pane window while shopping — none of the brands we reviewed manufacture them anymore.
Double-pane windows consist of two panes within the frame with a spacer and a sealed gap between them. This gap may be filled with a gas, such as argon or krypton, improving the window’s insulation, energy efficiency and noise-reduction capabilities.
Triple-pane windows have three panes of glass with two airtight gaps within the frame. These are the most energy-efficient products on the market but are also the most expensive.
Upgrading to triple-paned windows might not make sense in a hot climate such as Arizona, where they’d only minimally improve energy efficiency. But, it’s a smart upgrade in cold climates, where they can shave quite a bit off a heating bill. That cold climate is where the added cost has a major impact. In a warm climate, you won’t recoup your money from the upgrade unless you plan to remain in the home for decades.
The table below shows each window brand’s rating based on the “energy efficiency” category of our review standards.
| Company | Energy-Efficiency Rating |
|---|---|
| Renewal by Andersen | 5.0 |
| Castle Windows | 5.0 |
| Pella Windows | 5.0 |
| Harvey Windows + Doors | 5.0 |
| Marvin Windows & Doors | 5.0 |
| Simonton Windows | 5.0 |
| Champion Windows | 4.0 |
| Industry Average | 4.8 |
Look for lengthy warranties
Each of the window brands we reviewed offers some type of warranty, whether for labor (also known as an installation warranty), a product warranty or both.
“Most homeowners are not aware that the product warranty is different from the installation warranty,” said Sal Sucato, the Owner of DunRite Windows & Doors in Scottsdale, Arizona. “The first is provided by the manufacturer and the second by the installer.”
Sucato said it’s important to review the specific language in both warranties to ensure there are no misunderstandings if you file a claim after your window company installs your windows.
Be sure to read the fine print to note any potential warranty coverage issues before you make a purchase, just to be sure you understand the fine print and any exclusions.
Sal Sucato
We recommend choosing a company that offers warranties for the labor and the actual window. Castle Windows and Champion Windows provide limited lifetime warranties on installation and windows, which is tough to beat.
The graphic below shows each window provider’s rating based on the “warranties” category of our review standards.
| Company | Warranties Rating |
|---|---|
| Champion Windows | 5.0 |
| Castle Windows | 5.0 |
| Renewal by Andersen | 4.7 |
| Pella Windows | 4.7 |
| Harvey Windows + Doors | 2.3 |
| Marvin Windows & Doors | 2.3 |
| Simonton Windows | 2.3 |
| Industry Average | 3.7 |
Our reviews on top window brands
After analyzing product performance, reviewing product lines and services, and reading customer testimonials for 14 window brands, we recommend Renewal by Andersen as our top choice for replacement windows. Castle and Champion round out our list of the top three brands based on our methodology.
Renewal by Andersen
Castle Windows
Champion Windows
Other window brands to consider
Though Pella, Harvey Windows + Doors, Marvin Windows & Doors, and Simonton Windows didn’t make our list of top picks for window brands, they all scored at least 4 out of 5 stars based on our methodology. Depending on your needs and budget, you may want to consider getting a quote from these providers.
Pella
Harvey Windows + Doors
Marvin Windows & Doors
Simonton Windows
Can you afford windows right now?
Windows are expensive; 33% of respondents to our survey paid between $5,001 and $10,000 to replace their windows, although the cost of your project depends on various factors.
Companies typically price replacement windows based on four main factors — quality, the material type used in the frame, the number of glass panes, and how the window opens and closes — according to Sucato.
“The cost of new windows is also impacted by where you buy them,” said Sucato. “If you price shop a specific product at two different franchise locations, the price estimate might differ wildly — even for the exact same [product] — since different franchise owners determine their own pricing.”
But don’t let the sticker shock of new windows scare you away from the project. If you have leaky windows that allow air to slip in and out of your home, installing new windows may help you save a bundle on your monthly heating and cooling costs. According to our survey, nearly 20% of respondents said they replaced their windows to reduce their heating and cooling bills.
“Understanding the total cost of the project versus the value of the overall investment can help in decision making,” said Mark Waddell, the installation and application manager of Cornerstone Building Brands, which is the parent company of Simonton and Ply Gem.
The average homeowner could save up to $580 per year by installing energy-efficient windows and be eligible for up to $1,100 in tax credits, according to Waddell. Over time, these cost savings and tax credits really add up, making your investment in replacement windows well worth the high initial cost.
If you don’t have enough cash to pay for the project, you may still be able to get new windows. Many window companies we reviewed offer financing, either in-house or through a partner company.
“[Financing] is often an attractive option, especially because the cost of the project can be offset by the energy savings the windows can offer,” said Waddell.
The average homeowner can save up to $580 per year with an efficient window and be eligible for tax credits up to $1,100.
Mark Waddell
If a company’s financing terms aren’t suitable for your financial situation, you can also consider a home equity loan or line of credit from your bank or another lender to help cover the cost of new windows.
Also keep in mind that you don’t have to replace all of your windows at once. “Homeowners can break up the cost by replacing the poorest performing windows first and then [change] out windows in other parts of their home later,” said Waddell.
A salesperson or customer service representative from a window company can assess your windows and help you decide whether you should replace many windows at once or slowly work your way through the project.
Final take: Renewal by Andersen is our top window brand recommendation
With a range of high-quality, energy-efficient windows and unmatched customer service, Renewal by Andersen is our top window brand. Based on our proprietary methodology, this company led the pack with a score of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
Still, we always recommend getting quotes from at least three window providers and reading customer reviews to ensure you get the best windows for a price that fits your budget. Read their product and labor warranties to ensure you get the best support for your investment.
In addition to getting a quote from Renewal by Andersen, we recommend contacting Castle Windows or Champion Windows. Castle has limited lifetime warranties on its windows and labor costs, which topped the charts of all the companies we researched. Champion has a vast selection of energy-efficient window lines and offers additional services, including patio construction and door installation.
Our rating methodology for window providers
We research, review and rate window brands to help ensure you pick a window brand that meets your needs and fits your budget the next time you need to install new windows. Our research includes interviewing experts in the window industry, collecting data through proprietary surveys, reading hundreds of customer reviews on third-party websites and reviewing each brand’s website to gather as much information as possible about its services, products and warranties.
We assess each window brand in four key areas:
- Window options and installation services
- Brand reputation and reviews
- Energy-efficiency features
- Warranties
Read our full window methodology for more details and information on how we arrived at our conclusion of the best window brands.
BBB and Trustpilot ratings are accurate as of July 2024.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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