Castle Windows is a highly awarded, full-service window brand and is a great option if you want vinyl-framed windows.
Although its pricing is higher than some competitors, its comprehensive lifetime warranty is worth the investment for many, according to customer reviews. Castle doesn’t have fiberglass or wood window options, but it does offer rare window styles, such as transoms and custom shapes.
Our Castle windows review compares the company to other top window brands, including its product selection, performance, warranty details and cost.
Our thoughts on Castle
We put Castle to the test against our methodology, scoring its window variety, framing options, energy-efficiency features and more. We rated the company 4.4 out of 5 stars. Castle won points for its warranty coverage and industry certifications but lost points for only having vinyl frame material options.
What we like
Castle’s standout feature is its warranty, which it claims is the best in the industry. Its website even has a side-by-side look at what Castle covers that many competitors don’t, which we’ll walk through later in this review. From reading the brand’s warranty details, it’s clear it’s a lifetime warranty. There’s no false advertising discovered in the fine print.
All window components and labor are covered for the life of the product. Plus, Castle’s warranty is easy to read and simple to understand. There’s no mountain of tiny text to sift through.
We like that Castle is a full-service company that manufactures, sells and installs its windows, so you won’t need to hire a contractor. It doesn’t just make and install windows, either. Castle specializes in manufacturing and installing doors, roofing and siding, which is convenient if you want to tackle multiple home improvement projects simultaneously.
Castle has also earned many awards and recognitions from HomeAdvisor, Qualified Remodeler and Remodeling Magazine.
What we don’t like
Castle’s main drawback is that it only makes vinyl window frames. This isn’t a huge disadvantage since vinyl is a quality material, but this isn’t the brand for you if you want aluminum, fiberglass or wood windows. Castle also doesn’t sell single-hung windows, which could be a dealbreaker if you live in an older home with single-hung windows and want your replacement windows to match.
According to a survey we conducted, Castle is more expensive than many of its well-rated competitors. While its prices aren’t far off from other brands, it’s the most expensive company on our list of best window installers.
Lastly, Castle doesn’t operate nationwide, so you must check if it’s available in your area before filling out a contact form. It’s headquartered in New Jersey but also provides window installation to Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.
Compare top window brands
Castle is hard to beat, scoring lower with us than only Renewal by Andersen due to its lack of American Architectural Manufacturers Association certification.
Customer thoughts
Castle has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since 1992 and has an A+ rating. It also has a customer rating of 3.15 out of 5 stars, which is middle-of-the-road compared to competitors. We didn’t find many reviews of Castle on other reputable review sites, but the 100 comments on the BBB are pretty mixed.
Many positive reviews note the company’s professionalism, punctuality, friendliness and quick installation. Customers report high window satisfaction and quality workmanship.
Geraldine H. left this review on the BBB as a repeat customer: “I used Castle in the past but still wanted to price shop. I was thrilled that they inspected each and every window and informed me that not all of them need replaced. They were not the cheapest replacement windows but the sales person, the attention to detail and the fact that they cared enough to not make me spend unnecessary money spoke volumes. They came quicker than anticipated and the installers did a fantastic job installing and cleaning up behind themselves. I would recommend them to anyone. Top notch sales and service!”
We noticed a common theme among negative reviews wasn’t about window quality or installation but sales tactics. Reviews left in 2023 cite pushy sales representatives and frequent calling. We don’t see a repeated theme regarding the company’s products and workmanship, though John T. reports issues with communication, wrong products and missed appointment windows.
John T.’s review says, “Appointment window of 9am to 1pm and the tech comes at 2pm. Also they did not come out with the correct amount of replacement windows. I have emails and pictures sent to customer service describing the issues but when I spoke to someone about it they said they only had one replacement window down. She was very adamant about it and I even offered to forward the email showing the entire conversation explaining the number of windows affected along with pictures. No one communicates there!”
What windows does Castle sell?
Castle sells all the popular window styles you’d expect except for single-hung options. The company doesn’t categorize its window options into product lines, so there isn’t an easy way to tell on Castle’s website which windows are best suited for storms, which have more high-end hardware options, etc.
Window styles
You can choose from the following window types:
- Awning
- Basement hopper
- Bay and bow
- Casement
- Double-hung
- Garden
- Picture
- Sliding
- Transom
What materials does Castle use?
Castle manufactures windows in one frame material, but it’s a reputable and popular option.
Window frames
Castle only sells vinyl windows. If you prefer the traditional look of wood or the durability of fiberglass, this isn’t the brand for you. However, vinyl is still a durable option. It’s long-lasting, weather-resistant and energy-efficient. It’s also a great insulator, helps reduce noise pollution, and is easy to customize and maintain. Plus, it’s quick to install and is recyclable, which is a bonus if you’re looking for an eco-friendly option.
Window panels
You can get double-pane or triple-pane windows. This refers to the amount of glass layers in your window. The more layers, the more insulative the window is and the better it dampens outside noise. If your budget allows, we recommend getting triple-pane windows to regulate your home’s temperature better and lower your electricity bills. Triple-pane windows are especially valuable in colder climates with harsh winters.
Energy efficiency
The Department of Energy reports that heat gain and heat loss through windows are responsible for 25%–30% of residential heating and cooling energy use. If you have old, low-performing windows, you can bet that’s showing up on your monthly electric bill. Investing in new windows can lower energy use and cost and make your home more comfortable year-round.
Castle offers several energy-saving features, including the following:
- Low-emissivity (low-e) glass: Low-e glass has an invisible coating optimized for your climate that helps block UV rays and control your home’s temperature.
- Insulated glass and frames: Argon gas injected between window panels acts as an insulating blanket to reduce heat transfer.
- Triple-pane glass: The more layers of glass in your window unit, the more air and noise are kept out.
How much do Castle’s windows cost?
We surveyed 1,500 window customers in October 2023 and learned that those who bought Castle windows spent between $10,475 and $19,872 on their window replacement project. This price varies by the project size. Here’s a look at customers’ average investment based on how many windows they purchased:
| Number of Windows | Average Cost Including Installation |
|---|---|
| 1–5 | $10,475 |
| 6–10 | $16,690 |
| 11+ | $19,872 |
We looked at these averages from several of the top window brands. Survey takers reported spending anywhere from $5,112 for window projects with fewer than five windows to as much as $32,307 for projects with more than 11 windows, so Castle’s pricing falls in the middle of all the brands we collected data on.
The amount you spend will depend on the type and size of window you purchase and how many. Large windows, such as bay windows and picture windows, will cost significantly more than smaller, simpler windows, such as casements.
Requesting a free quote is the best way to see how much your windows will cost.
Does Castle offer financing options?
Castle offers financing options for qualified buyers, including 100% financing with no down payment. The company also works with local and regional banks to provide financing options.
What is the installation process with Castle?
Unlike some window replacement companies, Castle’s website doesn’t provide a step-by-step look at its installation process. However, we know from researching other window brands that the window installation process typically includes these steps:
- Site preparation: On your scheduled installation date, the installation crew will arrive and lay down drop cloths to protect your floors and furniture
- Window removal: The crew will remove your old windows and inspect the area for damage. If damage is found in the walls or along the window casing, the team will repair it before proceeding.
- Installation and sealing: They’ll install your new windows, seal them tightly, and replace the window trim.
- Quality assurance: The crew lead will test that the window is installed correctly and that all features work properly.
- Cleanup: The crew will clean the windows and installation area and dispose of your old windows.
What are Castle’s warranty options?
As we said, Castle’s transferable lifetime warranty is its standout feature. Because it’s transferable, you can pass it to subsequent homeowners if you sell your house. Castle’s side-by-side look at what its warranty includes that many competitors don’t lists that the company covers:
- Colored windows
- Free labor on all service
- Glass
- Installation
- Leaks and drafts
- Parts
- Screens
- Seals
- Vinyl
- Window operation
Castle vs. other window brands
Castle is one of our top window brands. But we always recommend getting quotes from other providers to ensure you’re getting the best windows for your home and budget.
Castle Windows vs. Renewal by Andersen
Renewal by Andersen is our top window brand, with 4.7 out of 5 stars based on our rating methodology. Like Castle, Renewal by Andersen only carries one frame material. However, it’s a proprietary Fibrex material that is energy-efficient and can withstand harsh weather conditions in any climate. Renewal by Andersen lost points in our methodology because it only offers a two-year labor warranty.
Castle Windows vs. Champion Windows
Champion Windows also offers a limited lifetime warranty on all of its windows and labor, which is why it’s among our top window installation companies. The company also carries an Energy Star certification, so you can rest assured that your windows will help lower your monthly heating and cooling costs. Like Castle, Champion lost points in our rating methodology because it only sells vinyl windows. These companies won’t work for you if you want wood or fiberglass window frames.
| Category | Castle Windows | Renewal by Andersen | Champion Windows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Our rating (out of 5) | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.4 |
| Average project price | $12,970 | $10,252 | $12,171 |
| Glass and hardware warranty | Limited lifetime | 10–20 years | Limited lifetime |
| Labor warranty | Limited lifetime | Two years | Limited lifetime |
Final take: Castle windows may cost you more, but its warranty may be worth the extra cost
Castle’s windows may cost slightly more than many other brands, but should your windows ever need repair, you’ll thank yourself for going with a company with a strong warranty. Castle also has a good amount of window styles to choose from and many favorable customer reviews. It’s just not the choice for you if you want single-hung windows or something other than vinyl.
You can start your window project with Castle by getting a quote. We recommend getting quotes from a few companies to compare pricing before committing.
Our rating methodology for window companies
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 score is accurate as of December 2023.
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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