It’s Not JUST About The Quality Of The Window.
It’s Not JUST About The Quality Of The Installer.
It’s About The Quality Of BOTH!
To get the finest, longest lasting, and most energy efficient window replacement in St. Paul, you need two things: 1) a quality window company 2) and a quality window.
You’re probably thinking, “Well, duh!” But homeowners often discover getting both isn’t as easy as it seems. A company doesn’t necessarily have great installation just because they sell a high-quality window. Likewise, a company with great installers may not necessarily sell top-of-the-line windows.
So let’s talk about what to look for in both the best vinyl replacement windows and the best replacement window companies in St. Paul.
How To Determine If A Vinyl Window Is High Quality
Vinyl replacement windows in St. Paul are like a Clint Eastwood movie. There’s the good. The bad. And the downright ugly.
With that in mind, here are three key elements that every QUALITY replacement window has…
EXCELLENT ENERGY EFFICIENCY
To be Energy Star-certified, windows in Minneapolis must have a U-Factor of 0.30 or less (the lower the number, the better—read this for more info). To get that kind of efficiency, a window has to come with features like multiple panes of glass, high-density gas between the panes, and low-e coating. Fortunately, it’s easy to know if a window meets Energy Star criteria—the ones that do have a label right on them.
BEEFY WARRANTIES
Lengthy, fine-print-free warranties are a good indicator of quality. If the window manufacturer is confident in their product, they will naturally stand behind that product for a long, long time.
The best window warranties are lifetime and even cover broken glass. Even if a window company advertises a lifetime warranty, you’ll want to review it in detail. Some so-called “lifetime” warranties are anything but—they’re packed with loopholes, exclusions, and prorating galore. Make sure you ask any window company you’re considering to review their warranty with you, IN DETAIL.
A REASONABLE PRICE
While it’s true that $189 windows are NEVER any good, you don’t want to spend too much for high-quality vinyl replacement windows. There is, in fact, a sweet spot for excellent vinyl replacement windows in St. Paul. This is roughly between $599 and $699 per window, depending on the upgrades you buy. At this price, you’re getting the highest quality replacement vinyl window.
If a vinyl window costs more than this, you’re overpaying—plain and simple. Price tags in the $900 or $1,000+ range should be for specialty products like custom wood windows. But for a replacement vinyl window? No way.
What To Look For In Quality Window Installer
Just like windows, not all installers are created equal. With than in mind, let’s explore some of the attributes that QUALITY window installers have in common…
A TRAINED & CERTIFIED CREW
It’s okay to grill awindow company about the experience and qualifications of their installation crew. You want to make sure whoever is replacing your windows will do the job RIGHT. You’re the one ponying up the cash, after all!
In a nutshell, you want to look for installers who have substantial experience with installing windows (not just general home improvement experience). You also want to ask what kind of training the installers go through, and (if applicable) whether they are certified by the window manufacturer.
HEFTY INSTALLATION WARRANTY
As with product warranties, installation warranties should be lengthy, comprehensive, and non-prorated. Once again, a lifetime warranty is best here. But make sure to read the warranty carefully—you don’t want to get burned by the fine print if you experience an installation problem five, 10, or 20 years down the line.
AN EXCELLENT REPUTATION
Reading a replacement window company’s online reviews is one of the easiest ways to know if they’re high quality. Forget the company’s advertisements. Forget the fancy sales pitch. Online reviews “cut through the noise” and give you objective feedback on a company.
Want First-Rate Vinyl Window Replacement In St. Paul… Without The Hassles?
At Zen Windows, we provide exceptional products AND installation. And we do it in a completely stress-free manner.
Contact us today for one of our famous 5-Minute Quotes. You simply take a few minutes to tell about your project (through the online submission form or over the phone), and we follow up with a firm and accurate window quote via email or a quick phone call.
It’s that simple. No sales pitches. No pressure. No pricing games. Just a quote and the information you need to make the best decision for your home.
