Best Replacement Window Brands

Finding the right replacement windows can be a challenge but knowing which brands you can trust makes your search easier. Whether your goal is to keep the rain out, insulate, or have your windows last the life of your home you have plenty of options that will meet your needs while also enhancing your home's curb appeal. Compare some of the top window brands by window material to see what works best for you in your window replacement search.

Wood Clad Windows

_{^{Andersen E-Series wood-clad windows with a stained wood interior. Photo by Andersen Windows.}}

Wood-clad windows are an excellent option for homeowners interested in a traditional option. Wood clad windows offer the beauty of a wood window on the interior with options for exterior cladding. Cladding provides an additional layer of protection for the wood to ensure your windows last longer. A diversity of shapes, styles, and wood species means more options when choosing your wood clad replacement windows.

Andersen Windows

Andersen Windows has over 100 years in business and is one of the best and most trusted manufacturers in the business. This company offers wood window series with a variety of cladding materials, colors, hardware, and wood species. Their most popular window series is the 400 Series and the most expensive is the E-Series. The E-Series is one of two wood window series in Andersen's luxury line.

Marvin Windows

Marvin Windows are proud to say their windows will give you a view to remember. Marvin has two wood window series but only their Integrity Wood-Ultrex is a wood-clad window. The Integrity Wood-Ultrex window exterior is made of Milgard's Ultrex Fiberglass. Ultrex Fiberglass is made of polyester resin and glass fiber.

Loewen Windows

Loewen offers six styles of windows in addition to their specialty windows. This company uses Coastal Douglas Fir or Mahogany in their window frames and sashes. Loewen only uses thick extruded aluminum cladding on its windows. Extruded aluminum is better than rolled-form aluminum because it retains its shape, resists denting, and lasts longer than the latter.

Jeld-Wen Windows

Jeld-Wen has several series with wood-clad windows. Their wood window frames are made from AuraLast® Wood (Pine). AuraLast is a Pine that is treated to provide protection against wood rot, water damage, and termites, all the way to the core of the wood. Other wood species offered by Jeld-Wen include Alder and Douglas Fir.

Kolbe Windows

Kolbe Windows offers two wood-clad window series. Both series offer wood interior frames with extruded aluminum exteriors. The VistaLuxe Collection has sleek lines and narrow profiles while the Ultra Series is a more traditional style.

Vinyl Windows

_{^{Milgard Tuscany picture windows paired with awning windows and a two-panel sliding door configuration. Photo by Milgard.}}

While wood-clad windows are an inexpensive and efficient option for window replacement. Compared to wood or wood-clad windows, which require regular maintenance, vinyl windows are frequently described as maintenance-free. Vinyl windows don’t require painting, will not rot, and are resistant to peeling and cracking, making them an excellent option for homeowners who might not have the time for regular window maintenance.

Milgard Windows

Milgard has a few options for vinyl window shoppers. The Tuscany Series, Montecito Series, and Style Line Series are all made of vinyl material. The Montecito Series, however, is specially designed for new construction projects as opposed to replacement window projects. Style Line offers a more sophisticated and modern look, while the Tuscany Series are custom-made to your home’s specifications.

Simonton Windows

Simonton specializes in vinyl windows and offers nine window styles to choose from. Simonton is part of the PlyGem family, a leader in home exterior building products.

Alside Windows

Alside has been in business for over 65 years and offers six series of vinyl window products. Not all of their windows are available nationwide. For Texas, Alside does have options from all their series including the Mezzo Series and 0700 Series.

NT Window

NT has several window series that are made of vinyl material. These include the Presidential Series, Executive Series, Construction Pro Series, and more. The Presidential Series is a good option for new construction and replacement projects while the Executive Series is better suited to replacement projects and the Construction Pro Series is better for new construction projects.

Pella Windows

Pella Windows can give you a little bit of everything depending on your needs. Go strong and durable with the Pella 350 Series, energy-efficient with the Pella 250 Series, or stay budget-friendly with Encompass by Pella. The 350 Series is their strongest vinyl product and the Encompass is more of a mini-series with only window style options.

Aluminum Windows

_{^{Milgard Aluminum windows in Southlake, Texas home. Photo by Brennan Enterprises, Milgard Certified Dealer.}}

Aluminum windows (extruded aluminum) are arguably the most maintenance-free type of window material. This material is popular because they typically have a thinner frame that creates a sleek, modern design. Though aluminum windows are more prone to dents than other types of window replacements, they are more resistant to scratching and cracking. One downside to Aluminum windows is their poor thermal performance, if you choose this material you’ll want to make sure they meet your local energy code.

Milgard Windows

Milgard’s Aluminum Windows are made with Thermally Improved Aluminum, also known as a Thermal Break. This aluminum includes all of the features of standard aluminum in addition to offering energy-efficient options.

Don Young Windows

Don Young Windows makes PolyPour Aluminum Thermal Break Windows. These are extruded aluminum windows with a pour & de bridge thermal break system that separates the inside metal from the outside metal. Don Young’s unique PolyPour windows fight condensation and have a high insulating value.

Steel Windows

_{^{Steel windows by Durango Doors. Photo by Durango Doors.}}

Steel windows are best-known for maintaining narrow sightlines, a feature that is also popular with Aluminum windows. The strength of the steel allows for designs with slim frames and more glass surfaces (glazing). According to the Steel Window Institute windows of this material have a longer life cycle compared to aluminum, wood, or vinyl. Steel windows can last the life of a building but they require routine maintenance to remove surface dirt and grease that can damage the surface of the material.

Rehme Steel Windows

Rehme Steel Windows specializes in steel products. They make windows in their SlimLine design and Thermal-Brake design. SlimLine products are created with views in mind, maximizing the glass surface and reducing the frame profile. Thermal-Brake products change the game for thermal break design. This series reduces thermal transfer by using a steel-only design whereas other thermal break solutions often include fiberglass-reinforced plastic.

Firerock Windows

Firerock offers four distinctive profile systems for their steel windows: Classic (M200), Historical (W20), High-Performance (W40), and High-Performance Thermally Broken (MT50). Their rust protection is also up to ten times stronger than primers and barrier protections. FireRock products are all custom-made to meet your project's requirements.

Cantera

Cantera specializes in door manufacturing but also applies the same care and precision to making steel windows. Cantera gives you the freedom to select what works for your home from an aesthetic and budgetary perspective.

Durango Doors

Durango Door has two product lines including the Millennium Line and Wrought Iron Line. Durango Doors works with its clients to design, create, and install custom steel products.

Regardless of your window replacement choice, it’s important to be informed about the series of windows you’re interested in and the budget you’ve set aside for this endeavor. If you have any questions about the products offered in this article - many of which Brennan carries - give us a call and let us help you with your window replacement today.