12 Best Window Brands for Your Home
The best window brand for your home will depend on the frame material you’re after and your climate.
Replacing or installing new windows is a big, expensive task. You want to ensure you go with one of the best window brands with quality products that fit your budget.
There’s no shortage of window companies, but not all brands are equal.
Here’s an overview of 12 of the best window manufacturers, their frame materials, and how much you can expect to pay.
Andersen
Price: mid to high
Andersen is one of the top window manufacturers in the United States. They carry a wide range of windows, doors, and frame materials.
Andersen’s most popular line is their 400 Series featuring a wooden frame with exterior vinyl cladding. The vinyl protects against the elements, while the wood interior offers warmth and a paintable or stainable surface.
Frame material options:
- Fibrex (Composite Wood)
- Vinyl-clad wood
- Aluminum-clad wood
- Fiberglass-clad wood
- Composite-clad wood
Where to buy: Andersen sells its windows through local pros and third-party retailers, including Home Depot.
Pella
Price: low to high
Pella has one of the largest selections of windows. They carry budget-friendly vinyl frames and higher-end fiberglass, wood-clad, and wood frames.
You can order some Pella windows straight from their website, allowing for transparent pricing. They offer many color choices for their aluminum-clad windows and carry one line of vinyl frames with a black exterior option.
Frame material options:
- Vinyl
- Fiberglass
- Aluminum clad
- Wood
Where to buy: You can purchase the Impervia, Encompass, and Lifestyle Series through the Pella website. Other lines are available at Lowes, a showroom, or by scheduling an in-home consultation.
JELD WEN
Price: low to high
You might recognize JELD WEN for its selection of vinyl windows available at Lowes and Home Depot, but this company manufactures more than vinyl frames.
JELD WEN offers a range of windows, from basic and affordable to higher-end windows made of wood and aluminum.
Frame material options:
- Vinyl
- Wood
- Aluminum-clad
- Aluminum
Where to buy: You can purchase JELD WEN windows from Lowes, Home Depot, and other third-party retailers.
Marvin
Price: mid to high
Marvin is a manufacturer of high-end windows. They’re best known for their modern fiberglass frames but also offer windows in other materials.
The fiberglass frames from Marvin can last up to 38% longer than vinyl. Fiberglass is also one of the strongest and most energy-efficient frame materials.
Frame material options:
- Fiberglass
- Fiberglass-clad
- Aluminum
- Fiberglass with an aluminum interior
- Wood
- Aluminum-clad
Where to buy: Marvin windows are unavailable online and at the big box stores. Instead, you can locate a third-party retailer or request a quote from the Marvin website.
Milgard
Price: low to high
Milgard carries five lines of windows that range from budget-friendly to higher-end. They have three lines of vinyl windows, including a basic option and a window with premium vinyl.
Milgard offers an exceptional window warranty covering the mainframe for as long as you own your home. Other window components come with limited lifetime warranties.
Frame material options:
- Vinyl
- Fiberglass
- Thermally-improved aluminum
Where to buy: You can find a third-party dealer or request a quote on the Milgard website. You can also find select lines of Milgard windows at Lowes and the Home Depot.
Simonton
Price: low to mid
Simonton is a Ply Gem company and offers new and replacement vinyl windows. Their window selection varies based on location. They have lines for the east and midwestern United States and separate lines for the western United States.
Since Simonton manufactures only vinyl windows, you can expect the windows to be low to mid-priced, depending on the line you choose.
Frame material options:
- Vinyl
Where to buy: You can search for a certified pro on the Simonton website or purchase windows at the Home Depot. Home Depot doesn’t carry stock Simonton windows, but they can give you a quote if you schedule a consultation.
Alside
Price: low to mid
Alside carries an extensive line of replacement and new construction vinyl windows. Like Simonton, this company has different lines for specific regions of the United States.
One of Alside’s most popular windows is its Mezzo line. Mezzo windows focus on energy efficiency and feature slim vinyl frames for a more modern look.
Frame material options:
- Vinyl
Where to buy: You can locate a third-party retailer on the Alside website. They don’t sell straight to consumers.
Ply Gem
Price: low to high
Ply Gem carries windows in many frame materials. They have basic vinyl windows that are budget-friendly as well as more expensive wood-clad and composite options.
An important note about Ply Gem – their reviews are spotty. Some customers love them, but you can find many complaints about warranty issues.
Frame material options:
- Vinyl
- Composite
- Composite-clad wood
- Aluminum-clad
Where to buy: You can locate a distributor or pro on the Ply Gem website. There are a couple of Ply Gem lines available at Home Depot.
Champion
Price: mid
Champion is a full-service company operating in 23 states. They sell only replacement vinyl windows and only have one line, which you can customize.
Since Champion is a full-service company, they’ll give you a quote, order your windows, and install them.
Frame material options:
- Vinyl
Where to buy: You can only purchase Champion windows directly from Champion. You can schedule a quote online or via phone.
Home Depot
Price: low to high
While Home Depot isn’t a window brand, they carry many types of windows and offer installation services. Their installation services are well-rated, with a 4.3 out of 5-star rating from over 68,000 customers.
Home Depot installs windows from the following companies: Milgard, Simonton, Andersen, JELD-WEN, Ply Gem, and ProtecSure by PGT. They also carry stock windows from other brands.
Frame material options:
- Vinyl
- Aluminum-clad
- Wood
- Fiberglass
- Aluminum
Where to buy: You can purchase stock windows online or at stores. You can schedule an in-home or virtual consultation for replacement windows.
Weather Shield
Price: mid to high
Weather Shield carries higher-end windows featuring aluminum and aluminum-clad frames. They have four lines of windows, some suitable for traditional architecture and others for modern homes.
The Weather Shield windows are customizable with many frame color and glass package options. They also offer a vast selection of wood species for their aluminum-clad frames.
Frame material options:
- All aluminum
- Aluminum-clad
Where to buy: You can purchase Weather Shield windows through one of their showrooms or a third-party dealer.
Loewen
Price: High
Lowen is a luxury window and door manufacturer based in Canada. Their windows are handcrafted.
While Loewen offers three frame materials, their most unique windows are in the Cyprium series. These windows feature a thick bronze or copper cladding for an artisanal look.
Frame materials:
- Wood
- Aluminum-clad
- Bronze-clad
- Copper-clad
Where to buy: Loewen Windows are only available through third-party dealers. You can find a dealer closest to you on their website.
How to Choose a Window Brand
With so many brands, choosing a window can be difficult. If you’re overwhelmed with choices, here’s the best way to pick a window brand.
Decide on frame material – If you know what type of frame you’d like, you can instantly eliminate companies from your list. For example, not all window brands manufacture vinyl windows. So if you want vinyl windows, rule out the other companies.
Compare styles and customization options – While every homeowner wants a long-lasting window that stands up to the elements and is energy efficient, chances are, you also want something that looks good with your house.
So, look through your potential companies and review the frame choices, color customizations, and grille options.
- Keep energy efficiency in mind – Not all brands have the same glass options. You can check a window’s energy efficiency by looking for the Energy Star rating and locating the U-Value and SHGC.
- Look up the brand’s ratings – Ratings from past customers can give you insight into the quality and customer service of a company. You can find ratings and reviews on Consumer Affairs and Better Business Bureau.
- Consult a local contractor– Local contractors and professional window installers will have the best insight into how certain brands of windows perform in your area.
Final Thoughts
There’s a lot that goes into purchasing new windows. One of the easiest ways to narrow down which brand to use is to decide on the frame material you’d like. Once you know your frame material, you can compare styles, customization options, energy efficiency, and brand ratings.
Consult a local pro if you’re unsure what windows to purchase. Local window installers will have the best insight into how each brand performs in your area.