How to Shop for Replacement Windows

There are so many window options to choose from, giving you the opportunity to tailor products directly to your lifestyle. At the same time, too many good options can add stress and make it difficult to choose. Let’s walk through some of the choices you’ll need to make as you shop for replacement windows.

At Pella, we offer several different ways to purchase windows and this is one of the first choices you’ll want to make as you begin shopping.

If you’d like expert help as you shop for replacement windows, visit a local Pella showroom or schedule a free in-home or virtual consultation. These options allow you to touch products in person and ask questions to a window professional. Assessing your home firsthand gives the Pella expert the opportunity to inspect your current windows, take measurements and study your style goals. Afterward, they’ll show you a range of options and make recommendations.

Another option is to buy windows online. This allows you to browse options from the comfort of your home without having to interact with someone in person. You’re able to take charge by measuring, selecting and installing on your own — a perfect choice for the confident do-it-yourselfers. You can also purchase windows at your local Lowe’s store. This option is a happy medium, letting you do it yourself but still giving you the option to talk to an expert along the way.

As you shop for replacement windows, you’ll also get to choose the type of window material you’d like. Wood, fiberglass or vinyl? Choosing the right window material for your home depends on a few things. Consider your budget, your personal style, the features you most want and the climate where you live.

Wood windows come with design flexibility, as wood has the most features and options available to truly customize exactly what you want. Crafted for function and beauty, a wood replacement window brings natural warmth that makes a space look cozy. Available in both contemporary and traditional styles, finding the perfect wood window for your home renovation project will be as straightforward as it is rewarding.

Alternatively, fiberglass windows deliver unmatched strength and lasting durability.⁹ They provide a sleek, timeless look for your design with proven performance. And since Pella Impervia products are made from our proprietary fiberglass material, your windows will resist warping in the summer and becoming brittle in the winter.

Finally, vinyl windows are energy-efficient and easy to care for too — no painting, staining or refinishing required. With vinyl, you get high quality windows at a price that is budget friendly. This material is competitively priced and affordable.

The particular window type that’s best for you depends on a number of factors. The primary factor to consider is how the window operates. Some windows slide open on a track while others swing outward. Different window types work well for certain rooms, others fit stylistically within the larger aesthetic landscape of the home and some windows work well in certain climates. We’ll detail a few of the most popular and versatile options, but the great news is there are even more available. And if you decide you want something completely your own or can’t find what you’re looking for, we also offer special shape windows and a range of specialty windows to make your dream home a reality.

Versatile and easy-to-use, casement windows come hinged at the side and swing outward. If you’re having trouble visualizing this, try thinking of how a door swings outward. Casement windows give clear views to the outdoors, making it all the easier to soak up the natural beauty surrounding your home. Opened by cranking a handle or sliding the Easy-Slide Operator like a dimmer switch, casement windows are great options for difficult-to-reach spaces like above sinks or appliances.

Double-hung windows are timeless, making them a great choice for any home. They’ll look great whether you prefer modern and chic or classic and traditional styling. They can slide open from the bottom or from the top, providing two levels of ventilation. And since double-hung windows don’t protrude inwards or outwards, they maximize usable space. These windows have two sashes that both tilt inward for easy access to the interior and exterior glass surfaces, making them simple to clean.

Sliding windows offer easy access to fresh air with one quick horizontal motion. They require no extra space to operate, so are commonly found in tight walkways or along patios. These windows lend themselves to more contemporary and modern style as they feature clean lines and sleek designs.

The window type options don’t end here. There are many types of windows including single-hung, awning, bay and picture windows. Whatever type you’re looking for, there’s sure to be a replacement window to match.

When shopping for windows, most of the choices you encounter will fall in the features and options category. From which direction the window opens to the color and hardware, there are so many ways to configure each window to fit the unique needs of your lifestyle and space. You can also add on features like different types of glass, grilles, blinds or shades and screens. Below we’ll outline just a few of the most popular features that people choose to add.

There are dual- and triple-pane window glass options optimized for energy efficiency, security, privacy and security, sound control, impact resistance and more.

• Energy-efficient glass: To get the best replacement windows for your region, select the Low-E glass coating optimized for your specific geographic area. This will help maximize energy efficiency by blocking the sun’s harmful UV rays, affording you with both comfort and savings. You can also choose tinted glass to block some of the sun's rays and keep rooms cooler.
• Privacy and security glass: Obscure glass creates privacy while allowing natural light, ideal for areas that require extra privacy, such as a bathroom or bedroom. Tempered glass is available where safety glass is required by code or needed to help increase the strength of the glass. This type of glass is incredibly strong, but when broken, it shatters into smaller pieces of glass rather than jagged pieces to help lower chance of injury.
• Sound control glass: For areas that experience lots of outside noise, Sound Transmission Class sound glass uses mixed glass thicknesses to help dampen sounds. When different glass thicknesses are paired, they help dampen sounds at different frequencies. Laminated glass has a polymer layer sandwiched between two layers of glass that cuts outside noise and harmful UV rays and offers added protection against forced entry.
• Impact-resistant glass: Impact-resistant glass helps protect your home from intruders and storms such as hurricanes. Designed to help maintain the structural integrity of your home, this glass features a strong polymer interlayer sandwiched between panes of glass.
• High-altitude glass: For homes located in high-altitude areas, like the Rocky Mountains, the air-filled insulating glass assembly is typically vented to prevent over pressurization of the system. If argon gas fill is used, the insulating glass is filled to a pressure level tailored for higher elevations.

Another popular add-on is grilles-between-the-glass. Grilles add design interest to your home and make your windows look distinctively yours. There are many grille patterns available, including traditional grids and modern prairie style. These grilles are permanently sealed between the panes of glass, protecting them from damage and allowing for easy cleaning.

Blinds and shades help you maintain privacy in your home. They are available in many colors to fit the style of your home, including black and white. Built in between the glass of the window, the blinds or shades are protected from damage. This makes cleaning a breeze.

Screens maximize fresh air while keeping bugs and pests outside. From standard screens that are always visible to retractable screens that disappear when not in use, Pella offers several different screens to suit your style. As you make this choice, consider the climate you live in and whether you plan to open your windows frequently.

As you pick and choose the material, type and features you’d like, keep in mind that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. There are so many benefits of replacement windows. Enjoy the freedom of selecting the options that are most important to you and fit your budget. The best replacement windows for your home will balance costs and benefits in a way that suits your unique needs.

Feeling ready to get after it? Learn more about the replacement window process to get started.