Updated Mar 9, 2023
Updated Mar 9, 2023
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Homeowners that have many windows in their homes are lucky to enjoy natural light and fresh air. However, when these windows start to get older and replacement becomes necessary, the out-of-pocket expenses can get really high.
If you are on a budget and need the best cheap window replacement companies of 2023, we have you covered.
Window replacement companies each have their own cost structure and product selection. In addition, many of the best window companies for affordable window replacement only offer their services in a few states. We chose a wide range of providers across the United States to help you find new windows for a price you can entertain.
Even if you are not a window expert, chances are you know a thing or two about the name Andersen. Andersen is one of the most well-recognized companies in the industry, and this has everything to do with their quality, selection, and low-maintenance window options.
We won’t tell you that this is the cheapest overall, but it will provide some of the best value and availability for an affordable price. With Andersen windows installed, expect your energy bills to be lower.
Anderson does a great job of offering several different types of windows at varying price points. Having options that can fit within your budget makes this process much easier to manage. In addition, there are several options for window frame choices; if you want to ensure it’s a long time before you replace your windows again, vinyl replacement windows are available.
Pros
Cons
Anderson windows are offered on different levels. The most affordable and the best option for those on a budget are the 100 series from Anderson. The 100 series windows will be in the $200 range, which will increase to closer to $600 per window in the 400 series, the more premium windows.
Even though Anderson is one of the more well-recognized window brands, Champion is not far behind. One of the great things about Champion Windows is its history in the business. With more than 70 years of producing impressive vinyl replacement windows, you will be pleased with this company’s customer service and overall operations.
Like all window manufacturers, Champion offers options for single-hung windows, double-pane windows, and more. However, they only offer vinyl replacement windows. Champion ensures that these windows will improve curb appeal, increase energy savings, and always resist warping.
Pros
Cons
Champion windows tend to start around $350 and continue up through to more than $1,000 per window. Remember, something like a storm window or triple pane windows will be considerably higher in price. In addition, some of the more energy-efficient windows will also have higher pricing.
Home Depot had to make the list of the best companies for cheap window replacement. With the option to choose from several window companies, access to home improvement experts, and easy financing capabilities, many homeowners turn to Home Depot for their window replacement.
At Home Depot, you can choose high-quality or average builder-grade windows. In addition, these home window replacements can be installed as a DIY project if you are handy. The window styles that Home Depot offers will range from modern high-end-looking windows with tremendous energy efficiency to a cheaper American Crafstman value series window.
Pros
Cons
The pricing for Home Depot windows starts at less than $200 and will continue up to more than $1,000 per window, depending on what type of product you are looking at. One of the great things about Home Depot is that there are always financing options and the ability to save more with your Home Depot credit card.
Castle Windows have been on the market for 45 years, making them quite well known for homeowners looking to replace old windows. If you like smaller companies that can handle custom-type window solutions, then Castle is likely going to be an option you want to consider.
Homes that have a standard or stock-size windows will have a much easier time finding affordable replacements than those that need custom. Castle Windows creates solutions in-house for those that need something unique.
The company is small, and your job will be recognized and respected. The company is very careful to work with individuals to provide both value and longevity.
Pros
Cons
Castle holds back a lot of its pricing information on the website. With locations in 11 states, the pricing is inconsistent from one location to another. Expect these windows to start around $200 and go up from there. The baseline non-custom windows should be very affordable.
When shopping for window replacements, energy efficiency needs to be at the top of your mind. Marvin windows have been around since 1912, and they only sell Energy Star windows. Of course, when energy efficiency is incorporated into a window, pricing can go up slightly, but with your energy bill being considerably lower, the money should come back to you.
Marvin Windows sells a lot of fiberglass windows, but unlike Champion, who only sells one type of vinyl window, with Marvin, you can get a variety of other materials, including wood with a fiberglass exterior.
Remember that window material selection and window replacement choices will impact the overall look of your home quite a bit. Marvin windows are known for having some added curb appeal and style, something to improve the overall look of your home.
Pros
Cons
With the energy efficiency from Marvin, the starting price is a bit higher in the $400 range for a basic Marvin window. When you customize coatings and sashes, expect prices to go up over $700 per window. Remember here that energy savings will help bring down your long-term costs of this window replacement.
Although we can’t say that Milgard is the cheapest window manufacturer on the market, they do a great job of creating solutions for all budgets. Milgard windows are typically easy to get because they are even available at Home Depot in some locations.
Milgard has been in the industry for 90 years, and they specialize in making great-looking windows. You will have the option for more than 7 exterior colors to ensure that the window matches the outside of your home.
If you are in an area where weatherproof windows matter, there are options for more expensive choices from Milgard that will help protect against temperature, wind, rain, rotting, warping, and more. Expect these windows to be nearly double and sometimes triple the cost of a basic Milgard window.
Pros
Cons
A basic stock Milgard window will start at less than $200. This company manufactures and sells aluminum, fiberglass, and vinyl windows, so the options to keep the costs down are relatively wide. In addition to the cheaper vinyl options, expect there to be some custom choices from Milgard that are priced considerably higher.
Simonton is all about customization. If you will be paying out of pocket for new windows for your home, you may as well get something that looks great and will match the aesthetics of your home. Everything from the grids to the sashes to the casing of the Simonton windows is customizable.
In addition, there are ten different styles of windows to choose from. The windows that are most affordable from Simonton are their vinyl replacement windows. Most homeowners on a budget are going to stick with these vinyl replacements as they will help keep pricing down quite a bit.
Simonton won’t come out to your home and install the windows. Instead, they have partnered with installers all over the country. Expect this to make pricing a bit inconsistent from one area to another.
Pros
Cons
With 10 types of window styles, you can expect a wide range of pricing in the Simonton windows. The more basic products start around $200 per window, and pricing quickly increases to more than $1,000 per window.
Last but not least are the Pella windows. There are other best window replacement lists where Pella will likely sit at the top. However, when it comes to affordability, Pella is not necessarily the best. The company has been in business since 1925, and its reputation helps keep the pricing of these Pella windows a bit high.
One of the things that homeowners would remember about Pella windows is that while quality remains high, options for customization remain low. Pella is a bit more limited in the products it offers but likes to improve on technology and features that other manufacturers do not.
Many homeowners that go with Pella windows will be located near one of the 200 Pella showrooms. You must talk with a Pella representative to get full pricing for your project.
Pros
Cons
Although Pella windows start at less than $200, the options that have impressive technology and highly respected features are going to be closer to the $400 range. Pella makes wood, vinyl, and fiberglass windows, so expect the vinyl to be some of the more affordable choices, especially for new construction windows.
As you noticed throughout our reviews of the best cheap window replacements, one of the things that impact the cost of the windows considerably is the frame material. It’s important to understand the benefits of the frame materials and the associated costs when picking out the windows for your home.
In order of most budget-friendly to least:
Many homeowners ask us if they can make a mistake with cheap window replacements. The answer is yes. There are times when going for the cheapest window you can find will leave you with plenty of regrets. Therefore when choosing cheap window replacements, it’s important to take into consideration some of the following information.
Aluminum and vinyl windows may be the most affordable types on the market, but they may not be the right fit for your home. Try to look at homes that have different types of windows to see what you like and whether or not it’s a fit for you.
In addition to the materials of these windows, you can also choose between window styles.
Keep things simple with a single hung window if you want to lower the pricing. Customizations will certainly get the price higher.
Here is a look at the different types of windows and their average costs. These costs are subject to change based on size and manufacturer.
Average Cost of Windows by Type
Single Hung Windows | $250-$600 |
Double Hung Windows | $300-$700 |
Arched Windows | $350-$1000 |
Awning Windows | $250-$450 |
Bay Window | $250-$1500 |
Bow Window | $750-$2000 |
Casement | $400-$900 |
Garden Windows | $1000-$4000 |
Glass Block | $450-$1000 |
Picture Windows | $375-$800 |
Sliding Windows | $415-$890 |
We like companies that offer a consistent warranty throughout their entire product lineup. Knowing that you get a limited lifetime warranty will, without a doubt, help you make this purchase.
Be careful that with some cheap window replacements, the warranty is not as long as the average-priced window replacement. If a window is $175 and comes with a 10-year warranty or a window is $200 and has a lifetime warranty, this should be an easy decision for you to make.
Warranty coverage is important as there are small imperfections that can occur in windows that will cost you hundreds of dollars to repair. A transferrable window warranty will help improve the value of your home. Always ask how long a “lifetime” is considered.
Standard Window Warranty Options
Limited Lifetime Warranty | Most common, the number of years will vary by manufacturer, covers the operation of the window and external issues |
Lifetime Warranty | Longer than the limited lifetime warranty, typically include replacement parts |
Double Lifetime Warranty | Coverage for as long as you live in the home |
Transferable Warranty | Coverage that continues even after you have sold your home, something that can help add to the overall value of your house |
All window manufacturers will claim their windows are energy efficient in some regard. However, you will want to look for products that are Energy Star-rated.
This rating is a way for you to combine a product from Pella with a product from Andersen and feel confident about the addition you are making to your home. Energy efficiency may cost you more money upfront, but in the long run, it can save you quite a bit.
When looking at the overall affordability of windows, remember that value is more important than total cost. Cheap windows that last ten years are not nearly as good of an investment as affordable windows that last 20 years.
Remember that because of the longevity of windows, the upfront costs can be high. Look for financing options that can help you keep the value in check when you make your purchase.
With windows being a large purchase for homeowners, people tend to have strong opinions about this process and whether or not it was worth the money that they spent. When reading through customer reviews, pay very close attention to the customer service as well as any installation issues that were experienced.
Although installers will vary from one area of the country to another, you can get a good idea as to how the company deals with their installation and issues that come up.
In addition, try to read about experiences with warranty-related issues. It’s one thing to have a lifetime transferrable warranty on your windows and another if the company does not allow you to use them.
As a homeowner, you likely know that anything with the word “cheap” preceding it also comes with a list of negative impacts that are certainly worth considering. The main disadvantages of cheap window replacement are
With cheap window replacements, you have to be realistic as to what you are getting. This is a product that is made to fit within your budget but is not necessarily a premium choice for your home. Keep in mind that some cheap window replacements are better than others, and companies like Andersen and Champion will offer options in the budget range that still have strong warranties.
DIY window replacement is typically much cheaper than professional window replacement. Remember that when you look at the costs of windows, that is the price without installation.
Labor and installation can be thousands of dollars for a home with quite a few windows.
For some homeowners with a bit of construction experience or DIY capability, window replacement can be done without the help of a professional.
Before you decide to take on a window replacement project on your own, make sure you watch videos about what is involved. In addition, inspect your windows and see what condition they are in. If there is a lot of rotting around the windows or the framing is inconsistent, a professional can address these issues. Sometimes this is worth the extra money.
In addition to using our recommendations for an affordable window installation company, you should also ask neighbors and friends who they used. It’s important to understand what their experiences were like and what you can expect.
We also highly recommend getting more than one quote for your windows. Sometimes a company will have cheaper windows but very high labor costs, and their overall price may look the same, but the quality of the product is not as good.
Start getting a quote for window installation today with any of the providers we have listed below.
Even though Renewal by Andersen has some really expensive high-end windows, they also offer really affordable choices for those on a budget. The cheaper windows from Andersen may not have the same longevity but they still have a good warranty and will be installed by seasoned professionals. In addition, Champion Vinyl Replacement windows are also a good option.
The cheapest way to replace windows is to use pop in the vinyl replacement window and install it yourself. It does take a bit of knowledge to do this, and it helps if you have a second set of hands, but it can save you thousands of dollars.
The majority of cheaper windows claim to have a lifespan of 10 to 20 years; some will only make it 5-10 years if they are exposed to harsh weather conditions. Take a look at the warranty on cheaper windows to make sure it is long enough to justify the investment.
Windows can be replaced without replacing the frames; this is called pocket window replacement. It can save a lot of money and make installation considerably cheaper, but the condition of the frame has to be good.
A complete window replacement on your home should take a contractor several days. If you are doing a pocket window replacement on your own, it makes take you a few hours to do each window.
The best way to save money on windows is to look for an economical window selection that has good technology and put it in yourself. In addition, some window manufacturers will give you a bulk discount if you purchase all of your windows at once.
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