Best Rated Window Replacements for Your Home

Looking to add the best replacement windows to your home? The best window replacements have durability, and stability. They also stand up to weather in style. High quality replacement windows are energy efficient, too. There’s value in replacing windows. You can recoup more of your investment with windows than other projects.¹  

Marvin Replacement ranks highly among the best replacement window brands by U.S. News and World Report’s 360 Reviews in particular because of the custom window options we provide. See what makes a replacement window highly rated and how to find the best home replacement windows.

What is a Replacement Window?

Replacement windows, also known as retrofit windows, are new windows that replace old windows. They can get installed as insert replacements where a new window fits into an existing frame. Full-frame window replacement involves replacing a window frame. Marvin Replacement custom sizes all its windows for a proper fit in your home.

New construction windows differ from replacement windows. They use a nailing fin, or flange, to attach to the studs of a home’s frame. New construction windows get installed in openings that don’t have trim or siding in place.

Best Replacement Window Materials

As you compare brands and materials, check the frame material, glass, and functionality. Common window materials include wood, vinyl, fiberglass, and aluminum clad. Marvin Replacement experts will help you design your home’s perfect windows and patio doors. We build our windows and patio doors with Ultrex® fiberglass. Ultrex is 8x stronger than vinyl and 3x stronger than Renewal by Andersen’s Fibrex®.²

Ultrex Fiberglass Windows + Patio Door Advantages

You can compare fiberglass vs. vinyl windows, but the numbers don’t lie. Our Ultrex fiberglass features some impressive numbers.

• Our Ultrex fiberglass expands 87% less than vinyl. Plus, 48,000 hours of sun can’t fade our Ultrex fiberglass finish.³

• Fiberglass windows have a longer useful life expectancy than vinyl.⁴

• Ultrex’s low thermal conductivity and energy efficient glass options can you save money.⁵

• Stronger material means we need less material for our window and door frames. That translates into bigger, brighter views for your home. Bigger views mean you can enjoy more of the benefits of natural light in your home.

Best Replacement Windows

Common replacement window styles include: single and double hung windows, casement windows, awning windows, and slider windows. Each type of window operates different and can suit specific rooms in your home better.

Window Options

Marvin Replacement installers work with you to make sure you get the right fit for your windows. Our windows and doors come custom-designed to blend into your home’s style. Combine double hung windows with special shapes or round tops for a stunning look. You can also add  Grilles Between the Glass or  Simulated Divided Lites for traditional window grid style.

Window Glazing

Our glass coating options can match the climate needs of your home’s region. Our Low E1 glass coating works well in colder climates. Low E1 allows more heat into homes. Our Low E3 coating works well in warmer climates because it can reject solar heat. We also have Low E2 and Low E3/ERS coatings. Low E2 works well in moderate climates. Low E3/ERS has an extra interior-side metallic layer to reflect heat back into a room for year-round efficiency.

Replacement Window Ratings

Windows ratings can help you determine the energy efficiency of the window. Important ratings for energy efficiency include: U-value, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), Visible Transmittance (VT), and Air Leakage.

Window Ratings Explained

Knowing how to read a window label and learning window ratings can help you decide on the best window for your home. Here’s what those window ratings mean.

• U-value: U-value, or U-factor, is a measure of heat loss. The number tells you how much heat inside your home escapes outside. U-values range from 0.10-2.00. The lower the number, the less heat escapes. If you live in a colder climate, you want windows with a lower U-factor.

• Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC): SHGC measures the heat gain from the sun entering your home. SHGC numbers range from 0.00-1.00. The lower the number, the less amount of heat that enters a room. People in hot climates should pay attention to SHGC numbers. Windows with low SHGC numbers can help with your home’s cooling needs.

• Visible Transmittance (VT): VT indicates the amount of natural light entering a home. It does not measure the heat associated with the light. VT numbers range from 0.00-1.00. Windows with high VT numbers allow more natural light to enter. That means less of a need of artificial light.

• Air Leakage: Air leakage measures how much air will enter a space through a window or patio door. A lower air leakage number means the lower possibility of drafty windows. Air leakage numbers range ≤0.3. It is an optional rating.

How to Find the Best Replacement Window Company

Replacing home windows makes a big difference for your home. You'll want to find the best window local company to install your windows. Look at cost, financing options, installers, customer service, reputation, warranties, and customer reviews. Here are some tips to find the best window company for your home.

Cost and Financing

Replacement window costs vary based on the type and number of windows you replace. The window material you pick, features, and sizes you replace also make a difference. When inspecting costs, ask about financing possibilities. Marvin Replacement offers financing to make completing a window project easier.

Installation

Not all window companies offer window installation services as well. It can make the window buying process tougher. After buying your windows, you're left looking for an installer. Marvin Replacement simplifies the process by handling window installation, too. You can sit back while we arrange all the details of installation day to replace your windows.

Customer Service

Customer service can set window companies apart. Pick a company with outstanding customer service. Marvin Replacement provides personalized service at each stage of your project.

• A Marvin Replacement design consultant will meet with you to explore replacement options.

• A personal Customer Success Manager will answer questions as we build your windows. Your personal project manager will connect with you to schedule installation.

• Once you have your windows installed, you'll have a final walkthrough. Your project manager will ensure everything meets your satisfaction. You can always reach Marvin Replacement with any concerns following installation.  

Reputation

You can learn more about a window company’s reputation through reviews and word of mouth. But there’s a reason why some window companies have lasted longer than others. As a fourth- and fifth-generation family-owned and –led business, Marvin is a premium window and door manufacturer bringing window replacement directly to homeowners at Marvin Replacement.

Window Warranties

Window warranties vary based on the manufacturer. Often you must read the fine print to understand it all. Marvin Replacement’s window warranty is a limited lifetime warranty. It lasts for as long as you occupy your home. Plus, we feature a five-year installation warranty with our products. You can rest assured that you’re in good hands with Marvin Replacement.

Replacement Window Reviews

U.S. News and World Report’s 360 Reviews rated Marvin Replacement as a top replacement window company. The publication pointed to our customization options. Our customization choices include decorative and specialty glass options. Our window tint selections can help with direct sunlight. Our decorative glass offerings can provide privacy in areas where you want it.

Best Time to Replace Windows

When to replace windows comes down to needs and wants. Broken windows that won’t open and close mean you need to replace windows. Leaky windows can mean replacement windows to prevent more home issues. You can choose to replace windows for a different style of window. Pick a casement window instead of a double hung window to increase your outdoor views. Create bigger views with a combination of picture windows and other types of windows. Replacement windows can increase your home’s curb appeal and style.

FAQs

Do new windows increase home value?

A window replacement project ranks high on the list of home improvement projects. You can recoup between 61.2% and 68.5% of your window replacement cost when you sell your home. It’s a project that holds its value well. You can also enjoy improved energy efficiency when you replace older windows.

¹ 2023 Cost vs. Value report from Remodeling Magazine.

2 Fibrex is a registered trademark of Andersen Corporation

3 Average sunlight exposure per 10 years

4 “Life cycle assessment of windows for the North American residential market: Case study” by the University of British Columbia. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research, 2008.

5 Source 2023: D+R International in support of ENERGY STAR. Savings estimates are based on EnergyPlus 9.5 modeling for typical homes in 132 U.S. cities.