How to Choose the Best New Windows for Your Home

Maybe it's finally time for new windows for your home, but can you afford them? What if you make a mistake and your house look even worse? It can, and does, happen. "You put the wrong window in, and, boy, it will stick out like a sore thumb," says Larry Patterson, president of Glass Doctor of Dallas Metroplex.

Here's how to choose new windows without making mistakes and spending more than you need to.

Do You Really Need New Windows?

Not replacing windows may be the smart thing to do, especially when you factor in the cost of new windows: about $10,000 to $15,000 for 16 to 20 windows, according to a Forbes survey.

While manufacturers may tout the energy savings new windows can provide, it can take years to recoup that investment.

Perhaps a little window caulking and weatherstripping would help. Even if your windows are broken or damaged, you might not need to buy new. Older wood windows can last more than 100 years (for real) because the old-growth wood used back then is super durable.

In many cases, your windows, especially if they're the home's originals, may just need new glass or some simple repairs. And that will save you a bundle.

But if your windows are a lost cause and it's really time to replace them, here's what to know.

How to Choose New Windows

Your choice starts with picking the right material, says Dan Bawden, owner and president of Legal Eagle Contractors in Houston and past chairman of the National Association of Home Builders' Remodelers group.

Vinyl windows might look fine on a Colonial house, but they would never work with a Tudor-style home, he says. That's because wood trim is what makes a Tudor look like a Tudor.

"The windows need to match the quality and price point of the house," says Bawden.

Choose from 5 Types of Window

Consider the benefits of these common window types:

Wood — Very durable and energy efficient with classic good looks. Needs regular care (AKA painting).
Composite — Made of modern wood products such as particleboard. Resists moisture more than wood does.
Vinyl — Easy to maintain and affordable. The frame can be filled with fiberglass for more insulation.
Fiberglass — Very strong and sturdy. Can also be filled with insulation.
Aluminum — Probably the most affordable. It isn't energy efficient in cold climates, because it conducts heat.

You'll probably hear about wood-clad windows, too. They're made of real wood on the inside of your home, but vinyl, fiberglass, or aluminum on the exterior. Choosing wood-clad will increase the cost, but the easy-to-maintain, classic style might make you overlook the bottom line.

Match Your Home's Window Style

Of course, the material your windows are made of isn't the only decision you'll have to make. Two more factors will help determine which style of window to choose:

Should you choose windows with or without grids?
Is your best bet windows that open from the top, the bottom, both — or the side?

Match Use of Grids to Home Style

Grids divide the glass into what looks like smaller windows (old, single-pane windows actually are made up of individual panes of glass held together by wooden grids). Windows with grids are the more traditional classic style, while those without have a more modern style.

A sleek, contemporary home would look just right with gridless windows, but a red-brick 1800s Georgian would look nearly naked without grids on its windows.

The Most Common Window Opening Styles

Here are four common options:

Single-hung windows. Only the bottom opens. The least expensive option.
Double-hung windows. Both the top and bottom open. The most common and easiest to clean.
Sliding windows. They slide open to the left or right. Great for hard-to-reach places, like over the kitchen sink.
Casement windows. They crank open from the side, allowing more air in.

If you love a stiff breeze, casement windows could be your answer. "If you open that thing, it's like an aircraft wing," Patterson says.

Add-Ons Can Increase the Cost of New Windows

Like everything from cars to toothbrushes, windows can come with features ranging from standard to "why would you need that?" Here are the most common ones with some advice about each:

Argon gas-filled windows

Consist of a window pane assembly where argon gas is injected and sealed between two or more panes of glass.
Can be used only with double-pane or triple-pane windows.
Can save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs compared to single-pane windows, according to Consumer Energy Center.
Will leak small amounts of gas over time, but argon gas in high-quality windows is estimated to last 20 years or more with good maintenance, according to GVD Renovations and Remodeling.

Triple-pane windows

Cost twice as much as double-pane windows but can pay for themselves in heating and cooling savings in extreme climates, according to Angi.

Impact-resistant or impact glass windows

Are also called hurricane or laminate glass windows.
Are intended to safeguard a house from major weather events, like tornadoes and hurricanes, according to Disaster-Smart Inspection Consulting.

Low-E-glass

Is also known as low-emissivity glass and uses a microscopically thin metal or metallic oxide layer to control heat transfer through insulated windows, according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, or InterNACHI.
Reduces energy loss by 30% to 50%.
Is especially effective in hotter climates.

U-factor

Refers to the measure of heat gain or loss through the glass, according to Eastern Architectural Systems.
A low U-factor indicates better insulating properties.

Choose a Qualified Window Installer

Quality varies by brand, which can affect the cost of windows. Look for lifetime warranties and/or certifications from:

Finding an expert installer may be even more important than choosing the window itself. A poor installation of a high-quality window will result in poor window performance. Read online reviews, ask for references, visit window showrooms, and ask about manufacturer certifications. As always, consider multiple bids.

Anyone can put a window in, Bawden says. "I want someone who really knows how to seal that window well."