Best Window and Door Companies

Most homeowners will need an installer for their new doors or windows. To find the best option, ask around — referrals from local friends and neighbors are best because you want an installer familiar with local building codes.

Here are a few quick tips for finding a good installer:

• Ask for referrals from friends and neighbors
• Read customer reviews on sites like ConsumerAffairs
• Look for affiliations with reputable window and door manufacturers

Once you’ve narrowed your list, it’s time to ask each installer a few more specific questions:

• Are they licensed and insured?
• Have they been trained or certified to install particular brands?
• How many years of experience do they have installing windows and doors?

The consensus among installers and manufacturers is that replacement windows last 20 to 30 years. How long yours last depends on a number of factors, including the material they’re made of, weather conditions where you live, how much you use the windows and how well you maintain them. Vinyl windows require the least care and stand up to the harshest cold-weather conditions, but wood windows can last just as long with proper care.

Exterior doors should also last about 30 years. Yours may last even longer if there’s an overhang protecting it and you keep up with regular maintenance, such as replacing weatherstripping and gaskets. Note that exterior frames need to be replaced more often than the doors — they may need replacing after about 10 years.

Signs that it’s time for replacement windows and doors include the following:

• Loss of structural integrity
• Loss of functionality
• Notable airflow when closed
• Shabby appearance
• Condensation
• Noise

Replacing old windows can have multiple benefits. Edie of Michigan lives in a 110-year-old house and told us that seasonal cleaning of her old windows, the classic wood-sash style with metal storm windows, was a real chore.

“Mainly for my partner, who had become our dedicated window washer,” she said. “Finally, in spring of 2021 I said, that’s it; I’m getting pricing on new windows.”

The new windows tilt in for easy cleaning, and they have fitted screens to keep insects out during summer months. But the real bonus is that they’re fully functional. “I had never opened a window in the kitchen,” Edie said. “They were painted shut!”

Windows come in several different shapes, styles and sizes. Depending on the style of your home and your budget, you may have a specific style of window in mind to fit your home’s aesthetic. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but typical window options on the market today include:

• Double-hung windows: With two sashes that slide up and down independently, double-hung windows are the most popular type of residential window sold today.
• Casement windows: Popular on contemporary-style homes, casement windows crank open and are particularly well-suited for hard-to-reach installations, such as in front of a kitchen sink.
• Bay windows: These windows project from the house at an angle to provide wide-angle views and architectural interest.
• Bow windows: Projecting out from the house in a gentle arch, bow windows provide a panoramic view of the outdoors.
• Picture windows: Picture windows are stationary windows that add great views and aesthetic value — but they don’t open. They’re often flanked by narrow casements or double-hung units.
• Hopper windows: Tilt-in hopper windows are typically installed in basements and crawl spaces. The narrow sash locks at the top and tips in toward the interior when unlatched.

How much window replacement will cost you depends on lots of variables, so there’s a lot of misleading cost advice out there, according to Andrii Gurskyi of Mr. Glazier, a window replacement company in New York. “Most sources don’t include installation costs,” he said. “This leads to surprise costs for customers.”

You can expect to see a difference in the cost of standard sizes versus custom sizes.

“The starting price for a custom window is no less than $400, plus installation costs of a minimum of $350 per window. However, it is important to note that these are just estimates, and homeowners should seek quotes from multiple vendors or contractors for a more accurate cost analysis,” Gurskyi said.

Whether you go with standard or custom sizes, installation costs are likely to be the same — and they very much depend on the cost of labor in your area. Gurskyi emphasized the huge range in window costs: “Based on average prices in the New York City market provided by contractors, the cost of replacing a single window ranges from $700 to $3,000.”

Keep in mind that New York City is costlier in general than rural areas due to higher labor, transportation, storage and parking costs. Costs also tend to be higher in places that see severe weather conditions because of the need for sturdier materials and specialized installation techniques, Gurskyi said.

Other factors that affect the cost of replacement include the window material, style and size. Wooden windows and doors tend to be the most expensive, while vinyl is the most affordable. Edie, the homeowner in Michigan, paid $2,000 (not including installation) for six vinyl windows that were all the same size: 34 inches by 62 inches. She opted for vinyl because she “wanted well-insulated, double-paned, double-hung” windows.

Your replacement door options depend in large part on whether you need exterior or interior doors. This likely also affects your total replacement cost.

Exterior doors

Exterior doors are typically installed in the front and back of your home. They’re fitted with locks and usually made out of a heavier material than interior doors. Some common types of exterior doors include:

• Wood-panel doors
• Solid-core flush exterior doors
• Stave-core doors
• Fiberglass exterior doors
• Glass exterior doors
• Steel exterior doors

Interior doors

Interior doors are installed in doorways. They’re often made out of solid wood with a traditional frame-and-panel design, but lightweight options are also available. Common styles of interior doors include:

• Solid wood interior doors
• Solid-core interior doors
• Hollow-core interior doors
• Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) doors
• Laminate interior doors
• Glass interior doors

As with window replacement, door replacement costs vary depending on a number of factors, including the type of door, the material and the framing requirements. The cost of replacing a door may range from $900 to $5,000 in the New York metro area, according to Gurskyi, though these numbers are likely on the higher end of the price range due to the city’s costly nature.

A standard door is 80 inches high and available in three widths: 30, 32 or 36 inches. If the opening you’re buying for is another size, you’ll probably need a custom door and frame. The price you get for a custom door depends mostly on the type of material and the labor costs in your area.