When we first walked into what would become our house with our Realtor, it was clear the home needed new windows. You could see condensation between the panes and a couple were separated to the point you could almost stick a finger behind the top rail where the two parts met and see the outside. At that time, it was a sellers’ market so we let it go and made an offer as is.

Two winters in, we’ve had ice on the inside during winter, can hear every noise from outside, and have had rain leak into the inside during heavier storms. Going into this next winter season, I knew it was time to replace them for functional purposes.

Searching for the right windows and installation company

Because of the cost (we’ve found windows can range on average between $1,500 – $2,000 in the Austin area when you factor in labor), we were sure to get multiple quotes. This wasn’t our first experience with window replacement either and like other major upgrades to a home, the installation company can make a break an experience.

Some window manufacturers will also handle install while others focus more on labor and can source the windows from anywhere.

Here were our top considerations as we sought out the right window manufacture and installation company:

1. Window quality
   If you’ve ever watched a home renovation show or had a flier for window replacements in your mailbox, you’re bound to know some top-named brands like Pella and Andersen. I was hoping to swing Pella.
   
   At our last home/now rental, we used a local company that sourced white vinyl windows from a manufacturer in the state. The windows themselves were fine in terms of quality and aesthetics, but there was nothing to distinguish them and write home about.
   
   While wood trim or other window materials may be more appropriate in some home styles, I knew we were going to stick with vinyl due to the Texas environment, longevity and cost considerations.
   
2. Installation
   Meanwhile during that install, the labor experience was lacking. The company took some short cuts in repairing the exterior trim, I was left to do some painting on my own and it took multiple follow up attempts to have any issues labor resolved. The installation company served as a go-between with the window manufacturer. A screen had a cut and eventually had to let it go…not that I had a choice because I never heard back.
   
   Upon seeing reviews online, I found an exterior renovation company that is owned by someone that lives in my area of the city. Come to find out this same company did projects for neighbors, all of whom had great experiences. I figured a local company had a brand reputation to uphold and took the quality of their work seriously,.especially in a large neighborhood that is very active in social networks and takes referrals seriously.
   
   The upside was that they sourced from Pella so a win win out of the gate! In addition, they would replace the mortar where the window meets the brick instead of just using caulk.
   
3. Aesthetics
   I’ve long loved the look of darker trim windows and the contrast they create against red tone brick exterior home. After getting a couple of quotes, I soon found out that windows that are black on both the interior and exterior are very costly. Also from a design perspective, they can limit your interior design choices as more vibrant color is being introduced back into homes.
   
   I think I’d be obsessed if I did get the windows that were black on black but the reality of a budget let us to explore windows that were white on the interior and dark on the exterior. I’ve been seeing more and more black exterior windows in my neighborhood but they struck me as too stark of a difference with our more traditional home style, especially those that were all glass without grids.
   
   My home leans traditional with brick that has hints of cream and dark brown. I found out that Pella sells a brown (what they call Bronze) color and it was the perfect match to the pops of dark brown on the brick.
   
   Also keeping with the traditional feel of my home, I chose to keep the grids on the windows that you see from the street but no grids on the sides and back.
   
4. Costs
   Costs weren’t the only factor but let’s be real–windows are EXPENSIVE. And we were looking to replace every window in the house.
   
   Although Pella can offer a one stop shop for manufacturing, install, warranty and repairs, I had to consider all of the above. The local installer (with the stellar reputation) that sourced windows from Pella provided a more economical quote than the actual Pella sales rep so they won out at the end of the day.

Our Final Window Specs

Manufacturer: Pella
Series: 250
General Information: Standard, Vinyl, Block / Box Frame, Foam Insulated, 3 1/4″, 3 1/4″, Sill Adapter
Included, Head Expander Included
Exterior Color / Finish: Brown, Laminated
Interior Color / Finish: White
Glass: Insulated Dual Low-E SunDefenseTM Low-E Insulating Glass Argon Non High Altitude
Hardware Options: Cam-Action Lock, 1 Lock, White, No Limited Opening Hardware
Screen: Half Screen, InViewTM

The Installation

It took about 8 weeks for the windows to come in and schedule the installation, factoring Christmas holidays. During one of the coldest weeks, the team tackled the full house in 5 days. We beat a snow day in Texas and everyone was nice and toasty inside! The only downside is our kids can’t hear the ice cream truck as it passes by anymore. These windows are practically sound proof.

I knew the home would look better but it looks like we have a new home when you factor in the color change outside, plus the design and materials of the windows themselves. The bronze color was the perfect choice and I’ve already had some many positive comments from neighbors and friends who do the drive by upon school drop off and pick up each day. If budget wasn’t an issue, I would have done this immediately when we moved in.

While the interior of the windows is still white, the quality of window, new material and updated style instantly upgraded the look of our home by 30 years.

I’m obsessed with the outcome.

What do you think? Are you desperate for new windows? Love the look of a classic white or open to alternative colors?