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Thanks Jennifer. We are looking forward to working with you. We will be in touch

New windows can enhance the look of your home and make it quieter and less drafty, and new windows are easier to clean and maintain than old windows with combination screens and storm windows.

But forget what the ads say. Saving money on your energy bill is not the reason to replace your windows—it could take decades to recoup the $8,000 to $24,000 you’ll spend on new windows and installation.

Energy Star-qualified windows can lower your energy bill by an average of 12 percent. That's only $27 to $111 a year for a 2,000-square-foot single-story home with storm windows or double-pane windows, $126 to $465 if your home has just single-pane windows, according to Energy Star.

Use our home window buying guide to learn which materials, types, and features are most important to consider. We also provide unbiased ratings to help you choose.

Find the Best Replacement Windows

Through The Looking Glass: What We Found

To find out which windows are best at keeping your home comfortable and dry, we tested more than two dozen double-hung and casement-style windows for air and water leakage. We found significant differences between brands in types and frame materials. Working with an outside lab, we subjected the windows to heavy, wind-driven rain, and winds of 25 and 50 mph at outdoor temperatures of 0°F and 70°F. Given the high cost of replacing windows, the more you know, the more informed choice you can make. Don’t rely on a contractor to choose for you.

If your existing frames and sills are still sound and square, you’ll save money on materials and labor by using partial replacement units. They're also known as “pocket replacements” and fit into the existing frames. Otherwise, you'll need full-replacement windows. These include the frame, sill, jambs, and usually what’s known as a nailing flange, which attaches the window to the outside wall around the opening.

Federal tax credits are available for windows installed in 2016 (and retroactive purchases made in 2015) for Energy Star-qualified windows. Some utilities and city and state programs also offer rebates or incentives if you buy Energy Star windows. Go to stores and check out the windows, inspect the frames, and try the handles.

Finding an Installer

Even the best windows won't deliver the look or comfort you expect if they're installed poorly. Many major window manufacturers train and certify installers for their specific products. Using the same contractor for purchase and installation can minimize the chances of problems arising later. Look online for certification from the American Window and Door Institute or InstallationMasters—and get multiple bids. They should include specifics such as window brand, number of windows, size and type, plus any add-on features. Installation details should be noted, and labor and material costs should be broken out.

Glass Housings: Window Materials

Wood window frames and all-vinyl are popular. We also tested all-fiberglass. You may still find some all-aluminum windows, but their popularity decreased with the development of vinyl. Our tests found that the material doesn't guarantee performance and neither does price, and there are excellent and mediocre double-hung wood-frame and vinyl-frame windows.

Wood Frame

Most are solid wood, though some may include composite materials (e.g., plastic with wood fibers embedded in it). You can choose from a variety of hardware finishes, allowing you to pick a style that matches your home.

Vinyl Frame

They're typically the least expensive and do not need to be painted or stained, but most are white and usually they can't be painted. There are also fewer hardware options. Among casement windows, there was little difference between vinyl and wood frames.

Fiberglass Frame

They're relatively new. While you won't have to paint them, they can be painted. Fiberglass needles embed the plastic to make it stronger and stiffer, but there aren't many brands available. We tested Integrity from Marvin Ultrex and Pella Impervia.

The Glass Menagerie: Types of Windows

In addition to materials, window variables include the number of panes, how they are hinged, how they operate, and how much ventilation they offer. Here's a look at the various window types.

Casement Style Windows

Providing an unobstructed view, casement windows are hinged on one side, like a door, and a crank lets you open them outward.

When fully open, casements allow good ventilation and easy cleaning. They're usually more airtight than double-hung because the sash locks against the frame to close.

The casements we tested excelled at keeping out cold air and rain and can be used in any area of the country.

Note, however, that window air conditioners cannot be installed in casement windows.

Double-Hung Windows

A popular choice. The lower inside sash slides up and an upper outside sash slides down, improving air circulation and making full screens ideal.

Double-hung are easy to clean since you can tilt the sash on any of the windows in our tests. They're also a smart choice if you plan to install a window air conditioner, though most now have a fairly high trim on the sill that may require significant shimming to stabilize the air conditioner.

Some double-hung windows we tested are better at keeping out cold air or water. That's important if you live in a chilly, windy area (hello, Chicago!) or if home is the Florida panhandle or other rainy region.

Other Types

They look like double-hung, but only the bottom sash moves. (They usually cost less as a result.) The top sash is sealed to keep out cold air and water.

They're hinged at the top and open outward. Like casements, the sash presses against the frame so they close very tightly.

The opposite of awning windows, they're hinged at the bottom and can open either inward or outward.

These are used where lighting but not ventilation is important. They're airtight and are available with decorative glass accents or in unusual shapes.

Video Buying Guide

Watch our buying guide video below for more information on how to find the best windows for your house, and handy shopping tips for when you're at the store.

Features to Look For

Here are a handful of important features to consider when you are shopping for new or replacement windows.

Today's wood-framed windows are clad in aluminum, vinyl, or fiberglass to protect the wood from the elements and eliminate painting. They tend to be the most expensive but are more attractive than other materials. Many brands offer various wood types, such as pine, maple, and oak, for the interior. It can either be painted or stained at the factory, or you can add it to your to-do list.

Double or Triple Glazing

Double-glazed windows have a sealed space between two panes of glass filled with air or gas. Gas provides better insulation and is standard on many windows, but the energy savings won't justify paying more for it. Triple-glazing adds a third layer of glass, which reduces noise significantly. Energy savings are improved, but not enough to justify cost in all but extremely cold climates or where there is a constant and very loud noise (near airports or major freeways).

Low-E Coating

It's transparent and improves the efficiency of the glass by reflecting heat yet letting light in. The coating is applied to the outside glass in warmer climates to reflect the sun's heat out, and in colder climates it's applied to the inside glass to keep heat in. But keep in mind that any coatings applied to glass, no matter how transparent, reduce the visibility.

Tilt-In Sashes

On single and double-hung windows, the sashes (the moving part of a window) can be tilted in for easy cleaning. Nearly all brands have this feature.

Home Window Brands

Andersen, Marvin, and Pella are the leading window brands. Many leading manufacturers in the window industry market multiple brands. Andersen and Marvin sell some lines only to authorized installers, and home centers such as Lowe's and Home Depot sell multiple lines. Use these profiles to compare windows by brands.