Universal Windows Direct Reviews
Have question about price quotes or bids - ask our industry expert John M. and get answers!
Universal Windows Direct Prices
A medium-sized Unishield Plus with standard installation should costs around $750. Now then, this doesn't mean that this is the price you're going to be quoted out at, but this is what I consider a fair and equitable price for the Unishield Plus.
It's important to note that various factors can affect the per window cost, so we always recommended that you gather multiple local price bids. Comparably priced options include Pella 250 series cost or Alside Mezzo Windows
-- Standard Installation: $150 to $300 --
-- Fully Installed: $650 to $850 --
Universal Windows Direct vs Pella
When comparing UWD to Pella Windows, there are some pretty important differences. For one, UWD does not manufacture the Unishield plus, but sources them from Polaris. Instead, they sell the series across much of the mid west region. Pella is a major manufacturer who offers various window series - fiberglass, wood clad, and vinyl. Additionally, Pella sells through a dealer network across the United States.
Windows: UWD sells the Unishield Plus, a relabeled Polaris ThermalWeld series. The Unishield Plus double hung "delivers" a 0.06 air infiltration rating, while the Pella 250 AI is in the 0.10 range. Truly, this is the most apples to apples comparison in terms of product lines.
Pricing: Unishield Plus window costs between $650 to $850 fully installed for a normal sized replacement. Pella has a broader price range as they offer fiberglass, vinyl and high-end wood clads. The Pella 250 is priced similarly to the Unishield model at $650 to $900.
Universal Windows Direct Reviews
UWD purchases directly from Polaris. Then, they rebrand them with the label — Unishield Plus. Please note, this is a fairly common practice throughout the industry.
Locations: The company has multiple locations throughout the United States, including Atlanta, Georgia; Cleveland, Ohio; Chicago, Illinois; Akron, Ohio; Boston, Massachusetts; Dallas, Texas; Charlotte, North Carolina; Denver, Colorado; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Columbus, Ohio.
Universal Windows Direct Average Cost
John, I'm looking for 5 replacement windows. Over the weekend, I met with a rep for Universal Windows Direct. They sell Unishield windows which I believe are made by Polaris. The Plus model, which is low-e stacked, Argon filled and has the super spacer was quoted at $1640 a window installed with a lifetime warranty. That included internal grids and a half screen. The salesman showed me quotes that indicated Champion was even higher in cost. So, do I have other options in the St. Louis area. This seemed pricey from everything I've read online. Thanks for your help! FYI the windows are 35.5"x71".
Harley - Homeowner - March, 2024
Website Editor's Answer
Harley, the UniShield Plus is a very good window, but that is a steep price tag - definitely not what I would say is an average price tag (at least at first glance). I think you are right to want to get more bids and see what else is out there. I want to say that Zen Windows has a good branch in St. Louis. Here are other options for you to consider.
Editor John - February, 2024
Universal Windows Direct Reviews
John, how would you compare Universal Windows Direct vs Pella? We’ve gotten bids on both of them but I just don’t know which is the better option. Truly, I appreciate your advice.
David - Homeowner - Febraury, 2024
Website Editor's Answer
David, for the most part, I would say that the windows sold by UWD are better Than what’s available through Pella and probably a slightly better price point. The one question mark here is the quality of the installation through the UWD branch in your area. Assuming this is good, i.e. they get good online reviews, then I would say that the UW is definitely better call over Ella, in terms of final
Editor John - February, 2024
UWD vs Pella
John, love to find out what you think abt the following three price quotes. FYI, these are all per window prices.
ProVia Endure: $860
UWD: $750
Window Nation Georgetown: $780
Pella 250 Series: $800
Steve - Homeowner - February, 2024
Website Editor's Answer
Steve, I would probably opt for the UWD bid in that match up. The Endure is the better of the four windows -- so if I planned to be in the home long term, then my decision might bounce to the ProVia Endure.
Editor John - February, 2024
UniShield Plus vs Paradigm 8300
Hello. We have slimmed down our choices to the UWD UniShield Plus and the Paradigm 8300 series. Interestingly, they were the exact same price so I'm wondering how they compare to one another.
Nancy - Homeowner - January, 2024
Website Editor's Answer
Nancy, I would give the nod to the UniSheild Plus over the 8300 series. Having said that, not by a whole lot but I still think it's the better choice here.
Editor John - January, 2024
UWD vs Provia Endure
Jon, we’re getting our windows replaced on our 1980s home and I’ve gotten a series of bids. The ProVia Endure came out to $860 per window, while the UWD came out at $750 per window fully installed. Finally, we received a bid from Window Nation on their Georgetown series and this came in at $780 per window. I was curious what you thought of these bids and what you would do if you were in our shoes. Thanks.
Tommy - Homeowner - January, 2024
Website Editor's Answer
Tommy, thanks for the question. I do appreciate it. So for me, the ProVia Endure is probably the best of these three options. However, I do like the UniShield plus that is sold by UWD and it’s obviously less expensive than the endure. I think either of these makes a lot of sense. It’s probably a tossup for me between the indoor and the shield plus But I think either of these is probably the preferred option over the Georgetown series.
Window Nation Prices
Editor John - January, 2024
Replacement Window Bids
I'm in Vegas where we get hot summers and am replacing my windows. Read all of your Universal Windows Direct Reviews - and now I have three bids. One on the Simonton Daylight Max - $15.5K. Finally, I had one for the Amerimax Master Grand and this was for $9K. And one from Uniervisal Windows Direct on what he said was the Unishield - $13.8K The salesman that gave me the pitch for the Amerimax brand said they use titanium in their vinyl to make it stronger. So, was this total b.s.?
Megan - Homeowner - October, 2023
Website Editor's Answer
Megan, the claim that there is titanium in the vinyl is probably true - there are quite a few manufacturers who use what they call engineered vinyl, that is vinyl that is infused with another substance to make it stronger than traditional vinyl. Amerimax is a good brand, but I have to say that is a big jump over the Daylight Max. I might be a wary about putting in an entry level window like the Daylight Max. At the end of the day, I think I would go with the Unishield from UWD. This is a good window at what sounds like a fair price given the circumstances. (Amerimax Windows Reviews)
Editor John M. - October, 2023
Universal Windows Direct Prices
Hi I have 8 windows in total and now have stage fright as to what to do here.
Okna 500 DX: $9.8K
Sunrise Standard (Omege 12 Glass): $9.8K
Vytex Fortis: $8.4K
Pella 250 Series: $11.6K
Unishield Window Plus: $9.3K
Wincore 7700 Series: $13K
Nan - Homeowner - October, 2023
Website Editor's Answer
Nan, you have a lot of great options here. The Vytex Fortis is well priced in comparison to the other bids. The Unishield Window Plus is a good window and a decent price (again, in comparison), and the Okna and Sunrise are also well priced. I think it depends on how much you want to spend. I think if that Vytex had a good installer, that might be my goto plan. (Sunrise Windows Cost)
Editor John M. - October, 2023
Replacing Casements
I'm here in Minnesota and am replacing some casements. Two of them are 64 by 80 and the last one is 76 by 84 and has a half circle above. Would you say that the Unishield Plus or the Zen Classic is better? Should I be casting a wider net to look for other companies? This is what I have so far...
UniShield Plus Cost: $9190
Zen Nirvana: $11830
Provia Endure EN600 Cost: $12784
Todd - Homeowner - August, 2023
Website Editor Answer
Todd, hey there, man those are some steep prices for, let's call it four openings. The Unishield Plus is a good window and I think the best value here. The Provia Endure EN600 is the best window of the bunch, but it is not worth the price upgrade that you would have to pay. Just make sure that the UWD that you are working with gets good online reviews!
Editor John - August, 2023