Vinyl Windows And Doors Intro
Vinyl windows and doors are easily the most popular replacement option, accounting for some 70% of all windows and doors in the United States. The reason? They offer lots of advantages compared with other frame materials. These include price, performance, maintenance, selection, and longevity. We'll go through each of these further down the page. We'll also offer up some consumer vinyl windows questions and answers that should shed more light on these popular replacement windows and doors.
Bottom Line: For 90% of U.S houselhold, vinyl windows and doors make the most sense. However, there are hundreds of vinyl window manufacturers out there, and over half of them manufacture cheap vinyl windows that will break down within the first 12 years of purchase. So it's important to understand what makes a good vinyl window and which brands are worth buying.
Review By John M. - Site Editor - Publish Date: January 24, 2016
Last Update: March 4, 2026
There are literally hundreds of vinyl window manufacturers in this country. The majority are regional producers that put out a mid grade window with mediocre to decent performance numbers. While there is nothing wrong with these windows per se, they are not going to be your best bet in terms of long term value. Nearly all manufacturers purchase the actual vinyl extrusions from one of the handful of vinyl extruders across the nation.
Vinyl Window Basics
They will also buy the glass panes, spacers, hardware etc. and then put it all together at the factory. What most consumers don't know is that there are a ton of ways to cut corners in the process of making a vinyl window, the majority of which are very difficult to see with the unpracticed eye (imagine looking at two car engines side by side and having to say which was the superior engine).
The relatively low cost of vinyl windows is the principal reason for their popularity. The overall price range for fully installed vinyl windows is $400 to $1250 for a normal sized double hung. The average or mid range cost is $600 to $900 fuly installed for a normal sized vinyl window. Typically, the cost of installation will account for 25% to %35 of the total cost of the replacement.
Entry Level Pricing: $400 to $600
Entry Level Pricing: $600 to $900
Premium Pricing: $900 to $1250
Vinyl Window Pricing
Mid range to high end vinyl windows get good to great ratings and performance numbers. They will almost always beat out comparable wood and aluminum windows. The material that will typically beat out vinyl windows is fiberglass windows (these two frame materials will often start out very similar and the fiberglass will often maintain its numbers better than vinyl).
Good Energy Efficiency Numbers
Poorly made vinyl windows - cheap extrusions, bad seals and glazing, clear glass, poor corner welds etc. -- will not have good performance numbers, which will affect the energy savings of a home and the overall comfort level of a home.
Vinyl windows simply can't compare to wood windows, which are undeniably the nicest looking windows on the market. However, for the most part, once they are in place, windows are rarely noticed unless they are stunning looking or very shoddy looking.
Simple Look
Replacement vinyl windows are neither. They are usually clean and simple looking. For most homeowners, it's nearly impossible to tell the difference in look between vinyl, fiberglass and many composite windows. So unless you are buying wood clad windows or aluminum (which are really only recommended for very hot climates), vinyl is as nice as the more expensive material options.
Unlike wood windows, vinyl requires no maintenance. Sure, you should can wipe the dirt off occasionally, but beyond that there is nothing else required. This is a fantastic feature for homeowners who want windows and doors that are hassle free and maintenance free for three decades plus. Great feature of this material.
Zero Maintenance
Hopefully, the question and answer sessions below will help sort some of the issues, pricing questions, etc. regarding vinyl windows and patio doors. Do you have a question - hit us up and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
John, I have two bids that are the same price and was hoping you could help with these vinyl windows. MI1620 windows and NT presidential windows. Can you tell me which you would pick and why? I’m in Sugar Land, Texas 77479.
Trang, sorry, I had meant to get back to you earlier. So the NT Presidential window is the better of the two options by a lot. No question here, go with the NT Presidential over the MI 1620! The NT Presidential is a high quality vinyl window that when coupled with professional installation will serve you well for many decades to come. Out of curiosity, how many windows/doors and what is the bid on each one?
Thank you for your response! 15 windows replacing 17 windows. We are turning 4 into two picture windows. $1650 from one company that offered MI 1620 Window, but said I would get tor NT for the same price. $18k for NT with foam, $17k without foam from another company. Do you think we should pay the extra $1k ($60 for each window for the foam?
Vinyl Window Replacement Q And A
Editor John
Vinyl Windows In Texas
Trang - Homeowner - March, 2026
Website Editor's Answer
Editor John - March, 2026
Website Editor's Answer
Trang - Homeowner - March, 2026
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