A Comparison of the Best Energy-Efficient Window Brands in California

A top reason why homeowners want to replace older windows with more energy-efficient ones is to increase their home’s selling value in the real estate market. Today windows offer more than just protection and beauty to a house. They offer sustainability and comfort, in addition to being aesthetically pleasing. A new generation of environment-conscious consumers is looking into creating greener cities in California, and energy-efficient windows play a major role in this change.

The window industry has also joined the cause. Manufacturers are making environment-friendly windows, making it easy for customers to choose what suits them best. Energy-efficient windows in California galore, and so do the brands. The availability of such windows is so wide that choosing might get a little confusing, so it’s best to take all the factors into consideration. Once you’ve done your research, you can easily decide on what suits your taste and budget best. 

Best Types Of Energy-Efficient Windows

Ask any real estate agent, and they will tell you that homes with energy-core windows sell faster. After all, these are the windows that will lower your utility payments in the long term and decrease your carbon footprint. Thanks to their ability to prevent the heated or cooled air from escaping your home, these windows can lower your bills by 21 to 31 percent.  Add to that their ability to block out annoying noises and harmful lights, and you’ve got yourself a catch.

The California window market is extremely competitive nowadays, all thanks to the evolution of sustainable windows. Most energy-efficient window brands work hard to add improvements to their already environment-friendly windows, opening new doors for creativity and efficiency. With all the awesome trends available, knowing what you want for your house is essential. Do you just want noise and cold blocking windows, or do you want them to obstruct the entrance of harmful lights as well? Once you know the answer to these questions and prepare the budget for them, you’ll be good to go. 

Double-Pane Windows

Double-pane or double-glazed windows were some of the first to be introduced to the energy-efficient market. Thanks to the two layers of glass, separated by air or an insulating gas (usually argon), these windows have the ability to keep your home’s atmosphere in check. They also have the power to block out the loud noises in your neighborhood. Nowadays, most new constructions follow the requirement of at least having double-glazed windows, so if the home you want to buy is relatively new, you might not even need to replace them—unless you’d like to upgrade them further of course.   

Triple-Pane Windows

Triple-pane windows are the upgraded versions of double-pane windows, with an extra layer of glass for extra protection. Having an extra layer of glass naturally means an extra layer of the gas well. With this upgrade from two to three, you can ensure that your windows are extra energy-efficient. 

Low-E Windows

Low-emissivity or Low-E windows have an extra layer of protection, compared to regular double or triple-paned windows. This extra layer comes in the form of a thin metallic coating between the glasses. Thinner than the human hair, this coating helps keep the home temperature consistent by reflecting the outside temperature. These types of windows come with an extra perk as well; they minimize the amount of ultraviolet and infrared light that enters your home. They do this without affecting the amount of natural light that comes through.

What Are The Best Energy-Efficient Window Brands?

California Deluxe Windows

Founded in 1999 in the city of Chatsworth, California Deluxe Windows is one of the most popular window manufacturers in the Golden State. The company takes pride in the quality and performance of its products, as well as the fact that it manufactures them all in-house. California Deluxe Windows specializes in vinyl frames that come in a variety of styles, like double-hung, casement, sliding, and bay. Their glasses, too, go beyond the regular—you can ask for glasses with special effects such as rain, delta, and glue-chip.

The SoCal-based company offers something for every budget, and their products come with a lifetime warranty. This means that even if you sell your California home, the next homeowner can still benefit from the warranty.  Prices at California Deluxe Windows, like all other manufacturers, vary widely depending on style, size, and other factors. You can expect to pay anywhere from $350 to $650 for a regular window.

Veracity Windows and Doors

Out of Riverside comes one of the state’s top replacement window companies, Veracity Windows and Doors. The company partnered with Marvin’s Infinity brand in 2014, combining its 60-plus years of experience in the service and installation departments of window manufacturing, with Marvin’s century-long expertise in the business. Thanks to its California roots, Veracity was able to determine that Marvin’s own Ultrex material was the most suitable for the state’s climate. At Veracity Windows and doors you can expect to find a wide selection of Ultrex windows in different styles, like double-hung, bay, and casement. At Veracity Windows and Doors, warranties are fully transferable, making it worth the long-term commitment.  A simple double-hung window would cost you between $250 and $800, excluding installation costs.

Thanks to its partnership with Veracity Windows and Doors, Marvin’s popularity reached California as well. Built in 1912 in Warroad, Minnesota, Marvin established itself as one of the top, high-quality window brands in the U.S. The company not only produces energy-efficient products but is also committed to a manufacturing process, which is eco-friendly. Marvin’s Energy-Star rating adds tons of reliability to its California partner, Veracity Windows and Doors.

Pella

Pella was founded in 1925, in Pella, Iowa.  Over the years, the company earned itself a reputation of excellence, thanks to its beautiful, high quality, and affordable products and services. Besides providing excellent products and services, Pella is also known as one of the most innovative and fast-growing companies in the nation, with over 150 patents under its belt. If you’re looking to upgrade your house with aesthetically pleasing, high-quality windows, and you can’t afford to break the bank, you shouldn’t look any further than Pella.

Not only does Pella offer you the most energy-efficient windows, but it also does it with care—customers can request a free-of-charge consultation visit whenever they like. A beautiful double-hung window would cost around $770 at Pella, installation costs included. The company has showrooms all across California, including ones in Hayward, San Francisco, Sacramento, and South Pasadena.

Andersen Windows And Doors

Andersen Windows and Doors was founded in 1903 in Bayport, Minnesota. The company which sells the most energy-efficient windows today was once a lumber business. What makes Andersen Windows and Doors stand out among its competitors is its ability to cater to everyone from regular DIYers to commercial contractors.

Andersen is famous for its excellent customer-driven warranties. You should expect to pay about $530 for a regular-sized, double-hung wooden window from Andersen, without installation fees. If you’re looking for great quality windows in NorCal, you can find Andersen in San Francisco, San Jose, and Lodi among many other cities. While if you’re in SoCal, you can find Andersen products in San Diego, Oceanside, and many more places.

What Factors Should You Consider While Choosing Energy-Efficient Windows?

Before you choose which window brand to go with, it's best to take a few factors into consideration. These factors mainly have to do with aesthetics, functionality, and efficiency and are really important when choosing the best energy-efficient window for you.

Frame

There’s no perfect frame for your windows, there are just a lot of them, and you have to find the one that suits your living conditions best. For example, vinyl frames are one of the most affordable options but can be less efficient than wood-clad windows, which efficiently fight temperature transfer but are more expensive. In between the two, you can always go for aluminum, wood, or fiberglass. Just keep in mind that, when well installed, most types of frames are highly efficient.

Type of Glass

Frames might be extremely important in making your California windows energy-efficient, but what’s more important is the type of glass they contain. Contractors agree that the most efficient windows are those containing double-paned, Low-E, and argon-filled glasses. But if you live in Northern California, and your windows have to endure harsher weather, you can even go for triple-pane ones, despite the fact that they will cost you a little extra.

Design

Window designs are totally dependent on your home’s interior and exterior, as well as your personal taste. Styles that stand out are the double-hung, casement, and picture windows. As long as the window is energy-efficient, you can get as creative as you can with your designs. 

Region

Geography plays a major role when it comes to choosing the right windows for your home. Certain materials are best for hot and humid weather, while others are better for colder weather. Another thing to take into consideration is whether you live in an area prone to natural disasters or not. Once you’ve figured all of this out, you can embark on a journey of picking which new energy-saving window to buy. Remember that most energy-efficient windows are reliable for most kinds of weather, as they lock in the hot and the cold air. 

Installation

If not installed properly, even the best quality windows won’t last long. Even if you end up paying a lot of money for high-quality materials, but not enough for proper installment you might end up disappointed. Thankfully, you can always contact a licensed contractor, and let them handle the whole process for you. After all, a correctly installed window can last you a lifetime.