The Top 6 Window Brands In California for Your Next Home Upgrade

One of the first things to check while buying a new house in California is the status of its windows. You want your new house to be as aesthetically pleasing as it is energy-efficient. A well manufactured and installed window can make life a lot easier for you and can be extremely cost-effective. If the house you’re considering doesn’t have high-quality windows, you can easily demand a lower price to cover up for the fault—after all, installing new and high-quality windows doesn't come cheap.

If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to replace older windows, make sure you invest in good ones. For that, you want to look no further than the best window brands available in the state. The said companies offer efficiency, design, and good quality, and have been around for so long that they’ve mastered the craft of windowmaking. Before you take down the old and install the new, make sure you choose the best of the best window brands. After all, an investment in good-quality windows is a lifetime investment worth making.

The Factors That Make A High-Quality Window

While a window can look good on the outside, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s good on the inside as well. What makes a window a high-quality one is a combination of a few factors that go beyond just aesthetics. The quality of glass, frame, seal, locking points, and installation of the window define the actual value. Make sure you take every one of the factors into consideration before you contact the top window brands in the Golden State.

Glass 

If you’re upgrading your home to be more environmentally friendly, you need to make sure that your window glasses are as energy-efficient as possible. An ideal energy-efficient window should have at least two layers of glass, separated by an air gap of 0.47 to 0.78 inches. The air or gas, combined with the double or triple layers of glass, make the window energy efficient. These types of windows protect the atmosphere inside your house from escaping and protect you from the outside noise. If you wish to walk the extra mile and prevent harmful lights from passing through your windows, you should go for Low-Emissivity or Low-E glasses.  

Window Frame 

While frames play a major role in making a window look good or bad, they serve a higher purpose, beyond aesthetics. Frames are what hold a window together and play an important role in providing insulation to the house. If you live in an area of California with high amounts of rain, high humidity, or even a region prone to natural disasters, you better pay extra attention to the quality of the frames. You want your window frame to be a bad conductor for it not to transmit the outside temperature. For maximum protection against harsh weather, vinyl and fiberglass frames make for good options. 

Seals

If you’ve chosen your window glass and frame meticulously, but haven’t paid enough attention to seals, you could’ve easily ruined your chance at having a well-installed window. A bad seal can reverse the work the glass and frame put into keeping the outdoor atmosphere out. Accordingly, keep an eye out for your seals, and make sure they are used in double rebates.  

Locking Points

Alongside good seals, your window needs multiple locking points. Combined with good seals, locking points ensure the efficiency of your windows in controlling the home’s ventilation. Good locks stop draft and help your window block out the undesired noise on the outside.

Installation

You can buy all the best materials, but install your windows incorrectly and you’ll find yourself having major problems. Installed incorrectly, your window will have at least a few weak links, which can lead to complications in the future. To ensure your windows are perfectly installed, contact a licensed contractor who knows how to remove any gaps between the window frame and the wall, and uses good expandable foam with perfect insulation properties.

The Top Window Manufacturers In The Golden State

1. California Deluxe Windows

The Los Angeles housing market has been booming since the late 1990s, and it owes some of that to the introduction of California Deluxe Windows to the window manufacturing market. The Los Angeles window replacement company was founded in 1999 in the suburban neighborhood of Chatsworth and ended up being one of the most popular window manufacturers in the Golden State. The company prides itself on the quality and performance of its products, as well as the fact that it manufactures them all in-house. Vinyl frames are a specialty of California Deluxe Windows and they come in a variety of styles, like double-hung, casement, sliding, and bay. Meanwhile, some of their glasses go beyond normal and come with special effects such as rain, delta, and glue-chip.

The best window company in Los Angeles offers something for every budget, and its products come with a lifetime warranty. That is to say that even if you sell your California home, the new homeowner can still benefit from the lifetime warranty. Like all other window manufacturers, California Deluxe Windows’ prices vary depending on style and size, among other factors. Expect to pay anywhere from $350 to $650 for a regular window. During your next day trip to L.A., you might as well check the top window manufacturing company out.

2. Veracity Windows and Doors

Riverside, California is home to Veracity Windows and Doors. The California-based company partnered with Marvin’s Infinity brand in 2014. With this partnership, Veracity Windows and Doors combined its 60-plus years of experience in the service and installation departments of window manufacturing, with Marvin’s century-long expertise in the business. Veracity was soon able to determine that Marvin’s own Ultrex material was the most suitable for the California climate. At Veracity Windows and doors you can find a wide selection of Ultrex windows—they come in different styles, including but not limited to double-hung, bay, and casement. The company’s warranties are fully transferable as well.

Marvin’s popularity in the Golden State reached new heights after its partnership with Veracity Windows and Doors. Built in 1912 in Warroad, Minnesota, Marvin is one of the top, high-quality window brands in the U.S. The company produces the best energy-efficient products and is also committed to an eco-friendly manufacturing process, which earned it an Energy-Star rating.

3. Pella

Founded in 1925, Pella is one of the top window manufacturers in the United States, and one of its most innovative, with over 150 patents under its belt. At Pella, you can find the most beautiful, high-quality, and affordable products, which will later be installed in your home with extra care and expertise. The best part about Pella is that you’ll buy the best quality windows without breaking the bank.

At Pella, you are also promised amazing customer service as well. As a customer, you can request a free-of-charge consultation at any time. Pella brings you top-quality material with a pretty light price tag. The great news is that you can find Pella all across California, with showrooms in Hayward, San Francisco, Sacramento, South Pasadena, and more.

4. Ply Gem Windows And Doors

Ply Gem Windows and Doors has been in the window manufacturing industry for over 75 years, and during this time has proved to be one of the best window brands in the country. The company, which is based in Bryan, Texas, has so much experience in the industry that you’ll trust them right away. If you’re searching for a brand that offers unmatched window designs, both classical and modern, and does it with extra efficiency, Ply Gem Windows and Doors is what you’re looking for.

The company brings to you the best energy-efficient windows, in a number of frame materials like vinyl, wood, aluminum, and wood clad. Ply Gem is also known for having the best warranties in the industry, so you’ll have the best windows with a full lifetime guarantee. You can find Ply Gem Windows and Doors in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and many other parts of the Golden State.

5. Milgard Windows And Doors

Milgard Windows and Doors is known to be one of the most excellent and unique window manufacturers in the U.S. Built in 1962 in Tacoma, Washington, the company is one of only a few to handle the whole manufacturing process from start to finish. Meaning that Milgard Windows and Doors makes its own glass units and frame components, without relying on partners.

At Milgard Windows and Doors, you can find different styles of windows, like vinyl, aluminum, and fiberglass. All of their products are created with the customer in mind and suit all sorts of budgets. Their warranties, too, put the customer first. Milgard Windows and Doors has showrooms all across California, including ones in Sacramento, Simi Valley, and Temecula. You can find their products at Integrity Windows and Doors in San Jose, and Fresno Window Company in Fresno, among many others.

6. Andersen Windows And Doors

Founded in 1903, Andersen Windows and Doors is one of the oldest companies in the fenestration industry and one of the most reputable. In its early days, the company was a lumber business functioning out of Bayport, Minnesota. Today, it is known as one of the best window brands in the United States and beyond. The windows at Andersen Windows and Doors come in all the popular styles, including awning, casement, and gliding. The top-notch, energy-efficient windows can be customized to the customer’s liking as well.

What customers love most about Andersen Windows and Doors is the company’s ability and willingness to cater to everyone from regular DIYers to commercial contractors. And with warranties that put the customers first, it is only natural to say that Andersen Windows and Doors is a true catch. If you’re looking for great quality windows in California, you can find Andersen in San Francisco, San Jose, Lodi, San Diego, and Oceanside, among many other regions.