By Todd, owner of Windows Plus
“What are the best windows for my house?” doesn’t have a one-size answer, but it does have a pretty reliable way to get to the right one. When I’m at a homeowner’s kitchen table, I don’t start with brochures. I start with six questions. Answer these and the choice usually makes itself.
1. What’s wrong with the windows you have now?
The problem tells you what to fix. Drafts and high energy bills point toward better glass and a tighter-sealing style. Windows that stick or won’t stay open point toward new hardware and a style that’s easier to operate. Rot at the sills means the installation method matters as much as the window. If you’re not sure whether you need new windows at all, start with signs it’s time to replace your windows.
2. How do you use each room?
A window over the kitchen sink needs to be easy to open with one hand, which makes a casement a good fit. A bedroom window might need to hold an AC unit, so a double-hung. A family room might want the biggest view possible, so a picture window with operable windows on the sides. I go room by room in best types of windows for your home.
3. What does the house look like from the street?
The best window for a 1950s brick ranch isn’t the same as the best window for a Victorian or a new two-story. Grids, colors and proportions should suit the house. If you’re in a local historic district, the rules may decide some of this for you. See historic window replacement in Louisville.
4. How much maintenance do you want?
- Almost none: Vinyl. No painting, no rot.
- Low, with a paintable finish: Fiberglass or composite.
- Regular upkeep in exchange for the real thing: Wood.
Most of the homeowners I talk to want to stop painting windows, which is why vinyl is the most common choice.
5. What matters more: efficiency, noise or budget?
Every window has a glass package. A good double-pane window with Low-E coatings is the standard. Triple-pane is an upgrade that helps most with comfort and noise. If you’re on a busy road, that might be worth it in the bedrooms. If budget is the main concern, I’d rather see you replace every failing window with a good double-pane than do half the house in triple-pane. More in are triple-pane windows worth it.
6. Who’s installing them, and how?
This is the question most people skip, and it’s the one that decides whether the windows perform. The best window in the world will leak if it’s installed poorly. Ask whether the company does full-frame or insert installation, whether their own crews do the work and what the warranty covers. We only do full-frame replacement with our own crews, and our windows carry a lifetime warranty that transfers if you sell.
Putting it together
For most Louisville homes, the answer ends up being a well-built vinyl window with Low-E glass, in a mix of styles that suit each room and the look of the house, installed full-frame. From there it’s about details like colors, grids and hardware that make it feel like your house.
Get help choosing
We’ll walk through the house with you, answer these questions opening by opening, show you samples and give you a written price. No pressure. See our window types, read our replacement window buyer’s guide, or schedule a free in-home estimate.
