Replacing your windows is one of the most significant investments you’ll make in your home. The windows themselves matter, but the installer you choose matters just as much. A poorly installed high-performance window will underperform a well-installed standard one every time.
Before you sign a contract, ask these seven questions to make sure you’re hiring the right company.
1. Do You Manufacture Your Own Windows or Resell Someone Else’s?
This is the most important question most homeowners never think to ask. Many window installation companies are simply resellers, they buy windows from a third-party manufacturer, mark them up, and install them.
Working directly with a manufacturer means:
– Lower costs (no middleman markup)
– Custom sizing to your exact specifications
– Direct accountability for product quality
– Faster turnaround on warranty claims
When the company that builds the window is the same company that stands behind it, you get a level of quality control and service that resellers simply can’t match.
2. What Warranty Do You Offer, and What Does It Actually Cover?
Not all warranties are created equal. Some cover only the glass. Some cover parts but not labor. Some have so many exclusions they’re practically useless.
Ask specifically:
– Does it cover both parts AND labor?
– Does it include full replacement if needed, or only repairs?
– How long is the warranty period?
– Are there exclusions for weather damage or installation issues?
A 20-year comprehensive warranty that covers repairs and full replacement tells you the manufacturer has confidence in both their product and their installation quality.
3. How Long Have You Been in Business?
Experience matters in window installation. A company that has been operating for over 25 years has seen every type of home, every installation challenge, and every climate condition your region can throw at them.
In Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas, you need an installer who understands:
– How homes in this region settle and shift
– The impact of extreme temperature swings on frame materials
– Wind load requirements for severe weather areas
– Local building codes and permit requirements
A new company might offer lower prices, but they haven’t been tested by time.
4. Are Your Windows Custom-Built to My Specifications?
There’s a significant difference between a window that’s “close enough” and one that’s precision-built to your exact opening dimensions.
Stock windows from big-box retailers come in standard sizes. If your opening doesn’t match perfectly, and most don’t, the installer uses shims, foam, and filler to make up the difference. Those gaps are future air leaks, water intrusion points, and energy loss.
Custom-built windows are manufactured to your precise measurements, eliminating gaps and ensuring optimal performance from day one. Every window should fit like it was made for your home, because it was.
5. What Type of Frame Material Do You Use?
The frame material affects durability, energy efficiency, maintenance requirements, and longevity. The main options:
Wood: Beautiful but requires regular painting, staining, and maintenance. Susceptible to rot, warping, and insect damage, especially problematic in the humid Oklahoma and Texas climate.
Aluminum: Strong but conducts heat rapidly, making it one of the least energy-efficient options. Also prone to condensation.
Vinyl Compound: Modern proprietary vinyl compounds resist condensation, mold, warping, and temperature-related expansion. They require zero maintenance and maintain their seal for decades. This is the preferred material for high-performance windows in extreme climates.
Ask what specific vinyl compound they use and whether it’s their own proprietary formula or a generic material.
6. Can I See Examples of Your Work in My Area?
Any reputable installer should be able to point you to completed projects in your area. Better yet, they should have:
– A gallery of before-and-after project photos
– Customer testimonials from homeowners in your region
– References you can contact directly
If a company can’t show you local work, that’s a red flag. Regional experience matters because homes in Oklahoma look and perform differently than homes in other parts of the country.
7. What Happens After the Installation?
The best companies don’t disappear after the last window is installed. Ask about:
– Post-installation inspection procedures
– How warranty claims are handled
– Whether they offer window servicing
– Response time for issues or concerns
A company that offers ongoing window servicing demonstrates commitment beyond the initial sale. Windows may need adjustment as your home settles, and having a responsive manufacturer-installer relationship makes that process seamless.
The Bottom Line
Your windows will be part of your home for 20-30 years. The company you choose to manufacture and install them should inspire the same confidence as the product itself.
Progressive Windows & Doors is a locally owned Oklahoma manufacturer that has been custom-building high-performance windows and doors for over 25 years. Every product is American-made, precision-built to your specifications, and backed by a 20-year comprehensive warranty.
Contact Progressive Windows & Doors at (877) 227-9915 to get answers to all your questions — and a free consultation for your project.