There's a lot of talk out there about which type of replacement windows are the best. And, that certainly depends in part on the consumer's end goal in purchasing windows in the first place. Obviously, there is a consumer intent. This can be a decision about home decor and styling, it can be about energy conservation and savings on heating and cooling bills, and it can also be simply about replacing windows that are already broken or damaged. We're proud to work with Simonton windows.

Other factors come into play, but most often these are the real-world reasons for window purchases whether it be for an existing home or new construction property. Ideally, the best windows are pleasing to the eye from a design standpoint but also save consumers money by being energy-efficient. Let's take a moment to look at some of the types of window materials.

The chart below details energy loss through a variety of window material types. You can clearly see that vinyl windows perform near to wood when it comes to lower energy loss, 1.2 (to 1.0 for wood). The reason most residential and commercial buyers now days are turning to vinyl windows is because of product longevity. Whereas units made of wood need to be repainted and can rot after years of getting damp, vinyl windows are a virtually maintenance-free choice. Of course, the type of glass plays an important role in identifying which units can be considered the "best windows." See our Window Brands page for more information on selecting replacement vinyl windows.