Vinyl replacement windows are the most common way Lawrence homeowners fix windows that are drafty, fogged or hard to open. We measure each opening, help you choose the style and glass, and install new vinyl windows that seal tight and need almost no upkeep, whether it's two bedroom windows or every window in the house.
Request an estimateFirst comes the style. Double-hung windows have two sashes that both slide and tilt in for cleaning. Sliders open side to side and suit wide, short openings. Casements crank outward and seal tightly when closed. Picture windows don't open at all and give you the most glass. Most houses end up with a mix.
Then there are two ways to put the new window in:
One of these on one window is a reason to look. Several across the house is usually a reason to replace.
Double-pane glass is two panes with a sealed space between them. Years of summer heat and winter cold make the parts expand and contract, and eventually the seal lets go. Moist air gets in, the glass fogs, and the window loses much of its insulating value. Glass alone can't fix that for long, which is why we replace the whole unit.
Wood frames have their own problem: water sits on the sill, soaks in, and freezes and thaws through the winter until the wood goes soft. The springs and balances that hold a sash up wear out, and weatherstripping flattens until air moves straight past it.
White and almond vinyl cost the least. Darker exterior colors are available on many windows for an added cost. Inside, most vinyl is white, with wood-look finishes on some lines.
For glass, double-pane is standard. A low-E coating reflects heat, keeping summer sun out and winter heat in. Argon gas between the panes adds a little more insulation. Triple-pane costs more and makes the most sense on the coldest or noisiest sides of the house. Every window carries a label with its U-factor: the lower the number, the better it holds heat.
The window replacement cost page goes into each of these in more detail.
Vinyl fits most houses and most budgets. It's a weaker fit if you want very slim frames, a color you plan to change later, or an exact match to original wood windows. If your house is on the Lawrence, state or national historic register, the city may need to review window changes, and that can shape which materials make sense. We check that before you choose.
For most houses, yes. They cost less than wood or fiberglass, never need painting, and a well-installed double-pane window with low-E glass is a real step up from one that fogs or leaks air. How it’s installed matters as much as which window you buy.
Fewer color choices, frames that are a little wider than some other materials, and they can’t be repainted reliably. Darker exterior colors cost more. Very cheap vinyl can warp or fade over the years, which is one reason the brand and series matter.
Fiberglass is stiffer, allows slimmer frames and can be painted, but it costs more. Vinyl costs less and insulates well. For most homes vinyl is the better value; fiberglass earns its price when you want narrow frames or a dark color. We’ll tell you honestly which fits your house.
A good vinyl window that’s installed well should last for decades. What usually gives out first is the seal between the panes or the hardware, not the frame. Most manufacturers back their windows with a warranty, so ask what yours covers and for how long.
Projecting bay and bow units taken out whole, with the seat, roof and support checked before anything is ordered.
Read moreSliding and hinged glass patio doors replaced as a full unit: frame, panels, sill and trim.
Read moreRusted steel and rotted wood basement windows swapped for tight vinyl units in the same foundation opening.
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