The Ranking
Our top 6 window companies in Austin
Replacing windows in Austin usually means dealing with a house that was built for cheap cooling, not for 100 degree summers. Much of the city is 1950s to 1970s ranch homes with original aluminum or single-pane frames, 1980s and 1990s tract houses with builder-grade vinyl, and newer infill with large glass walls. Sun and heat drive most of the work, and hail from spring storms drives the rest. Air conditioning is the biggest part of a summer power bill, so the glass package matters as much as the frame.
Three checks protect you. First, ask for the NFRC label on each window and compare the U-factor and the solar heat gain coefficient, and look for the ENERGY STAR mark for your region. Second, ask whether the house was built before 1978. Old paint on frames and trim can contain lead, and the US EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting rule requires contractors working for pay on those homes to be EPA-certified and to use lead-safe practices, so ask for the firm's certification. Third, ask the City of Austin Development Services Department whether your project needs a permit, especially if you change an opening size or touch framing, and get in writing who pulls it.
Texas does not license window installers at the state level, so a company cannot hand you a state licence number to look up. Ask each company for a certificate of general liability insurance, ask whether the installers are employees or contractors, and get the labor warranty in writing. The six companies below range from national replacement brands to a multi-brand dealer, and several publish no licence or warranty length on their websites, so each profile says what is published and what to ask.
