The Ranking
Our top 7 window companies in San Antonio
Window replacement in San Antonio is mostly a fight with heat. Long summers, strong sun and the occasional hailstorm punish old aluminum and single-pane windows, and homeowners in older neighborhoods such as Monte Vista, Olmos Park, Terrell Hills and the inner north side often live with drafty steel or wood frames that leak cooling air all summer. Newer subdivisions around Stone Oak, Helotes and the far west side usually have builder-grade aluminum windows that are worth upgrading for energy bills. Replacement is a good fit for entry doors and sliding patio doors too, since many San Antonio homes have a back patio that gets full afternoon sun.\n\nWhen you compare quotes, ask for the NFRC label numbers on each window: the U-factor, which measures heat loss, and the solar heat gain coefficient, which matters more than anything else in South Texas. An Energy Star label is a useful starting point, but the numbers on the NFRC label let you compare one window against another. Glass packages with low-e coatings and argon fill are common, and a company that cannot show the numbers for the exact window on your quote is a warning sign.\n\nTwo checks matter before you sign. First, homes built before 1978 may have lead paint on old window frames. Under the federal EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting rule, contractors who disturb lead paint in those homes must be certified and use lead-safe practices, so ask each company for its certificate. Most of the companies below did not publish one on their websites. Second, ask who handles any permit your project needs, and if you live in one of the city's historic districts, ask whether exterior window changes need design review through the city's historic preservation office before work begins.\n\nThe licence check is simple and unusual. Texas does not issue a state licence for window and door installers, so there is no state number to look up. The protections are a certificate of insurance, a written quote that names the window series and its ratings, and warranty terms on paper. The seven companies below range from a company that builds its own vinyl windows in San Antonio to national brands with local showrooms and a family-owned shop that sells seven window manufacturers. Each profile lists what is published about warranty, credentials, hours and service areas, plus one fair concern.
