How to find a trusted window company

Choosing to replace tired old windows is no easy task. With all kinds of materials, sizes, colors and building regulations to meet, it’s not surprising that a lot of research is required to make the right decision for you and your home. Not to mention, finding a manufacturer and supplier that offers quality, reliability and efficiency can be hard to come by.

When looking for a manufacturer and supplier, we advise on basing your decision around these five key areas:

1. Product quality
2. Warranty
3. Expertise
4. Installation
5. Good reviews

If you consider all of these aspects together then you’re sure to find yourself a trusted manufacturer and supplier, and windows that will last a long time.

1. Window quality

After narrowing down your preferred manufacturers, book in an appointment to go and physically see the windows in person. This part of the process is so important because you’ll never really know what you’re getting otherwise. By visiting a showroom, you’ll be able to physically operate the doors and get a sense for how they look like, as well as feel like. You’ll also get the chance to talk to a real human face-to-face and ask any important questions.

Some key questions to ask your window manufacturer are:

What locking system does the window have? What are the security features? What glass comes with the window? What are the energy efficient ratings? Does the window come with a warranty, and if so, what does it cover? What colors and finishes are available? How long will it take for the windows to be delivered?

Whether you’re looking for aluminum windows, wooden windows or vinyl windows, seeing the quality of the product in person, and asking these important questions, will help you understand what exactly you’re purchasing.

Origin Windows

Crafted using high quality aluminum, Origin offer custom windows that are incredibly secure, low maintenance and energy efficient. Innately strong and elegant, aluminum windows are the perfect choice for replacement windows, modernizing properties old and new.

Revolutionary hydrophobic insulator Aerogel allows the Origin Window to achieve a U-Factor as low as 0.16, helping to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Featuring a Yale Encloser lock, impenetrable crimped frames, locking handles, and more, the Origin Window is one of the most secure windows on the market today.

All parts, including hardware as well as powder coating, the Origin Window comes with a 10 year warranty for complete peace of mind.

2. Warranty

New windows should come with at least a ten year warranty. However, understanding what’s included in the warranty is crucial to make sure that all window parts are covered, including hinges, locks and the frames. Many manufacturers will advertise a lovely long warranty, but the reality is that only the paintwork is covered as part of that warranty. Find out exactly what’s included in the warranty and exactly how long the warranty is.

Glass manufacturers typically provide a separate warranty, which really varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some glass warranties can be as long as ten years, however, this could also dependent on your location.

Origin Windows

Coming with an industry-leading warranty of 10 years, all hardware (hinges, handles, frames and more) will be covered as well as the powder coating finish. Because Origin Windows are expertly designed, manufactured and assembled in-house in our Florida-based factory, we have much more control over the process than many of our competitors and can therefore offer a longer warranty. We’re confident in our design and want you to be, too.

3. Expertise

The two main decisions you’ll need to make when getting your project underway is a) your preferred window system (fabricator/designer/manufacturer) and, b) who is undertaking your building project.

Choosing the right window system

Even if you’re considering buying windows from a big brand name, it’s still worth checking their credentials against other independent window manufacturers, who may have more expertise. Be sure to check whether the company manufacturers the windows in-house, or whether the windows are fabricated by a separate company, as sometimes this can result in quality control issues.

Choosing a company that designs and manufacturers their own windows system in-house could mean better quality control, shorter lead times, and more flexibility for custom designs. You’re also likely to receive better customer service, as they’ll have a much better idea of the ordering journey.

Choosing the right installers

Once you’ve chosen a reliable windows manufacturer, the next step is finding a reputable installer. If you’ve chosen a good manufacturer, the chances are they’ll work with trusted installers across the country who are fully trained in installing their specific windows, which means you can have absolute peace of mind knowing the good will be done right the first time.

Origin Window

At Origin, we manufacture every element of our window in our Florida-based factory with experts working on each stage of production, from sourcing through to product design, manufacturing and even delivery.

We work with dealers all across the US who are fully trained on how to install Origin products, so that when you buy with Origin you’ll know that your windows will be installed correctly the first time. We’ll find your nearest dealer and ask them to get in touch with you, organize your installation date  and work closely with you to ensure your project is a success.

4. Installation

Choosing the right people to install your windows is almost as important as choosing the right windows themselves. A survey by Which asked more than 2,000 double glazing customers how they would rate the installers they used, which raised a few common installation problems:

14% said the windows didn’t fit they way they should have 14% said the installers caused damage to their property 11% said some of the fittings weren’t even installed

Issues like this can end up costing you more in the long run, not to mention additional time and stress. There are a few things you can do to ensure you choose the right window installers:

1. Read customer reviews
2. Ensure they’re AAMA registered (American Architectural Manufacturers Association)

5. Good reviews

Check on the manufacturer’s website whether they promote any testimonials, case studies or other customer quotes. Getting an idea of how other people have found their products, customer service, prices etc. is crucial in understanding what your journey with the company might be like.

As well as the manufacturer’s website, make sure to research the company on search engines and other trusted reviewing platforms. Looking for case studies, which have pictures and quotes from real customers, can also inspire you of alternative ways your products could be used in your home.

Ultimately, the more happy reviews a manufacturer has the more likely it is that your experience with them will also be a happy one.