(888) 643-9247
Contact us today to get started with a free quote!
Contact us today to get started with a free quote!
Most homeowners start thinking about new windows for one of a few reasons: drafts you can feel on a cold day, windows that stick or won't stay open, fog or condensation between the panes, or rot around the frames. Any one of those usually means the window's seal or frame has worn out, and repairs rarely hold for long.
New windows fix the problem and usually bring a few things you didn't know you were missing: a warmer house in winter, a quieter one year round, and windows that open, lock, and clean the way they should.
The right replacement depends on the house. A 1920s bungalow with original trim, a 1990s colonial with builder grade vinyl, and a condo community replacing hundreds of units all need different answers. That's why every Zags project starts with a design consultation at your home, where we look at the house as a whole and recommend the window that fits it.
All three are good windows when they’re well made and installed right. The difference is what each does best.
| Vinyl | Fiberglass | Wood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior | White or wood grain look | Painted finish, white or dark | Real wood, stained or painted |
| Exterior | Vinyl, many colors | Fiberglass, 6 colors | Aluminum clad, fiberglass, or wood |
| Maintenance | None | None | Interior wood needs care |
| Strength and stability | Good | Best | Very good |
| Dark colors | Available | Best for dark colors | Available |
| Best for | Most homes | Dark colors, big glass, long term durability | Historic homes, real wood inside |
Not sure which fits your house? That’s what the design consultation is for. We’ll price any of the three on your estimate so the choice comes down to real numbers on your house.
A good window installed badly leaks air and water like a bad one, so most of what we do happens around the window, not just in it.
Design consultation. We look at your home's architecture, trim, and colors, and recommend styles, finishes, and grille patterns that fit. We bring samples so you're deciding in front of your house.
Pocket or full frame. We do both. A pocket install fits the new window inside your existing frame and keeps your trim in place. A full frame install goes down to the rough opening, which is the right call when there's rot or you want to change the window's size or style. We'll tell you which each window needs, and many houses get a mix.
Built to order. We measure every opening ourselves, and every window is made to fit it.
Insulated, flashed, and sealed. With the old window out, we check for water damage and fix it, then insulate, flash, and seal the new window so water sheds away from the wall.
Backed twice. Your windows carry the manufacturer's warranty: a transferable lifetime warranty on our vinyl windows, and Marvin's transferable 20 year glass and 10 year parts warranty on wood and fiberglass. Every installation is also backed by our own five year labor warranty.
We install every common style in vinyl, wood, and fiberglass: double hung, single hung, casement, awning, hopper, sliding, picture, bay and bow, garden windows, tilt and turn, round tops and custom shapes, and patio doors.
In Chicagoland we replace windows for individual homeowners, from a single drafty bedroom window to a whole house, and we run community wide window replacement for HOA and condo associations. Community projects are phased building by building, coordinated with the board or property manager, and scheduled so residents know when their unit is up. That community scale work is also what we offer in Central Illinois and St. Louis.
Drafts, fog or condensation between the panes, windows that stick or won’t stay open, and rot around the frame are the most common signs. One problem window can sometimes be repaired, but when several show their age, replacement usually makes more sense.
It depends on the house. Vinyl is the best fit for most homes. Fiberglass is the strongest and best for dark colors and large windows. Wood is the right choice for older and historic homes and for anyone who wants real wood inside. We’ll recommend one at your design consultation and can price more than one.
Our vinyl windows are built to order in the Chicago area. For wood and fiberglass, we install Marvin, and Zags Exteriors is an authorized Marvin dealer.
A pocket install sets the new window inside your existing frame, so your interior trim and walls stay untouched. A full frame install removes everything down to the rough opening, which is the right move when the old frame has rot or you want to change the window’s size or style. We do both and will recommend one window by window.
Yes. We replace anything from a single window to a whole house, and we’ll match the new windows to the ones you’re keeping.
Yes. We phase community projects building by building, coordinate with the board or property manager, and keep residents informed so they know when their unit is scheduled.
Every window carries its manufacturer’s warranty, and every installation is backed by our own five year labor warranty. We’ll walk you through exactly what each covers for the windows you choose.
Yes, we offer financing on window replacement projects.
