Complete window replacement guide for Downers Grove homeowners. Best window brands, energy savings, what to expect, and how to choose a contractor in DuPage County.
Replacing windows in Downers Grove comes down to three decisions: which kind of installation, which frame material and which glass. The right answers depend on the house, so this guide starts with the homes found in Downers Grove.
Downers Grove homes at a glance
Downers Grove is known for its Sears catalog homes, mail-order kit houses built in the 1910s and 1920s, and for the bungalows and four-squares near the BNSF line. It also has postwar ranches and a steady stream of new homes built on older lots.
Owners of Downers Grove's Sears homes and bungalows usually want to keep the original look: wide casings, divided upper sashes, wood inside. We match the grille pattern and trim profile instead of fitting a generic white window.
What to choose for your Downers Grove home
Near downtown and the BNSF line, including the Sears catalog homes, choose a wood-interior window and a full-frame installation. Original openings have weight pockets and old flashing that should be dealt with, and the trim is part of the character of the house. Double-hungs with a simple grille pattern in the upper sash usually suit these homes best.
In the ranches and split-levels built after the war, a good vinyl or Fibrex window installed as an insert is usually the sensible choice. The frames are sound, the openings are standard and the money is better spent on Low-E glass than on a premium frame. Consider a casement over the kitchen sink, where a double-hung is awkward to reach.
On the blocks where older houses have been replaced with new construction, stay in a wood-clad or premium fiberglass line that offers the shapes and sizes the house already has. Mixing a cheaper window into a home of this quality shows. Specialty shapes are long-lead custom orders, so plan the schedule around them.
A typical window job in Downers Grove
The classic Downers Grove job is a Sears home or bungalow with original wood windows, often three-over-one or six-over-one. We replace them full-frame with wood-interior double-hungs in the same grille pattern and keep the wide flat casings. It costs more than white vinyl inserts and it protects what makes the house worth owning.
Insert or full-frame
An insert window fits inside the existing frame. It is faster and costs less, and the interior trim stays untouched. It only works if the old frame is square and free of rot. A full-frame replacement removes everything down to the rough opening, so the installer can fix hidden damage, insulate the gap properly and flash the opening. It costs more and gives you slightly more glass.
Frame materials
- Vinyl. Lowest cost, no painting, good insulation. Quality varies widely between lines.
- Fibrex and fiberglass. Stronger and more stable than vinyl, with narrower frames and darker color options.
- Wood-clad. Real wood inside, aluminum or fiberglass outside. The best-looking and the most expensive.
We install Andersen, Marvin, Pella and Kolbe. See Andersen vs Pella vs Marvin for how the lines compare.
Glass
Low-E glass with argon fill is the standard for this climate and is what we install by default. Triple-pane adds comfort and quiet and is worth pricing for north-facing rooms and homes near busy roads. Look at the U-factor on the label: lower is better for Illinois winters.
What installation day looks like
The crew covers floors, removes one window at a time, sets and insulates the new one, and trims it inside and out before moving on. Most houses take one to two days. Afterwards we open and lock every window with you and take the old ones away.
Permits in Downers Grove
Permit rules are set by the Village of Downers Grove. We check what your project needs and pull the permit when one is required. See our Downers Grove page for this service, or the same guide for Wheaton.
Common questions
Call (331) 250-3726 or request a free consultation in Downers Grove.