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What to Know Before you Buy Windows

If you’ve never bought replacement windows before, the process can be overwhelming. Fortunately, it’s easy to get up to speed. We’ll show you where to start, what features to look for, and what to expect from a dealer.

We’ll also point out common pitfalls in the process – some terms and measurements can be misleading. Our team and dealers will help you better understand all unique window and door terminology that you’ll hear from salespeople, read in brochures, or review online.

This section will help you out, no matter where you are in the process. By navigating the choices below, you’ll discover how to get started, evaluate your options, and choose the dealer/installer that’s right for you.

SoftLite is an eight-time ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award winner and a six-time Sustained Excellence Award winner. Find out about what it means to own energy-efficient ENERGY STAR windows. 

1. Learn the Basics

2. Compare Windows

3. Ready to Buy

4. Buyers
Checklist

5. Window Replacement Guide

6. Costs
vs Value

7. Glossary
of Terms

8. Window Condensation

Not sure what you need? No worries. Our professional dealers are here to help.

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What People Say

Hannah
Hannah
Charlotte, NC
We love our new windows! We purchased an older ranch home with original 1950 windows and the drafts in each room were awful! Not only is our home far more energy-efficient, but looks way better from the inside and out! We also love being able to easily open the windows from the top or bottom!
Michael
Michael
Chicago, IL
We replaced thirteen original wood windows in the upstairs of our 112-year-old house. We were worried that the new vinyl windows would lack the charm and warmth of the old ones, but we were wrong. The Imperial Elite windows look fantastic. We were even able to duplicate the original pattern of the grilles in living room windows, preserving both the interior look and the curb appeal. Instead of hiring window washers with tall ladders, we can now clean the windows with ease ourselves thanks to the tilt-in feature.
Chloris
Chloris
Rockville, MD
We have done many research on different brands of windows before we decided on SoftLite. We are happy with this decision. They are very stylish windows and easy to open and close.
Steve & Marsha P.
Steve & Marsha P.
Charlotte, NC
We love watching birds and squirrels from our kitchen table and were not able to with our old windows. Now with our new SoftLite windows it's as if there was nothing between us and the birds. And the windows look great. Thanks, Steve & Marsha P.
Laura
Laura
Lake Wylie, SC
We are very pleased with the quality of these windows and doors! We love the low-e coating and are looking forward to the extra saving on our utility bill. We love the quality and craftsmanship of these products. We will definitely be purchasing more and spreading the word to friends and family!
Pamela
Pamela
Evanston, IL
I LOVE my new SoftLite windows! They are so easy to operate and clean and they look AMAZING!
Nancy
Nancy
Peachtree Corners, GA
We are loving our windows so far! Our 40-year-old house had all original windows, which were single-paned and in rather poor shape (some wouldn't open, the ones that would open wouldn't stay open, no screens, etc). Our air conditioner broke at the beginning of the summer and we haven't been able to get it replaced yet, but our new windows have kept the house much cooler during the day and we're able to open them at night, making the summer bearable. We love them!
S.S.
S.S.
Chicago, IL
Replaced our beat up casement windows (half of them didn't open/ close properly and were starting to rot and some were drafty) with double hung. It's so nice to have windows that work, look nice and keep the heat out in the summer and cold out in the winter. We didn't like having to buy new windows for a house that was less than 12 years old (we had only been there for a few years) but it was some of the best money we ever spent!
Jonathan
Jonathan
Charlotte, NC
We love our new windows! Cost effective, energy-efficient and look great to top it all off. Would definitely recommend to friends and family.
Joseph
Joseph
Cornelius, NC
These windows are far superior to what we had and the other windows we have in the house in terms of energy efficiency and quality.
Michael
Michael
Salisbury, NC
"After comparing many brands of vinyl replacement windows such as those found in big box stores, and brands like Pella ( the showroom versión not the Lowe’s product ) Softlite was a superior quality window. They had a very competitive price once installed. We are very happy with the results! it updated our 1965 ranch home home to be energy-efficient and more updated in style and function. The windows feel solid. They open and close well they don’t fall when you open them. This companies windows in the Classic Plus line have great features and a great price point. We never thought replacing windows for the entire home was possible for us till we found the Classic Plus line."
Cathleen
Cathleen
Silver Spring, MD
Beautiful new bay window in my kitchen. I love it and my cats do, too.
Lisa
Lisa
Charlotte, NC
Love these windows. They are so beautiful. Really enhances curb appeal of home. So easy to use. Love the way they function for cleaning too.
Frank and Margie
Frank and Margie
Falls Church, VA
We are very happy with our new windows. They are easy to open and clean and they close and lock securely with very little effort. No more drafts!
Stephanie
Stephanie
Greensboro, NC
We love our new windows. They are more energy-efficient. With the slight tint, we can see outside great but people can’t see in.
Rusell
Rusell
Gaithersburg, MD
I was very pleased with the quality and features of our new Pro series windows. The dealer was equally superb and professional from the sales process through installation.
John
John
Charlotte, NC
The windows look great and I can already tell how well they are working. The house is no longer drafty. I really like how easy they are to open and tilt for cleaning. My only concern is how we will install blinds as the replacement window frame leaves a very shallow space for mounting the blinds.
Paul
Paul
Barefoot Bay, FL
We are very pleased with these windows. The sliding mechanisms are nice & smooth. The picture windows are beautiful. Well done SoftLite!
Jarrod
Jarrod
Gastonia, NC
The windows look and operate wonderfully! We couldn't be more pleased. We were hesitant to replace our old wooden windows in a historical home but the windows we purchased fit in wonderfully! They're very well constructed and we've already noticed a noise and heat/cool transfer reduction.
Nancy
Nancy
Fairborn, OH
We are very satisfied with our windows. The house is warmer and there is less noise from the freeway. They are beautiful windows.
Megan
Megan
New Carlisle, OH
Great windows, great dealership who we purchased them from and completed the installation. Love the updated look to our home.
Kevin
Kevin
Charlotte, NC
After only two weeks of springtime here in the South the windows have made a dramatic difference. The afternoon sun beats down on our house with these new windows I am able to sit at my desk comfortably and the AC has not turned on. They're incredibly easy to lift and lower, my 7 year old can do it without any issues.
Kristin G.
Kristin G.
Kennesaw, GA
I’m so happy with my new windows. They look great! Outside noise has been drastically minimized and I look forward to lower utility bills after replacing the original windows in this 1954 building.
Tony
Tony
Monroe, NC
We are very happy with our windows and they exceeded our expectations!
Katie
Katie
Charlotte, NC
So far I'm LOVING everything about these windows. They're beautiful and efficient!
Natalie
Natalie
Chicago, IL
From my experience with SoftLite windows,I expected the sliding patio door to be wonderful, and it is. The door slides effortlessly, the screen door pull is designed to protect the screen by keeping your fingers away from it, the extra lock is easy to operate with your foot, and the structure of the door is quite airtight.
Pam
Pam
Harrisburg, NC
Thrilled with our new windows! Just installed yesterday and I’ve already noticed a difference in energy use and sound insulation.
Kurt
Kurt
Alexandria, VA
All our windows and doors in our home are now SoftLite - great products - we're very happy with them!
Susan
Susan
Statesville, NC
The windows are very good replicas of the originals without the headaches associated with single pane glass and ropes and weights and make the house look well cared for. Thank you SoftLite.
Tony
Tony
Harrisburg, NC
Love the new windows! Outside noise has been cut down a good deal. We replaced original windows that were 20 plus years old with SoftLite windows. The crew that installed the windows were great and even worked around my crazy work from home, double-shift schedule.
Phyllis
Phyllis
Pineville, NC
Love the new window. Looks beautiful and almost identical to my older windows which is what I was looking for. Could not have been an easier process. Thanks.
Jim
Jim
Matthews, NC
Thanks for the gorgeous upgrade to our rooms. Quiet, comfortable temperature, and beautiful!
Kate
Kate
Charlotte, NC
We love our new windows. They are easy to open and clean. Less noise from outside is a plus too. We'd definitely recommend them to our friends and family.
Dante
Dante
Huntersville, NC
Beautiful windows!! The house is cooler and quieter!
Richard
Richard
Frederick, MD
SoftLite windows have changed our screen porch into a lovely 3 season room.
Steve
Steve
Marshville, NC
We're very happy with our windows, we think we made a wise choice over other competitors.
David
David
Charlotte, NC
Our dealer in NC did a fantastic job representing themselves and SoftLite windows. The windows look great, and have a slightly larger glass area than other lines we considered, which was important to us. I would recommend SoftLite to anyone researching vinyl windows. Excellent value.
Eric
Eric
Chicago, IL
Your casement windows are so beautiful and energy-efficient. The glass lets in tons of light. When open they let in refreshing breezes and when closed they seal out cold air and urban noise.
Dianna
Dianna
Springfield, OH
Love my new windows!
Jorge
Jorge
Germantown, MD
It is so wonderful to be able to see clearly out of our windows and all of a sudden it is a little quieter in our home. Beautiful product and installation.
Aaron
Aaron
Matthews, NC
These windows are incredible! Beautiful and really insulate the house well.
Neil
Neil
Charlotte, NC
Very pleased with my new windows.
Jon
Jon
Harrisburg, NC
I couldn’t be happier with my windows!
Katherine
Katherine
Charlotte, NC
We love our new windows.
Christopher
Christopher
Greensboro, NC
These SoftLite windows were easy to install and the look gives any old house that new modern look.
Crystal
Crystal
Statesville, NC
Finally functional and we can see our back yard for the first time in years!
Frederic
Frederic
Strongsville, OH
These soft light Kingsroyal Glide Patio Doors are everything I anticipated!
Gregory
Gregory
Chicago, IL
Nice high quality windows, as far as I can tell!
Christine
Christine
Gaithersburg, MD
The SoftLite Pro windows are beautiful. I am very happy with them.
William
William
Atlanta, GA
Fantastic job!
Jennifer
Jennifer
Dallastown, PA
Easy to use and look great in our rental property!
Max
Max
Charlotte, NC
SoftLite windows transformed my backyard patio into a sunroom.
James
James
Charlotte, NC
We love our beautiful new SoftLite Windows!
Laurent
Laurent
Reston, VA
Everything was great. Very nice and clean looking windows.
Barney
Barney
Iron Station, NC
Solid product. We were sold on the quality of the materials.
Kenneth
Kenneth
Atlanta, GA
Great looking window.
Brittany
Brittany
New Berlin, WI
We love our new windows. Very affordable and they look so nice. They are not at all drafty like our old windows and the biggest perk to me is the ease of cleaning!
Nick
Nick
Greensboro, NC
Windows look so much better than my old windows.
Daniel
Daniel
Fort Mill, SC
Great window, very happy.
Richard
Richard
Catawaba, NC
These windows look wonderful and the entire experience was better than expected!! Hurray!
Michael
Michael
Charlotte, NC
Looks great!
Suk C.
Suk C.
Fort Mill, SC
The windows look good! Thank you.
Energy Star 2022 Partner of the Year Sustained Excellence award

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