Looking for the best replacement windows by Consumer Reports? The study is based on a huge amount of data from window manufacturers, energy ratings from the NFRC (National Fenestration Ratings Council), and testing.
Best Replacement Windows Consumer Reports
1. Best Wood Clad Window – Marvin Clad Ultimate. Consumer reports rated this wood window the highest in its category, giving it an 88 out of 100.
See what past customers say – Marvin windows reviews.
2. Best Vinyl Window – Survivor Reliabilt 5600. CR rated this vinyl window the highest in its category, giving it a 73 out of 100.
See what past customers say – Survivor Windows reviews.
3. Best Fiberglass Windows – Pella Impervia CR rated this fiberglass window the highest in its category, giving it an 87 out of 100. This was the only fiberglass frame tested.
Find out what other customers say – Pella window reviews.
Best Vinyl Windows Consumer Reports
Vinyl replacement windows are often chosen by homeowners due to their more affordable price, despite wood’s overall better ratings. Vinyl makes up more than half of all replacement windows sold in the U.S. due to lower pricing and their energy efficient benefits. Here is the complete Consumer Reports vinyl window ratings, which are based out of a possible 100 points.
Survivor Reliabilt 5600 (from Lowe’s)
CR Window Ratings: 73
Price: $180
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Very Good
Resistance At 70 Degress: Very Good
Rain Resistance: Very Good
Durability: Very Good
Convenience: Excellence
Alside UltraMaxx Replacement
CR Window Grade: 70
Price: $395
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Very Good
Resistance At 70 Degress: Very Good
Rain Resistance: Good
Durability: Excellent
Convenience: Excellent
American Craftsman 9500 Series (from Home Depot)
CR Window Ratings: 69
Price: $220
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Very Good
Resistance At 70 Degress: Very Good
Rain Resistance: Very Good
Durability: Very Good
Convenience: Excellent
CertainTeed Bryn Mawr II
CR Window Grade: 63
Price: $250
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Very Good
Resistance At 70 Degress: Very Good
Rain Resistance: Very Good
Durability: Very Good
Convenience: Excellent
CertainTeed New Castle XT (Similar to Bryn Mawr II)
CR Window Ratings: 63
Price: $250
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Very Good
Resistance At 70 Degress: Very Good
Rain Resistance: Very Good
Durability: Very Good
Convenience: Excellent
Crestline CrestFit Vinyl
CR Window Grade: 61
Price: $255
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Very Good
Resistance At 70 Degress: Very Good
Rain Resistance: Good
Durability: Excellent
Convenience: Good
Pella ThermaStar 25 Series
CR Window Ratings: 44
Price: $215
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Poor
Resistance At 70 Degress: Poor
Rain Resistance: Very Good
Durability: Excellent
Convenience: Very Good
Best Replacement Windows Consumer Reports For Wood Frames
In general, the Consumer Reports top rated replacement windows were wood windows. They were significantly more expensive than vinyl, (although more comparably priced to fiberglass) but they performed better in testing. They kept out air and water better when new and maintained their performance better over the long run.
Marvin Clad Ultimate
CR Window Grade: 88
Price: $400
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Excellent
Resistance At 70 Degress: Excellent
Rain Resistance: Excellent
Durability: Excellent
Convenience: Good
Marvin Wood Ultrex Integrity
CR Window Ratings: 87
Price: $315
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Excellent
Resistance At 70 Degress: Excellent
Rain Resistance: Excellent
Durability: Excellent
Convenience: Very Good
Andersen 400 Series Tilt-Wash
CR Window Grade: 85
Price: $350
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Excellent
Resistance At 70 Degress: Excellent
Rain Resistance: Excellent
Durability: Very Good
Convenience: Good
Pella ProLine
CR Window Ratings: 82
Price: $215
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Excellent
Resistance At 70 Degress: Excellent
Rain Resistance: Very Good
Durability: Very Good
Convenience: Good
Andersen 200 Series Tilt-Wash
CR Window Grade: 80
Price: $235
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Excellent
Resistance At 70 Degress: Excellent
Rain Resistance: Excellent
Durability: Good
Convenience: Good
Pella Designer Series Precision Fit
CR Window Ratings: 79
Price: $600
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Very Good
Resistance At 70 Degress: Excellent
Rain Resistance: Excellent
Durability: Very Good
Convenience: Good
Peachtree 500 Series
CR Window Grade: 76
Price: $350
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Very Good
Resistance At 70 Degress: Excellent
Rain Resistance: Very Good
Durability: Very Good
Convenience: Very Good
Crestline Select Clad
CR Window Ratings: 66
Price: $340
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Very Good
Resistance At 70 Degress: Very Good
Rain Resistance: Fair
Durability: Very Good
Convenience: Good
Weather Shield Weather Shield
CR Window Grade: 56
Price: $395
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Poor
Resistance At 70 Degress: Very Good
Rain Resistance: Excellent
Durability: Good
Convenience: Good
Weather Shield Custom Shield
CR Window Ratings: 56
Price: $395
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Poor
Resistance At 70 Degress: Very Good
Rain Resistance: Excellent
Durability: Good
Convenience: Good
JELD-WEN Premium Wood Tradition Plus
CR Window Grade: 50
Price: $360
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Poor
Resistance At 70 Degress: Very Good
Rain Resistance: Very Good
Durability: Very Good
Convenience: Very Good
Best Replacement Windows Consumer Reports For Fiberglass
Pella Impervia
CR Window Ratings: 87
Price: $255
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Excellent
Resistance At 70 Degress: Excellent
Rain Resistance: Very Good
Durability: Excellence
Convenience: Very Good
Consumer Reports Windows Testing
The Consumer Reports windows findings offer objective ratings based on testing and actual findings, a welcome option compared with the many sales pitches delivered by the variety of replacement window installers and manufacturers all vying for our business.
Window Ratings From Consumer Reports
For each test they perform, they look at a selection of wood, vinyl and fiberglass windows. Factors tested include durability, air and rain resistance, convenience of installation and use, and overall value. The magazine requires that replacement window brands be submitted anonymously, so if a manufacturer is not willing to do so, their windows cannot be included in the testing. Windows tested typically cover a wide price range and offer a variety of different options.
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