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The Window Source

The Window Source believes that local family-owned businesses, supported by industry leaders with more than 40 years of operating experience, are an ideal combination for a company that values providing high-quality customer service, exterior home-improvement products at the best prices possible.

About Us

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February 4, 2022

Which is Better: Builder Grade or Custom Windows?

Builder-grade windows are an expensive, cost-cutting mistake for new homes. Custom windows will save you money on heating and cooling bills now and avoid replacing windows in the future.

What is the Difference between Builder Grade and Custom Windows?

Builder-grade windows look great when they are new. Fast forward 5-10 years and builder-grade windows may begin to look and perform very differently. The terms builder-grade windows and contractor windows refer to stripped-down, lower-quality windows. Builders and land developers purchase low-end windows to cut costs. Sure, brand new builder-grade windows look great in a brand new house. However, builder-grade windows fall short in meeting the minimal energy-efficiency, Energy Star standards. Additionally, they are typically made with standard-grade materials and parts. Builder-grade windows typically begin to fail within 5-10 years of installation. A builder-grade windows warranty is usually prorated within a 10 year period or is not even offered. Cutting costs with builder-grade windows in your new home now means spending more on heating & cooling costs and eventually spending more replacing the windows.

Characteristics of Builder Grade Windows:

  • Seals fail prematurely - often many windows seals will fail at the same time
  • Hardware rusts and breaks down faster
  • Operating parts become difficult to move
  • Usually only meet minimum energy-efficiency standards
  • Glass may become less clear over time
  • UV protection is little or nonexistent - furniture fading or damage is preventable
  • Installation is often done by the builder rather than a master window installer
  • Screening is minimal or nonexistent
  • 10 year prorated warranty or nonexistent warranty

Characteristics of Custom Windows:

  • Custom measured and ordered for your home
  • NFRC energy-efficient performance rating
  • Double and triple pane insulated glass units
  • Exterior & interior color options
  • Glass coatings
  • Inert gas fills
  • Grill options
  • Premium vinyl
  • Hardware options
  • Professionally installed
  • Lifetime warranty

Premium Grade Custom Windows

Premium-grade windows are the best windows that a window manufacturer has to offer and are custom ordered for your home. The homeowner is able to choose windows with glass and color options that match their aesthetic preferences as well as energy-efficiency requirements. The Window Source offers a lifetime warranty on custom-ordered windows.  To keep an already complex building process under control, very few builders offer premium, custom-grade windows as an option. Savvy new homeowners choose to upgrade to energy-efficient custom windows to save on heating & cooling bills and avoid replacement windows costs. Call The Window Source to learn more about the features and benefits of using high-quality windows from the start.

The WIndow SOurce Presence

Trusted With Homeowners Across The U.S.

Find your local Window Source location and experience why thousands of homeowners trust us with their most important investment.
  • "“The company to use if your needing window replacement, Fair pricing and honest fast work.”
    Tom R.
    Georgia
  • "Fantastic Company and true to their word! The crew was so professional and polite. We had our entire house of windows done and it only took 2 days..."
    Jennifer R.
    New Hampshire
  • "We had all the windows and the front and back exterior doors replaced in our home. It could not have gone more perfectly. The owner and the crew were all super nice and did a superb job. Very happy customers!!"
    Becky D.
    Oklahoma
  • “Excellent service, product, and less than half the price of the other 2 estimates I had. Installer cleaned up after himself and was very professional.”
    Ian G.
    Oklahoma
  • “Quality windows at an affordable price. Love our windows! Talked to several companies, but The Window Source offered top notch windows at the best price. Sales and installation crew were very nice, knowledgeable and professional. They did a great job.”
    M.K.
    Oklahoma