Jessica Wimmer is a writer for USA TODAY Homefront. She specializes in writing reviews and informational articles in the home and pet insurance industries. Jessica analyzes the best brands and has read over 1,000 customer reviews to learn what matters most to buyers. She’s been published in Deep South Magazine, The Dead Mule Journal of Southern Literature and The Deep Water Literary Journal. She’s also a Pushcart Prize nominee, Write Well award winner and former English teacher. Jessica hails from Virginia but currently resides in the Raleigh, North Carolina area.
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Simonton Windows & Doors is a window manufacturer that has been awarded for energy efficiency multiple years in a row. It also offers one of the largest selections of window styles and lines available today. You can find everything from the most durable, energy-efficient double-hung windows to specialty shapes designed to enhance your home’s character.
Regardless, we take issue with some aspects of the company, particularly its lack of in-house installers and mixed customer reviews.
Our Simonton windows review looks at the company’s product selection, warranty policy, customer feedback, pricing and more to help you gauge whether it’s right for you. If it’s not, you can check out our list of top window brands.
We put Simonton to the test using our rating methodology, which includes factors such as the number of window styles, customization options, customer service and warranty coverage. We rated Simonton 4.0 out of 5 stars.
Simonton’s windows and doors are available at retailers such as Home Depot and through dealers across the U.S. and Canada. The company doesn’t have in-house installation services but offers various window types and Energy Star-approved features.
The first thing we look for with any window brand is energy efficiency. The windows you invest in should regulate your home’s temperature and lower your monthly electric bill. Energy Star has recognized several Simonton window models as Most Efficient for the last few years, and all products are Energy Star-certified. That certification means they’ve gone through rigorous performance testing.
We also like that Simonton tests its products for safety to ensure they’re as resistant as possible to forced entry. They’re also designed to resist wind, rain and sun damage.
Simonton leaves window installation to dealers and contractors as opposed to window brands that have in-house installers, such as Renewal by Andersen and Champion.
Simonton isn’t the only brand that manufactures its windows but doesn’t sell them directly. However, we prefer keeping all aspects of your purchase under one roof to lessen communication issues and to have one warranty provider. The company does have a designated list of professionals with experience installing Simonton windows.
In addition, Simonton doesn’t offer a labor warranty for its windows. This is because Simonton doesn’t provide installation services; it requires you to source your own contractor. Other window brands we’ve reviewed include a labor warranty alongside their window material warranty.
Simonton offers many window styles and energy-efficient features, but its lack of in-house labor warranty coverage and framing material options earns it a lower score than many competitors.
Simonton has an A+ rating and a low customer rating of 1.2 out of 5 stars on the Better Business Bureau (BBB). In our experience, window companies have poor reviews on BBB because customers use the site to file complaints. We found higher ratings on Google Reviews for Simonton’s local branches. Markeiya T. left a review on Google Reviews about the personable customer service she received from a Simonton representative while checking on her order.
Some customers cite the opposite, though. We read reviews across sites that pointed to window parts easily breaking and fading, poor customer service and difficulty getting things replaced despite being under warranty.
Skip L. told BBB, “I have been working over six months to get a warranty on one of their windows. I have left numerous voicemails with no return calls. I asked to talk to a supervisor and they act the same as their employees.”
One thing Simonton has is choices. The brand sells nine window styles and has more than a dozen replacement window lines and four new construction window lines. Although many competitors have eight to 12 styles, hardly any have this many lines to choose from.
Simonton has a robust collection of window replacement lines with varying features and strengths. You can choose from the following:
Your home builder has access to four new construction lines, including the following:
Simonton has most popular window styles you’d expect to see:
One drawback to Simonton is that it only uses one window material: vinyl. If you’re looking for more high-end or architectural options, this isn’t the right brand for you.
Simonton only manufactures vinyl window frames, but the good news is that vinyl is a great option for window construction. It’s durable, long-lasting, affordable and easily customizable. However, it’s not as heavy-duty as fiberglass, as modern as aluminum, or as warm and classic as wood. You won’t find these popular window material options in any of Simonton’s lines.
If you prefer other material options, such as fiberglass or wood, we recommend looking at Renewal by Andersen or Pella.
Simonton produces double- and triple-pane windows, so you have some choice in insulation. Triple-pane windows will be a better investment if you live in a colder climate with harsh winters since the extra glass layer further blocks air leakage.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) changing energy standards over the last few years now encourage more triple-pane window installation for great energy efficiency and noise reduction. A study from the DOE’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory also found that upgrading from double-pane to triple-pane windows can improve a home’s energy efficiency by 40% or more.
Simonton has been an Energy Star partner since 1999. This certification means its products undergo rigorous independent testing verified by the National Fenestration Rating Council and meet strict energy guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Some of Simonton’s energy-efficiency features include the following:
We surveyed 1,500 window customers in October 2023 and learned that those who bought Simonton windows spent between $11,346 and $19,836, depending on the size of the window project. Note that this is not per window but rather how much customers spent on their total window project with the company.
According to Home Depot, most standard vinyl window styles cost between $800 and $1,400. That includes the window, permit, installation labor and estimated tax. Larger window styles, such as bay windows, can cost as much as $6,000. Your window price range will vary depending on the size, amount and type of window you get.
Expect larger windows, such as bays and bows, to cost more. Customizations, such as nonstandard paint colors or hardware options, will also increase the price.
The best way to see what your window project will cost is to get a quote. Since Simonton is a manufacturer and not a direct seller, you’ll need an estimate from the retailer or contractor you plan to buy from. You can typically do this over the phone, but you may get a more precise estimate by having an in-home consultation.
Again, since you’re not purchasing directly from Simonton, your financing options will come from the source you buy through. Many retailers and installation companies offer payment plans, and some even partner with banks to get you a loan. If you don’t have these options, you can talk to your bank about a home equity loan or another loan type that best fits the size of your purchase.
The installation process you experience depends on your installer, but most installation crews do the following:
We recommend asking your installer what the process will look like before your installation date.
The company’s warranty policy varies by collection. Generally, its warranty covers vinyl, hardware, screens and glass units for the product’s lifetime. This is a double lifetime warranty, meaning you can pass it to new owners one time if you sell your home, as long as you’ve registered the warranty.
Keep in mind that Simonton doesn’t cover labor-related issues. You’ll need to get a labor warranty from your installer. For example, if part of your window breaks due to poor installation workmanship, Simonton won’t cover it.
Simonton offers a vast variety of window types and window lines to choose from, ranging from budget-friendly single-hung to custom specialty shape windows. The company also features a comprehensive resources section on its website that gives tips on the window buying and selection process.
If you’re looking for budget-friendly vinyl windows, Simonton’s selection is worth considering. However, Simonton won’t extend a labor warranty. Therefore, make sure to read the warranty carefully and get labor coverage from your installer in case of an issue.
We recommend getting quotes from at least three window companies to compare pricing before deciding and reading customer reviews to gauge whether a company is right for you.
Our aim is to provide you with the information you need to assess and choose a window company when updating or replacing your windows. We conducted research to thoroughly understand the window industry from both a consumer and company perspective.
Our in-depth methodology compares window companies based on various attributes, including window options, energy efficiency, warranties, reputation, reviews, customer service, communication, installation and other services. Each attribute is worth points that add up to a possible total of 100. We then translate that score into our 5-star rating we feature in our reviews.
BBB and Google Review ratings are accurate as of March 2024.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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