We install vinyl replacement windows, custom-sized to each opening in your home and professionally installed. Every common style is available, along with a range of glass, color and grid options, and many configurations qualify for ENERGY STAR. This post walks through what we offer, how you choose among the options, and what happens from the first visit to the day the crew packs up.
Why we focus on vinyl
Vinyl suits the Austin climate: it does not conduct heat like metal, so frames stay comfortable on summer afternoons, and it does not rot, swell or need paint like wood. That combination gives most homeowners a window that performs well and asks almost nothing of them for upkeep. Nobody has to spend a Saturday in August scraping and repainting window frames.
The styles we install
Each style solves a different problem, and most houses end up with a mix.
Double-hung
Both sashes move up and down, and both tilt in so you can clean the outside glass from inside the room. A good choice for traditional homes and for second-floor rooms where reaching the outside of the glass would mean a ladder.
Single-hung
The bottom sash moves and the top stays fixed. It has the classic look of a hung window with a simpler mechanism, and it is common in Central Texas tract homes.
Double slider
Two panels glide sideways. It fits the wide, short openings found in many ranch-style and suburban homes.
Casement
Hinged on the side and opened with a crank. Easy to operate when you have to reach across a counter, and the sash presses tightly against the frame when closed.
Awning
Hinged at the top so it opens outward from the bottom. Often used in bathrooms, above kitchen backsplashes and in combination with larger fixed windows.
Picture
A fixed window with no moving parts, built for maximum glass and a clean view. Many homeowners pair one with operating windows on each side.
Garden
A small glass box that projects out from the wall, usually over a kitchen sink, with a shelf for plants.
Specialty shape
Arches, half-rounds, triangles and other custom shapes for entries, stairwells and gable ends.
You can see photos and more detail for each style on our replacement windows page.
Choices you make for each window
Once the style is settled, a handful of decisions shape how the window looks and performs.
Glass package
Insulated glass with a low-E coating is the core of an efficient window. Different coatings handle sun and heat differently, so we recommend glass based on which way the wall faces and how the room is used. A west-facing bedroom and a shaded north bathroom may not need the same thing. If noise from a nearby road or flight path bothers you, tell us, because some glass options do a better job with sound.
Frame color
White is the classic choice, and other colors are offered depending on the style; ask what is available for the windows you like. The color is part of the vinyl itself, so there is nothing to repaint. If you have an HOA, bring its exterior guidelines to the appointment so we can stay inside them.
Grids
Grids, sometimes called muntins, divide the glass into smaller panes for a traditional look. On many configurations they can be set between the panes of glass so they never need dusting. Patterns range from simple to detailed. Many homeowners keep the grid style consistent on the street-facing side and skip grids at the back of the house to keep the view open.
Screens and hardware
Screens matter in a region where people like to open the windows on spring and fall evenings. Ask about screen coverage for each style. Locks and handles come in finishes that can match your door hardware.
Obscure glass
Textured glass for bathrooms and street-facing rooms lets in light while blocking a clear view in.
What happens before install day
It starts with a free in-home estimate. One of our team visits, looks at each opening and talks with you about what is and is not working with your current windows. We measure, note the condition of the frames and sills, and explain the options that fit each spot. You get a written price, and you decide on your own schedule.
If you go ahead, exact sizes are confirmed before the windows are ordered. Each window is built to fit its specific opening, so accurate measurements matter. If your home is in a City of Austin local historic district or an HOA requires approval, that paperwork should be sorted before the order is placed.
Getting your house ready
A little preparation makes install day go faster and keeps your things out of harm’s way.
- Take down blinds, curtains and rods from the windows being replaced, or ask us ahead of time how they will be handled.
- Move furniture, lamps and anything fragile a few feet back from each window, inside and out.
- Clear shelves and wall hangings near the windows, since removing an old unit can cause some vibration.
- Turn off lawn sprinklers that hit the walls being worked on.
- Plan for pets to stay in a closed room or out of the house, since doors and openings will be open during the day.
- Unlock gates and make sure the crew can reach every side of the house.
If something cannot be moved, such as a built-in cabinet or a heavy piano, let us know in advance so the crew can plan around it.
What install day looks like
Our installers arrive, walk through the job with you and lay down protection over floors and furniture near each window. Then they work through the house opening by opening.
- The old sash and any parts that need to go are removed carefully to limit damage to walls and trim.
- The opening is cleaned and checked for rot, water damage or movement. Clay soils in parts of the metro make some houses shift, so openings are checked for square.
- The new window is set, shimmed, leveled and fastened.
- Gaps around the frame are insulated, and the exterior is sealed against water and air.
- Trim is finished inside and out.
- The installer tests the window, opening and closing it and checking the locks.
When the last window is in, the crew cleans up and hauls away the old windows and debris. Before they leave, we walk the house with you, show you how to operate and clean each style, and answer any questions.
Caring for your new windows
Vinyl windows need very little. Wash the frames with mild soap and water a few times a year. Vacuum the tracks on sliders and hung windows, especially after cedar pollen season or nearby construction, when dust and grit build up fast. Keep the small drainage openings at the bottom of the frame clear so rainwater can escape. Avoid harsh solvents or abrasive pads, which can scratch the surface. That is about it.
Warranty and paying for the project
Our windows come with double lifetime warranty options. The coverage depends on the product and the written terms, so ask us to go through them with you for the windows you choose.
If you want to spread out the cost, financing is available to approved customers. We are happy to explain how it works during your estimate.
Beyond windows
Many homeowners tackle more than one opening at a time. We also install entry doors, French doors, patio doors and storm doors, along with siding, patio covers and gutters. Handling several projects with one company keeps the look consistent and saves you from coordinating several crews.
See the windows in person
The best way to judge a window is to open and close one yourself. We bring samples to your home during a free in-home estimate. Call The Window Source of Austin at (512) 524-9455, Monday through Friday from 9am to 5:30pm, to set up a visit.