If you're looking into window replacement for your Austin home, you've probably got a lot of questions. Which brand should you pick? How long does the project take? What's actually covered under warranty? This guide answers the questions we hear most often at JP Exteriors, whether you're replacing a single damaged window after a hail storm or re-doing every window in the house.

We install the top names in the industry, including Andersen, Pella, Marvin, Simonton, MI Windows, and NT Windows, so we can honestly match the right product to your budget, your home's style, and Austin's climate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a window replacement project take?

For most Austin homes, a full-house window replacement takes one to three days on-site once the windows arrive. Single window or small retrofits can often be knocked out in a few hours. The longer piece of the timeline is actually the manufacturing and lead time, which varies by brand:

  • Andersen (400 Series, A-Series, E-Series): typically 4 to 8 weeks
  • Pella (Lifestyle, Reserve, Impervia): typically 4 to 10 weeks
  • Marvin (Essentials, Elevate, Ultimate, Modern): typically 6 to 12 weeks
  • Simonton, MI, NT: often quicker, around 3 to 6 weeks
    • Window Replacement in Austin: Your Complete Q&A Guide

Custom sizes, specialty shapes, and premium finishes can push those numbers longer. We always confirm realistic lead times before you sign so there are no surprises.

Which window brand should I choose?

There's no single "best" brand, it depends on what you care about most. Here's how we typically talk about the major lines:


  • Andersen: A household name with strong mid-tier and premium options. The 400 Series is the workhorse, and the A-Series is top of the line with a fiberglass exterior and wood interior.

  • Pella: Great style range. The Lifestyle Series is a solid mid-tier wood window, the Reserve line is their high-end traditional or contemporary option, and Impervia is their fiberglass offering built for durability.
  • Marvin: Premium across the board. Essentials is the entry point, Elevate adds wood interiors, Ultimate is their flagship wood line, and Modern gives you the clean contemporary aluminum-clad look.
  • Simonton, MI, and NT: Reliable vinyl options that offer excellent value, especially when budget is the primary driver. NT Presidential and NT Executive are popular choices in the Austin market.

Your salesperson at JP Exteriors will walk you through the real differences between these lines so you're not overpaying for features you won't use, or underbuying and regretting it in five years.

What's covered under the warranty?

There are actually two warranties you should understand:

Manufacturer warranty (the big one): This covers the windows themselves, including glass seal failure, frame defects, and hardware issues. Coverage varies by brand:

​

  • Andersen: 20-year glass, 10-year non-glass (transferable once)
  • Pella: Limited lifetime on most products, 20-year glass seal
  • Marvin: 20-year glass, 10-year non-glass
  • Simonton, MI, NT: Limited lifetime on the vinyl frame, 20-year glass seal

JP Exteriors workmanship warranty: We cover the installation itself. If anything related to how we installed the window goes wrong, we come back and fix it, no fine print games, no blaming the manufacturer.

Hold on to your paperwork and keep us in your contacts. Both warranties are useless if you can't reach anyone when something goes wrong, which is a real problem with fly-by-night installers.

Do I really need tempered glass?

Tempered glass is required by code in certain locations, and it's one of the things we check carefully on every quote. Code generally requires tempered glass in:


​

  • Windows within 24 inches of a door
  • Windows within 18 inches of the floor (so most floor-to-ceiling or low-sill windows)
  • Any window in or next to a bathtub, shower, or pool area
  • Windows on stair landings

Skipping tempered where code requires it is not just a safety issue, it's a failed inspection and a problem when you sell the house. Every reputable brand, Andersen, Pella, Marvin, Simonton, MI, NT, offers tempered as an upgrade, and we price it in automatically where code calls for it.

How much does window replacement cost in Austin?

Ballpark per-window pricing installed, based on what we see regularly:

Window Replacement in Austin: Your Complete Q&A Guide

​

  • Vinyl (NT, Simonton, MI): roughly $800 to $1,000 per window
  • Fiberglass (Andersen 100 Series, Pella Impervia, Marvin Essentials): roughly $1,000 to $1,500 per window
  • Aluminum-clad wood (Andersen A-Series, Pella Reserve, Marvin Ultimate, Marvin Modern): $2,000+ per window

Those ranges assume standard sizes and no major trim or structural work. Larger custom windows, picture windows, and specialty shapes (round-top, geometric, etc.) push things higher. The real answer comes from a free in-home measure and quote, which we're happy to do.

What's the difference between a retrofit and a full-frame replacement?


​

  • Retrofit (insert) replacement: We leave your existing window frame in place and slide a new window unit into it. Faster, less expensive, and no damage to your interior or exterior trim. Works great when your existing frames are in solid condition.
  • Full-frame replacement: We remove the entire window down to the rough opening and start fresh. Necessary when there's rot, water damage, or you want to change the window size. More invasive, but the only right call if the existing frame is compromised.

We'll tell you straight up which one your home actually needs. If a retrofit works, we're not going to upsell you into a full-frame job.

Are energy-efficient windows worth it in Austin?

For Austin's climate, absolutely. Look for:

Window Replacement in Austin: Your Complete Q&A Guide

​

  • Low-E glass coatings (almost standard now, but double-check)
  • Argon gas fills between the panes
  • Dual or triple pane (triple is overkill for most Austin homes, but great for street-facing rooms where you want noise reduction too)
  • ENERGY STAR certification for our climate zone

All the major brands, Andersen, Pella, Marvin, offer the upgrade packages that make real differences on your electric bill in July and August. The payback period varies, but most customers see 10-20% reductions in cooling costs with a proper energy-efficient package.

What about hail damage and storm replacements?

Austin gets hammered by hail more than most parts of the country, and window damage is one of the most commonly missed items on insurance claims. If you've had a recent hail event in your area, we offer free inspections to check for cracked panes, broken seals, and frame damage.

We work with all major insurance carriers and can help document damage properly so the claim goes through. If you're unsure whether your windows were hit, get an inspection before the claim window closes, most policies have strict time limits.

Do you handle HOA approvals and permits?

Yes. We pull permits when required and can provide you with the spec sheets, color samples, and drawings your HOA needs for approval. This is especially common in Austin neighborhoods with strict architectural review boards. Planning for HOA approval adds about 2-4 weeks to the front end of the project, so factor that in.

Get Started with a Free Consultation

Ready to upgrade your windows?​