It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that windows are one of the most crucial parts of any home. From the outside, they add to a house’s beauty. From the inside, they allow sunlight to illuminate and warm the interior, while keeping the elements and the bugs outside. Windows come in many different sizes, shapes and styles with frames composed of various materials. Some of the most common types of windows found on homes in Minnesota include:

• Single-hung: A common type of window consisting of a fixed upper sash and a lower sash that opens by sliding or pivoting upward. Single-hung windows are generally cheap to install but don’t provide very good ventilation.
• Double-hung: The most common type of window in American homes, they have an upper and lower sash which can both be opened. Double-hung windows will provide your home with great airflow but tend to be more expensive than single-hung windows.
• Casement: These windows may have one or two sashes and open up by swinging out horizontally using a crank. Casement windows are great because they provide good ventilation and visibility but their cranks are known to fail over time.
• Awning: Similar to casement windows, these windows have a single sash which opens by pivoting upward using a crank. Awning windows are good for allowing air flow even on rainy days but they can be tough to clean.

Because of the extreme weather conditions in Minnesota, it’s important to install windows that will stand up to the elements while still providing you with great visibility and allowing sunlight to warm your house naturally. If you’re seeking some of the best window brands available in Minnesota, these are A-1 Restoration’s recommendations:

Best Window Manufacturers

• Pella – The Pella Corporation was founded by Pete Kuyper in 1925 and has its headquarters in the small city of Pella, Iowa. In the near-century since Pella started out making Rolscreeninsect-proof window screens, they have risen to become one of the most prominent manufacturers of doors and windows in the United States, with 17 manufacturing plants and over 200showrooms. Pella has more than 150 patents for window and door design, and has received numerous accolades, including being listed among Fortune Magazine’s 100 Best Companies To Work For and Forbes America’s Best Large Employers of the Year. Among Pella’s innovations are EnduraClad, an aluminum cladding laid over the wooden frames of windows to make them durable enough to survive Minnesota winters. Pella also treats all of its wooden windows with EnduraGuard, a special formula which protects them against decay. More recently, Pella developed the Easy-Slide Operator for casement and awning windows, eliminating the need for a crank. This innovative hardware was awarded both Best in Show and Best Window & Door Product at the 2021 International Builders’ Show.

• Kolbe – Kolbe Windows & Doors was founded by brothers Herb and Ervin Kolbe in 1946 and is headquartered in the city of Wausau, Wisconsin. In their 75 years in business, Kolbe has built a reputation for high-quality craftsmanship and extensive customization options for their windows and doors, and now sells its products through hundreds of distributors in the United States and Canada. Kolbe’s tagline is “We’re for the visionaries”, emphasizing their commitment to creative and innovative product design. Kolbe is known for its premium product lines such as VistaLuxe, which emphasizes large windows with narrow aluminum frames that allow daylight to flood homes, and the Heritage Series, which features wooden windows with a historically accurate look that are available in many varieties. Kolbe’s Forgent Series windows make use of Glastra, a fiberglass and polymer hybrid which is durable enough to withstand even the worst of Minnesota weather.
• Crestline – Crestline Windows & Doors is based in the town of Medford, Wisconsin. Since its founding, Crestline has developed a reputation for manufacturing high-quality windows and doors using energy-efficient practices, and the company is an Energy Star partner. Among Crestline’s premier products are Select 350 vinyl windows, which are specially designed to filter UV rays and insulate against both heat and cold, and Elite Clad windows, which have an aluminum clad exterior and a solid wood interior for maximum durability and visual appeal.

A-1 Window Replacements in the Twin Cities

When the time comes for your old windows to go, you’ll want to install top-tier replacements that are built to handle Minnesota weather while still perfectly complimenting the style of your home. A-1 Restoration is dedicated to providing our customers with the best windows on the market, and that’s why we work closely with Pella, Kolbe and Crestline to ensure our valued customers receive windows that are a cut above the rest. Contact A-1 Restoration today for window repair and replacement services in the greater Twin Cities area!