Vinyl Replacement Windows & Window Installation

measuring for replacement windows

Vinyl replacement windows are one of the least intrusive remodeling projects you can do — and replacing your windows can increase your home’s value.

The professionals at Midwest Builders are central Iowa’s vinyl window replacement experts. Based in Ankeny and with a service area that includes Des Moines, Ames, Johnston, Marshalltown and more, our team offers both windows specially designed for Iowa’s climate and installation services to ensure your windows are properly installed. 

Our expert Midwest Builders team can typically install new windows in your entire home in a matter of a day. 

You will be amazed at the difference new windows will make to your home. It will end the drafts and keep the cost of heating and cooling your home to a minimum.

Read More About Our Vinyl Replacement Windows

Midwest Builders Offers Custom-Made Comfort Zone Vinyl Replacement Windows

Midwest Builders is the only Iowa dealer selling custom-made Comfort Zone vinyl windows. Our custom-designed Comfort Zone windows are cost-efficient and built with Iowa’s four-season climate in mind.

Midwest Builders’ knowledgeable staff members can come to your residents to learn about your window needs and work with you to ensure our vinyl replacement windows fall within your budget.


Signs You Need Replacement Windows

Infographic showing signs you need to replace your windows

Are your home’s aging windows showing signs of wear? Not sure if they should be replaced? Here are a few warning signs to look out for:

Evidence of Rot 

Have you noticed the wood frame around your window has softened? Can you spot other tell-tale signs of rot?

If so, it is definitely time to replace those windows.

Older homes with wooden windows are more susceptible to rot due to moisture build-up over time. If the rotted windows are not replaced in a timely manner, rot can eventually spread through the walls.

Where there is rot, mold can follow. This not only presents a health issue but also can cause damage to the structural parts of the home as well.

Cracked Window Panes or Frames

While you can repair some kinds of damage to windows, cracks in the window sash or frame and warped windows need to be replaced, not just repaired.

Not only are damaged or cracked windows and window frames an eyesore, but they can allow all sorts of unwanted things to enter your home, ranging from water to the various types of insects that call our area home.

These cracks also let in the hot air in the summer and cold air in the winter. And that costs you money in heating or cooling bills.

Condensation Forming Between Window Panes

Have you noticed a haziness on your windows that you can’t wipe off from either the inside or the outside?

That is condensation, and if it forms between the panes of the window, it is a sign of damage to the seal between the panes.

This problem is typically exclusive to double or triple-paned windows. If the windows are not properly sealed, not only will the condensation affect the windows’ clarity but the windows also can’t perform as they should. Consider replacing these windows to avoid further problems.

Windows Stick Or Won’t Stay Open

If your windows are constantly falling down or need to be propped up to stay open, it’s probably time to replace them. The same applies if they get stuck and won’t open or close.

Over time, the process of opening and closing your windows over and over will carve tiny grooves into the frame. Eventually, these grooves could evolve into cracks in the frame and might cause the window to stick when you try to open or close it.

While this wear and tear is normal, it also is a sign the windows are reaching the end of their life span.

Drafts Coming In From The Windows

Quality, good-condition windows will prevent air from entering your home when closed and will also keep inside air from seeping outside.

So when you start to notice drafts coming from your windows, it might be time to replace them.

Weatherstripping and caulking help but can only go so far. If the problem persists, full window replacement is the best option.

Windows Are Old

Like everything else in your house, windows have a lifespan. In general, windows should be replaced every 15-20 years. 

You also sometimes get what you pay for. Low-quality windows may need to be replaced more often, even if the home is newer.

If your windows’ lifespan is coming to an end, it might be time to be proactive and get them replaced, especially since some older windows might not appropriately block UV rays, exposing you to potential sunburn or skin damage even inside the home and causing carpet, furniture, and other textiles to fade faster.


Benefits of Vinyl Replacement Windows

Save On Heating & Cooling Costs

While a window might seem like just a pane of glass, the technology behind them has improved significantly in recent years, especially in the area of energy efficiency.

Windows are responsible for 25% to 30% of a home’s heating and cooling use, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

If you are replacing single-pane windows with new double-pane vinyl windows, you could save from $100 to $500 per year. Even replacing old-style double-pane windows with new ones can save you at least $100.

These savings accumulate with each new winter of heating and summer of air-conditioning. In addition, you are contributing to the overall savings in energy usage, which benefits everyone.

Woman cleaning windows with a spray bottle and cloth

Easier To Clean & Maintain

Cleaning and maintaining windows can range from labor-intensive to just plain awkward depending on their location. Thankfully, you can solve some of those problems by updating them.

Vinyl replacement windows require practically no maintenance, especially in comparison to wooden windows and storm windows which require the most. In addition to taking the storm window on and off each year and storing them in the off-season, you must scrape and paint both them and the primary windows every few years.

Even aluminum windows require special cleaning and maintenance because they tend to corrode during the winter months.

Also, because of their design, your new vinyl windows are much easier to clean than traditional windows. You no longer will need to lift the storms up and down to clean the insides, nor will you need a ladder to clean the outsides. All you need to do is tilt the window inward, and you can access both sides of the window at the same time.

The vinyl frames and inserts are also easy to clean with a little household cleaner.

Add Beauty & Value To Your Home

Wanting to freshen up the look of your house? New vinyl windows definitely enhance the appearance of your home. They never corrode or require painting or staining and come in a variety of styles to make your home look its best. Plus, as mentioned earlier, it is much easier to keep them clean to prevent a dingy look.

exterior front entry way of brick and stone home with new vinyl windows

This might be of particular value if you are making some drastic renovations and the current windows will no longer match the style of your home. Windows that do not match the home’s style will stick out like a sore thumb. On the flip side, matching windows add a great visual appeal to a home.

Because of all their benefits — and curb appeal — new windows also add to your home’s value. According to Angie’s List recommended remodeling projects, you can expect at least a 70% return on investment with new replacement windows. This is on top of the energy saving you experience while you are living there. In some cases, newer windows are also safer for families with children, which adds extra motivation for potential buyers.

Window replacement ranks higher in return value than other traditional home improvement projects including major kitchen remodel (52% return), siding replacement (51% return), roof replacement (50% return), or a master suite addition (40% return).


Things To Consider When Selecting New Windows

Remember The Midwestern Climate

Snowy Iowa home with replacement vinyl windows

The windows that are the best for the hot humid Florida weather might not be the best for the frigid temperatures of Alaska.

As anyone who has lived in Iowa can tell you, we get a bit of both.

Midwest Builders’ custom-made Comfort Zone vinyl replacement windows are designed with Iowa’s weather in mind, especially the frigid winter months, which can stress windows.

Know What Vinyl Replacement Windows You Need

Not every window in your house is the same shape or same size, and when you are looking to replace them, make sure that whoever you choose can supply every type found in your house.

Our staff members can come to your home to help determine the type of windows you need. Or you can visit Midwest Builders’ showroom in Ankeny to see our Comfort Zone windows.

At Midwest Builders we have the following types of vinyl replacement windows:

  • Awnings
  • Bay windows
  • Casement windows
  • Bow windows
  • Double-hung windows
  • Garden windows
  • Picture windows

Trust The Des Moines Area’s No. 1 Window Installation Company

Midwest Builders is Iowa’s number-one installer for windows in Des Moines and the surrounding areas. Since 1954, we have been serving our customers, and continue to do so with excellence and pride. But you don’t have to take our word for it, just read our reviews!

Get started with new vinyl windows. Contact Midwest Builders online or call at (515) 289-0100.

Our Service Area

Midwest Builders serves 75 miles around Ankeny, Iowa. We are licensed for the state of Iowa, so if you don’t see your service area city listed below, don’t hesitate to contact us as we would be happy to talk to you!

We have been serving all of Iowa for all their patio, window, siding, and garage needs for many years, and we look forward to doing it for years to come. Cities we serve include:

Des Moines

Ames

Ankeny

Johnston

Marshalltown

Urbandale

West Des Moines

Photos of Midwest Builders projects
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