One Secret You MUST Know Before Getting A Window Quote [2025]

Jul 11, 2025

5 min read

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How Type of Installation Impact Your Quote for Windows

Other Factors That Make a Window Quote

Can I Get Window Quotes Online?

Picture a scenario. Three companies come to your home to provide a quote on window replacement. Two of the companies offer fairly similar estimates, but the third one, whether by means of discount, promotion or negotiation, provides you with a quote that’s several thousand dollars less. All three companies swear that their vinyl windows are of the highest quality and their window installers are the best in the city. Who are you most likely to go with?

Remember, you get what you pay for! This is a tired cliché, but it is especially true in home renovations. Yet we have to bring it up with bargaining customers over and over again when we get asked “why are your windows much more expensive than X, Y, and Z company’s?”

See, unfortunately, there are too many companies in our industry who benefit greatly from unsuspecting and unknowing customers. And while to you a window is a window, and even after it is installed you may not know the difference, there are numerous ways in which companies can leave you with a lesser product or workmanship.

How? Most often by withholding information, or passing it off for something it isn’t.

How Type of Installation Impact Your Quote for Windows

That package that costs several thousand dollars cheaper? Chances are, it is an insert/retrofit installation. Some companies simply don’t mention how your windows will be installed, hoping you haven’t done enough research to ask.

Others may tell you that the installation will be of high quality, failing to mention what kind of installation it is in the first place. They do it to maximize their profit, without actually addressing the homeowner’s needs.

Retrofit vs. full-frame window installation – what’s the difference?

The difference between retrofit and full-frame installation is very easy to understand.

In simple terms: in a full frame installation all the window parts get replaced down to the construction frame. The construction frame is also checked for damages, mould, or moisture. Your custom windows get outfitted with new brickmoulds, jambs, and trim. These vinyl components inside the window do not deteriorate over time and are easy to maintain and replace. These components are often a substantial part of the price in the full-frame replacement, but they also ensure a more thorough and proper installation.

Retrofit installations are ideal for homes where the frames haven’t begun to deteriorate and aren’t showing signs of moisture damage or rotting. Even then, aluminum capping is a quite dated and a less than ideal solution for the longevity of your new windows. Capping can still allow moisture in, and the wooden frame underneath it is not allowed to breathe properly, making it susceptible to mold.

In a retrofit replacement, all the window parts are left intact, only the glass and frame is replaced. The original wood stays around the window, and there is no checking of the construction frame. This can often leave the structure susceptible to moisture and rotting. The outside finish of the windows is often done with aluminum capping or caulking.

There are Canadian window companies that specialize only in full frame installations, and ones that do both kinds. Although we prefer full frame replacement because it is more thorough and there are fewer problems with it down the road, there are still instances when we recommend insert installation to our prospective clients.

Unlike other companies, we want to make sure our clients know exactly the kind of installation they are paying for, and exactly why they receive such a windows quote after the free in-home consultation with Ecoline.

Other Factors That Make a Window Quote

Beyond installation type, several key factors impact your quote window replacement and final budget:

Window size and style – larger or custom-shaped windows cost more.
Glass options – triple-pane or Low-E features add performance and thus add to your quote for new windows.
Frame materials – vinyl is affordable; wood or fibreglass can raise your quote on window replacement.
Extra features, such as grids, hardware upgrades, or custom colours, can all contribute to the final window price.

Considering these points will help you to understand what goes into a fair quote window replacement and plan smarter. But make sure to collect at least 3 different estimates from local manufacturers and ask them what they include in the price.

Can I Get Window Quotes Online?

Yes, getting window quotes online is easier than ever. You can use our window replacement cost estimator to receive an instant estimate based on your project details. It’s a quick way to see what to budget for your new windows.

However, for an accurate, detailed quote, you’ll need to connect with our local team. A specialist will assess your home’s unique conditions, check your existing windows, and take precise measurements. This ensures your window quote is fair, transparent, and tailored to your real needs, with no surprises later.