In most big box stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s, there is usually a section in the middle dedicated to “remodel inspiration.” This is where you’ll see full displays of kitchen cabinetry, new kitchen appliances like stoves and refrigerators, flooring samples, and the vast array of paint options. Usually in this section, there is also a portion dedicated to displaying the various options for replacement windows so you can see them in action.
So, can you purchase retrofit windows in San Diego at a big box store? Yes, you can. But the real question is whether or not you should. If you are thinking that driving down to your nearest big box home improvement store and just purchasing the windows you like the best is going to be the easiest path to replacing your old windows, here are some things you might want to think about:
Are Employees at Big Box Stores Trained to Sell Retrofit Windows in San Diego?
There is no doubt that employees at big box stores receive a lot of training in different areas of home improvement. They need to have basic product knowledge in order to be able to do their jobs. That said, their expertise, especially compared to employees at companies like these experts in retrofit windows in San Diego, just isn’t the same. Big box store employees may work in multiple departments, and therefore, their knowledge about retrofit windows can only be so deep.
Remember: Employees at big box stores are there to sell products for the store. That means that their job is to try to figure out how the products offered at their location can fit your situation, whether or not they’re the best options on the market. They’re not coming to your home to measure, and they’re not going to be able to offer the array of brands and custom sizes available at companies that specialize in retrofit windows.
Who Installs the Windows Sold at Big Box Stores?
Most stores do offer installation as an option for those customers who do not want to install their retrofit windows themselves. When you purchase installation services along with your windows, that’s when someone will come out to your home to measure and consult with you before starting the project.
Here’s the problem: The installers that work with big box stores are almost always subcontractors, which means they’re not store employees, and they’re not factory trained by the window manufacturers. They may have experience across multiple areas of home improvement but probably aren’t experts in any one thing. This is not to say that all subcontractors are bad window installers—some surely do a great job. They just may not have the expertise and experience to troubleshoot issues when they arise. They may also be difficult to contact if you have questions or concerns after the fact.
When you work with a company that only sells retrofit windows, the installers who do the work in your home will be professional window installers, not subcontractors. They are almost always factory trained by the manufacturers themselves, and they are typically employees of or dedicated contractors for the company selling the windows. The level of expertise from a subcontractor just doesn’t compare.
Warranties from Big Box Stores on Retrofit Windows in San Diego
And then, there’s the warranty issue. Big box stores have a variety of warranties that they offer on retrofit windows in San Diego. They typically offer manufacturer’s warranties on the windows themselves (which vary from manufacturer to manufacturer), and they may offer a limited installation warranty. You need to pay attention and ask a lot of questions so that you know exactly what your warranty covers and for how long.
Companies that specialize in retrofit windows tend to have excellent warranties that far exceed the coverage you can get from big box stores. There are companies that offer double lifetime warranties on window products in addition to the manufacturer’s warranty. This means that they will guarantee the performance of your windows for not only you and your family, but also for the next owner of your home.
What’s even better, is most retrofit window companies are so confident in their installation teams that they offer a full warranty on the installation itself. If a problem arises that turns out to be the result of an installation error, you are covered!
Just because you can purchase retrofit windows from a big box store doesn’t mean you should. They have some lower-cost options that look attractive at first glance, but when you consider the entire process plus the potential for needing to troubleshoot issues after your installation is complete, that upfront cost savings ends up not being worth it. This is one scenario in which the phrase, “you get what you pay for,” proves true.
