Alside Review (2023 Costs, Quality, & Materials)

Alside is one of the largest building supply companies in the United States and has over 70 years of experience manufacturing high-quality vinyl products. While this window provider is well-known throughout the U.S., it has a mixed reputation among its customers.

Read our Alside windows review for everything you need to know about the company, its offerings, product quality, costs, and much more to decide if this is the best window replacement company for you.

Our Review of Alside

Total Score: 69 / 100 points

Alside was founded in 1947 by two brothers looking to offer the best in high-quality vinyl products at an affordable rate. The company manufactures vinyl windows, siding, railing, fencing, patio doors, and more. Alside is certified by many third-party organizations, including the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), the Insulating Glass Certification Council (IGCC), and the Vinyl Siding Institute (VSI). So, if you’re looking for all things vinyl from a company with numerous industry certifications and a long history, Alside is for you.

We don’t like the limitations that come with Alside’s warranties. Specifically, its workmanship warranty is limited to a single year, and its lifetime transferrable manufacturers warrant has restrictive provisions. Furthermore, there are better providers than this company if you’re seeking multiple window materials besides vinyl. If a company’s overall reputation is important, you’ll be disappointed that Alside has no BBB rating as of May 2023.

Product Offerings of Alside

Score: 33 / 40 points

What We Like

Alside offers many window styles, customization options, and two glass coating options. This provides you with a huge number of options when it comes to choosing the best window to fit your home, budget, and aesthetic.

What We Like Don’t Like

The company only manufactures vinyl windows, so if you’re interested in wood, aluminum, steel, or other materials, you’re out of luck. Vinyl windows also can’t be painted, so you won’t be able to customize the look of the window easily if you choose to repaint or redecorate your home.

Service Offerings of Alside

Score: 2 / 10  points

What We Like

Alside is strictly a window manufacturer, so its service offerings are offered through its robust partner network.

What We Like Don’t Like

Alside’s service offerings are limited because it doesn’t offer installation services through its company. Instead, you’ll need to hire a contractor or DIY the window installation yourself, which takes additional money, time, and effort. 

Affordability of Alside

Score: 18 / 25 points

What We Like

Overall, Alside offers more affordable options than many competitors. Its windows cost $550–$849 and come in high-quality vinyl, a long-lasting material that can save you money in repairs and replacements in the future.

What We Like Don’t Like

Alside doesn’t offer specific discounts. However, you may be able to find deals through retailers or dealers that sell Alside vinyl replacement window products to save additional money.

Warranty & Post-Installation Support of Alside

Score: 6 / 10 points

What We Like

We like that Alside has a generous lifetime glass warranty and over 30-year product warranty, which is better than many other providers in the industry. You won’t have to worry about paying to replace Alside’s window glass should it break.

What We Like Don’t Like

Unfortunately, Alside doesn’t cover its workmanship or installation for 30 or more years. It offers less than a five-year warranty on this aspect of its window replacement, which isn’t long enough to give many homeowners peace of mind. 

Company Reputation of Alside

Score: 10 / 15 points

What We Like

Alside has an excellent company reputation with many years in business. Its customer service reviews are more positive than negative, with an average rating of 4 stars on Google. Therefore, your customer experience with Alside will likely be positive.

What We Like Don’t Like

This window company is not rated or accredited through the BBB, a trusted third-party establishment that many homeowners rely on for business reviews.

How Much Do Alside’s Windows Cost?

On average, Alside’s windows cost between $550 and $849, but this doesn’t account for labor costs, the type of window, your location, and other factors specific to your needs.

According to our research, a popular Alside window series — like the Sheffield Fusion-Welded Vinyl Windows — costs around $712 before installation. However, most windows with installation will cost closer to $1,000 from this window provider.

Compared to its competitors, Alside offers reasonable pricing that falls in the middle of typical window pricing. For its price point, Alside offers high-quality, durable vinyl windows that will last many years to come and require little maintenance on your end. While other competitors may offer window materials like wood, wood windows are significantly more expensive and require a lot of costly maintenance, which is a task many homeowners prefer avoiding.

When considering cost, you’ll also want to compare different factors of cost. Factors such as the window type, window series, window material, and more will dramatically affect how much your Alside windows cost.

For example, many popular window styles, like Alside

For example, many popular window styles, like Alside casement and double-hung windows, can cost up to $1,500, with installation costs factored in. More complicated and pricey models like bow windows can cost as much as $2,300 with installation costs factored in.

double-hung and windows, can cost up to $1,500, with installation costs factored in. More complicated and pricey models like bow windows can cost as much as $2,300 with installation costs factored in.

However, these prices are still reasonable for the industry, especially for Alside’s high-quality vinyl window material.

Alside Financing

Like many window providers, Alside offers multiple payment options, including cash, check, online payments, and customized payment plans to help you pay for its windows.

The Alside Home Design Credit Card offered through Synchrony is another option to help you afford the windows you really want. Through this card, exclusive promotional financing options are available. 

As for discounts, we couldn’t find specific discounts from Alside itself. You may be able to find sales and haggle for deals with a particular Alside window dealer or retailer.

What Types of Windows Does Alside Windows Offer?

Here are some of the most common windows Alside offers:

Single-hung and Double-hung

Single-hung windows, otherwise known as vertical sliders, only allow the bottom sash to open. In contrast, double-hung windows allow both sashes to open, creating better ventilation. Both are popular choices for homeowners.

Casement

Casement windows swing open, usually with a hand crank at the bottom of the window. They’re some of the best windows for excellent ventilation.

Awning

Awning windows are like casement windows, except they swing open vertically. They’re usually found in bedrooms and high or narrow places.

Sliding

Sliding windows are possibly the most common type of window because they’re cost-effective and versatile. They come in both single-slider and double-slider varieties.

Picture

Picture windows provide a beautiful view of the outdoors. They’re often large and fixed, so they don’t open. Many come with metal grids that reinforce the window to reduce the risk of breakage.

Bay and Bow

Bay and bow windows permanently extend beyond the house walls, creating an angled nook in the home. They’re often found in kitchens. You can open most bay and bow windows for fresh air.

Garden

Garden windows are ideal for letting in natural light and usually have a ledge that can be used as a small indoor greenhouse. Many homeowners place potted plants or herbs on the ledge.

What Materials Does Alside Use In Its Windows?

As we’ve mentioned, Alside exclusively manufactures vinyl windows. Vinyl windows are one of the most popular window types among homeowners because they’re typically more affordable and durable. But this limits your window material choices if you choose Alside for your window replacement project.

Vinyl

Vinyl window frames are made from PVC or polyvinyl chloride and ultraviolet light (UV) stabilizers to create an energy-efficient, durable material. These windows are low-maintenance and don’t require painting. They have good moisture resistance, making them an ideal choice for humid or rainy climates.

The downside of vinyl windows is that the frames can warp or sag over time, particularly if exposed to high temperatures. So, if you live in a hot climate, you may want to look into a different window type.

How Energy-efficient Are Alside’s Windows?

All Alside windows meet strict ENERGY STAR performance standards in all U.S. climate zones. The company also offers a Low-E glass coating on some windows, which reflects heat away from the home during summer and keeps heat from escaping during winter.

Many homeowners don’t realize the huge value that Alside ENERGY STAR windows can provide them. If you’re interested in saving money, it’s critical that you choose an energy-efficient, ENERGY STAR-certified window to reduce energy consumption in the home, which will lower your energy bills, prevent faded furniture, and much more.

Upgrading to an ENERGY STAR-certified window or patio door decreases your energy bills, saving you money and reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the environment. Additionally, ENERGY STAR-certified products can save you as much as 20% on your utility bills, possibly even more if you upgrade from windows that weren’t environmentally friendly or well-insulated.

All of Alside’s products are ENERGY STAR-certified which has no real downsides, only pros like increasing your opportunity to save money, protecting your home and furniture, and bettering the environment. 

Soundproofing & Insulation of Alside’s Windows

If soundproofing is a must-have, you’ll want to consider Alside’s impact and high-performance windows. Its impact windows are made from laminated glass, which absorbs sound, rather than transmitting it. In addition to soundproofing your home, they offer strength and protection against destructive weather conditions like hurricanes and tornadoes.

Alside offers double-pane windows, which are thicker, creating better insulation and soundproofing.

You can also opt for Alside’s ClimaTech Insulated Glass Package to maximize energy savings. This package features Low-E glass, argon gas, and its exclusive Intercept Warm-Edge Spacer System. Many of these packages meet ENERGY STAR requirements, and all of them improve the thermal performance of the glass by offering increased insulation.

Alside’s Window Series

Alside offers almost a dozen different window series to give you plenty of options when shopping for vinyl windows that meet your needs, aesthetics, and budget.

All Alside windows feature efficient trim solutions that create consistent, decorative looks for their window accents. Here’s a look at the different window series and what features and homes they suit the best:

Does Alside Offer Window Customization?

Alside offers window customization options, including customizable sizes, shapes, and grilles. The company also provides various color options with its many window series.

One of Alside’s most notable window customization options is the FrameWorks Color line, which offers custom-crafted wood windows with colors ranging from bold contrasts to minimalist tones. All the colors in this line are UV-resistant for superior color retention, heat-reflective, and stand up to both extreme heat and cold, making them ideal for homeowners in any climate. Alside even notes that this color line resists damage from salt air in seaside climates for homeowners worried about erosion.

However, the company doesn’t offer hardware customization options. If you’re looking to match other hardware in your home, you won’t be able to customize this to fit should they not sell the hardware you’re interested in.

Alside Consultation & Installation Process

Alside doesn’t sell directly to the public or perform window installation. If you choose Alside, you’ll need to purchase and install the products yourself or hire a window and door professional.

If you opt for a contractor, consider the following before you choose who to trust with your Alside window installation:

• References
• Word-of-mouth recommendations (ask the Alside Windows distributor for their recommendations)
• Liability insurance
• Proof of previous jobs
• Customer satisfaction policies
• Professional credentials

We recommend you start by locating the closest Alside installer and asking for its recommendation about local contractors its customers have successfully worked with in the past.

Click here to let us help you find the Alside installer nearest to you:

Does Alside Windows Offer a Good Warranty?

A reliable lifetime warranty is an ideal choice for any homeowner shopping around for windows. Unfortunately, Alside offers a complicated warranty with many caveats, which is misleading to many homeowners and often difficult to challenge when you’re filing claims.

Alside backs its windows, siding, and accessories with lifetime limited transferable warranties.

This warranty covers parts of a window and patio door as long as the original owner of the products still owns the property where they’re installed. We like that the vinyl mainframe, vinyl sash, fiberglass screening, moving parts, screen frame, and insulating glass unit are included in this coverage.

However, it’s critical to consider other parts of the warranty, such as labor coverage and window paint.

Labor coverage is only offered for the first year. Afterward, the owner must pay for repair and replacement labor costs, which is a significant drawback of Alside’s warranties.

In addition, the original window paint is warranted for three or 10 years, depending on the cause of the damage. Environmental damage is covered for 10 years in residential areas but only for three years for commercial customers. In our opinion, a three to 10-year warranty is insufficient for most homeowners and less than what is offered by many other reputable window providers.

Lastly, warranty transfer is an option. You can transfer the warranty to another owner within 30 years of the original window installation. Once transferred, the window or patio door is only covered for the remainder of those 30 years. You cannot transfer it more than once.

Overall, we’d prefer to see a lifetime warranty without so many caveats included in the fine print to give you better peace of mind.

Alside Customer Reviews

Researching customer reviews is an excellent way to study a company’s reputation and discover how most customers feel about it. We explored customer reviews on the BBB and Google to help you learn about real buyers’ experiences and opinions on Alside.

Positive Reviews of Alside

Positive customer reviews often highlighted the easy installation, the quality of the windows, and their happiness with the overall service and experience. Many customers shared that Alside had exactly what they needed, and they experienced no drafts or condensation on their windows.

Positive reviews also pointed out how they were happy with the lower price they paid for Alside windows compared to other window providers they looked at and the improved curb appeal of their homes. In particular, this is a standout feature for Alside, as it’s not uncommon for customers to complain about higher prices from other companies.

All of these points are in Alside’s favor and just go to show the overall positive reception this company has received for its high-quality, affordable windows.

Negative Reviews of Alside

Like all window providers, Alside has some negative reviews from unhappy customers.

Unlike some of its competitors, it’s not reviewed by the BBB, which is often a good source for customers looking for information about a company’s reputation. However, this isn’t always a problem as other reputable companies, like Champion and Window Nation, are also not reviewed by the BBB.

Let’s take a look at the most common complaints Alside receives, keeping in mind that all companies do receive complaints, and Alside has overall positive reviews.

In general, negative reviews focused on the lack of customer service. Customers mentioned struggling to file claims or having their claims denied when they believed their windows were still covered. We also saw reviews complaining that the company had poor-quality products and didn’t uphold its window warranty.

These are serious issues that you should be aware of before deciding to purchase Alside windows. We recommend taking a deep look at the window warranties yourself to ensure you know exactly what is and isn’t covered so there aren’t any surprises later on.

How Does Alside Compare to Its Competitors?

Comparing a window provider against its competitors is always essential, regardless of the provider, because it gives you a more nuanced view of average pricing, product offerings, and how customers and third-party organizations, like the BBB, rank them.

Here’s how Alside holds up to its competition:

*BBB ratings accurate as of June 2023

So, Is Alside Worth It For Your Home?

If you want to upgrade your windows, Alside is a good choice if you’re shopping on a budget and looking for energy-efficient vinyl windows. We like that many of its products are ENERGY STAR-certified, saving you money and energy, and preserving the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, we don’t love its limited warranty with its many caveats and what many negative reviews highlighted about having issues with warranty coverage.

Regardless of whether or not Alside is for you, we always recommend looking into respected window providers like Renewal by Andersen and Champion. Gather multiple quotes and compare each company’s offerings, reviews, and products before deciding on the best window replacement company for your home.

Methodology: How We Rank Window Companies

At Today’s Homeowner, we strive to bring you the most transparent, accurate information for your home improvement projects. Our window company ratings emphasize what matters most to you — a wide range of well-designed products with reliable installation and great curb appeal.

Our ratings are based on publicly available information about each company, secret shopping online and over the phone, customer-review analysis, and discussions with renovation and building experts. A company can earn a maximum of 100 points across five categories, converted to a five-star scale. We researched dozens of windows installation and replacement companies to develop the following formula:

• Product Offerings (30 points): Window installers can earn the maximum point value in this category if they offer a wide variety of window styles, frame materials, hardware designs, and glass and coating options. Companies earn more points if they design custom windows for your home. We also score the quality and energy efficiency of the windows each company installs.
• Service Offerings (10 points): When evaluating this category, we consider factors such as consultations, post-installation cleanup, and additional product offerings. We also look at each company's installation team structure – including whether it uses certified window installers or subcontractors to complete work – as this can cause variances in quality.
• Affordability (25 points):  Our affordability rating considers the provider’s average window prices and how they align with industry averages, as well as discounts and payment plans.
• Warranty and Support (20 points): A best-in-class window installer will back up its work with a solid warranty to give you added peace of mind. Companies receive the maximum point value in this category if they offer lifetime warranties for their products and workmanship.
• Company Reputation (15 points): To ensure we’re recommending worthwhile installers, we check each company’s reputation and standing with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). We also consider how many years of experience it has in the window industry.

We monitor company data on an ongoing basis to keep rankings and information up to date.