How much do Skandia Windows cost?
(And what will you get for your money?)
Windows are expensive.
At least, that is the general opinion of people who have just begun to look for new windows. The cost adds up quick and the sticker shock of new windows can sometimes be enough to send buyers looking for much cheaper alternatives. This is especially true when you begin to look at materials other than a low-end vinyl. The costs begins to multiply and before you know it you are getting quotes for $900 per window or MORE. Of course, this number may seem ridiculous to some but it has become the norm for buyers looking to put quality windows in their home. So, is this the only option for homeowners who want high-quality windows? Well, the short answer is absolutely not. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let us tell you a little about the pricing and quality you can expect from Skandia.
For those who don’t like to read, please see the following summary of this article.
Skandia offers top-quality windows for about 30-40% less than major window brands such as Pella, Marvin, and Andersen while providing a top-tier product.
For those who like to do their homework and don’t like gimmicky marketing, please feel free to continue reading.
Our windows are not a good fit for some Buyers
Before we go any further, we want to make it clear that our windows are not for everybody. There are a few types of window buyers that would be better off with a different window seller and we figure it’s best not to waste your time. They are the following:
Your budget is $400 per window or less
Buyers who need their windows to be between $150-400 dollars are not a good fit for us. Although our prices are incredibly competitive, this is a range which we cannot compete with as our materials and features force us to exceed this price point. If you were not expecting to pay more than $400 per window but have a flexible budget, we encourage you to at least read this article to understand a why it may be worth an upgrade.
You MUST have double or single hung windows
Buyers who are 100% set on either single or double hung windows are not a good fit. We specialize in windows and doors found in Scandinavia and unfortunately they do not use single or double hung windows over there which means we don’t sell them. However, if you were looking at single or double-hung windows but didn’t have your heart set on them, we encourage you to stick around. You might like what we have to offer.
All of our windows are wood with aluminum clad exteriors.
We sell one kind of window. Wood with aluminum clad exteriors. We do this because we believe it is the best for many use cases such as being a great window for high-performance and pleasing looks. However, we recognize that some some buyers may have very specific reasons why they need a different material.
So, Who is a good fit for our windows?
Well, pretty much everyone else. But to be sure, here is a list of beliefs which guide us in our window selling journey. If you find yourself agreeing with them, you’re probably a good fit.
Fair Pricing
Big brands charge too much for windows. You should be able to buy better windows for significantly less money.
Beauty
Windows should compliment your home's beauty, both inside and out.
Built To Last
Windows should be built to last and their manufacturers should stand behind them with a strong warranty.
Purposeful Design
Windows should be designed in a way that makes your life better.
Sustainable
Windows should be manufactured using a sustainable process.
Energy Efficiency
Energy Efficiency is incredibly important. Both for personal benefits and for the goal of a better future.
Easy Maintenance
Windows should be able to last a long time with minimal effort maintenance.
What do you think? Are we a good fit? Let’s talk about the factors that determine the cost of most windows and then discuss how it applies to our windows.
What determines a window’s cost?
So why do windows cost what they cost? Well, there are many reasons. But some of the major factors are brand recognition, material types, the glass unit, quality of operation, and size. We’ll address each briefly.
Brand Recognition
Yes. Brands will charge more just because people know who they are. That’s just the way business works. Many people don’t know of a single window brand beyond the big names such as Pella, Marvin, and Andersen. These companies count on the fact that you won’t even CONSIDER other companies or that your trust in household names will be a main factor in your decisions. It’s hard to say exactly how much of their pricing is tied to brand recognition alone, but based on our knowledge of what goes into a window’s cost, we’d say this artificial increase in price accounts for at least a 25% increase. Of course some brands go well beyond that.
Materials
It goes without saying that materials greatly effect the cost of a window. Typically, vinyl is the least expensive material followed by the others such as aluminum and fiberglass which can be intermixed depending on the variations of the product. Wood windows with aluminum clad exteriors are generally going to be considered a high-end material combination. These materials all have their pros and cons, however you can read about that more on our post dedicated to the topic here.
Glass Unit
Double vs Triple Pane
- The glass makes up a majority of the window’s surface so it’s probably a good idea to pay attention to what kind you buy. The main things here to consider are the number of panes, coatings, and the space in between the panes (gas). On average you can expect to spend an extra 10-15% for triple-pane windows compared to double pane. Both are good choices but there are some incredible benefits that come with upgrading to triple-pane windows which you can read about here.
Gas
- Within higher-quality double and triple pane windows, you will have often have a gas call argon which fills the empty spaces between the glass panes. This gas is a much higher density than air which slows the transfer of heat or cold through the window. As you may have guessed, a triple-pane window can have two gas-filled spaces opposed to the one space in double-pane windows.
Coatings
- Last but not least, your window glass can have additional enhancements called coatings. These are often in the form of a low-e coating, which can increase the window’s efficiency and aspects such as solar heat gain.
P.S. For those of you who like to pay a lot for energy bills and not being in control of your indoor air temperature, feel free to look into single-pane windows!
Quality of Operation
Quality of operation, or the way a window moves and feels, is something that is often overlooked. Many people don’t realize it but nicer windows tend to have smoother operations. You may be hard pressed to go back to cheap windows when you have experienced the smooth sliding motion of some high-end windows as they turn and glide in their tracks. There also may be some practical aspects such as “easy-locking” or “self-locking” windows and smooth-action handles.
Window Size
Last and most obvious is the window size. The bigger your window, the more expensive it will likely be.
WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU BUY A SKANDIA WINDOW?
So, now that you have an idea of how window cost is determined, where does Skandia stand in all of this?
Skandia Brand Recognition
Time for a humble moment. Skandia doesn’t have much brand recognition. We’re the new kids on the block. Therefore, we cannot charge $1,000 per window just because we are Skandia. So sad. But hey, let’s move on.
Skandia Window Materials
Skandia’s windows are all made of a combination of wood and aluminum. The wood portion of the window faces the interior and the aluminum faces the exterior. This allows for excellent energy efficiency and the natural beauty of wood to lift your homes interior while the aluminum protects the outside. Our go-to wood is slow-grown, high-density European redwood but we can handle requests for different kinds of timber. The aluminum is an extruded aluminum which basically means it’s the best kind. It’s heavier and more durable and also comes with a powder coat of paint straight from the factory. A common type of aluminum you will see on major-brand windows is “rolled-on” aluminum which is thinner and not as durable. All in all, we believe in our construction so much that we guarantee it for ten years. But don’t be surprised if it lasts another forty after that.
Skandia Glass
Thanks to Scandinavian ingenuity and the decades they have been perfecting this type of window, we get the benefit of their glass which is built for harsh Nordic climates. The combination of the glass with the other materials means it will effortlessly provide comfort in all climates of the US. The glass units come standard as triple pane and filled with argon glass but we are more than happy to provide double pane as well. We also offer nearly endless combinations of coatings for further performance enhancements. When measuring things such as U or R value, and overall energy efficiency, you will be hard pressed to find a better performing window than ours.
Quality of Operation
This section is difficult as many of our popular windows operate in a completely different manner than common American windows. For example, our most popular window, which operates by turning a handle and swinging a full 180 degrees until it is reversed (so that you can wash it from within your home)., is nearly impossible to compare to other windows on the market. The best way we can describe it is as though it is gliding when it moves and the locking action of the handles is simple yet robust and provides good feedback. Not to mention it seals the window very tight when it is closed. We recommend you watch on of our videos to get an idea of how the operation works.
What will our windows cost you?
It’s too often that a lower pricing means having to accept some sort of trade-off in quality. With Skandia, that is simply not the case. You are getting better windows for significantly less. While we wish we could give you specific examples of pricing, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense considering the amount of options available to you. The best way to think about our pricing is to imagine you request a quote from us and another major brand for a specific set of windows. Then, once you get the quotes back, you will scratch your head and think there is a mistake because our price at the bottom of the quote is almost always going to be 30-40% cheaper than the major brand for a comparable set of windows.