After living in our old drafty house for years, my partner and I finally decided it was time to invest in replacing all of the windows.
We wanted something energy efficient but also aesthetically pleasing, so we opted to go with Alliance Hawthorne windows based on the rave reviews we had heard from friends and neighbors.
Below I’ll share my thorough and honest review of Alliance Hawthorne windows after having them installed in our home.
Overview of Alliance Hawthorne Windows
Alliance Hawthorne windows are a vinyl replacement window manufactured by a company called AMI. They offer double hung, sliding, casement, awning, and picture window styles. We chose to go with the double hung windows for most rooms in our house.
Some of the key features that drew us to Alliance Hawthorne windows include:
- Multi-chambered vinyl frame and sashes providing insulation and durability
- Intercept® Warm Edge spacer system to reduce energy loss
- Optional triple pane glass for enhanced insulation
- Numerous screen options like fiberglass and retractable screens
- Available in wide range of sizes to fit any opening
- Lifetime limited warranty on most components
We were pleased to learn that Alliance Hawthorne windows have received ENERGY STAR certification, so we knew they would help reduce our energy bills.
Our Installation Experience
We shopped around with a few different window companies before deciding on Alliance Hawthorne.
The sales rep from the company was knowledgeable and helped us determine exactly what window types, sizes, and features we needed for each part of our house.
The installation team arrived on time and were very professional and courteous.
They took care to protect our floors and furnishings as they removed the old windows and installed the new ones.
The whole process took about two days, which is about what we expected given we were replacing around 20 windows.
The installation quality so far appears excellent. The windows fit precisely into the openings and operate smoothly. The installers cleaned up thoroughly afterwards as well. So far we are very satisfied with how the installation process went with Alliance Hawthorne.
Performance of Our New Windows
It has been about 6 months now since we had our Alliance Hawthorne windows installed, and the performance has been phenomenal. Here are some of the key benefits we have noticed:
- Noise reduction – the old windows did practically nothing to block outside noise. Now our home is so much quieter, especially when it’s windy out. We can really tell a difference and it’s much more peaceful.
- Temperature regulation – the new windows do an amazing job of insulating our home. We immediately noticed how much less drafty our house feels. In the summer, the heat stays out, and in winter the cold air stays out.
- Lower energy bills – we compared our energy bills for this year to last year, and found we are using 15-20% less energy since installing the new energy efficient Alliance Hawthorne windows.
- Reduced condensation – the double pane construction means we have seen far less issues with condensation forming on the windows on cold days.
- Improved aesthetics – we got windows with a nice wood-like interior finish rather than plain white. They look very high-end and have improved our curb appeal.
So in summary, we could not be happier with how well the Alliance Hawthorne windows have performed so far. They have exceeded expectations when it comes to insulation, efficiency, and aesthetics.
Alliance Hawthorne Window Pros
Here are some of the key benefits and pros we have experienced with our Alliance Hawthorne windows:
- Energy efficiency – Excellent insulating properties from multi-layered glass, composite frame, and Warm Edge spacer. Qualify for ENERGY STAR rebates.
- Noise reduction – Do an amazing job blocking outside noise even in windy conditions.
- Durability – Solid vinyl frame seems very durable and low maintenance. Comes with a lifetime limited warranty.
- Variety of styles – Offer double hung, sliding, casement, and more to fit any needs.
- Customization – Lots of options for glass tint, hardware finishes, screens, and interior laminate colors.
- Light and visibility – Plentiful glass area with slender frames provides great light and outside visibility.
- Easy to clean – Vinyl construction can easily be cleaned with just soap and water.
- Professional installation – Installers were very skilled, efficient, and cleaned up thoroughly.
- Great value – Prices are very reasonable given the outstanding performance and quality.
Alliance Hawthorne Window Cons
There are very few downsides we have found so far with the Alliance Hawthorne windows, but here are a couple minor critiques:
- Can feel lightweight – The vinyl frames are really lightweight compared to wood or aluminum, so feel a little flimsy to the touch. But performance-wise they are very solid.
- Limited interior finish options – The wood laminate interior finish only comes in a few color options – it would be nice if there were more choices.
- Screens prone to damage – We had an incident where our dog scratched one screen. The fiberglass screens seem somewhat fragile. The metal screens are likely more durable.
- Concerns about long-term durability – While the lifetime warranty is great, it still remains to be seen how the windows will hold up 20 or 30 years from now.
Cost of Alliance Hawthorne Windows
The exact cost of Alliance Hawthorne windows can vary quite a bit depending on the size and type of windows you need, options chosen, and current promotions. But in general, we found the Alliance Hawthorne prices to be very competitive.
The total cost for purchasing and installing all new Alliance Hawthorne windows for our 2500 square foot house with 20 window openings came out to around $16,000.
This broke down to around $700 – $900 per window on average.
We felt this price was very reasonable given the outstanding quality and performance of the windows.
From getting quotes with other brands, these prices were lower than most other options offering similar features and materials.
You can often find promotions from Alliance Hawthorne for discounts on purchases during certain times of the year. They also offer 0% financing plans which can help make the project more affordable. Overall, we found Alliance Hawthorne windows to be a great value for what we paid.
How Alliance Hawthorne Compares To Other Brands?
Alliance Hawthorne windows seem to really stand out above many competitors when it comes to the technology, features, and warranties they offer. Here is how we think they compare to a few other popular window brands:
- vs. Pella windows – Alliance Hawthorne offers similar high-end features and materials as Pella, but are about 20-30% less expensive for comparable window styles and options.
- vs. Andersen windows – Very similar to Andersen but Alliance Hawthorne includes more standard features while being a bit more budget friendly. Andersen likely has more brand recognition.
- vs. Milgard windows – Alliance Hawthorne has more customizable options and better noise reduction capabilities from what we have read about Milgard. Prices are broadly comparable.
- vs. Jeld-Wen windows – Alliance Hawthorne windows are made from solid vinyl while many Jeld-Wen lines have thinner vinyl shells over wood frames. But Jeld-Wen offers some lower budget options.
Overall, Alliance Hawthorne windows seem to provide one of the best combinations of quality, features, energy efficiency, and affordability when compared to other major vinyl window brands. Their prices are competitive, yet they don’t cut corners on materials or technology like some budget-focused brands.
Alliance Hawthorne Window FAQ
Here are answers to some common questions people have about Alliance Hawthorne windows:
Based on our research, a few brands that consistently rise to the top with stellar reviews include Alliance Hawthorne, Pella, Andersen, and Marvin. Alliance Hawthorne really stood out as offering a robust feature set and amazing performance at more reasonable prices.
Alliance Hawthorne window prices can vary from as low as $300 up to $1,200 or more per window depending on size, styles, and options chosen. Expect to pay around $700 – $900 per window for most standard double hung window installations.
Yes, many Alliance Hawthorne windows have earned the ENERGY STAR label certifying their energy efficiency and ability to reduce heating and cooling costs.
Pella makes very high-quality windows but they come at a premium price. Many homeowners report being very satisfied with the performance, durability, and look of Pella windows, but the cost is typically 20-30% higher than Alliance Hawthorne for comparable models.
Final Verdict
In the end, we could not be happier with our choice to install Alliance Hawthorne windows in our home. The performance has been outstanding in terms of insulation, sound proofing, efficiency, and aesthetics.
Our new windows have made a huge difference in improving comfort and reducing our energy usage.
While not the cheapest vinyl replacement windows around, Alliance Hawthorne windows offer tremendous value in my opinion. We really feel like we got our money’s worth given the quality of construction, advanced components, and overall improvement to our living space.
The installation process was quick, smooth, and professional as well. Based on my experience so far, I would highly recommend considering Alliance Hawthorne windows if you are looking to replace the windows in your home.
Let me know if you have any other questions!