You’ve realized it’s finally time to replace your windows—but the idea of sitting through a bunch of window sales presentations? Yeah, that’s not exactly thrilling. Trust me, I’ve been there. When my husband and I decided it was time to upgrade our builder-grade windows, I figured I could just call a few companies, give them the number and sizes of our windows, and get some ballpark estimates. Simple, right? Unfortunately, it didn’t work out that way.
I kept thinking—there has to be a better way to get pricing without committing hours to demo appointments. That thought is exactly what inspired this website: to create an easier, more transparent way to shop for replacement windows right here in Columbus, Ohio.
Be sure to see the Wacky Window Woman Price Comparison Chart to see which companies, I’ve had out to my home to price my window project of twelve windows and the quotes they provided to me.
Affordable Window Replacement Columbus Ohio
In this blog, I’m going to compare McCloud to Champion. Champion Windows is a national company, headquartered in Sharonville, Ohio, near Cincinnati. Champion Windows operates across the United States and has 56 company-owned showrooms in cities nationwide, offering products such as replacement windows, patio enclosures, sunrooms, vinyl siding, and entry doors. On the other hand, McCloud Windows is a locally owned and operated window company. Founded by Nathan McCloud, the company officially began operations on August 24, 2017. With over a decade of experience in the window industry, Nathan brings a wealth of knowledge to the business. McCloud Windows is deeply committed to serving the Columbus community. They offer locally made, ENERGY STAR-rated vinyl windows, backed by limited lifetime warranties.
Columbus, Ohio Windows and Doors
We’ve had both Champion and McCloud into our home to get a price for our window project of twelve windows.
“Charlie” of Champion Windows came into our home in the Spring of 2025. Champion Windows has a location in the Lewis Center area just north of Columbus. They sell replacement Windows, Sunrooms and Home Exteriors. They design, build, install and warrant all their replacement windows. Champion Windows are Energy Star certified, American made and come directly to your home from their factory where they design and make all their windows.
“Joe” of McCloud Windows has also been out to give us a quote for our project. McCloud Windows currently has a location in Grandview, with plans to open a location in the Polaris area. They collaborate with trusted local manufacturers who have been in business in the state for over 30 years. This partnership allows McCloud Windows to offer custom-made, ENERGY STAR-rated vinyl windows that are designed to meet the specific needs of Ohio homeowners. By sourcing locally, McCloud Windows ensures high-quality products, supports the local economy, and provides customers with windows that are tailored to perform well in Ohio’s climate.
Double Hung Window Replacement Window – Columbus, Ohio
Champion Window offers only Triple Pane Windows. They are Energy Star certified, American made and come directly to your home from their factory where they design and make all their windows. Due to the fact that they only offer Triple Pane, they are inherently positioned to be at a higher price point than many of the others who offer Double-Pane Windows. At least with most of the others, they start out with Double Pane and give you a price to upgrade to Triple Pane. This could likely price them out of your budget depending on your needs. The quote for Champion came in at $17,950 for our Window Project of twelve windows.
McCloud offers the Alside Quattro Window which is double pane and then also an upgraded window called the Mezzo which is the Triple Pane version. Alside Windows are manufactured in Ohio. The company operates two manufacturing facilities in the state: one in Cuyahoga Falls and another in West Salem. The price quoted to us by “Joe” was $10,800 for Double Pane with an additional cost of $1200 if we wanted the Mezzo Triple Pane Window.
Are Triple Pane Windows worth the extra cost if you live in Ohio?
✅ Reasons Triple Pane Might Be Worth It in Ohio:
- Cold Winters
Ohio winters can get pretty harsh, and triple pane windows offer better insulation than double pane—helping keep heat in and cold out. This can lower your heating bills and make your home cozier. - Noise Reduction
Triple pane windows provide better soundproofing. If you live near a busy street or in an urban area like Columbus or Cleveland, this can be a big perk. - Energy Savings
Over time, the improved thermal performance could help reduce energy usage. It might not pay for itself super fast, but you’ll definitely notice a difference. - Condensation Control
Better insulation means your windows are less likely to develop condensation on the interior glass, which can help prevent mold or damage to window frames.
❌ When It Might Not Be Worth It:
- Higher Upfront Cost
Triple pane windows can cost 10–30% more than double pane, and if your home is already fairly energy efficient, the payback period may be long. - Mild Climate Zones
If you’re in southern Ohio where winters are milder, the energy savings might not be dramatic enough to justify the added cost. - You’re Planning to Move Soon
If you’re not staying in your home long-term, you might not recoup the investment through energy savings or home value.
Best Way to get Window Replacement Prices in Columbus, Ohio
You may not be excited to find that at some point you will need to allow a Window Representative into your home to see the conditions so they can finalize a price for you. Use the Wacky Window Woman chart to further narrow down who you want to let into your home.
Thinking back on the presentations we had—Joe from McCloud and Charlie from Champion—Joe really stood out. His personality, the depth of information he shared, and his overall knowledge about how his windows perform specifically in Ohio’s climate made a big impression.
Joe’s background as a former builder gave him a unique perspective. He helped us understand exactly how replacement windows would differ from our current builder-grade ones, and even reassured me that the new windows wouldn’t stick out too far past our vinyl siding—which was one of my concerns.
And then there was this neat little demo he did. He poked a golf tee into the screen, left it there for a bit which as you might expect, left a hole in the screen large enough for a bug to get through . . . and then simply rubbed the screen to smooth it back into shape. It was impressive—and all thanks to the memory mesh material used in the Alside Quattro and Mezzo screens. Definitely a detail that stuck with me.
What are the best Triple Pane Replacement Windows for the Money in Columbus, Ohio
To make an apples-to-apples comparison between these two replacement window companies, we need to factor in the $1,200 upgrade cost for McCloud’s triple pane option. With that added, McCloud’s total comes to $12,000, while Champion’s quote is $17,950.
Aside from the triple pane upgrade, the construction and manufacturing quality of the windows from both companies are quite similar. So when it really comes down to value, McCloud Windows clearly comes out on top in this comparison.
Be sure to refer the Wacky Window Comparison Chart so you can further evaluate who you want to let into your home to give you a quote for your Window project.
