The cheapest way to get new windows is to buy standard vinyl windows in standard colours, replace several at once, book in the off-season and claim every rebate you qualify for. The cheapest company is not always the cheapest outcome. A low quote that skips proper installation costs more when the windows leak or have to be redone.

9 ways to pay less for new windows

1. Choose vinyl

Vinyl is the most affordable frame material and the most common choice in Ottawa. It insulates well, never needs painting and lasts decades.

2. Pick the simplest style that works

Sliders and single hung windows cost less than casements. Fixed picture windows cost less than windows that open. Use opening windows where you need airflow and fixed glass where you only need light.

3. Stay with standard colours and no grilles

White is the base price. Exterior colours, woodgrain finishes and decorative grilles each add to every window.

4. Mix double and triple pane

Triple pane is worth it in bedrooms, north-facing rooms and rooms near a busy road. Double pane with Low-E and argon is fine for a garage, a sunny south wall or a basement.

5. Replace more windows in one project

Setup, travel, delivery and disposal are shared across the job, so the per-window price falls as the project grows.

6. Book in late fall or winter

November to February is the slow season. Installers have room in their schedules and pricing is more flexible.

7. Use retrofit installation where the frames are sound

Retrofit installation keeps your existing frame and costs roughly 20% less than full-frame. It is only a saving if the old frame is solid and dry. Putting a new window into a rotten frame wastes the whole purchase.

8. Claim the rebate

Ontario's Home Renovation Savings program pays $100 per rough opening for qualifying ENERGY STAR windows and doors, with a home energy assessment required. On a 12-window project that is $1,200 back. Check the current rules before you order.

9. Compare quotes line by line

Get three quotes for the same windows, glass and installation type. Then check what each one includes. Trim, capping, insulation and disposal are the items most often left out of a low number.

Who is the cheapest window replacement company?

It changes from job to job. Pricing depends on each company's supplier, workload and how they build the quote. What stays true is that the lowest advertised price is rarely the final price.

Watch for these when a quote looks too good:

• Installation priced separately or "starting at"

• Interior trim and exterior capping listed as extras

• A charge for any rot found once the window is out

• Thin, builder-grade windows with a short warranty

• No written labour warranty

Northline's quotes include installation and our own interior trim. If we find rotted or damaged studs during the installation, we replace them at no extra charge. That is how a quote stays the price you pay.

Where not to cut corners

• Installation quality. Most window problems come from the installation, not the product.

• ENERGY STAR certification. Uncertified windows cost you every winter and do not qualify for rebates.

• Insulation and sealing around the frame. This is where drafts and leaks start.

• Warranty. A longer written warranty is worth paying a little more for.

What about big-box stores and DIY?

Buying off the shelf and installing the windows yourself is the lowest upfront cost. It suits a shed, a garage or a simple opening. For the main windows of your home, a measuring error or a poor seal can wipe out the saving. We cover both in separate guides.