Get expert window replacement in Algonquin and Arlington Heights with Jackson Exteriors, your trusted family-owned team for over 40 years. Save on rising energy bills, boost comfort, and protect your home with custom solutions designed for Northern Illinois weather.
- Rising energy costs make replacement windows a smart investment that pays for itself.
- Old or builder-grade windows cause drafts, higher bills, and even sun damage to furniture and floors.
- Homeowners can save 10–25% on heating and cooling with new energy-efficient windows.
- Jackson Exteriors brings over four decades of local expertise in Northern Illinois conditions.
- Three trusted manufacturer options – RBS, Alliance, and Simonton – fit every budget and need.
- Custom installation ensures a perfect fit with no gaps, drafts, or shortcuts.
- Certified crews protect your home during installation and extend product warranties.
- Honest, transparent pricing with no high-pressure sales or gimmicks.
- Family-owned and community-focused, with most business driven by referrals.
- Seasonal deadlines matter; Halloween is the end of good installation weather, and Thanksgiving is the final call before winter.
When the bitter winds of another Northern Illinois winter start rattling your windows and sending your heating bills soaring, you know the time to take action has passed. For over four decades, Jackson Insulation & Exteriors Co., Inc. has been helping homeowners in Algonquin and Arlington Heights transform their homes with professional window replacement services that deliver real energy savings and lasting comfort.
Why This Winter Will Cost You More Than Ever
The numbers don’t lie; and they’re not in our favor. Natural gas prices in the Chicago area have jumped from around $0.81 per therm in December 2020 to $1.05 per therm by December 2024. That’s a staggering 29% increase in just four years, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down.
What does this mean for your wallet? If your heating bill was $600 for the season five years ago, that same usage could now cost you $780; an extra $180-$200 per heating season. Looking ahead, conservative estimates suggest natural gas heating costs could increase 50-70% over the next decade. That $600 seasonal bill from 2015 might balloon to $900-$1,020, adding $300-$420 more per heating season, or $50-$70 more per month during those long winter months. And that’s just for a smaller home.
The window of opportunity to act is closing fast. With Halloween marking the natural end of ideal installation weather and Thanksgiving serving as the absolute deadline given recent weather trends, homeowners considering window replacement need to move quickly.
The Hidden Costs of Waiting
Every day you delay replacing those old, drafty windows, you’re literally watching money blow out through the gaps. But the financial impact goes beyond just heating bills. Those older windows, especially the single-pane units common in homes from the 1970s and 80s building boom, lack adequate UV protection. This means your hardwood floors are fading, your carpets are deteriorating, and your furniture is suffering sun damage that could cost thousands to replace.
In Algonquin and Arlington Heights, we see homes of all ages, each presenting unique challenges:
Older Homes (1970s-80s Era): These properties often struggle with windows that are nearly impossible to open, having been painted shut over decades or suffering from warped frames. The drafts are so severe that rooms become uncomfortably cold in winter and waste air conditioning in summer. Some still have single-pane glass that offers virtually no insulation value.
Newer Development Homes: Surprisingly, many homeowners in newer subdivisions find themselves needing window replacement after just 5-10 years. Builder-grade windows often use inferior materials that crack, develop drafts, or fail prematurely due to poor installation techniques.
High-End Properties: Even luxury homeowners seek upgrades for enhanced security features, smart home integration, or simply the latest in energy-efficient technology.
Real Energy Savings That Pay for Themselves
Here’s where the math gets exciting. Homeowners who invest in quality replacement windows typically see 10-25% savings on their heating and cooling bills. In Northern Illinois, where a household might spend around $1,500 annually on heating and cooling, that translates to $150-$375 in savings per year. Larger homes with higher energy bills often save $400-$600 annually.
When you factor in rising energy costs, these savings compound year after year. A window replacement project doesn’t just improve your comfort; it’s an investment that literally pays for itself while protecting you from future energy price increases.
Four Decades of Northern Illinois Expertise
What sets Jackson Exteriors apart isn’t just our longevity; it’s our deep understanding of what works in Northern Illinois. Founded in 1982 by Cliff Jackson, a Vietnam War Veteran and Membership Chair of the Rotary Club of Crystal Lake, our company has weathered every type of storm, freeze, and heat wave this region can deliver.
Cliff brings 42 years of hands-on experience in sales and installation of windows, siding, gutters, and insulation. But this isn’t a one-man operation resting on past achievements. The business has successfully transitioned to the second generation, with sons Ryan and Brett Jackson bringing 13 and 10 years of experience respectively. Ryan and his wife Melissa are raising their daughters Hailey and Chelsea right here in McHenry, while Brett’s natural aptitude for the business was evident early; he could accurately read blueprints at age five while helping his father with remodeling projects.
Co-owner Ellen Jackson manages operations with 33 years of office management expertise, handling everything from QuickBooks to contract generation and accounting. When she’s not managing the business side, Ellen devotes her time to community service, reflecting the family’s deep commitment to the area where they’ve chosen to live, work, and raise their families.
Local Knowledge That Makes the Difference
Because we’ve lived through decades of Northern Illinois winters, we understand conditions that national chains simply can’t match. We know that west-facing windows in this area take a beating from winter winds, so we always recommend reinforced frames for those exposures. We understand the freeze-thaw cycles that can damage cheaper window seals, and we’ve seen firsthand how different materials perform over multiple harsh winters.
This local expertise influences every recommendation we make. We’re not just selling windows – we’re solving problems specific to our climate, our soil conditions, and our weather patterns. When a big box store or national chain gives you a cookie-cutter solution, we provide recommendations based on four decades of Northern Illinois experience.
Three Manufacturer Options to Fit Every Need and Budget
Unlike companies that push a single brand, Jackson Exteriors works with three carefully selected manufacturers, allowing us to match the right solution to your specific needs and budget:
RBS (Royal Building Solutions) represents our solid mid-market option, perfectly balancing affordability with performance. Known for energy efficiency and practical design, RBS windows are ideal for homeowners who want dependable performance without premium pricing. These budget- to mid-range windows deliver significant improvements over older units while meeting all current energy standards.
Alliance Windows offers the sweet spot for many customers. As a cooperative of independent manufacturers, Alliance provides customizable vinyl window systems with broad style selection, strong warranties, and consistent product quality. Positioned in the mid-range, these windows are perfect for homeowners who want an excellent mix of durability, energy efficiency, and design flexibility without jumping to the premium tier.
Simonton Windows represents our premium option and one of the most recognized brands nationally. With excellent energy efficiency (ENERGY STAR rated), advanced glass packages, broad style options, and high customer satisfaction scores, Simonton windows are ideal for customers prioritizing long-term performance, aesthetics, and high resale value. These mid- to high-range windows are an investment in your home’s future.
Custom Solutions, Not Cookie-Cutter Approaches
Every project we undertake is custom designed and executed to meet our clients’ individual needs. All materials and products are cut and shaped on location to ensure everything fits your home perfectly the first time, every time. This attention to detail eliminates the gaps, drafts, and installation issues that plague quick-install operations.
Our approach stands in stark contrast to the high-pressure tactics and shell-shocking prices that customers report from big marketing firms. We don’t represent any single window company; we represent you, the homeowner. We’ll share our decades of experience with each product line, explain the real differences between options, and let you choose based on your priorities, whether that’s maximum energy savings, specific aesthetic preferences, or budget considerations.
Professional Installation That Protects Your Home
Window replacement means your house will be temporarily open to the elements during the 1-3 day installation process, which is why we don’t recommend December and January installations unless there’s an emergency. Our experienced crews make every effort to minimize impact and disruption to your daily life.
We use protective measures to safeguard your belongings and maintain your comfort throughout the process. Each window opening is only exposed for 2-3 hours maximum before the new window is installed and sealed. When weather threatens, openings can be tarped as needed, but we make every effort to thoughtfully plan installations with the least risk, especially overnight on multi-day installs when we’re off the job site.
Our commitment goes beyond just installation; we make every effort to leave your home more beautiful than we found it. This includes thorough cleaning inside and out, proper disposal of old materials, and attention to details that show we care about your property as much as you do.
Honest Pricing Without the Games
One of the biggest misconceptions homeowners face involves pricing. Big national companies with huge marketing budgets and constant “exciting sales” leave people thinking quality window replacement is either outrageously expensive or suspiciously cheap. The reality is more nuanced.
Window replacement projects can vary significantly based on your specific needs, the manufacturer you choose, and the complexity of your installation. Rather than shock you with inflated prices or lure you in with unrealistic low-ball estimates, we provide honest, transparent pricing based on your actual requirements.
The warranties depend on the window brands you select, but our commitment remains constant: we will not leave until you are 100% satisfied with the installation. That’s not just a promise; it’s how we’ve built our reputation over four decades.
The Consultation Process: No Pressure, Just Expertise
When you call Jackson Exteriors, you won’t get a high-pressure salesperson. Either Cliff, Ryan, or Brett personally comes to your home to assess your current windows, discuss your priorities, and explain the real differences between RBS, Alliance, and Simonton options.
This consultation focuses on understanding your specific situation. Are you primarily concerned with energy savings? Aesthetics? Budget constraints? Noise reduction? Enhanced security? We listen to your needs and provide honest recommendations based on our decades of experience with each product line.
You’ll receive a detailed explanation of what each manufacturer offers, how the products perform in Northern Illinois conditions, and realistic expectations for energy savings and longevity. No games, no artificial urgency, no shell-shocking prices; just the information you need to make the best decision for your home and family.
Why Word-of-Mouth Drives Our Business
Most of our business comes from referrals and word-of-mouth recommendations, and there’s a reason for that. When you’ve been serving the same communities for over 40 years, your reputation is everything. We can’t hide behind flashy advertising or relocate when problems arise; we live here, work here, and raise our families here.
This local accountability means every project reflects on our family name and our standing in the community. We hope to hand this business down to a third generation, which means maintaining the trust and satisfaction of every customer we serve.
Our employees are experienced craftsmen as well; we only hire the best of the best. We’re fully insured and licensed in all municipalities that require it. While the State of Illinois doesn’t require licenses for exterior and insulation contractors, we carry licensing in all municipalities that have this requirement. We maintain full liability and workman’s compensation insurance, and a certificate of insurance listing complete coverages will be sent to you by our insurance agent upon request when you accept our proposal.
The Time to Act is Now
With energy costs rising relentlessly and the practical window installation season rapidly closing, homeowners considering replacement windows face a critical decision point. Waiting until spring means enduring another expensive winter with inefficient windows, watching hundreds of dollars literally blow away with every cold snap.
The installation timeline typically involves 1-2 weeks for regularly sized windows, with custom windows taking significantly longer. We work around our clients’ schedules and move as fast as possible, but the end of the practical window season is certainly approaching fast.
Get Your Free, No-Pressure Estimate Today
Don’t let another winter drain your bank account through drafty, inefficient windows. Jackson Exteriors offers free estimates with no pressure tactics; just honest expertise from a family business that’s been serving Algonquin and Arlington Heights for over four decades.
Whether you’re dealing with windows from the 1960s that barely open, newer builder-grade windows that are already failing, or you simply want to upgrade to the latest energy-efficient technology, we have the experience and manufacturer relationships to provide the perfect solution for your needs and budget.
Contact Jackson Insulation & Exteriors Co., Inc. today to schedule your free consultation. Let our family help your family save money, improve comfort, and protect your home’s value with professional window replacement services that deliver results you can measure on every utility bill.
Remember: Halloween marks the natural end of ideal installation weather, and Thanksgiving is the absolute deadline. The window of opportunity is closing – don’t let another expensive winter catch you unprepared.