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Jessica Wimmer is a writer for USA TODAY Homefront. She specializes in writing reviews and informational articles in the home and pet insurance industries. Jessica analyzes the best brands and has read over 1,000 customer reviews to learn what matters most to buyers. She’s been published in Deep South Magazine, The Dead Mule Journal of Southern Literature and The Deep Water Literary Journal. She’s also a Pushcart Prize nominee, Write Well award winner and former English teacher. Jessica hails from Virginia but currently resides in the Raleigh, North Carolina area.
If you want standard vinyl windows with energy-saving features and a lifetime warranty, look no further than Harvey Windows + Doors. However, if you don’t like the idea of hiring a contractor for installation, it’s probably not the right fit.
Harvey Windows + Doors is a long-time window manufacturer on the East Coast. Its products and services are more basic than those of some other top window companies, but this can save you money and may be just your style.
Our Harvey windows review looks at the brand’s product selection, pricing, energy features, warranty coverage and more to help you decide whether it’s the best choice for you.
Harvey Windows + Doors, part of the Harvey Building Products Corporation, is a straightforward window manufacturer in the sense that its products aren’t about flash. This may lower your investment and make buying easier, but it could mean you don’t get everything you want.
We rated Harvey using our methodology in categories such as window selection, warranty coverage, energy performance, Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating and more. Harvey earned 4.2 out of 5 stars in our rating system.
Harvey offers multiple window lines and manufactures a good variety of window types. Its vinyl windows are backed by a lifetime warranty.
The company partners with Energy Star to ensure energy-efficient windows for every climate it operates in, which is all along the East Coast. Its windows are rigorously tested for how well they block air leakage and UV rays to regulate your home’s temperature and keep your electricity bills low. You can also get triple-pane windows, which provide extra insulation; this may be particularly desirable if you live in the Northeast.
One thing to know about Harvey is that you won’t get a labor warranty from the company. Harvey only manufactures windows; it doesn’t sell them directly or install them. That means you’ll have to go through a distributor to purchase and arrange installation, and your labor warranty will come from your contractor.
This isn’t inherently bad, but because you’ll have warranties from different parties, it could cause a breakdown in communication or a complicated claims process if you have issues with your windows. You should also know that Harvey only works with distributors in 16 states on the East Coast.
Our biggest fault with Harvey’s products is that the company doesn’t place as much emphasis on design or innovation as we’ve seen from competing window companies. Brands such as Renewal by Andersen and Marvin incorporate more advanced window technology and attractive designs to enhance performance and aesthetics.
Harvey stands up to other brands as far as window variety and customer satisfaction, but it loses points with us for limited warranty coverage and lack of customer service availability.
Harvey may not have all the bells and whistles that some brands do, but it’s clear its customers are happy with what they get. We looked at more than 100 customer reviews on sites such as the BBB and Yelp and were happy to see mostly positive feedback. Harvey has an A+ rating on the BBB and a 4.8 out of 5 customer rating on the site — one of the highest customer satisfaction scores we’ve seen.
Since Harvey doesn’t sell directly to you but to distributors, many reviews are from contractors who have installed their products. This is still useful information because you get insight into the company’s customer service and how many happy customers continue to order Harvey products.
On the BBB, Frank D. says, “As a contractor, it’s great to use a company that not only has quality products but has first-rate, highly qualified certified technicians. The rep was amazing and extremely knowledgeable. Both my customer and myself are extremely satisfied!”
As a contractor, it’s great to use a company that not only has quality products but has first-rate, highly qualified certified technicians. Frank D.
As a contractor, it’s great to use a company that not only has quality products but has first-rate, highly qualified certified technicians.
We did find some concerning reviews. They were mostly from customers displeased with the quality and performance of their windows.
Yelp user Judy B. echoed what several Harvey window owners report: “Harvey Majesty wood windows are the worst. I can barely open most of them. The weatherstripping sticks to the window frame when opening and closing the windows so that I have to tilt the windows in and fix the weather stripping almost every time, and their customer service is horrible.”
These reviews are few and far between compared to the positive feedback, but they’re something to note.
Harvey manufactures two window lines: one vinyl and one wood. You can also choose from over a dozen window styles.
The Harvey Classic window line is made from vinyl and designed to be durable, long-lasting and low-maintenance. The line’s bestseller is the classic double-hung window. You can also customize exterior colors, hardware finishes, grid styles and glass options.
Harvey’s Majesty wood window line is made of solid Ponderosa Pine that’s been specially treated to resist rot, degradation, splitting, warping and mildew. It includes an extruded aluminum exterior cladding to protect window sashes from outdoor conditions. Harvey Majesty windows come in eight styles that you can also customize with different finishes.
Harvey has many of the popular window styles you’d expect. You can choose from the following types:
Harvey uses two primary window materials: vinyl and wood. Its window lines are distinguished by material type, each with its own pros and cons.
Classic vinyl window frames are more budget-friendly than wood options. Vinyl is easy to clean and holds up well in any climate. Harvey’s vinyl window frames come in white or almond, or you can customize them with standard paint colors. You can also choose UV paint technology, which Harvey claims is seven times stronger at resisting temperature fluctuations than industry-standard, water-based paints.
If you can afford a higher price point, Harvey’s wood windows provide a warmer, richer look to a room. Many find wood a more attractive option, though it degrades much quicker than vinyl. Harvey specially treats its wood line to resist rot and warping and reinforces it with an aluminum-clad exterior for extra protection from the elements.
Harvey doesn’t sell fiberglass windows, which have become popular with homeowners due to their heavy-duty and resilient nature. If you’re looking for fiberglass, Harvey isn’t the provider for you. Renewal by Andersen and Pella are other window brands with several fiberglass styles.
Harvey makes single-, double- and triple-paned window options. Each panel serves as a layer of glass between you and the elements. The more layers, the less your home is affected by outside temperature and wind. There’s no need to splurge on triple-paned windows unless you live in a cold climate. If you’re in the Northeast and face harsh winters, you may want to consider triple-panes, but otherwise, double is all you need.
Harvey sells Energy Star-certified windows, which means they’ve been tested and proven to meet high energy standards. Harvey also offers the following customizations to increase energy efficiency:
We surveyed 1,500 window customers in October 2023 and learned that those who bought Harvey replacement windows spent between $11,166 and $27,431. This price varies by the size of the window project. Here’s a look at customers’ average investment based on how many windows they purchased:
Window prices vary depending on the type, size, materials and customizations you choose. Expect to pay more for wood windows, larger sizes, and added design or energy features. Windows are a long-term investment, so invest in the customization options that will make your home function best and provide the most attractive curb appeal if you plan to resell.
The easiest way to see what you can expect to pay for the Harvey windows you’re interested in is to get a quote. Since Harvey doesn’t sell directly but through distributors, we recommend contacting a distributor by entering your location on Harvey’s site to see which is nearest you.
You can call and let a representative know what you’re looking for and get a no-obligation quote. You can also have a rep come to your home to discuss your options and provide a quote.
Your financing options won’t be from Harvey but the retailer you purchase from. Because of that, your options will vary. Your retailer may offer a payment plan or loan program. Some retailers will work with banks on your behalf, and some may leave it to you to discuss loan options with your bank.
Harvey can’t guarantee a particular installation process because this will vary by the retailer or contractor you hire to install the windows. We can tell you that window installation typically goes like this:
Installation processes vary, so we suggest asking your contractor about what to expect before the day arrives. We recommend asking what measures are taken to protect your home, what cleanup entails, and whether the crew disposes of the old windows and materials.
Harvey provides a manufacturer’s warranty for all its products. Its vinyl windows come with a lifetime warranty covering parts and materials. Unfortunately, Harvey’s wood window warranty isn’t as comprehensive. These windows only come with a 10-year warranty.
Since Harvey doesn’t install its windows, it doesn’t offer a labor warranty. You should check with your window installer for its warranty terms.
We like everything Harvey does to enhance its window performance. Low-e coatings, argon gas insulation, Energy Star testing and rot-resistant wood treatments are just a few things the company does to ensure efficiency and durability.
However, because it’s only a seller and not an installer, that side of your customer service experience and warranty coverage is up to a third party that Harvey doesn’t control. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it brings another party into your window project.
You can start your window project with Harvey by requesting a free quote on the company’s website. We also recommend getting quotes from at least three window providers before making your choice.
Our aim is to provide you with the information you need to assess and choose a window company when updating or replacing your windows. We conducted research to thoroughly understand the window industry from both a consumer and company perspective.
Our in-depth methodology compares window companies based on various attributes, including window options, energy efficiency, warranties, reputation, reviews, customer service, communication, installation and other services. Each attribute is worth points that add up to a possible total of 100. We then translate that score into our 5-star rating we feature in our reviews.
BBB ratings are accurate as of December 2023.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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