Universal Windows Direct
Is This Your Business?5.0
8.3
Overall Score
Author: Kaitlyn Short
Opening its doors in 2002, Universal Windows Direct was founded by Michael Strmac and William Barr. These two childhood friends started their company after years of remodelling homes. Universal Windows Direct has made it their goal to provide the best siding products at the lowest price possible.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Experience
- Multiple Designs
- Coverage
- Lifetime Warranty
- Multiple Contracts
Experience
Universal Windows Direct started in 2002, so they only have a moderate amount of industry experience; however, their founders have been in the home remodelling business all of their lives. Their experience and leadership combined with 15 years of successful service make them dependable.
Multiple Designs
Unlike some in the siding industry, they show multiple options for siding designs right on their website. You can choose between shakes, scallops, and soffit style siding designs depending on your preference.
Coverage
Operating in 24 states, the chances are good that they’ll be able to help you out with your siding needs.
Lifetime Warranty
They offer a warranty that covers most of their products for the estimated duration of that product. While the coverage will vary with the manufacturer, you can usually expect coverage for defects, color, hardware, glass films, and insulated glass.
Multiple Contracts
You have a variety of options regarding contract length. This makes Universal Windows Direct a flexible option, as you can choose among 12-, 18-, or 38-month long contracts.
The Bad
- Undisclosed Finance Rates
- Hidden Fees
Undisclosed Finance Rates
Though they have made it their mission to make quality parts and offer the lowest prices, they aren’t upfront about their APR finance rates. Customers looking for possible finance rate ranges must call in or send an email to get information.
Hidden Fees
Some clients have complained about fees coming up that they didn’t know about in the beginning. Their free window offer turned out to have a $100 fee attached to it. Many customers would appreciate more transparency concerning fees and policies.
The Bottom Line
Universal Windows Direct offers a lifetime warranty and multiple siding designs. They also claim to have the cheapest prices. However, their website does not show possible finance rates so clients have no way of knowing what their options might be in the beginning. Though they are relatively experienced in the industry, we cannot confidently recommend Universal Windows Direct to customers. Assess your options and keep Universal Windows Direct as a possible alternative to other companies.
