Bay Area Siding Company installs replacement and new-construction windows across Berkeley — the flats, the campus neighborhoods, and the hills. We're a Marin-based (Larkspur) siding and window contractor, and we manage the full job: measuring, energy and glazing selection, permitting, tear-out, flashing and air-sealing, and a final walkthrough.

Ready to start? Request an estimate or call (415) 619-5167.

Signs your windows are ready to go

Berkeley's housing stock skews old, and old windows tend to show it:

• Drafts you can feel even with the sash latched.
• Fog or moisture trapped between the panes — a blown dual-pane seal, which is a replace-not-repair situation.
• Sashes painted shut, sticking, or that won't stay open — common in century-old wood windows.
• Winter heating bills that climb because single-pane glass has no insulating gas fill or Low-E coating.
• Rot or soft spots in the sill, jamb, or surrounding trim.

What to look for in a replacement window

• Energy performance. Choose dual-pane insulated glass with a Low-E coating. California's Title 24 energy code caps U-factor and SHGC for replacement windows — Berkeley's own permit checklist requires replacement fenestration to meet a maximum U-factor (with a limited exception for small openings). Your installer should confirm the current code figures at permit time rather than rely on old numbers.
• Frame material. Vinyl, fiberglass, aluminum-clad wood, and aluminum differ in cost, insulation, and looks. On Berkeley's Craftsman and brown-shingle homes, frame profile and sightlines matter — a clad-wood or carefully chosen profile preserves the original character better than a bulky insert.
• Retrofit vs. new-construction. Retrofit (insert) installs keep the existing frame and are less disruptive; new-construction installs strip the opening to the framing so flashing can be fully renewed — usually the right call where there's rot. We do both.

Weighing brands? Begin at our window hub, then compare Anlin, Milgard, Andersen, Marvin, and Pella. We also install aluminum windows.

What to expect: our process

1. Consultation — review your existing windows, openings, and goals.
2. Measure — exact field measurements per opening.
3. Product & energy selection — glass, frame, and finish chosen to meet Title 24.
4. Permit — Berkeley requires a building permit for window replacement.
5. Removal & prep — old units out, framing checked for rot or damage.
6. Install, flashing & air-seal — set plumb and level, then flashed and sealed against water and air.
7. Finish & walkthrough — trim, caulk, operation test, and cleanup together.

Berkeley-specific things to know

Permits. The City of Berkeley requires a building permit for window replacement. Its Windows and Doors code-compliance checklist also spells out egress requirements for bedrooms (an operable emergency escape opening) and safety-glazing (tempered) requirements at hazardous locations such as near doors — items that can affect which openings need special glass.

Energy (Title 24). Berkeley's checklist requires replacement windows to meet a maximum U-factor, with a narrow exception allowing a slightly higher U-factor for small replacement openings. Because the exact figure tracks the current code cycle and climate zone (Berkeley is in California Energy Climate Zone 3), we confirm the required value when we spec your job.

Hill fire zones. Berkeley's hill neighborhoods fall within designated fire zones where, per the City's checklist, replacement exterior windows and glazed door assemblies must meet added glazing standards — multi-pane glazing, glass block, or a fire-resistance rating. Whether this applies depends on your address and scope, which we verify up front.

Older, character-driven homes. Berkeley's Craftsman bungalows and brown-shingle houses were built with windows that are part of the architecture. Keeping that look while gaining modern energy performance is the balance we design for — and if your property is in a historic or design-review context, the window profile and materials you choose can matter to approval.

Handling the whole exterior? We also do James Hardie siding and siding replacement in Berkeley, and we serve the wider East Bay. Browse finished work in our project gallery.

What affects the cost

Every Berkeley home is different, so we don't post prices. The main drivers: number and size of openings, frame material and brand, retrofit vs. new-construction, whether fire-zone or safety glazing is required, condition of existing framing (rot repair adds scope), historic/design considerations, and access on hillside or multi-story homes.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to replace windows in Berkeley? Yes. Berkeley requires a building permit for window replacement, and the submittal covers energy (Title 24), egress, and safety-glazing compliance. We handle the permitting.

Will new windows ruin the look of my Craftsman or brown-shingle home? No — the point is to match the original sightlines and profile. Clad-wood and select vinyl or aluminum profiles can preserve the character while upgrading performance.

I'm in the Berkeley hills — do my windows need special glass? Possibly. In Berkeley's designated hill fire zones, replacement exterior windows must meet added glazing standards (multi-pane, glass block, or a fire-resistance rating). We confirm what your address and scope require before ordering.

Retrofit or new-construction install? Retrofit keeps the existing frame and is faster; new-construction is better where there's rot and lets us renew all the flashing. We assess and recommend.

Get started

Upgrade your windows for comfort, efficiency, and looks that fit the house. Request an estimate or call Bay Area Siding Company at (415) 619-5167.