The gap between a local window quote and a national one is bigger than most homeowners expect

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James Morrison has spent nearly 20 years working with windows and doors, and for the past six and a half, he's put that experience to work at Stillwater Building Center — where homeowners can often get a locally installed replacement window for half the price — sometimes even less — of what a national company would charge for a comparable product.

That gap matters. National window replacement companies have become a familiar presence in North Central Oklahoma — aggressive mailers, in-home sales presentations, and time-limited discounts designed to close on the spot. Stillwater Building Center, a locally owned operation with more than 50 employees and a 12,000-square-foot custom door shop, offers a different experience and a significantly different price.

Renewal by Andersen, a sister company to the Andersen brand, sells a product closely comparable to the Andersen 100-series composite that SBC carries — same manufacturer, similar materials, equivalent warranties. The price is another matter.

"Most of the time our quote is 50 percent less, and in some cases, even 75 percent less than theirs — for almost the same product," Morrison said.

The difference comes down to what national companies are paying for: large advertising campaigns, brand premiums, and a sales model built around in-home pressure. SBC's installers are direct employees — not subcontractors — which keeps costs lower and accountability local. When something needs attention after the job is done, homeowners deal with the same crew that did the work, not a customer service line.

"We're not going to corporate to explain a decision," Morrison said. "We want that customer to be happy. If we have to go the extra mile to get that, we're going to do that without any questions asked."

The local advantage also shows up when a project does not fit a standard size. Big-box retailers stock what they stock — and when a door or window opening falls outside those dimensions, the homeowner is left modifying framing or cutting down product themselves. SBC's in-house door shop custom-sizes doors and frames to fit the existing opening, whether that is a mobile home with a non-standard height, an older house with an unusual rough opening, or a patio door conversion where the standard slider and swinging door dimensions do not match.

"You're not comparing apples to apples," Morrison said of homeowners who bring a big-box price to the conversation. "But we're going to get that installed, and it's going to be custom fit for your home."

How Stillwater Building Center runs a job from first call to final walk through

The process starts with a free in-home estimate. Hutson Gamble, a sales consultant at Stillwater Building Center, handles initial calls and helps schedule a visit. Morrison or a member of his team comes out, takes measurements, and asks about priorities — style, functionality, problem areas — before building an accurate quote. No price is presented on-site and no decision is expected the same day.

"We like to come out and have a look at the project first," Morrison said. "That way, if we're quoting it, we know it's actually going to be right."

The quote is prepared, reviewed internally, and emailed to the homeowner with a follow-up call in three to four days. Quotes are typically honored for at least 30 days, and there is no pressure on timeline. Once a homeowner moves forward, SBC walks through the full order details — glass type, color, finish — before anything is submitted to the manufacturer.

"We don't want you to have any surprises," Morrison said. "We want you to know exactly what you're getting."

Windows typically carry a four-week lead time. When product arrives, SBC inspects the order before scheduling the install rather than showing up on the job day and discovering a missing piece. When the work is complete, the crew cleans up and steps back. SBC waits about three days before following up — and does not send a final invoice until the homeowner is satisfied.

"We don't want to send that final invoice till you're happy, till everything's done and done right," Morrison said.

Stillwater Building Center has been part of the community since 1999, when Jim Watson and Barnett Scarborough founded it with a goal of delivering quality building products and a high level of service. The company grew from a former boat repair shop on Highway 177 between Perkins and Stillwater into its current 24,000-square-foot retail store and showroom on 10 acres at 44th and Perkins Road, with a 12,000-square-foot door shop added in 2013. In 2020, six long-term employees became the ownership group, led by primary owner Paul Klopfenstein — all based locally and actively involved in daily operations.

What to look for when choosing windows and doors

For homeowners who want to understand what they are buying, Morrison walks through the energy efficiency labels on every window. The U-factor measures heat transfer — lower is better. The solar heat gain coefficient, or SHGC, measures how much solar heat passes through the glass — also lower in Oklahoma's hot climate. Nearly every window SBC installs is Energy Star rated for the south-central region, which corresponds to a low-emissivity glass coating and argon gas sealed between dual panes.

SBC carries vinyl windows as the most budget-friendly option, composite windows such as the Andersen 100 series for greater durability, and wood-clad Andersen windows at the premium end. Color choices — a homeowner who wants black on both the interior and exterior is working with a narrower selection — can affect which lines are available. Morrison recommends laminated finishes over painted windows, which scratch and eventually need to be redone.

On the door side, SBC carries three exterior materials. Wood requires ongoing refinishing in Oklahoma's climate and carries a minimal warranty once installed. Steel is the most budget-friendly and more durable than wood, though a scratched finish will rust. Fiberglass is what SBC sells most — it does not dent, does not rust, is more energy efficient than steel, and comes in wood-grain styles that can be stained to look nearly identical to a real wood door without the upkeep.

"I've seen some people put these doors in and they have it stained and without getting up close and really looking at it, it looks very similar to a wood door," Morrison said. "But you get all the benefits of the fiberglass."

Homeowners interested in a free estimate can contact Stillwater Building Center at (405) 372-5959 or stop by the showroom at 4521 S. Perkins Road in Stillwater. The store is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.

Those looking to see the product lines in person will have an opportunity this spring. Stillwater Building Center will exhibit at the North Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association Home and Garden Show at the Payne County Expo Center, in booths 138–141 in the expo hall. The show runs Friday, April 3, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"I want everybody in Stillwater to know the name in a good way," Morrison said.

This story was produced in partnership with the Stillwater Building Center as part of The Stillwegian's sponsored content program.