Window World is one of the biggest window companies in America, boasting over 200 stores across the country.
They are many people’s first port of call when looking for affordable but highly effective windows that get the job done without breaking the bank.
Not only that, but they come with a lifetime warranty.
And you can also get them in various materials, including vinyl, colored, and traditional laminated wood.
So, no matter your preferred decor style, you know you’ll be able to find something that works for you.
Within their range, they offer a few versions that vary depending on your budget.
Two of the most popular windows series types in their range are the 4000 and 6000 series.
The main difference between the Window World 4000 and 6000 series is that the 4000 series is designed to be an entry-level double-hung window.
It’s affordable and made from a vinyl material that is considered builder-grade.
The 6000, on the other hand, is considered a more premium double-hung window that is more durable and has increased longevity.
Plus, it has a wider variety of color and finishes choices compared to the 4000.
But as you might expect, this improved quality comes with a higher price tag.
Knowing the details can be difficult to know which one is better for you.
So let’s take a deeper look at the differences between the two so you can make a more informed decision about which one will suit your room.
What is the Window World 4000 series?
The first thing to establish is that the 4000 and 6000 series are in their ‘double hung’ range.
This means that you can move both independently instead of a single sash that lifts vertically.
While a double-hung window is usually more expensive, it allows you to let air come through the bottom or top of the window, and it also allows for much easier cleaning.
But this has the added downside of extra moving parts – which inevitably means more points of failure.
One of the big boasting points of the 4000 series (cost aside) is its construction, which Window World claims will never peel, crack, chip or warp and, aside from the occasional clean, should require minimal maintenance and upkeep.
The 4000 series comes with heavy-duty tandem rollers, which are smooth and effortless.
The glass is either double or triple-pane and contains a Duralite warm edge spacer to help with energy efficiency and insulation.
You’ll find metal reinforced rails and heavy-duty weatherstripping around the edges, contributing to extra weather protection and overall durability.
Finally, it comes with a latching half screen so you can keep the window open, let in the fresh air and get a nice view of the outside, all while keeping bugs, mosquitoes, and other pests out of your home during those summer months.
What is the Window World 6000 series?
From a pure design point of view, the 6000 series is quite similar to the 4000 and features the same low-maintenance vinyl window frame.
It’s predominantly in the glass quality that we see the most significant improvement with their unique SolarZone TG2 Elite triple-pane insulation glass, which provides unparalleled weather protection.
Additionally, it has several user-friendly features, such as the tilt-in upper sash and lower sash so that you can wipe the outside of the window from inside the home.
Additionally, it has a spring-loaded push button vent so you can quickly and efficiently let some fresh air in at night.
Even the included mesh has been upgraded with ‘Clarity®’ mesh which provides many benefits over the 4000 series.
What are the differences between Window World 4000 and 6000?
As a potential buyer, you might see a lot of fancy marketing terminology being used: SolarZone, Duralite, Clarity.
It can be challenging to understand what these mean and how much of a tangible difference these upgrades make in a real-world application.
Let’s break down and compare these features one by one, so you can better understand precisely what you’re getting for your money.
1. The glass
Considering the price of the 4000, its glass quality is surprisingly good.
By default, it has a double-paned insulating glass with a small air space in between them that is enhanced with a Duralite warm edge spacer system which helps aid with its insulating properties.
This glass can be upgraded to a triple pane glass should your budget not be able to stretch to the 6000, yet you still need better protection than the double-paned glass.
The 6000, on the other hand, comes with triple-pane glass as default due to its better window frame and features.
It’s sold exclusively with higher-end components.
The material is also of a higher quality which Window World call their ‘SolarZone TG2 Elite insulation glass’.
2. Energy efficiency
Both window types have excellent energy efficiency properties, including a multi-chamber frame design meant to trap dead air and assist with insulation.
However, because the 6000 series comes with triple-paned glass, the SolarZone TG2 Elite material does a slightly better job retaining heat and thus has increased energy efficiency.
3. Rail types
Full-length ergonomic rails are used on the 6000 series, which help provide additional strength and stability.
It will be highly rigid while operating the window.
The 4000 series uses a similar but lower-quality rail with additional metal reinforcements to help increase stability.
4. Top sash functionality
Both the 4000 and the 6000 series have tilt-in top and bottom sashes, which is very convenient when it comes time to clean the outside of the window world windows.
However, the 6000 series has the added benefit of an interlocking system at the meeting rails, which, combined with its heavy-duty weatherstripping at the sides makes it more secure.
5. Aesthetics
The frame on the 4000 window world windows is pretty basic in appearance.
The vinyl frame gives it a clean but ultimately reasonably dull look.
The 6000, on the other hand, has a beveled exterior and recessed cam locks, so they don’t obscure your view, making it more functional and aesthetically appealing.
6. Color and finish options
The 6000 is available in several finishes, including the basic vinyl frame, a woodgrain laminate with many different window design options, and a colored frame.
The thing about the colored frames is that the color itself is formulated throughout the entire frame upon casting – meaning if it gets scratched, gouged, dented, or chipped, it will always show the same color.
The 4000 is only available with a standard white finish.
7. Thermal qualities
Both window types have Dualite edge spacers between the glass.
As the 6000 has a slightly thicker frame, that extra pane of glass is made from better material, and the interlocking window sash.
The 6000 is superior to the 4000 in terms of its ability to protect against the elements.
8. Cost
The 6000 uses slightly higher quality components, with all those extra design options for wood vinyl coating and the special recessed cams.
As you can imagine, it’s a fair bit more expensive than the 4000 series windows.
That said, the 6000 is still considered in the middle in terms of cost, as there is also an 8000 model above that.
Window World 4000 vs 6000: Are they the same?
An easy way to summarize the 4000 vs. the 6000 is that the 6000 uses higher quality components and has a few extra features but comes in a little more expensive than the 4000.
However, the specifics of whether that increased cost is worth it will ultimately come down to what you need from your windows.
- The 4000 is available in either a double or triple-paned glass, whereas the 6000 is only in triple-paned glass using their unique ‘SolarZone TG2 Elite insulation glass’.
- Due to its more robust construction and unique glass, the 6000 is slightly more energy efficient than the 4000 series windows.
- A full-length rail used on the 6000 series provides additional structural strength that is not present on the 4000.
- Both window types have a double tilt in the top and bottom window sash for easy cleaning, but the 6000 has an interlocking system at the meeting rails.
- Beveled exteriors and recessed cam locks make the 6000 windows a little more premium and pleasing in terms of aesthetics.
- The 6000 is available in several colors and even a laminate wood grain finish, whereas the 4000 is only available in regular vinyl.
- A slightly thicker frame and a better glass material make the 6000 window a bit better at protecting against the elements.
- The 4000 is cheaper than the 6000-window due to its fewer features and more basic construction.