The most cost-effective way to replace your windows

Over time, windows can get hazy and drafty, and the frame can sometimes rot.

When it comes time to replace your windows, Consumer Reports tested different replacement windows from big brands to help find the best bang for your buck.

They tested all different kinds of windows, from vinyl to wood to composite.

To test each window's wind and rain resistance, Consumer Reports experimenters showered each window with five gallons of water per square foot per hour.

"When you're looking at windows, you want to make sure you're getting the right type for the climate and the area in which you live," said Haniya Rae, Consumer Reports home editor.

The Pella 350 Series vinyl window was the only window that was rated excellent in all of the performance tests. One of these windows in a 3-by-5-foot size will cost about $415, but there's less expensive options for areas with less wind and rain, like the $285 Simonton Prism Window.

The Jeld-Wen (V-2500 series) window is a good option for colder regions and costs $300.

"A new window may help you save on your gas and electric bills, but it may take decades before you offset the cost of those new windows," Rae said.

For people looking to sell their home, the National Association of Realtors estimates you'd recover nearly 80 percent of your costs installing new vinyl windows and 60 percent for wood windows if you sell soon after installation.