In a landscape often dominated by corporate acquisitions and mass-produced solutions, Comfort Windows & Doors stands apart. Founded in Syracuse in 1979, this family-owned company has grown into a trusted, vertically integrated home improvement provider across four major New York markets—Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo—while maintaining its commitment to quality, people, and community.
With over 150,000 homeowners served and more than 450 full-time employees, Comfort Windows & Doors delivers custom-made windows, doors, roofing, siding, decks, sunrooms, enclosures, insulation, and bathroom remodels, all backed by service teams that support customers long after installation is complete.
Comfort’s origins lie in a simple but powerful insight that took root when Bill Putzer, along with co-founders Fritz and Laurie Gentile, recognized a critical flaw in the residential window industry: mass-produced windows couldn’t stand up to New York’s harsh climate. “We quickly realized that mass produced windows weren’t cutting it for New York winters. We needed something built by New Yorkers, for New York weather,” says Jordan Gentile, a second-generation company leader.
Since then, Comfort has remained committed to high-quality products and exceptional customer service—core values that have helped the team serve over 150,000 homeowners in nearly 47 years. And while windows and doors may be in the name, Comfort delivers much more—offering expert solutions in siding, sunrooms, decking, and roofing to fully transform your home from top to bottom.
Comfort took an important step early on by bringing manufacturing in-house, giving the team complete control over the quality, material selection, and energy efficiency standards that matter most to customers. This localized approach, designing products specifically made for the regional climate and manufacturing them on site, has become a competitive advantage for the business. It allows Comfort to move faster than national competitors and provide products that genuinely perform in upstate conditions. The result for homeowners is fewer delays, better communication, and more peace of mind. For the company, it means agility, especially in response to changing standards.
That agility proved essential in 2023, when the U.S. Department of Energy introduced stricter Energy Star 7 standards. Comfort was uniquely positioned to adapt immediately: the company quickly re-engineered its glass packages, upgraded all its products, and now holds the distinction of offering the most energy-efficient windows in New York State. Many of these products also qualify homeowners for federal tax credits, adding long-term value to their investment.
That level of control and agility applies to all stages of the business, since Comfort handles the entire home renovation process internally. Starting at the sale and moving through production, delivery, installation, and service, this vertical integration ensures that customers receive consistent quality, accountability, and fluency even after their project is complete. “Our windows are built here, installed here, and serviced here by our employees,” says Gentile. “If something goes wrong, we’re right there to make it right. That’s the Comfort promise.”
To keep this promise, the Comfort team has grown to over 450 employees across four branches. However, Comfort has prioritized internal advancement and career development over short-term hiring solutions, ensuring consistent quality and supporting team growth. Long-term employment is not just about benefits or pay, though Comfort is competitive in both; it’s about leadership that listens. Regional and departmental leaders meet regularly with field and factory workers to understand what they need, whether it’s better equipment, updated training, or work-life balance improvements.
Comfort’s current operations are concentrated in four major metro areas, each representing a strategic pillar of the company’s market presence. Syracuse serves as the flagship location, housing both the headquarters and manufacturing facility. In Rochester and Buffalo, rapid growth has been fueled by rising demand for energy-efficient products and dependable installations. Meanwhile, in Albany, Comfort has carved out a strong reputation in a competitive landscape by upholding high standards and ethical business practices, making it a top choice for discerning homeowners. When a homeowner works with Comfort on transforming their home, they know they are getting a reliable solution and quality products installed with skilled craftsmanship.
To ensure consistent service quality and support team growth, Comfort launched a companywide training program in Syracuse. There, new hires and veteran installers alike are brought up to speed with Comfort’s core standards, safety protocols, and customer service expectations. “Finding reliable, skilled tradespeople has been a challenge,” Jordan Gentile tells us. “So, we created our own training program to build from within, giving people tools and growth paths.” This program doesn’t just train; it mentors.
In an industry where labor shortages are acute, Comfort’s approach of investing in talent rather than chasing it externally is proving highly effective. Companywide training gives new and veteran installers alike the opportunity to not only become a better craftsman, but to use their skills at a company that cares for them and looks out for their best interest. That internal focus has resulted in impressive employee retention and even an emerging trend of second-generation team members. “We have second‑generation employees whose parents worked here. That’s a sign we’re doing something right,” shares Jason Passante, Corporate Marketing Director.
Unlike companies that sell out to private equity and vanish, Comfort remains privately owned and managed by the families who founded it. “We answer to our customers and team, not shareholders,” Gentile says. “We’re family-owned and here to stay.” Because Comfort is independent, the team can make long-term decisions without pressure from outside investors. That includes everything from hiring and product development to regional expansion and warranty terms.
The company has used this training approach to expand internally by scaling product lines that already enjoy high customer satisfaction. These include roofing, siding, deck enclosures, sunrooms, and bath renovations. Unlike window replacements, which are often a single-visit sale, these additional services let Comfort deepen relationships with customers over time.
The team’s commitment to ethics and integrity hasn’t gone unnoticed either. The company has received six Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics from the Better Business Bureau—more than any other home improvement provider in its category. These awards recognize businesses that demonstrate the highest standards of honesty, transparency, and accountability. The company also consistently ranks on the Qualified Remodeler Top 500 list and has earned regional honors as a Top Workplace based on employee surveys. These recognitions aren’t just trophies; they reflect decades of trust, fairness, and follow-through.
Comfort isn’t the lowest bidder and that’s intentional. The company positions itself as a premium provider offering lifetime warranties, energy-efficient products, and unmatched service. Passante explains that many homeowners, especially first-time buyers, are drawn to low-price offers from popup contractors or out-of-state firms—but over time, Comfort’s reputation wins out. “We’re not a pickup-truck contractor,” Gentile adds. “We’re a family-owned business that stands behind every product we install.”
That reliability is especially critical in roofing, where poor workmanship can lead to expensive repairs. Comfort’s roofing systems include high-quality materials and a true lifetime warranty, backed both by the company and its manufacturing partners. This adds a layer of protection and assurance that most firms can’t offer. Homeowners also appreciate that Comfort handles its own service calls. If an issue arises, customers are not stuck chasing third-party installers or dealing with outsourced support. That accountability matters and it’s a major reason why referrals remain Comfort’s #1 source of new business.
Comfort also invests in sustainability. The company recycles manufacturing byproducts, adheres to green construction practices, and designs its windows and doors to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions for homeowners statewide.
As Comfort steps into its 47th year, its leadership remains future-focused without sacrificing the principles that built the brand. Emerging technologies like smart home integration and AI-assisted design tools are also being evaluated, but Comfort is cautious: only innovations that enhance customer experience or product quality will be adopted. It’s not about chasing trends; it’s about leading where it matters.
“We want to grow, but we’ll only do it if we believe we can uphold the same promise our customers expect,” says Passante. “We’re not interested in just being the biggest; we want to be the best.”
Comfort Windows & Doors is proof that longevity in home improvement isn’t built overnight or undone by ambition. Instead, it’s forged through local expertise, employee investment, ethical leadership, and a refusal to compromise on product integrity. In a marketplace increasingly cluttered by aggressive roll-ups, private equity exits, and empty promises, Comfort stands as a refreshing alternative: a family-owned, community-rooted company that measures success in trust earned and trust maintained.
For homeowners seeking partners who live up to their word, install with care, and support solutions for the long term, Comfort Windows & Doors remains the home improvement company worth recommending for today, tomorrow, and generations to come.
