Window Replacement in Altoona

Altoona at a glance

Altoona is a city of 19,565 people (2020) in Polk County, east of Des Moines. It's home to Adventureland and Prairie Meadows.

What that means for your windows

Altoona has older homes near its center and newer subdivisions on the edges. Older houses may need full-frame replacements, while newer ones need glass and hardware repairs; see window repair. Older homes near the original town center may have wood windows painted shut over the years, while newer homes have vinyl units nearing their first seal failures.

Highest point

Sitting high above the valley, homes catch the wind, so tight seals matter. Homes on the higher ground take more wind in winter storms, so tight-fitting sashes and good locks make a real difference.

Named for altitude

Anthony Yant settled here in 1854, and the land later passed to the Davis family, who hired surveyor Julian B. Bausman to lay out a town. He named it Altoona, from the Latin altus for high, after finding it was the highest point on the Des Moines Valley Railroad between Des Moines and Keokuk. The town incorporated in 1876. Homes on the higher ground take more wind in winter storms; see replacement windows.