Where window and door installers buy
Window and door installers order units through a distributor or lumber yard tied to the brands they install, often weeks ahead, and pick up trim and flashing locally.
| Supplier | Type | What their own site says | Pro program |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABC Supply | Distributor | Roofing, siding, gutters, windows and doors, from steep-slope shingles to rain gutters, guards and downspouts. | Ask at the counter |
| 84 Lumber | Distributor | Calls itself the nation's largest privately held supplier of building materials, with more than 320 stores, door shops and millwork shops in 34 states. | Ask at the counter |
| The Home Depot | Retailer | Calls itself the world's largest home improvement retailer, with more than 2,300 stores across North America. | Pro Xtra |
| Lowe's | Retailer | Runs MyLowe's Pro Rewards for small and mid-sized pros, with points from the first dollar spent. | MyLowe's Pro Rewards |
From each supplier's own site on the date in the sources; call your branch before you plan around it.
Your counter list
The items window and door installers buy every week, from the van stock on our tools list. Ask each supplier for a price on these first; they decide which account saves you the most.
| Item | Why it is on the list |
|---|---|
| Composite and wood shims | Every unit needs them |
| Flashing tape and sill pan material | The part that keeps water out |
| Low-expansion foam and sealant | Sealing the gaps around the unit |
| Installation screws | The fasteners the maker calls for |
| Backer rod | Larger gaps before caulking |
| Drop cloths and floor protection | Clean worksites in occupied homes |
For the first order, price the starter kit too: tape measure and a notebook of rough openings; 4 ft and 6 ft levels; oscillating multi tool; pry bars and a flat bar; cordless drill and impact driver; caulk gun and low-expansion foam gun; flashing tape roller and utility knife; multi-position ladder; door and window carrying straps. Bigger purchases to price at a dealer or rental house: glass suction cups; reciprocating saw; finish nailer and compressor; hinge jig and a router; trailer or racks for the truck.
Opening a trade account
Bring your business name, tax ID and license number, and a credit application if you want terms. The big-box programs are compared row by row on Home Depot Pro vs Lowe's Pro. For the tools themselves, the window and door tools list has prices read on the makers' own sites (Little Giant).
When supplier prices change
Update your window and door price list the same week a supplier raises prices. In Koira, that price list is what your estimates are built from.
Sources
- ABC Supply: About and products, checked October 9, 2026
- 84 Lumber: About, checked October 9, 2026
- The Home Depot: About, checked October 9, 2026
- Lowe's: MyLowe's Pro Rewards announcement, checked October 9, 2026
Last checked October 9, 2026. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and differ by state and city, so confirm with the agency named before you act.