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Over the years I have bought, remodeled and sold several houses during which I needed to determine the budget required to replace the windows. I needed to keep costs down so I decided to research and determine if I needed to repair or replace the windows and how much it would cost. There are many factors that impact the costs like the material, glass, style, features and sizes I was looking to purchase.
How much does it cost to replace windows? The US national average of window purchase and installation is $5,000 while most homeowners spend between $3000 and $7500. Replacement windows cost between $300 and $750 per window before installation. The cost of replacing home windows will depend on your choice of window brand, type of window being installed, size, glass, style, features, window accessibility, local labor costs, and more. Individual window prices range from $100 – $2500 with installation adding $150 – $800 per window. New construction windows will add between $50 – $100 each window. If you would like to get a rough cost estimate for your window replace and the rough openings in your home are standard size you can do a little research on your own to get a feel for the costs before moving further with the project, talking to a professional or buying any materials. Just measure the window height and width for each window you want to estimate and go online or to a home improvement store to get a rough estimate of the costs to replace your windows. However, as I will explain below there are better ways to keep costs down while ensuring your home is safe from the elements.
So keep reading to learn more about replacing windows, costs, safety and other options.
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What does it cost to replace windows?
If you are planning to replace many of your homes windows you may be able to negotiate a better overall total price for your project. For energy efficient options there are options available that help improve your windows energy efficiency but come at a cost. There are over 15 different window types with some of the most being double-hung, casement, bay and fixed. Each type has a different average cost which you will see below in the table.
To know the full cost of window replacement you need to know the factors that contribute to the total cost:
- Select material – Vinyl, Wood, Composite/Fiberglass, Aluminum/Metal
- Select glass – single pane, double pane, triple pane
- Select style – Casement, Double-hung, Single-Hung, Awning-style, Hopper-style, Fixed, Bay, Bow, Egress
- Select features – Cladding, Double Glazing, Triple Glazing, Low-E coating, Tilt-in sash
- Maintenance Required – sealing, staining, painting
- Installation – cost, complexity
- Accessibility – where are they located on the building (first floor, second floor)
- Safety – do they open, are they impact resistant
- Climate – are they susceptible to extreme heat or cold, hurricanes, tornadoes
Window materials to consider that impact the cost:
| Material | Description | Benefits | Costs | Installation Costs | Average Energy efficiency | Other Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | Vinyl windows are typically the least expensive option, however they usually come in white and cannot be painted or stained | Pros: Vinyl is energy efficient, least expensive and are insect and rot proof Cons: Vinyl windows can warp, and the vinyl material has a thicker frame that expands and contracts and can deteriorate over time. Vinyl frames have fewer hardware options. | $150 - $500 per vinyl double pane window but can vary greatly based on style Add $50 - $100 each for new construction To replace 10 vinyl double-hung windows in a single story home would range from $3,500 to $7,500 with installation costs. | $150 - $750 | For double-hung, double-pane glass • U factor .34 • SHGC .28 | Make up over 67 percent of windows sold Be sure to keep your homes overall color palette in mind if you plan to coordinate your window color with your homes exterior paint color. |
| Wood | These window frames are made of solid wood with the exterior covered in aluminum or vinyl to protect the wood from the elements and reduce maintenance. You can choose from a variety of hardware finishes, allowing you to pick a style that matches your home. | Pros: Wood windows are beautiful, energy efficient, can be painted Cons: Higher maintenance, more expensive, susceptible to rot and insects | $250 - $1000 per wood window Add $50 - $100 each for new construction The cost of 10 replacement wood windows would range from $13,000 to $20,000 with installation costs. | $250 - $1500 | For double-hung, double-pane glass • U factor .30 • SHGC .30 | |
| Composite / Fiberglass | These frames are made from fiberglass or from a combination of materials. Do not need to be painted or stained equating to less color choices. Typically, the least expensive type of frame. Have parts made of solid wood and others from laminated wood or plastic with embedded wood fibers to give the look of a solid wood window, while trying to maintain durability than solid wood. | Pros: Maintenance free, doesn’t expand, high energy efficiency, durable and contract, can be painted, also available: real wood interior frames and sashes that can be stained. Cons: Expensive, can deteriorate over time | $100 - $500 per composite window Add $50 - $100 each for new construction The cost of 10 replacement fiberglass windows would range from $5,500 - $15,000 with installation costs. | $250 - $500 | For double-hung, double-pane glass • U factor .30 • SHGC .25 | Only 3 percent of windows sold Best expands and contracts like glass so you do not get seal failures causing argon gas to leak out and reducing the windows performance. |
| Aluminum / Metal | Aluminum is extremely strong, and the solid, thin frames allow for more glass to be used which is what you see in large buildings. | Doesn’t insulate well in heat and cold temps and can transfer that temp range to the glass causing stress on the pane, endless color finishes, long-lasting Thin, solid and strong, inexpensive Cons: Very low energy efficiency, not very durable. | $75 - $300 per aluminum window Add $50 - $100 each for new construction The cost of 10 replacement aluminum windows would range from $5,000 - $10,000 with installation costs. | $100 - $700 | For double-hung, double-pane glass • U factor .31 • SHGC .50 | Market share decreasing over time due to fiberglass, vinyl that are cheaper and more durable. |
Window styles to consider that impact the cost:
Other Window Features to consider that impact the cost:
| Feature | Description / Notes |
|---|---|
| Cladding | Today’s wood-framed windows are clad in aluminum, vinyl, or fiberglass to protect the wood from the elements and eliminate painting. They tend to be the most expensive but are more attractive than other materials. Many brands offer various wood types, such as pine, maple, and oak, for the interior. It can be either painted or stained at the factory, or you can add it to your to-do list. |
| Double or Triple Glazing | Double-glazed windows have a sealed space between two panes of glass filled with air or argon gas, typically to slow the transfer of heat through they window. Gas provides better insulation and is standard on many windows, but the energy savings won’t justify paying more for it. Triple-glazing adds a third layer of glass, which reduces noise significantly. Energy savings are improved, but not enough to justify cost in all but extremely cold climates or where there is a constant and very loud noise (such as near airports or major freeways). Glazing refers to the glass in the window frame. It can be single, double or triple thicknesses with air spaces in between. Double and triple glazing is the most energy efficient. Glazing compound is the putty that helps hold the glass in place |
| Low-E coating | Low-emissivity (low-E) coatings are transparent and improve the efficiency of the glass by reflecting heat yet letting light in. The coating is applied to the outside glass in warmer climates to reflect the sun's heat out, and in colder climates it's applied to the inside glass to keep heat in. But keep in mind that any coatings applied to glass, no matter how transparent, reduce the visibility. |
| Tilt-in sash | On single and double-hung windows, the sashes (the moving part of a window) can be tilted in for easy cleaning. Almost all brands have this feature. |
- Single Pane – One pane of glass that offers no ventilation and not nearly as energy efficient as double and triple pane. Generally the cheapest
- Double Pane – Two layers of glass that is filled with an insulating gas like argon or krypton that will help keep the elements outside from impacting the interior of your home. Usually more expensive than a single pane of glass, 30 – 50 percent, but will save money in the long run compared to single pane. If the frames leak the gas you will see the window “fog” up that is usually a sign to replace them due to a defect, poor installation or a cheaper product.
- Triple Pane – Similar to the double pane except with three layers of glass. Usually 25% more expensive than double pane without the efficiency gains that result in this being a less likely choice for many window solutions.
In summary – choose double pane! Why? Very simply put the window companies might try and sell you the solution just based on the glass. However, the energy efficiency is based on the glass but other factors like installation, frame, and location.
What are the parts of a window?
The moving parts of a window are the sash.
The interior shelf of a window is called the stool.
The exterior shelf of a window is called the sill and is sloped downward to shed rain.
The frames on the sides and tops of a window are called the jambs.
The pieces of wood that holds the sash into the opening is called the stops.
The apron is the piece of trim underneath the stool.
The left and right pieces of trim is the side cases. The side cases or casing were originally installed to hide the counter weights for the sash.
The top piece of trim is head casing.
The muntin’s are the grid pieces used in some windows. They are usually just decorative and can be added by snapping them into place or in some cases they are used to hold glass panes in place.
The operator is the crank mechanism on some windows that allow you to open and close the window. The operator is generally seen on the casement and awning window styles.
The latch is the locking device of the window. The latch not only locks the window, but it also helps seal the window closed allowing the weather stripping to effectively block out the outside elements.
The scissor arm or extension arm are attached to the window frame either at the rails or the stiles and is extended or contracted by cranking the operator handle to open or close the window.
Should you repair or replace your existing windows?
To keep costs down there are options to replacing all your windows. There are three options when it comes to ensuring your windows are operating correctly to keep your home looking stunning while ensuring your home stays dry and fighting back the outside elements. First, inspect your windows for signs of wear like mechanical issues, rot, insects, cracks, hardware failures and binding sashes. If you have no issues but perhaps a piece of glass is fogged up from losing argon gas you can choose to repair the window. If your window is beyond repair but your existing window frame and sill are still square and sound, you can choose to purchase replacement units called “pocket replacements” that would fit in the existing frame leaving intact the trim and finishing’s. If the frame is too old with rot or deterioration you can opt for full replacement windows that include the frame, sill, jamb and have a nailing flange that attaches to the outside of the wall around the window opening. Do not assume you need to replace all your windows at the same time. Chances are the windows in your home that take the hardest hit from the elements can stand the test of time while those that get hit with sun, rain, snow need to be replaced much sooner. If only a few windows have issues you can choose to repair those and can find identical replacement windows or windows that fit into the over aesthetics of your home.
A word about window safety:
Keeping family members safe should be an important element when choosing a window solution. For a two-story home or larger having windows that are single hung and can be opened only from the bottom sash can create a fall hazard, whereas if you chose a double-hung window that would allow the lower sash to remain closed while the upper sash is opened to let in air would reduce a safety hazard. Depending on window location like those that are at the floor height will require tempered glass to reduce any fall or breakage of the window glass. Finally, older windows may no longer have locks that function properly making your home more likely for a break-in.
How to measure a window for replacement?
Step 1: Measure the width of the window from side to side at the center.
Step 2: Measure the height of the window from the sash to the top
Step 3 : Record each measurement for each window that needs to be replaced
What are the top window brands?
- Andersen Windows
- Pella Windows
- Alside Windows
- Wallside Windows
- Milgard Windows
- Harvey Windows
- Ply Gem Windows
- PGT Windows