Window Replacement Costs

Window replacement costs between $300 and $2,100 per window with an average cost of $850. Labor alone makes up $100 to $300 of the total. The materials making up the rest of the cost, based primarily on window size, frame material and glass type.

There are many reasons to replace the windows on your house. A new set can give your house a facelift. Replacing a small one with a larger one allows in more light and a better view. Newer, energy-efficient types can save an average 15% on your energy bill. Whatever the reason for replacing them, it’s important to have a professional perform the work. It isn’t a DIY project.

On This Page:

1. Average Cost of Replacements
2. Replacement Windows Cost
3. Comparison by Material
   1. Vinyl Window Replacement Cost
   2. Replacement Wooden Windows
   3. Fiberglass, Aluminum or Composite
4. By Type
   1. Double-Hung
   2. Single-Hung
   3. Picture
   4. Casement
   5. Sliding, Folding, Storm, Bay and Bow or Custom
5. Energy Efficient Replacements
6. Average Cost to Replace Windows
   1. Window Replacement Cost Per Window
   2. By Size
7. Labor Cost to Install Replacement Windows
8. Cost to Replace Windows in an Old House
9. Window Change Cost by Location
   1. Basement Window Replacement Costs
   2. Bathroom, Bedroom & More
10. Full Frame Cost vs. Retrofit Replacement
11. Best Brands
12. DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
13. FAQs

Average Cost of Window Replacements

Replacement Windows Cost

Windows, including the glass and frames, run an average of $100 to $650. In addition to material, you’ll spend another $100 to $300 in labor. Prices range anywhere from $50 to $2,000 or more depending on several factors that we’ll go into in the following sections.

Common factors that increase price include:

• Type
• Material
• Size
• Energy-Efficiency

Replacement Window Cost Comparison by Material

Depending on the material you choose, you’ll spend anywhere from $75 to $1,500 on a window. In addition to the material price, expect to pay an additional $100 to $300 each for labor.

*For custom, ornate or very large projects, add 25% to 50%.

NOTE: For the best return, replace windows with the same or higher quality material. Don’t downgrade.

Vinyl Window Replacement Cost

Standard vinyl, the most popular type, has a range of $100 to $900.

• Decorative and very large bay or bow types might hit $1,500 to $2,500.
• It’s one of the cheapest, most durable and energy-efficient varieties.

Learn about how vinyl differs from other varieties:

• Vinyl vs. Wood Windows
• Vinyl vs. Aluminum Windows

Replacement Wooden Windows

Wood frames or standard types run from $150 to $1,300 or more.

• Classic architectural look
• Maintains homes value
• Some historical neighborhoods require it

Fiberglass

Runs about 15% to 30% more than vinyl or $500 to $1,500.

• More durable than vinyl with similar insulation properties.
• Because of the increased price with little extra benefit, it’s not as common.

Aluminum

Aluminum ranges from $75 to $400.

• Large or high-end varieties cost up to $1,200 or more.
• Far less popular than other types
• Tough to paint and doesn’t insulate well

Composite

Composite runs between $300 and $1,200. It mixes PVC polymers with wood fibers to create attractive, maintenance-free frames.

• More durable than vinyl or wood
• Wood look
• Low maintenance

Window Replacements by Type

On average you’ll spend anywhere from $50 to $1,000 or more depending on the style you choose. In addition to the price of materials, you’ll spend an average of $200 per window for labor.

Before buying, make sure the window’s size, function and look are what you want. We’ll discuss each in more detail below. Here are the most common styles for a home:

*Not including labor. Each style comes in different material types. For custom, ornate or oversized versions, expect to add 50% more.

Double-Hung Replacement Windows Prices

Double-hung types run $150 to $650 each. It looks exactly like a single-hung but allows the upper and lower sashes to move. Explore the differences and costs between a single and double-hung window.

• Increased circulation occurs when lower and upper sashes are open. There is no change in the total open area, but higher and lower openings let in fresh air while allowing stale air to escape.
• Cleaning on upper floors is easy. Both sashes lean inward for easy access and safety.

Single-Hung Windows

A single-hung type runs from $100 to $400 each. This classic, old-fashioned, vertically-opening style is the most popular. Only the bottom pane, called the sash, slides.

• Sometimes incorrectly referred to as “fixed,” with is a non-operational unit.
• Use on the ground floor only. Cleaning on higher floors can be dangerous since it requires leaning out to reach the exterior of the upper sash.

Picture Window Replacement Cost

Picture styles run anywhere from $300 to $1,200 or more depending on the size.

• Usually fixed in place. Some include opening side panels for ventilation.
• Often requires custom sizing

Casement or Awning Window Replacement

This hinged variety, that opens like a door, runs $150 to $1,000 depending on the size and material type. A casement style hinged to the top is called an awning, while a hopper has bottom hinges.

• Opens inward or outward.
• Opens via a crank that doubles as a lock. Many models offer separate locks for added security.
• Resists the wind blowing it open or closed due to the crank mechanism.
• Gets maximum ventilation because it can swing completely away from the frame.
• Since the entire panel can swing open, larger ones may have a large fixed pane in the middle with left and right openings at either end.

Sliding or Folding

Sliding types run $150 to $800 each. Folding types are custom installations and range anywhere from $500 to $900 per linear foot, including labor.

• Includes two sashes (one sliding horizontally over a stationary sash).
• Sliders (sometimes called gliders) are often used for larger applications.
• Increases view with smaller sills and cases.
• Use on the ground floor only; cleaning on higher floors is dangerous since it requires leaning out.

Storm

Storm windows cost $50 to $300 each including labor. Most homeowners spent $5,000 on average to put storms on all windows.

• Helps protect the trim of your windows.
• Increases energy efficiency.
• May increase resale value.

Bay and Bow Window Costs

A bay window replacement costs $1,800 on average. They add square footage to the floorplan, increasing the home’s value and space. Bay types are three panes joined at an angle which extrude from a living space or bedroom.

Bow window replacement estimates run from $1,500 to $6,500, not including installation. They are like bay styles but have a minimum of five panes rather than three. They often don’t extend outward as far as bow styles do and therefore provide less square footage but more window area with more light.

Custom Replacements

Custom work is always more than standard replacements starting at $1,000 each. Custom sizes and installations are common among older homes where standard opening sizes weren’t used.

Pocket Replacement Window

Pocket window replacement pricing varies by project as they are almost all custom work. Pocket types use the existing frame, removing only the old glass. A new unit is custom made to slide snugly into that opening. It takes the least amount of time to install but reduces visibility. You’ll literally have one frame sitting inside of another.

Energy-Efficient Window Replacements

You’ll spend an average of $120 to $1,200 each. High-quality brands go even higher in price. Generally, the more you pay the more efficient they are. They start at simple, double-pane varieties with an Energy Star rating and go up to triple-pane, high-efficiency types with a low-e coating.

• Low-e coatings add 10%-15% to the price.
• Vinyl, wood and fiberglass are the most energy-efficient.
• Great option for the environmentally-conscious homeowner.
• Energy-efficient styles save you between 7%-15% on home energy bills. But it isn’t always worth the extra investment.
  • For example, if your annual heating and cooling bill runs $2,000, you’ll save $140-$300 per year. If you spend $5,000 more on the project than standard windows would have cost, it’ll take you somewhere between 16 and 50 years to make up the extra expense.

Average Cost to Replace Windows

Replacing a window costs an average of $300 to $850 each. This assumes that the replacement is going into an existing and structurally sound frame on a ground floor. Replacing everything in a typical three-bedroom, single-story home with ten openings can range from $3,000 to $8,500. This price can easily double for a two-story home.

Window Replacement Cost Per Window

You’ll pay an average of $40 per hour for labor or about $100 per unit. In some cases, you’ll pay as much as $300 each, depending on size, location, accessibility and the overall time the job takes.

*For high-end and custom work, add 25% to 50%.

Cost of Replacing Windows by Size

There are hundreds of sizes available direct from manufacturers, through your professional and through most big box home improvement stores. Sizes affect both material costs and installation times. Expect a large bay style to require two pros and additional installation time than would be required by a small bathroom window replacement.

With so many sizes, it’s impossible to give exact pricing. For the best estimate for your specific project, contact a window installer near you today.

Labor Cost to Replace Window

Most installers average $40 per hour with a typical range of $30 to $65 per hour. Expect to pay more in urban areas with higher costs of living, such as San Francisco and New York. A good rule of thumb is to add between $100 to $300 per unit for installation with complex installs reaching closer to $600 or more.

Keep labor rates down with higher volume jobs. You’ll pay less per window the more you replace at the same time. In addition to the materials and hourly rates, contractors must also account for travel time, fuel, setup, cleanup and disposal fees. Overhead remains close to the same whether you’re changing two or ten.

Complexity of the install, age of the home, accessibility and location affect this price. For example, one in a single-story suburban home, built in the last 20 years, might be a quick two-hour job per unit while a third-floor replacement in a row home in Manhattan may take six hours or more.

Cost to Replace Windows in an Old House

Old homes (70 years or older) can double or triple project pricing. They each come with unique challenges, such as:

• Custom pieces made to fit nonstandard sizes.
• Repairing or replacing rotted or broken trim.
• Match historical architecture.
• Removing counterweights.
• Upgrading to current code standards.
• Filling empty areas with insulation.

Changing Out Parts

Repairing a window costs less than installing a new one, or about $375 on average. Repairs also helps maintain the character of older homes and unique architectures.

Window Change Cost by Location

While most install locations don’t make a significant difference in pricing, there are a few areas to note.

• Basement window replacements: $250-$1,000+ depending on the number of alterations needed.
• Basement egress windows: $2,600-$5,300+.
• Bathroom or Bedroom: $300-$700 each.
• Sunroom: price varies depending on the size.
• Foyer or dining room: $300-$700 for installation. Large picture, bay and bow varieties can double or triple that price.
• Replacing on upper floors increases the time it takes to access them from the outside. Add an hour of work per unit, or about $40.

Cost Factors

Other than the labor and unit price, other factors affecting price include:

• The need to alter an existing frame.
• Double- or triple-glazed.
• Insulating gases in double- or triple-glazed.
• Exterior dressing (decorative awnings, etc.).
• Remoteness of the job site.
• Time demands on the contractor.
• Unforeseen structural deficiencies.
• Profit: A contractor must make money to stay in business just like anyone else. A profit margin of 25% is realistic. It will vary by location with margins up to 60% or more.

Full Frame Window Cost vs. Retrofit Replacement

Installing new windows costs $5,950 on average. But understanding the two types of windows beforehand can save you thousands in labor.

• The only physical difference between the two is a nail fin, a flange around the edge for attaching directly to the studs, which is found in new construction units.
• Retrofit or replacement windows are 10%-15% cheaper than new construction and require less labor to install.

Retrofit or Replacement

• For existing homes, always use retrofit or replacement types.
• 10%-15% more expensive for materials but take far less time to install.

Full Frame or New Construction

• In existing construction, this can increase increases price by 50%-100% because the pro must tear out the old frame. In existing structures, this can increase the project price of an average one-story, three-bedroom home project by $5,000-$40,000.
• For new construction projects. Only used in existing buildings when stripping the wall to the studs for a remodel or due to damage.

Additional Factors

In addition to the added labor, installing a new construction unit into an already existing home can require additional side work, including:

• Framing costs: $1,000-$2,900
• Insulation costs: $1,050-$2,400
• Cost to repair trim: $300-$1,000
• Siding repair pricing: $350-$1,275
• Costs to install drywall: $1.50 per square foot

Best Replacement Window Brands

There are dozens of brands available depending on the region. In most cases, your contractor will help you determine the best brand for your home. Whether it’s a factory direct installation or a third-party, all of these windows come with warranties, many of them transferable. Any third-party contractor may warranty labor.

• Wallside Windows: $300-$500. Vinyl replacement company that both produces and installs its product. They come with a 35-year warranty.
• Feldco: $300-$700. Available in Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana and Illinois. They both make and install their products. 20-year warranty.
• NewSouth Window Solutions: Varies. Made and sold in Florida to meet hurricane code requirements.
• Andersen: $200-$1,800. Third-party installed by authorized dealers. 10-20-year warranty.
• Pella: $100-$1,800. Available nationally with a 20-year warranty.
• Jeld-Wen: $50-$1,200. Found throughout the country in big box home improvement stores.
• Harvey: $125-$500. Found throughout most of New England.
• Window World: Varies. Available nationally.

DIY Estimates

It's unlikely that you will save any money doing this yourself. Contractors can purchase materials at wholesale, while you will most likely have to pay retail price. Further, professionals know what to measure and how to correctly measure it.

The tools and knowledge to correctly do this work belong to the professionals--and they do the job so often that they can usually perform the labor in a surprisingly short amount of time. In fact, by the time the average homeowner has determined the size they need and compiled a basic list of tools and materials required, a professional can be halfway through the work.

Why Hire a Professional?

There are several advantages to hiring a professional window installer. A professional will know how to deal with the following issues and any others that may arise over the course of a job:

• Mold: A major health issue, particularly in humid regions, this fungus can destroy wood.
• Rotted wood: Wood that is rotted or damaged by pests can severely affect a window’s integrity.
• Structural integrity: All exterior walls are load-bearing. Only a licensed contractor should make changes to load-bearing structures.
• Measurements: It's not a matter of simply measuring the opening length by width. Measurements must account for trim, pulleys and stop strips. If these aren't measured correctly, it won't fit.
• Age and codes: Older homes may not have standard-size openings, so replacing them requires removing the frame and installing a new supporting structure. If your home is significantly older--a Victorian-era home, for example--modifications must meet current code requirements.
• Type of glass: Depending on the location, tempered or safety glass may be required by law.
• Location: Ordinances and codes could dictate the placement of your windows. Ask your pro what is required in your jurisdiction.

Getting a Professional Window Replacement Quote

It's recommended you get at least three quotes before you decide to hire a window replacement professional. The quote won’t typically include the frame. But expect the following:

• The use of sheets and drop cloths to protect your home's interior around the work area.
• Remove and replace any rotted or damaged wood. Since the contractor won't know exactly how much, if any, will need to be replaced until the work begins, this amount can vary. This is an important matter to discuss with the contractor because extensive repairs for bad wood can easily add $3,000 to your total.
• New Installation. This should specify brand, style, size, any screens, color of the casing (if needed) and other details.
• Insulation and weatherproofing. Filling in gaps around the opening.
• Clean-up and disposal. Both interior and exterior work areas and removal of all job-related debris.
• A guarantee. Be sure to keep a written copy of the full guarantee for your own protection.

FAQs

How much is window glass replacement?

Window glass replacement costs $270 on average. Expect to spend $3 per square foot for the glass and about $50 to $75 per hour for the contractor.

Are replacement windows worth the cost?

Replacements are often worth the price. You’ll get approximately 70% return when you sell your home. Depending on how long you live there, the energy savings can make up more.

How often should you replace windows?

You only need to replace them when they show rot, lose all insulation value or break. Many homeowners of older properties upgrade from single pane to double pane to reduce utility bills. There are other benefits of replacing windows to consider.

How can I get the lowest cost on window replacements?

The best way to get the lowest price is to do all your windows at the same time and get at least three quotes.

How much does a mobile home replacement window cost?

Mobile home units run from $100 to $300, quite a bit cheaper than most traditional homes.

How much is a condo window replacement?

Replacing condo windows averages $300 to $700 per unit. However, HOA’s vary on rules governing who is responsible for replacement, what types are allowed and if they must match across all condos. Check with your HOA before doing any work.

What is the cost of replacing windows and frames?

It’ll add an additional 30% to 100% to replace the frames depending on what finishing work you need. See our list, Additional Factors, above for more cost information.

How much is it to swap out windows and doors together?

It’ll cost you slightly less per window and door to swap them out together. Your actual savings is going to vary depending on the size of your home, number of entryways, location, accessibility and the contractor you hire. Get multiple quotes for the best rates.