Windows are more than a view to the outside world. They’re barriers against the elements. And when they wear out, the elements get in. Time to replace them.
Although a window replacement costs around $750 on average, most homeowners can expect to pay anywhere between $330 to $1,170 per window, depending upon the type of window.
This cost guide gathers data from both small and large cities in the U.S., so you can get a better idea of how much your project will cost.
Cost by Location
The cost of window replacement varies per area due to labor costs, supply chains, and regional pricing differences.
Generally, homeowners in colder areas can expect to pay more for their window replacement because they need more energy-efficient windows. Windows in the North usually need additional glass panes, more insulating framing materials, special window treatments, special glass, or all of the above.
Some areas have local ordinances that compel homeowners to use only a specific type of window style or material. This is especially true for homes in historic districts that want to preserve a specific aesthetic.
The costs below offer a snapshot of the costs to replace a window across the U.S.:
| City | Average Cost Per Window (Materials and Labor) |
| Northeast U.S. | |
| Pawtucket, RI | $348 – $968 |
| New York, NY | $377 – $1,170 |
| Southeast U.S. | |
| Charlotte, NC | $320 – $872 |
| Orlando, FL | $357 – $888 |
| Atlanta, GA | $377 – $893 |
| Midwest U.S. | |
| Green Bay, WI | $344 – $943 |
| Chicago, IL | $347 – $1,069 |
| Northwest U.S. | |
| Salem, OR | $368 – $943 |
| Tacoma, WA | $380 – $1,095 |
| Southwest U.S. | |
| Roswell, NM | $330 – $893 |
| San Diego, CA | $340 – $1,019 |
| Houston, TX | $359 – $882 |
Cost by Number of Windows
The more windows you replace, the higher your total cost will be. However, some contractors offer discounts for multiple installations, so if you’re replacing multiple windows at once, it’s worth asking about it.
The table below provides an estimated range based on the number of windows in your project:
| Number of Windows | Average Cost (Materials and Labor) |
| 1 – 5 | $330 – $5,850 |
| 6 – 10 | $1,980 – $11,700 |
| 11 – 15 | $3,630 – $17,550 |
| 16 – 20 | $5,280 – $23,400 |
| 21 – 25 | $6,930 – $29,250 |
Cost by Frame Material
Window frames can be made of many different materials. Aluminum is the cheapest, but not the most energy efficient, while vinyl is the most popular. The most expensive are fiberglass window frames, but on the flip side, they are highly energy efficient and durable.
Here are the prices to replace the most common types of window materials:
| Window Frame Material | Cost Range Per Window |
| Aluminum | $75 – $400 |
| Vinyl | $100 – $900 |
| Wood | $150 – $1,300 |
| Composite | $300 – $1,200 |
| Fiberglass | $500 – $1,500 |
- Aluminum: Aluminum frames cost the least to replace but they’re also the least durable and least energy-efficient.
- Vinyl: The most popular window frame material because it’s a good insulator, low-maintenance, and quite durable while still being relatively affordable. However, it’s not the most aesthetically pleasing.
- Wood: A classic window frame material with a timeless look. While wood windows are more energy-efficient than vinyl windows, they’re not the most durable. If you live in a historical district, you may be forced to use wooden windows in your home to preserve the area’s aesthetics.
- Composite windows marry PVC polymers and wood fibers to get the best of both worlds. They are as durable and energy-efficient as vinyl while still offering the aesthetic appeal of wood.
- Fiberglass windows are by far the most expensive to replace, but this high price tag comes with many benefits. Fiberglass window frames are not only energy efficient; they are also more aesthetically pleasing and more durable than your typical vinyl window.
Cost by Window Type
Windows come in all shapes and sizes. Some, like bay, bow, and egress windows, are bigger and more elaborate than your average window. Bay and bow windows also have more panes than many standard windows. Because of this, they can be much more expensive than a standard single- or double-hung window.
Different types of windows are also more difficult to install, which drives up the cost. These are some of the common window types you’ll come across and their associated costs:
| Window Type | Definition | Average Cost Per Window |
| Picture | One large rectangular pane for letting natural light in. | $65 – $700 |
| Storm | Panes of glass installed to existing windows to protect it from the elements. | $90 – $400 |
| Term used for windows that don’t need to be entirely replaced. | $100 – $400 | |
| Single-hung | They have an upper and bottom sash, but only the bottom one can be moved. | $100 – $400 |
| Egress | Double as an exit in case of an emergency and are often required by the law to be installed. | $100 – $700 |
| Double-hung | They have movable upper and lower sashes. | $150 – $650 |
| Hopper | Has a hinge at the bottom and open inward, much like the inverse of an awning window. | $150 – $650 |
| Sliding | These windows are set along a track and have to be slid from side to side to open | $150 – $800 |
| Casement | They have a hinge on one side and are opened using a hand crank. | $150 – $1,000 |
| Jalousie | Made of slats of glass that are opened using a lever, jalousie windows function like blinds. | $170 – $380 |
| Arched | These windows can add some decorative flair to your home with their rounded tops. | $350 – $1,000 |
| Awning | They have a hinge on top and are opened by pushing the bottom outwards, creating a rain-resistant awning. | $400 – $950 |
| Folding | Made of multiple window panes that fold like an accordion along a track. | $500 – $900 |
| Skylight | Allow natural light to enter your home even if you’re limited on exterior wall space. | $900 – $2,500 |
| Bay | Use three panes of glass: a center pane and two others attached at a 30-45 degree angle on either end of the center pane. | $900 – $7,100 |
| Custom | Any type of window that isn’t a standard size or shape is a custom build. | $1,000+ |
| Bow | Use at least five window panes instead of the bow window’s three. | $1,500 – $6,500 |
Cost of Labor
On average, homeowners spend anywhere from $100 to $300 per window or around $47 to $65 per hour on labor for a window replacement. However, expect to pay more in labor costs for custom windows, complicated window styles, or bigger windows.
Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost
The cost for a DIY double-hung window replacement ranges from $700 to $1,325, including a standard vinyl replacement window, tools like an oscillating tool, caulk gun and a drill, and materials like fiberglass insulation and an expanding foam.
Since the average cost of a professional window replacement ranges from $330 to $1,170, DIY window replacement can end up costing about the same or even more. In addition, DIY window replacement requires an intermediate amount of home improvement experience to pull it off.
This is only for a standard window on the first floor, too; replacing bay, bow, and similar elaborate window styles or windows on higher floors will be more expensive, take more time, and be more dangerous. Pros have all of the tools, materials, and knowledge needed to replace a window, so hiring a pro would be the smarter option.
Other Factors That Affect Cost
The type of window, its size, and the material it’s made of are not the only factors that influence the cost of a window replacement project. Here are some other cost factors that could be reflected in your bill:
Full-Frame vs. Retrofit Replacement
If your window frame is in good condition, you can opt for a retrofit window replacement. Instead of replacing the whole window, the installer only replaces the window sash. Since it only replaces part of the window, a retrofit replacement can save you up to 15%-20%.
However, this type of window replacement isn’t ideal if your frame and trim are too damaged or if you want to change your window’s style.
In those situations, you’d have to go with a full-frame window replacement. This replaces everything, including your window’s frame. Full-frame replacements are better suited for windows that are severely damaged, as a retrofit replacement can’t solve issues with the window frame or trim.
Window Location
Windows in the foyer, dining room, bedroom, and bathroom all have similar average replacement costs because windows in these are of the house are usually standard-sized. They cost around $300 to $1,000 to replace.
Some kitchens have different window styles that are more expensive to replace, like garden windows. Because of this, the average cost of a kitchen window replacement can be as low as $300 or as high as $2,500.
Windows that are slightly underground – i.e. the basement – can also cost more to replace if you are replacing a small window with an egress window because the latter is much bigger. The average basement window costs $235 to $900 to replace, while a basement egress window replacement costs $1,300 to $3,250.
Windows on the upper floors of a house are more expensive to replace than the ones on the first floor. The higher you go, the more it costs because it takes more effort and additional equipment to replace these windows.
Your House’s Age
Windows in older homes – around 70 years old or more – usually cost more because their windows don’t quite match the sizes and styles of modern windows. The window replacement cost can also be more expensive because of the need for additional repairs, building code updates, insulation, and historic district codes that require their residents to stick to a specific type of window. Replacing the windows on a historic home can double or even triple the cost.
Glass Type
There are many types of window glass. These glasses can increase energy efficiency and provide additional benefits. But these added perks come at a price, driving up the overall window replacement cost.
The most common types of window glass are:
- Double-glazed, whose insulation muffles noise and maintains comfortable temperatures inside your home.
- Tempered, which is the most capable of withstanding the forces of nature, like wind, debris, and harsh weather. They are also one of the most expensive options
Glass Treatment
There are also different types of treatments for windows. The types of treated windows are:
| Glass Treatment | Cost Range Per Window |
| Tinted | $50 – $1,650 |
| Laminated | $60 – $300 |
| Low emissivity-coated | $300 – $1,050 |
- Tinted, whose layer of solar window film protects you and your family from ultraviolet light, sun glare, and heat loss.
- Laminated, which is similar to double-glazed glass with a few more benefits.
- Low emissivity-coated, also called low e-coated, which can prevent too much ultraviolet and infrared light from passing through the glass and into your home. They also prevent heat from escaping your home. They don’t block out the sunlight.
Number of Glass Panes
Windows can have one, two, or three glass panes, with additional glass panes driving up the window replacement cost. Additional glass panes act as extra insulation, preventing heat loss in colder temperatures, blocking additional heat from coming in during warm days, and muffling noise.
| Number of Glass Panes | Cost Range Per Window |
| Single-pane glass | $120 – $340 |
| Double-pane glass | $175 – $600 |
| Triple-pane glass | $280 – $920 |
For more information, check out our article: How Much Does Window Glass Replacement Cost?
Window Brand
The cost of your window replacement can vary greatly depending on the brand you choose. High-end brands, like Thomson Creek and Champion Windows, cost more, but they often have the most styles to choose from. These brands usually also have additional benefits, such as higher Energy Star ratings.
If you don’t need these extra features, you can opt for a cheaper brand instead, like Ply Gem or Simonton.
Cleanup
Although many window installers include cleanup and disposal in their labor fees, some charge for it separately. If it’s not included, expect to pay $55 to $65 per hour on top of the cost of your window replacement project.
FAQ
In the long run, yes. It’s usually cheaper to replace your windows all at once than to replace them one at a time. Window manufacturers often offer better deals on bulk orders. The cost of the window replacement itself doesn’t go up by much because some overhead costs stay the same regardless of how many windows are installed.
If you’re looking to save money on your window replacement, try to time it in the summer or winter. Spring and fall are the busiest time of the year for window companies, and the demand drives up the price. During the off-season, window companies may offer special promotions to entice customers.
In the best conditions, a properly installed window can last from 15 to 20 years. However, if your windows look like they’re not in the best shape, you should consider replacing them no matter how old they are.
The signs you should look out for include:
- Higher than usual energy bills
- Difficulty closing or opening your window
- Draft inside your room
- Water getting inside your home
Upgrade Your Home With the Right Windows
Windows are some of the most important parts of your home, as they protect you from the elements and let natural light inside safely. Luckily, you don’t need to replace them on your own.
Home Gnome delivers the best home service experience at the click of a button. Book reliable, skilled window installation services and leave the rest to us.
Read More:
- How Much Does Window Repair Cost?
- How Much Does Window Cleaning Cost?
How Much Does it Cost to Replace Window Screens?
Main Photo Credit: Friends Stock / Adobe Stock Free / License
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