Replacing your home’s windows isn't a job you do on a whim. The end result can affect your home’s curb appeal, energy efficiency, and value. It can make you more comfortable, too.
Besides those long-term implications, you should also consider the initial cost, which can be significant. While swapping out inefficient windows for efficient models can lower your energy bills, the savings likely won’t cover the installation cost. Luckily, the project can pay off in non-monetary ways, too. Here’s what you need to know.
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How Much Does it Cost to Replace Windows?
The cost of replacing windows will vary on the size of your windows, the number you’re replacing, and local costs of labor and materials.
Since the price of materials and labor varies by location, the best way to find what you’ll pay to replace your windows is to get quotes from local installers. Below, we’ve compiled and averaged estimates from 10 leading home improvement and consumer advice sites.
Window cost by material type
| Window frame material | Cost range |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | $75-$850 |
| Composite | $600-$1,800 |
| Fiberglass | $500-$1,500 |
| Vinyl | $100-$900 |
| Wood | $150-$1,900 |
Window frames can play a key role in the window’s overall energy efficiency, thanks to both the quality of the seal they provide and how well they conduct heat.
Aluminum: Typically the cheapest option, they’re also the least efficient.
Composite: Composite windows are made of wood and plastic and are more durable and efficient than wood window frames. They’re often typically more expensive.
Fiberglass windows: Fiberglass windows can be durable and highly energy efficient, especially when well insulated on the inside.
Vinyl windows: Vinyl windows are one of the cheaper options out there. They have fewer maintenance requirements and, when well-insulated, can be a highly efficient option.
Wood windows: Wood window frames have good insulation properties, but have greater maintenance requirements than other framing materials. A solid coat of paint will keep the wood from rotting.
Window cost by glass type
| Glass type | Cost range |
|---|---|
| Single pane | $150-$400 |
| Double pane | $450-$1,000 |
| Triple pane | $500-$2,000 |
When you look out of a double- or triple-pane window, you’re looking through two or three sheets of glass, instead of one.
The more panes stacked up in a window, the more energy efficient it should be. On a cold day, heat travels through a window and escapes outside. If it has to travel through three panes of glass instead of one, less escapes. Filling the gaps between the panes with a non-conductive gas like argon can slow the process down even further, though it will cost more.
Window cost by window type
| Window type | Cost range |
|---|---|
| Arched | $350-$2,000 |
| Awning | $400-$3,000 |
| Bay | $1,200-$7,500 |
| Bow | $1,500-$6,500 |
| Casement | $300-$3,500 |
| Circle | $450-$1,200 |
| Double-hung | $350-$1,000 |
| Egress | $500-$5,000 |
| Garden | $500-$2,400 |
| Glass block | $500-$1,250 |
| Hopper | $200-$850 |
| Picture | $300-$4,000 |
| Single-hung | $200-$900 |
| Skylights | $900-$2,500 |
| Sliding | $200-$3,000 |
| Storm | $100-$400 |
| Transom | $350-$750 |
Arched: Windows with rounded edges at the top may be more expensive than standard shapes.
Awning: Awning windows open with a hinge at the top, meaning you can open them while it’s raining. They’re moderately priced.
Bay/bow: Bay windows are made of (typically) three panels and protrude out from a house’s structure. Bow windows are similar, but are curved rather than angled. Their complicated construction and larger size make them more expensive to replace.
Casement: Casement windows hinge at the side and are often opened using a crank. Given their simple construction, they can be a moderately priced option.
Circle: Their unique shape makes them more expensive than similarly-sized alternatives.
Double-hung: Double-hung windows slide open vertically from both the top and the bottom. They’re more expensive than single-hung windows, which open only at one end.
Egress: These windows provide a necessary route out of basements. Because they might require additional work, like constructing window wells, they can be expensive.
Garden: Garden windows jut out from the exterior wall, making them great enclosures for plants. The complicated design can make them more expensive.
Glass block: These blocks of glass insert into brick or block walls, commonly in basements.
Hopper: These small windows are good options for small spaces. They’re relatively inexpensive.
Picture: The big sheets of glass that make up picture windows make them more expensive, but not as expensive as some more complicated designs.
Single-hung: Like double-hung windows, but with only one movable panel, they’re the cheaper of the two.
Sliding: Sliding windows open horizontally instead of vertically, and can be single- or double-sliding.
Storm: Storm windows are typically temporary windows added outside your permanent ones to provide additional protection and insulation during cold and stormy weather.
Transom: These windows let in additional light or air at the tops of doors and generally aren’t too expensive.
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What Goes Into a Window Replacement Cost?
The cost of purchasing windows and having them installed is widely variable. It depends on local factors, like the cost of labor, climate demands, and house-specific factors, like the number and size of windows.
Clean up
Clean up after the fact may cost more from some installers. If you’re willing to put in a little bit of work, it could be an area you can save some on.
Customization
Windows that require unique or complicated design elements will cost more than the factory standard windows.
Energy efficiency
Energy-efficient upgrades, like gas-filled windows and low-emissivity glass can cost a premium. You could reap lower energy bills and a more comfortable home for your investment, though.
Labor
How much the installer charges for labor can raise or lower the cost, especially on larger jobs with more time on the clock.
Location of windows
Windows in difficult-to-reach places or high off the ground may be more expensive to replace than those within easy reach.
Number of windows
While getting a lot of windows replaced at once will be more expensive, it can be the cheapest way to go in the long run. Installers can be more efficient and swap out all your windows in fewer trips. You’ll get to enjoy your new windows and any energy-efficiency improvements earlier.
See how much you can save with home energy changes
Type of installation
Installers may be able to replace windows with or without removing the old frame. Removing and rebuilding the frame can be more expensive but is an opportunity to fix old or damaged parts and improve the insulation and air sealing around the window.
Type of windows
As listed above, complex construction, function, and layout of windows can make them more expensive.
Window brand
High-end window brands will cost more than bargain options.
Tax Credits for Windows
As of this writing, windows and skylights that “meet Energy Star Most Efficient requirements” for your climate zone can earn a 30% tax credit worth up to $600 in the year upgrades are made, according to the IRS. The tax credit has no lifetime limit.
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When Should You Replace Your Windows?
Broken glass is the most obvious sign you need to replace a window, but there are a few more.
Air leaks
Feeling drafts around your windows? Replacing drafty windows can keep your home more comfortable and make things easier for your HVAC system.
Frame or sash damage
Rot, cracks, and other damage can let moisture or unconditioned air into your home.
Increasing energy bills
If your windows are less effective at keeping heat in or out, you might see it reflected in your energy bill. New windows can provide a better seal if properly installed.
Looks
Old windows might be an eyesore. New attractive windows can increase your home’s curb appeal.
Moisture between panes
Windows with two or three panes are sealed to prevent air from entering or leaving the space between them. Moisture or cloudiness between the panes is a sign that sealing is compromised.
Noise issues
A well-sealed window keeps not only unwanted air and moisture out, but also unwanted sound. Replacing old windows could make your home quieter and more peaceful.
Windows that are stuck shut
If you can’t open your windows, you can’t use them to cool your house off at night or just enjoy some fresh air. Stuck windows can also be a safety hazard.
Benefits of Replacing Windows
New windows can make your home a brighter, more comfortable place to be. They can also improve your home’s curb appeal and value.
Beyond quality of life, new windows can lower your energy bills. According to the US Department of Energy, heat gain and loss through windows accounts for 25-30% of the energy we use to heat and cool our homes. Energy-efficient windows reduce heat gain and loss, easing our heating and cooling burdens. New windows may not have a payback period like solar panels, where their savings eventually match their total cost. But, they can reduce energy bills and make your home more comfortable. According to the Journal of Light Construction, replacing 10 windows with insulated and low-emissivity vinyl windows has a return on investment of about 67%. Wood window replacements have an ROI of about 63%.
Find out what you can save with energy efficiency and other energy upgrades around the house.
See how much you can save with home energy changes
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will I pay for a new window?
The cost of your window replacement project depends on how many windows you’re replacing, their size and style, the local cost of labor, and much more. The best way to find out specifically is to get quotes for the project.
Will replacing windows save me money?
Replacing old and inefficient windows with new efficient models can lower your heating and cooling costs.
Is it cheaper to replace all my windows at once?
Typically. Doing so allows installers to work more efficiently in fewer trips, reducing labor costs.
Will new windows improve my home value?
New windows are generally expected to increase home value, especially if you’re replacing really old or visibly damaged ones.
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only. Palmetto does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. Please consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors.
Andrew BlokWriter and EditorAndrew has worked as a journalist and writer for four years, over half of those dedicated to covering solar. He currently lives in Tucson, AZ, where you might run into him walking his dog and birding while dodging the heat. He has degrees in English education and journalism.
