How Much Do Storm Windows Cost? [2024 Data]

You can install storm windows on the exterior or interior of your existing windows. Exterior storm windows cost more, but they protect both your windows and the inside of your home, while interior storm windows only offer protection for your home's interior, leaving your more expensive windows vulnerable to storm damage.

Storm Windows Cost Factors

Storm window costs vary widely because of a few key cost factors that significantly influence the total price per window.

Size

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It costs an average of $55 per square foot to install storm windows, so the bigger the storm window, the more it will cost. The storm window size you need is determined by the size of the window over which you’re installing it. Storm windows fit inside the frame of your existing window, so you can take measurements from the head to the sill and between the jambs to determine the size you need. Then, multiply the square footage by $55 to get an approximate cost.

Just keep in mind that if you opt for a custom size rather than a standard size, your cost per square foot can jump to $100 or more.

Exterior vs. Interior

Interior storm windows cost around $24 per square foot, compared to exterior storm windows, which cost $55 per square foot.

Most storm windows are exterior storm windows, which you install over the outside of your existing window to protect the window and prevent broken glass inside your home. You can potentially save some money by installing interior storm windows instead. You install these on the inside of your existing windows—they help maintain your home’s curb appeal, but your window won’t get the same protection it would from exterior storm windows.

Labor 

Somewhere between 30% and 50% of your storm window cost will go toward the labor to install them. Storm window prices typically range from $90 to $400 per window, which puts the average cost of labor between $30 and $200 per window. Some window contractors charge by the hour instead, in which case you can expect to pay between $30 and $100 per hour.

Frame Material

Storm windows are primarily made with one of three materials: wood, vinyl, or aluminum. Much like with standard windows, aluminum is the most affordable, wood is the most expensive, and vinyl sits somewhere in the middle.

The material of your storm window will also affect the cost, but it also changes the efficiency your storm windows add. Putting an additional pane of glass over your existing windows will always at least moderately boost efficiency, but aluminum frames will add less efficiency than vinyl and wood.

It’s a good idea to speak with a window company near you to determine if the differences in efficiency will make a substantial enough difference in heating and cooling costs over time to help you decide which frame material is best. 

Type of Window

Storm windows used to be fixed inserts that you placed over your windows during seasons where extreme weather was expected and then removed in the off-season. They weren’t operable, which limited their functionality.

Now, you can buy modern storm windows with moveable sashes that function similarly to standard windows. The type of storm window you choose will affect your total cost, with more functionality usually fetching a higher price.

A fixed storm window offers no functionality but is the most affordable. A two-track storm window acts like a single-hung window with a half screen in the second track. A three-track window provides the most functionality but is the most expensive. It acts like a double-hung window, with two tracks for the two different sashes and a third for a half screen.

Type of Window Glass

Storm windows can also feature different types of glass depending on the level of protection you want and how insulative you want the additional window to be.

You can get standard glass that’s 3/4 inches thick or 1-1/8 inches thick, with the second option being standard. This is significantly thicker than standard window glass and offers much better protection from impact. You can upgrade to laminated glass or low-emissivity (low-E) glass for better insulation in extreme climates or tinted storm window glass to reduce solar heat gain and the amount of UV rays that make their way into your home.

Tempered glass is a big upgrade in terms of cost and protection, as it’s four times as strong as standard glass. However, it will push your total closer to the high end of the cost range, around $34,000. You can also opt for plexiglass storm windows, which are more resistant to shattering and the most affordable option, costing closer to $295 per window. However, plexiglass isn’t as visually appealing and can reduce your home’s curb appeal.

Removal of Old Storm Window

If you currently have storm windows installed and want to upgrade to a more protective or aesthetically appealing option, you might need to pay for storm window removal. Most window installers will charge a small fee of between $10 and $20 per window to remove and haul away the old ones.

Number of Windows You Need

The number of storm windows you need will also play a role. Naturally, installing more storm windows will drive up your total cost, but many installers will also offer a discount per window with a larger number of windows. You could see savings between $10 and $20 per storm window if you add them to all windows throughout your home simultaneously.

Ongoing Costs of Storm Windows

The largest fees you’ll incur with storm windows will be buying them and paying to have them installed, but there are some ongoing costs to consider, as well.

Removal and Replacement

Some homeowners only keep storm windows up temporarily during hurricane season or when other severe weather events pose a bigger threat to the home. Installing temporary windows and then removing them can keep upfront costs down, as they’re not meant to maximize curb appeal and instead are wholly functional. If this is the route you choose to go, you can expect annual removal and replacement costs to total around $50 per window.

Repairs

Since the primary purpose of storm windows is to withstand severe weather, there’s a good chance that you’ll need to repair them from time to time. Broken or cracked glass is the most common repair, costing between $25 and $200 per window. Frame damage can cost between $25 and $200, depending on the frame material and the extent of the damage.

Maintenance

You may also need to pay for ongoing storm window maintenance, including window cleaning and replacing weatherstripping if it dries out, cracks, or fails. Window cleaning costs between $4 and $15 per window, and you can expect to spend between $100 and $200 per window on weatherstripping services. 

Cost To Install Storm Windows Yourself

You can save between $30 and $200 per storm window if you tackle the installation yourself, bringing your total cost per window down to between $60 and $200, depending on the window size, frame material, and glass type. Installing storm windows is a relatively simple DIY project that most homeowners can tackle with some tools and preparation. If you don’t have the tools required, the prices below can help you decide if investing in them is worthwhile:

• Caulk gun: $5-$20

• Caulk: $5-$20 per tube, with one tube covering about ten windows

• Power drill: $60-$150

• Ladder: $100-$500

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

You can install storm windows or apply hurricane window film without the help of a pro if you want to save money on the cost of storm windows. Interior storm windows typically slide right into place from the inside of your home, so they're fairly easy to install. You can also apply hurricane window film from the inside, which only involves laying the film over your window, making for another relatively easy installation.

However, when it comes to exterior storm windows, we recommend hiring a local window contractor since it's a potentially dangerous job, especially if you’re installing them on the second floor of your home.

While a DIY installation will save you money on labor, you should also consider how it will affect your storm window warranty. Installing windows without the help of a certified installer could lead the window manufacturer to void or limit your warranty, which could leave you out of money if something goes wrong with the window down the line—even if the issue isn’t related to your installation. For total peace of mind, hire a window replacement contractor to do the work.

Cost of Common Storm Window Add-Ons

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You can upgrade your storm windows with various features and enhancements to increase their support and prolong their life span. 

Stabilizer Bars

Stabilizer bars provide additional structural strength and help prolong the life span of your storm windows. They can help resist warping and add a bit more strength to your storm windows to reduce damage from an impact. These supportive features cost around $20 to $40 per bar. 

Weatherstripping

Weatherstripping seals the edges around your storm windows, providing added insulation to reduce how much the outside air affects the temperature in your living space. Weatherstripping a storm window can cost between $50 and $200, depending on the size and type of weatherstripping you use.

Hurricane Window Film

If storm windows fall outside your budget, you can use hurricane window film to protect your windows. The film helps prevent your windows from shattering in the event of an impact. The film prevents shards of glass from spreading around your home if the glass breaks, but it's not impact-resistant like storm windows, so it can leave your windows more vulnerable to storm projectiles and debris.

Hurricane window film costs around $350 per 75-square-foot roll. This amount can cover up to 10 windows that span 24 by 36 inches. You can often install window film yourself for an average cost of around $4 per square foot, but if you hire a pro to install it, expect to pay between $7 and $8 per square foot.

Note that hurricane film is not a substitute for storm windows. If your homeowner’s insurance provider requires that you have storm windows to protect your home from damage, installing hurricane film won’t satisfy those requirements. You should consider this an add-on to storm windows—not an alternative.

Hurricane Shutters

Hurricane shutters are another option for adding protection to your windows during a hurricane. They’re a solid, shatter-proof shutter that sits outside your windows and can retract to maintain ventilation and natural light in good weather. Hurricane shutters can sometimes be an alternative to storm windows, but you can also add them over storm windows for ultimate protection.

Depending on factors like type and size, hurricane shutters range from $1,950 to $5,800 to install, with the average cost amounting to $3,850.

5 Ways To Save Money When Buying and Installing Storm Windows

One of the best ways to save money when installing storm windows is to invest in the most weather-resistant option within your budget. You might pay more if you couple hurricane windows with 1-1/8 inch thick tempered glass, but maximizing protection for your home also reduces the risk of property damage. Repairing property damages can quickly cost much more than an initial storm window investment.

There are a few other things you can do to keep costs down:

• Keep it prefab: You’ll find many options to customize your storm windows, but if you stick to products you can buy off the shelf, you’ll cut down storm window costs. If you have standard window sizes, you should have no problem finding prefab storm windows that fit perfectly.

• Consider hurricane film: If you live in an area that doesn’t get a lot of extreme storms but you still want some protection, opting for hurricane film instead of storm windows could save you some money. Storm windows cost between $90 and $400 each, but hurricane film costs an average of between $25 and $50 per window.

• Consult your insurance provider: Your homeowners' insurance provider may offer deals and discounts for risk mitigation projects, like installing storm windows. Ask your provider if you’re eligible for a premium reduction if you install storm windows.

• Look for tax incentives: Energy-efficient windows may be eligible for tax incentives, including the Windows & Skylights Tax Credit from ENERGY STAR®, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-run program, worth 30% of the project (up to $600).

• Shop in the off-season: Don’t wait for bad weather to hit. Before hurricane season, start shopping around for deals on storm windows. Many providers have lower material and labor costs when demand is lower.

• Choose glass and frame options carefully: The thickness and type of glass you choose for your storm windows, as well as the frame material, can mean a difference of hundreds of dollars per window. Speak with a window installer near you to see what materials will suit your needs and keep upfront costs to a minimum.

• Install all your storm windows at once: Many installers will provide small discounts per storm window you install. Replacing all your storm windows at once will cost more upfront, but you could save money in the long run.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.

Kelly Weimert contributed to this piece.