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Reed McClure is a writer for USA TODAY Homefront. He covers home services industries, including windows, pest control, roofing, HVAC and lawn care. Reed has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Indiana University and lives in Savannah, Georgia, with his wife and dog. Outside of writing, Reed enjoys going to the beach, watching his favorite sports teams, playing tennis and exploring new restaurants in Savannah.
Prices range from $734 to $1,806 per window.
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Vinyl window replacement ranges from $792 to $1,429, and wood window replacement ranges from $1,400 to $1,806.
Overall window replacement cost depends on the brand, frame material, window type and installation method.
Window replacement advantages include reducing your energy bills and improving your home’s aesthetics.
To determine replacement window costs, we reviewed the best window brands, surveyed 1,500 homeowners about what they paid for their windows, spoke to experts and sourced pricing data. We found that the cost for a vinyl, double-pane window ranges from $792 to $1,429 on average, and a wood double-pane window ranges from $1,400 to $1,806, according to RSMeans — a construction cost database.
We received a similar range of $400 to $1,400 for full-frame replacement of a vinyl, double-pane window, per Cory Buescher, a virtual handyperson expert at Frontdoor, an app that connects tradespeople with homeowners via video chat.
However, window replacement costs depend on many factors, including window style, frame material and glass type.
Window replacement is one of the more expensive home improvement projects, but the cost is worth the investment, especially when it lowers your monthly bills.
Heat gain and loss through damaged, drafty or otherwise underperforming windows is responsible for 25% to 30% of your monthly heating and cooling costs, according to the Department of Energy. In addition to lowering your energy bills, high-quality windows can increase your comfort and boost your home’s curb appeal — all great reasons to invest in window replacement.
Your frame material, window style and glass you choose for your replacement windows will affect how much you pay for new windows. Other variables include the window’s brand and features, the project’s scope, installation team and your location.
The window frame material you choose plays a major role in the price. Vinyl windows are typically the cheapest option, followed by aluminum, according to Jeff Ludy, owner of Houston Window Experts. Wood is the most expensive window frame material and is aesthetically pleasing.
Here’s a closer look at window frame materials:
Vinyl
Vinyl windows are the fastest and easiest for manufacturers to produce, so they’re typically the cheapest window frame material. Note that vinyl varies in quality, so paying extra for the higher quality vinyl that won’t warp, sag or discolor over time is recommended.
Aluminum
Aluminum windows usually cost slightly more than vinyl. Ludy said this is because the materials used to produce these frames are more expensive than vinyl. He advises against buying aluminum frames if you live in a cold climate, as they tend to perform poorly in terms of cold-temperature transfer.
Composite
Composite windows are composed of two or more materials, such as wood and vinyl. The price — and quality — of these frames can vary depending on the manufacturer, but they can be a good choice if you’re looking for an energy-efficient window that resembles wood.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is a composite material known for its strength and durability. Though fiberglass windows are more expensive than vinyl or aluminum, they’re a great long-term investment. “If you’re looking for a long-term product, fiberglass is probably the best choice,” Ludy said.
Wood
Wood windows are the most expensive option, but they add value to your home and may be a great long-term investment. Remember that wood frames are prone to rotting and cracking, so you may need to pay for expensive repairs down the line if they’re not properly maintained.
When shopping for vinyl windows, look for products that contain less than 20% recycled content, said Jeff Ludy. Vinyl with large amounts of recycled content can yellow or degrade over time.
Your chosen window type drastically changes your home’s appearance and how much you pay for window replacement. Below are the average window costs without installation or permits, according to Home Depot’s website.
Awning
An awning window has hinges at the top that allow it to swing upward, providing continuous airflow. A vinyl awning window costs between $150 and $200. But if you want a custom design, expect to pay between $400 and $500 per window.
Bay
Bay windows protrude from your home’s exterior wall, creating an interior nook. If you already have the structure for them and only need to purchase the windows, they will cost between $1,500 and $2,000.
Casement
Casement windows swing outward like a door. Casement windows were the most common window according to our October 2023 survey of 1,500 homeowners who purchased windows in the last five years — 46% of respondents chose this style. Home Depot’s affordable options range from $275 to $300, but premium casement windows cost between $500 and $1,000.
Double-hung
Double-hung windows were our survey’s second most popular window style; 39% of respondents opted for this model. These windows are versatile because they have two moveable sashes — one at the top and one at the bottom. We found vinyl double-hung windows ranging from $160 to $330, while wood double-hung windows cost anywhere from $350 to $830 per window.
Picture
Picture windows don’t open, are energy-efficient and allow plenty of natural light. The cost range for these windows is anywhere from $200 to $620.
Single-hung
Single-hung windows look just like their double-hung counterparts, but only the bottom sash slides up. A standard vinyl single-hung window costs between $150 and $200. Wood single-hung windows range from $230 to $680.
Sliding window
Sliding windows typically have two sashes that slide from left to right. They have a very simple design, which is part of the reason the average price is only between $145 and $350 per window.
Skylight
A skylight window is installed directly into your roof, so if you don’t already have an opening in your roof for one, you’ll need to hire a local contractor to cut one out. The window on its own starts at $300 for a fixed skylight and runs up to $1,000 for a vented model.
The table below highlights the average costs of wood and vinyl frames based on some of the most popular window styles.
The larger the window, the more expensive it’ll be. This is because larger windows require more materials to produce, and their installation is more labor-intensive.
The table below shows the starting prices from Home Depot for wood double-hung windows made by Andersen Windows & Doors. These windows feature the same low-emissivity glass and are Energy Star-certified.
If budget is a concern, you should consider purchasing a smaller window size.
Window glass, also known as window glazing, is perhaps the most important factor in terms of energy efficiency and can certainly affect how much you pay for your new windows.
Here’s a closer look at the types of glass panes:
Window customizations include coatings, specialty grids and unique shapes. Prices can vary widely for custom windows, often starting around $500 and going up to several thousand dollars depending on the window’s specifications, according to Buescher.
“These prices typically include the window unit itself but may not cover additional costs such as labor for installation, removal of old windows or any necessary modifications to the existing window opening,” said Buescher.
Custom windows can make your home stand out from other houses on the block, but they come at a premium price. You should consider using standard shapes and styles if your primary concern is saving money on new windows.
No two brands charge the same amount for replacement windows. We don’t recommend buying new windows based on cost alone, though. When reviewing window brands, we considered the company’s reputation, services offered, product selection and warranty coverage.
“All manufacturers are not the same,” said Sal Sucato, owner of DunRite Windows & Doors in Scottsdale, Arizona. “It pays for the homeowner to shop carefully and ensure they are getting estimates from reputable companies who stand behind their work and the product they install.”
The table below highlights the cost differences by top window brands based on our survey.
Some window brands, such as Marvin Windows & Doors, don’t have an in-house installation team, so you’ll need to hire a third party to install them. These third parties have varying pricing structures and rates. This is one of the many reasons we suggest getting multiple estimates before working with an installer. You may land a better rate by shopping around.
The number of windows you buy and the project’s complexity will affect your invoice. If you replace large windows in hard-to-reach areas in your home, you’ll pay much more than you would for a straightforward installation of smaller, less expensive windows.
The table below shows the average amount homeowners from our survey paid for their new windows, broken down by the window frame material they chose.
On average, one to five windows cost $10,682, six to 10 windows cost $14,215, and 11 or more windows cost $18,114.
The representative who visits your home for an initial consultation will be able to advise on how many replacement windows you need and the best types of windows for each room in your home.
The rates for a full-service brand that handles installation can fluctuate from state to state and town to town. For example, an installation crew in New York may charge more in labor than one in Kansas, even if it’s the exact same window type and project size.
It’s possible to replace your windows on your own. Some window brands we reviewed — including Pella and Andersen — sell their products at Home Depot and other home improvement stores, so you can buy them in person and install them.
“The hourly rate for window installers working on standard vinyl window replacements typically ranges from $50 to $200 per hour,” Buescher said. Window installation can take anywhere from a few hours to several days, depending on the job’s complexity.
You can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars by buying windows at the store and installing them yourself.
There are caveats regarding DIY window replacement — you may not know which windows to purchase or what you’re doing while installing them.
“If you put a window in wrong and it’s leaking behind the wall and you don’t know it, now you’ve got mold, mildew, things happening behind the wall,” Ludy said.
If you choose a reputable company to install your windows, its work will likely come with a labor warranty covering any mistakes made during the installation or future window issues.
Champion Windows, one of our top window brands, has a limited lifetime warranty on all of its projects. So even if your windows start to fail years after replacement, you can rest easy knowing that you won’t have to pay for repairs or replacement.
Minor window damage, such as a cracked window pane, likely doesn’t require full replacement. In fact, you can even repair a cracked window on your own. But if there’s damage to multiple windows or the window frames are in bad shape, you should consider replacing them rather than making repairs.
If you doubt whether a window should be repaired or replaced, we recommend consulting a professional window installer who can advise you on the best course of action.
Depending on your circumstances, it is possible to only replace the glass instead of the entire window. This project is much cheaper because it’s less labor-intensive and doesn’t involve as many materials. Our team conducted a focus group with homeowners who recently replaced their windows. One of the participants, Nate, opted to only replace the glass in 15 windows and one door — his total invoice was $6,220, including labor.
Replacing glass will save you money upfront; however, it may not come with all the energy-saving benefits of full window replacement.
Replacing one window is undeniably cheaper than replacing 25 windows. However, replacing all of your windows at once may land you better discounts, depending on your circumstances. Window replacement companies may offer discounts for bulk orders and even give you a reduced rate on labor costs.
Additionally, replacing all of your windows gives you a better chance of reducing your monthly energy bills. According to Energy Star data, replacing old windows with Energy Star-certified windows can lower your monthly energy bills by up to 13% when replacing outdated single-pane windows.
In addition to potentially saving money on bulk orders and only replacing window glass, you can check for window sales, wait for the offseason and claim a tax credit on your new windows.
How to save money on window replacement costs
The good news is that you don’t need to save up large sums for new windows — many window brands we’ve researched offer financing for their projects. Note that a window brand’s financing options vary from customer to customer for various reasons, including your credit score.
Customers need to be wary of predatory financing and pay attention to the total project cost, monthly payment and loan length, Ludy warned. What may seem like a “cheap” monthly payment can add up over time, and it may take years to finally pay off your windows.
If you can’t get a low financing rate from your chosen window provider, consider getting a home equity loan from your bank or credit union.
Paying whatever you can afford for the best quality windows is in your best interest, according to Sucato. He said that cheap products have a shorter life span than higher-quality windows, which means you’ll need to replace them more frequently, and you may run into issues like sagging and warping.
“If you’re a cash buyer and the costs are more than you budgeted for, it might be better to wait or finance the difference rather than compromise on quality,” said Sucato. “You’ll be replacing those ‘affordable’ windows far sooner than a high-quality vinyl window, which might last 30 years or longer.”
If you’re considering replacing your windows, you may need to pay thousands of dollars to complete the project. Still, the investment can reduce your monthly energy bills, keep your home more comfortable, reduce outside noise and give your home a facelift.
We also don’t advise hiring the first company you speak to — it’s best to get multiple quotes for any home improvement projects, especially regarding windows.
“Homeowners should always try to attain three estimates,” Sucato said. “Not only does this help them understand local pricing and provide an easy way to compare vendors, but multiple estimates allow them to ask for price matching or more competitive pricing from the vendor they prefer.”
We recommend getting a quote from Renewal by Andersen. The company is our top pick for replacement windows due to its lengthy warranty, energy-efficient windows and longtime positive reputation.
Cost information in this article, where noted, was calculated using RSMeans data from Gordian™. RSMeans is a construction cost database used by thousands of contractors to generate their project pricing.
Local costs were determined using RSMeans project estimates combined with local labor costs from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and cost data from home improvement stores. We also interviewed homeowners from around the country to validate local costs.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
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