How Much Does Window Replacement Cost? The Complete Guide 

Nothing lasts forever, and your windows certainly don’t. You should expect your windows to last about 20-25 years. Sooner or later, you’ll have to replace your windows or deal with draft, leakages, and bugs from outside.

Calculating window replacement cost can be tricky because so many factors come into play to determine the final cost. Also, the cost may vary depending on why you want to replace your windows; You won’t pay as much for replacing a few window frames as you would pay to replace all the windows in your house.

If you upgrade to energy-efficient windows, you may reduce your energy bills by as much as 15%. Although, these types of windows tend to be costlier than the standard windows. The long-term savings may, however, make these energy-efficient windows worth every penny.

In today’s post, we’ll be looking at how much you should expect to pay for your window replacement.

Average Cost to Replace Windows

On average, you should expect to pay around $650 for window replacement, inclusive of labor cost. For high-end windows, expect to part ways with around $1,800. That’s almost three times as much as you would pay for standard windows.

On the lower end of the spectrum, you can get new windows for only $200. However, cheap windows are unlikely to last as long as you’d want them to. 

That’s the average cost of window replacement; let’s now break it all down to find out how we arrive at such figures.

Cost of the Actual Windows

Expect to pay between $100 to $700 for the window glass and the frames, depending on the type of glass and the frame material. The labor cost will set you back between $100 to $300, depending on how many windows you need to replace. The overall cost of replacing a window depends on many factors, but the major ones are:

• Size of the windows
• Window frame material
• Energy-efficiency
• Type of window

These are just some of the plethora of factors that affect the cost of window replacement. All these factors combine to give the final window replacement cost.

Replacement Cost by Materials

All windows are made of glass, so this is just the window frame material’s cost.  The frame will cost you around $80 to $1500, depending on the type of material and how much of it you need. This is what you should expect to pay for the different types of materials.

•  Wood: $155 – $1355
•  Fiberglass:  $500 – $1500
•  Aluminum: $80 – $400
• Composite: $300 – $1200
• Vinyl: $100 – $900

It’s never a good idea to downgrade your window material. If you can’t use the same material, then upgrade to a better one. For large products, add around 20% to 30% of the materials’ cost to the overall price.

Window Replacement Cost by Type of Window

The cost of replacing your windows also depends on the type of windows you have. Some window types are more expensive than others but expect to pay between $50 to $1000. Here’s what you should expect to pay for different types of windows.

• Single-hung: $100 – $450
• Double-hung: $150 – $650
• Storm:  $100 – $300
• Sliding/ folding: $200 – $900 
• Casement: $200 – $1000
• Bay and Bow: $500 – $4500
• Fixed and Picture: $70 – $700

Single and double-hung windows are the most common window types for both commercial and residential establishments. However, don’t be afraid to do something different if you wish to. For custom window types, prepare to pay upwards of $1000.

Cost of Energy-Efficient Windows

With rising energy costs, switching to energy-efficient windows might be a good idea. Contrary to what most people think, there are actually many types of energy-efficient windows. A few examples include:

• Double and triple-pane windows
• Low-e coating windows
• High energy star windows
• Sound-proof windows

Any of the above windows will help you save a bundle in energy costs every year.  As mentioned earlier, these windows are a tad more expensive than regular windows. Expect to pay around $300 to $1000 for each window.

It seems a little over the top, but according to the US Department of Energy, the average person can save between $126 to $456 every year by switching to energy-efficient windows. Think of it as an investment with accrued long-term returns. Also, note that you’ll need a reputable contractor for energy-efficient window replacement for the best results.

How Can You Save Money on Your Window Replacement?

Window replacement can get a little pricey, to say the least. However, there are a few ways you can save on window replacement. While you can always hunt for discounts and offers, the most foolproof ways to save on new windows are:

Local rebates: Local rebates and credits will give you some of your money back after replacing your windows. Confirm with your local utility company to determine whether there are any window rebates in your area. You’re most likely to get a rebate if you install energy-efficient or Energy Star rating windows.

Government Incentives: The government offers a lot of government incentives to encourage the construction of energy-efficient homes. You can check out the Department of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency website to find out whether you qualify for some incentives.

Just like with rebates, you’re more likely to qualify for a government incentive if you install energy star windows. So why not arrange for energy-efficient windows for your next window replacement?

Budget for New Windows Today

Now that you have a rough idea of the window replacement cost, it’s time to start budgeting for new windows today. However, remember to hire a licensed window contractor to get the best value for your money. Also, consider getting energy-efficient windows to save some money and the environment.

For more informative content, make sure you check out the other articles on the site.