How much does it cost to install casement windows?

When selecting windows for their home, many homeowners are in search of a style offering energy efficiency, an unobstructed view, and good ventilation. With an airtight seal, single-pane construction, and fully opening design, casement windows are a popular choice.

The average price range for an installed casement replacement window is $600 to $1,400, with most homeowners paying around $857 for a 25” x 60” vinyl-clad wood casement window with low-E glass​, professionally installed.

Cost to Replace Casement Windows

Casement Window Cost by Type

Both inswing and outswing windows in either push or crank opening styles are similarly priced. Outswing windows hinge on the sides and crank open toward the outside using a hand crank. This design does not take up space inside your room and acts as a scoop to catch the breeze if it is coming from the right direction.

While most casement windows swing outward, inswing casement windows open into a room using a pulling motion rather than a hand crank. The inswing style of the casement window is well-suited for spaces without room for an outswing window or where that window would get in the way of an outdoor area like a patio. Inswing windows take up space inside the room when opened, so you must plan your interior design and room layout around those logistics.

Casement windows come in more than one design, and each style offers a slightly different look and function. The casement window style you choose affects the cost. Here are some average costs for the various casement window types:

Single Casement Windows

This is the style most homeowners picture when they talk about casement windows. This window has one pane set into a frame with a hinge on one side. Most standard single casement windows use a crank handle and swing out to open. They work well in a room with limited wall space and areas where the breeze comes primarily from one direction. Install the window so that it captures that breeze. This window style is narrower and allows less light into the room than a double casement window. Its average cost is $224 to $370.

Double/French Casement Windows

Double or French casement windows are made of two casement sashes set side-by-side. Each sash has a hinge along the outer side. It needs more wall space for installation than a single casement style, but it also allows more light. Since the two panes open opposite each other, no matter which direction the breeze is flowing, one of the panes captures it and channels it into the room. Pricing averages $445 to $585.

Picture Window with Casement Flankers

A creative approach to windows is to combine multiple types in one room, maximizing both form and function. Picture windows are a popular choice for rooms with a view. A picture window is a large single-pane fixed window that provides a clear, uninterrupted view and allows plenty of natural light. The downside is that it offers no ventilation. To keep the view and add ventilation, many homeowners install casement windows on either side of a picture window. This provides the best of both worlds. Plan to pay around $600 - $800 for a picture window with casement flankers.

Casement Window Prices by Material

Window frames are made from several materials, each with pros and cons. Your choice of window frame material also factors your per window pricing. Here is an idea of what base pricing to expect from the five most common materials:

Vinyl Casement Windows

Vinyl is one of the more inexpensive and widely available choices for window frame materials. Homeowners choose vinyl windows for their price, ease of installation, and durability. No painting is required, and the frames simply need periodic cleaning.

Since vinyl expands and contracts with temperature changes, it warps over time. If a UV-resistant coating is not applied, the frame’s color fades or changes as it ages. Expect to pay $200 to $750 for a vinyl window.

Wood Casement Windows

Wood is the most traditional and classic window frame material. It has been used for hundreds of years and continues today. Homeowners often choose wood for its historic charm and unique character. Wood is an excellent insulator, so choosing a wood frame adds to your windows’ energy efficiency. When cared for correctly, new wood windows last up to 30 years.

Before opting for wood windows, be aware that they are heavy and often cost more to install than their lighter counterparts. Wood also requires more frequent maintenance to maximize its lifespan. The price of your wood window frame varies depending on what wood species you choose. Pine is one of the most common and least expensive species, with teak commanding premium prices. Oak and maple are solid mid-range choices. Expect to pay $290 to $2,000 plus installation for your wood casement windows.

Aluminum Casement Windows

Aluminum is the material of choice for homeowners who need a strong material that withstands extreme temperature fluctuations without warping. The frame on an aluminum window is also usually thinner and more modern in appearance than other materials like vinyl.

As a metal, aluminum corrodes over time, and it is also a conductor. This makes aluminum a less energy-efficient choice than more insulative materials like wood or fiberglass. However, thermal breaks may be installed to improve energy efficiency. Aluminum windows also offer the aesthetic feel of steel at a significantly lower price point. The average price for an aluminum window is $300 to $950.

Fiberglass Casement Windows

Fiberglass is one of the newest window frame materials. Homeowners who select fiberglass often do so for its reasonable cost and durability because it does not expand or contract during temperature fluctuations. As an insulative material, fiberglass helps improve the energy efficiency of your windows.

However, since fiberglass windows are newer, they are less available and carried by fewer brands. You may need to wait longer to get fiberglass windows delivered. Although the frames come in a variety of colors, those colors fade over time and need to be painted. Fiberglass windows usually cost an average of $535 to $1,575 per window.

Steel Casement Windows

Steel windows have a sleek and modern feel, making them a popular choice for new construction, although they are also used in historic buildings. Today’s steel windows are galvanized to prevent corrosion. They are strong, weather-resistant, fire-resistant, durable, and currently trendy.

Although steel is also a conductor, it is less conductive than aluminum and outfitted with thermal breaks for enhanced efficiency. Steel is not inexpensive, and steel windows come with a high price tag. Many steel windows are custom created, so it is difficult to find readymade options. The average price for a steel window frame is $585 to $1,500.

Standard Casement Window Sizes

Casement windows come in a range of sizes. The minimum and maximum dimensions of a casement window depend on the frame material used and the manufacturer.

For example, most vinyl casement windows run from 13.5” to 35.5” in width and 17” to 73” in height. Fiberglass windows typically have the same width range as vinyl but are taller. These windows range from 29.5” to 77.5” tall. Finally, aluminum-clad wood windows may be as tall as vinyl windows, but they are wider than those of other types, ranging from 17” to 59”. The largest casement windows are up to 72” wide and as much as 96” tall.

Standard window sizes are indicated using a four-digit code. The first two digits represent the width of the window in feet and inches. The second two digits are the height with one digit for feet and the other for inches. When measuring for windows, the window’s size must match the dimensions of the rough opening in the wall to ensure a tight fit. Custom-sized windows are also available from most manufacturers, but they cost more than standard sizes and may have a different return policy.

While size impacts window pricing, the frame, glass material, and glazing choices are also factored into the cost, so each window size includes a wide price range. Below are price ranges for average windows in some of the most common casement sizes:

Casement Window Prices by Brand

Casement windows are available from many manufacturers. Three of the biggest casement window manufacturers are Jeld-Wen, Andersen, and Pella. Pricing varies by the brand with both mid-range and high-end choices available.

Jeld-Wen Casement Windows

Jeld-Wen offers a range of moderately priced casement windows across nine product lines. Homeowners can choose from wood, clad-wood, vinyl, or clad-vinyl construction with multiple wood species to select from, depending on the product line. Jeld-Wen’s premier product is a custom wood window available in five configurations: radius top, segment top, double segment top, flat top, and French push out. The mid-range Jeld-Wen choices come in clad-wood, vinyl, or clad-vinyl with color, grille, finish, and glass options. Expect costs to be between $262 and $625 per window.

Andersen Casement Windows

Andersen groups their casement window lineup into five series, which are available in standard casement, push-out, and French configurations. The premier option offers wood interior for aesthetics and aluminum exterior for durability. A made-to-order series comes in nearly any size, shape, color, wood species, and finish. The most energy-efficient Andersen windows are made of solid wood, fiberglass, and an Andersen-exclusive Fibrex composite. A best-selling mid-range offering and a low-cost, eco-friendly choice made completely of Fibrex round out the Andersen casement window line. Andersen casement windows average $348 to $984.

Pella Casement Windows

Pella’s casement window selection comes in wood, vinyl, and fiberglass. Each type is divided into several series or categories based on the aesthetic style and quality. Pella’s Reserve series is their top-end product, offering high-end quality and security features with wood and aluminum-clad construction. The mid-range Pella Architect and more affordable Lifestyle Series round out the wood choices. Vinyl casement windows from Pella come in two energy-efficient series plus a specially designed rugged Hurricane Shield line. Pella’s final casement window choice is their fiberglass Impervia line. Prices for Pella windows are between $465 and $505.

Casement Window Glass Costs by Type

The number of panes, types of coatings, and potential addition of insulative gas in between the panes also affects the cost of a casement window. The chart below compares the average costs for the different casement window glass types. The lower end of the range reflects the given glass type in a less expensive frame, while the higher end assumes a more costly frame choice:

Single-Pane

A single-pane window is made of one layer of glass or glazing. Single-pane windows are the most basic and offer the least amount of insulative value since there is no air pocket between the interior and exterior glass. According to the Efficient Windows Collaborative, clear single-pane glass windows allow an 86% transfer of solar heat and a 90% transfer of visible light. However, adding a tint reduces this to 73% and 68%, respectively. Single-pane windows are becoming less common and less readily available than double-pane windows. The average cost of a single-pane casement window is $150 to $400.

Double-pane

Double-pane windows are the most common pane count. By building a window with two panes of glass instead of one, an insulative air pocket is created between the two panes. This air pocket helps slow thermal transfer between your home and the outdoors. This improves energy efficiency and decreases heat loss by half, according to the Efficient Windows Collaborative.

The space between the panes is filled with a non-toxic, clear, odorless insulating gas, such as argon or krypton, to further enhance the window’s energy efficiency. If the window seal is damaged on a double-pane window, the gas between the panes leaks and moisture seeps in, leading to cloudiness and condensation. The average cost of a double-pane casement window is $150 to $600.

Reflective Coating

Reflective window coating or tinting decreases heat transfer and reduces glare. A reflective coating applied to the outside of the window improves the window’s energy efficiency and also offers visual privacy. Homeowners who want to enjoy their daytime view while also enjoying the privacy that blinds or shutters provide benefit from choosing a reflective window coating. The average cost of a casement window with a reflective coating is $225 to $500.

Low-E Coating

When thermal energy hits your windows, the glass either absorbs and re-radiates it or reflects it. The more heat your glass reflects, the less thermal transfer takes place, and the more energy-efficient your windows are.

The degree to which a material radiates energy is referred to as its emissivity. To decrease the emissivity of windows, a low-emissivity or Low-E coating may be applied to the glass. Low-E coatings are extremely thin layers of metallic oxide that coat the glass and decrease its emissivity. The Department of Energy estimates that windows with a Low-E coating cost 10% to 15% more than standard windows but are capable of reducing energy loss by 30% to 50%. The average cost of a Low-E coated window is $250 to $840.

Spectrally Selective Coating

Some Low-E coatings block a good portion of visible light transmission along with the thermal transmission. Spectrally selective coatings are a type of Low-E coating designed to reflect thermal wavelengths, while allowing the transmission of the full spectrum of visible light. The Department of Energy estimates that spectrally selective coatings filter out 40% to 70% of thermal energy and reduce cooling needs in hot climates by over 40%. The average cost of a spectrally selective coated casement window is $350 to $850.

Argon Gas

In double or triple-pane windows, the space between the panes is often filled with a gas like argon or krypton. Argon is the less expensive of the two and is used if there is at least a half-inch of space between panes. The average cost of an argon gas-filled casement window is $375 to $850.

Triple-Pane

The most energy-efficient windowpane configuration is the triple-pane. In a triple-pane window, two air pockets are created between the three panes. This improves the window’s thermal performance compared to double or single-pane windows. Adding a Low-E coating and a gas fill to a triple-pane window offers the ultimate in energy efficiency. This combination is also the most costly. The average cost of a triple-pane casement window is $400 to $950.

Krypton Gas

If panes of glass are closer together - about one-quarter inch - krypton gas must be used instead of argon. Krypton is up to 40% more expensive than argon, but since it is denser, it also has a better thermal performance. Another option is to choose a mixture of argon and krypton gases for a lower cost than straight krypton but higher performance than straight argon. The average cost of a krypton gas-filled casement window is $525 to $1,190.

Casement Window Replacement Cost

The labor costs associated with installing casement window replacements depend on the window frame material involved. Wood windows take a little more time and work to install, so their labor costs are higher than vinyl windows. On average, expect to pay $150 to $300 per window in labor costs and around $60 for removal and disposal of the old frame.

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New Casement Window Installation Cost

The process of installing a new casement window is somewhat different from a replacement. A new construction window has nailing/attachment fins or flanges mounted to the exterior of the window, whereas replacement windows are smooth.

To install a new construction window into an existing home, the contractor must strip the window opening down and remove the trim and siding to expose the home’s framing. In most cases, if you remove an existing window and install a new one, use a replacement style that slides into the existing hole. The advantage of a new construction window is that the nailing fins make it completely weathertight.

New construction windows are more readily available, and the windows themselves are less expensive than replacement windows. Still, the labor required to remove the trim and cut back the siding so that the studs are exposed is more extensive. This means that in most cases unless you choose windows to install in a home that is being built or stripped down completely, it is more cost-effective and less destructive to your home to opt for replacement windows. If you choose to install new construction or full-frame windows into your existing home, the labor costs vary depending on how challenging and time-consuming it is for the contractor to do the installation. Plan to spend $150 to $1,000 to install full-frame windows into an existing home.

Factors Affecting the Cost to Replace Casement Windows

The main factors affecting the cost to replace casement windows are window size, frame material, glass type, coatings, overall quality, and whether the window is a custom size or design.

Large custom architectural-grade steel windows with triple-pane construction, gas filling, and multiple specialty glass coatings are much more expensive. On the other end of the price spectrum, a small contractor or builder-grade single-pane vinyl window with no coatings is more affordable.

Labor costs also factor into the final replacement cost. Expect higher labor costs when installing a new type of window or if the window is located in an area that is more difficult to access. Very large or heavy windows require more installers and increase labor costs.

Benefits of Casement Windows

The most energy-efficient window is fully fixed since it is extremely well-insulated with absolutely no gaps. While fixed windows work in some rooms that need a window for light rather than ventilation, most homeowners also want windows that can be opened to let in air. For homeowners looking for an energy-efficient window that may be opened, casement-style windows are a great choice.

In addition to their insulative value, casement windows provide the advantage of fully opening for maximum airflow. On a breezy day, if the wind is coming from the right direction, an open casement window directs the air into your house.

Through a casement window, the view is clear and unobstructed by the horizontal or vertical strip of material that divides the panes in other window styles. Even with all this uninterrupted glass, the standard casement window is still more secure and difficult to break into than other windows because of its crank handle opening design.

Ultimately, there are many reasons to choose a casement window. These include energy efficiency, maximized airflow, an unobstructed view, and improved home security.

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Casement vs Double-Hung Windows

A casement window most commonly hinges on one side and swings outward, while a double-hung window is a type of sash window with two movable panes that may be slid up or down. Casement windows are easier to open and close than double-hung since they are operated with a crank handle rather than by moving the sash up and down. Casement windows also form a more airtight seal thanks to the sash pressing up against the frame on all four sides rather than just three, as is the case with a double-hung window. Another benefit of casement windows is that they are more difficult for intruders to break into than double-hung windows.

A downside of casement windows is that they are damaged more easily if left open during high winds. They are also exposed to the elements like sun, rain, and snow more due to their outward hinging design, which causes them to weather faster. Also, a casement window takes longer to crank open and closed than a double-hung design does to slide up and down.

Double-hung windows allow the flexibility of opening the top, bottom, or both sides of the window, thanks to two moving sashes. Double-hung windows also have a wider opening than casement. If you cool your home using a conventional window-mounted air conditioner unit, it is not compatible with a casement window design. It does well with a double-hung design since the sash closes down flush with the top of the air conditioner, helping make a seal and hold it in place.

Replacing Casement Windows with Double-Hung

If you currently have casement windows and want to replace them with double-hung, that is feasible. However, it requires extra planning. Double-hung windows are usually wider and thicker than casement windows, so the hole size and shape do not match up. This means that you need to have the old casement window removed, and the rough opening modified to match the layout of the new double-hung window. Although you are replacing your windows, you must choose a new construction rather than a replacement double-hung window model since it is going directly onto the framing in a new rough opening.

Casement Window Maintenance

With their inherent exposure to the elements, it is particularly important to perform regular maintenance on casement windows. Set an annual or biannual reminder to yourself to inspect your casement windows.

Open and close the window, checking for sticking of the crank handle or resistance in the track where the control arm slides. You may need to lubricate the gears of the handle with WD-40 or lithium grease. Or if the crank handle slips when you turn it, try removing the handle and tightening the crank head underneath.

Since the window opens out, debris may fall into the control arms track and prevent a smooth opening. Check the track and clear any debris.

A loose hinge causes the window to shift out of alignment, making it difficult to open. Tightening the screws usually resolves a minor shift, but if you find anything more pronounced, it may be best to consult your window installation company or another expert.

Inspect the glass to check for cracks or cloudiness because both are indicators of problems that need to be addressed. Cloudiness usually indicates that the seal is bad, and moisture has gotten into the space between the panes in double and triple-pane windows.

Metal or metal-clad frames hold up well to the elements with minimal maintenance, but they should still be inspected annually for any damage. Wood frames should also be checked for chipped or peeling paint that exposes the raw wood underneath, inviting water infiltration and potential rot. Keep the paint on wood window frames in good condition to maximize their lifespan.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Energy-efficient glass

Casement windows are already energy-efficient thanks to their design, but choosing energy-efficient glass enhances energy efficiency. Many features come together to enhance the energy efficiency of a window. Top-performing windows include triple weather stripping, a multi-point locking system, multiple glazing options, interior glazing bead design, and many internal chambers to offer outstanding insulative value.

According to the Department of Energy, Energy Star windows reduce energy expenditures and qualify you for tax rebates or other incentives. The Efficient Windows Collaborative maintains a list of current utility and state programs available to help homeowners finance energy-efficient windows.

Old window removal

Before the new replacement window is installed, the old window must first be removed. Depending on this window, this may take several hours. Since hourly rates for window removal average $30 per hour, plan to pay roughly $60 in labor to remove an existing window.

Casement Window Insulation

Weatherstripping comes in both self-stick and nail-on varieties. It is made from felt, foam, rubber, metal, or vinyl and is purchased at big-box home improvement stores. Plan to spend $5 to $10 per foam insulation roll. Another insulation option is window insulation film or shrink film. The clear plastic film is applied to the window then heated, so it stretches and forms a tight, smooth layer over the glass to help prevent heat transfer. A roll of the insulation film costs around $15.

If there are gaps between your window and window frame, the window may be a candidate for spray foam insulation. The foam comes in a spray can with a straw applicator for precision application. Spray the foam into the gaps, and it expands to form a more airtight seal. A can of foam insulation costs about $10.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• Casement windows are a top choice for homeowners seeking excellent ventilation. To maximize your benefits, install casement windows on your home’s side that faces the predominant wind direction. For homes adjacent to a large body of water like an ocean, place casement windows on the side of the home facing the water.
• If you are not sure which direction the wind is usually coming from in your area, get a general idea using The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service’s wind rose dataset. To confirm, install a windsock or weathervane in your yard and monitor it. You may also place wind chimes around your house and listen for which chimes are heard most frequently.
• Since most casement windows open outward into the elements, this exposes the frame to stressors like rain, snow, and sun. Over time, these cause the seals and window frame to deteriorate. Extend the life of your casement window by closing it immediately if it starts to rain or snow. Inspect your windows annually, paying particular attention to the top edge because it has the highest risk of exposure damage.
• Depending on the sun’s angle relative to an open casement window, the window may reflect bright sunlight directly into the room. Simply adjusting the window angle by a quarter turn should be sufficient to change the angle and eliminate the glare.