How Much Does It Cost to Install Vinyl Windows?

Vinyl ¹ windows are an affordable alternative to wood replacement windows. They come in many shapes and sizes, are low maintenance, and can often improve the energy efficiency of a home. Because there are so many different types of vinyl ¹ windows as well as glass types, there is also a wide range of associated costs.

The average range for a new vinyl window installed is between $400 and $800, with most homeowners paying around $550 for a double-hung, double-pane replacement window.

Vinyl Window Costs

Vinyl Windows Cost by Type

Like all windows, vinyl windows can come in any configuration or size. The following types show average costs for the windows, without installation:

Single-hung Vinyl Windows

Single-hung windows, also known as sash windows, are considered standard in new home building. On single hung windows, the top sash is fixed in place and does not move, but the bottom sash is operable. Sometimes, a single-hung also offers a unique option to incorporate a geo shape option into the top sash.

Modern vinyl single-hung windows have a fixed upper section, with a movable bottom portion and range from $100 - $400 per window, depending on the layers of glass panes and other features. Vinyl is less expensive than traditional wooden frames, with the average homeowner paying between $200 - $600 per window installed or about $40 per hour.

Decorative Vinyl Windows

Contemporary decorative vinyl windows have the qualities of regular vinyl windows with the benefit of specific features, including non-standard shapes and colored or textured trim. Decorative windows are usually fixed and can be round, triangular, octagonal, or another non-traditional form, ranging from $150 - $1,000 for simple glass or higher, depending on the size. If you prefer the appearance of texture, design, or color in the glass, expect to pay an additional $50 - $150 per window. Decorative windows can present unique challenges when installing because of the window design. The installation costs an average of $800 per home.

Vinyl Awning Window

Vinyl awning windows are hinged along the top, swing open at the bottom, and operate with a handle crank mechanism located on the bottom edge of the window. Once relegated to basements, awning windows can be attractive and appropriate in any area requiring ventilation for $225 - $795 per window. This window is often paired with a larger fixed window, where the width is larger than the height, and the vinyl awning window is usually on the bottom. Awning windows range in size from short and wide to tall and thin. Most homeowners pay approximately $40 - $50 per hour to install a vinyl awning window or $125 - $225 on average per window.

Double-hung Vinyl Windows

From a distance, a double-hung window may appear to look just like a single-hung window, but both windows, upper and lower, slide independently. Double-hung vinyl windows increase the amount of circulation as air enters, and stale air dissipates. The typical homeowner spends $150 - $650 per window. In addition, this style is perfect for the second floor and above because both windows tilt inward to clean the glass. Expect to pay $1,200 - $5,200 or an average of $3,000 for a home with eight windows. Most homeowners pay a professional $40 - $50 per hour or about $100 - $250 per window.

Picture Vinyl Window

Picture windows are popular for providing a large area for viewing and providing natural light. Traditionally found in living rooms, these windows are most often fixed, do not have mullions, and have a single glass pane. Fixed windows are the least expensive type, with a range of prices from $200 - $1,500 and up, depending on the size and design, with custom sizes costing considerably more. Installing a picture window is not recommended unless you have the experience, materials, and equipment. An average homeowner pays $125 - $400 or more per window for installation.

Vinyl Casement Windows

Casement windows provide an unobstructed view, with no mullions to break up the natural light or outdoor expanses. Attached by hinges vertically to the side of the frame, the windows open outward, utilizing a crank handle, which provides excellent ventilation. The average homeowner spends $250 - $500 per window or more, with installation charges from $110 - $225, depending on the style and location. A professional contractor is recommended to install or replace casement windows.

Vinyl Sliding Windows

As with other types, sliding windows come in a variety of sizes, designs, and prices and are favored for ease of opening, requiring no lifting or cranking. However, unlike traditional windows, the sliding version opens horizontally. The windows have two sections, one fixed while the other one slides, or both sides may slide. A typical homeowner pays $200 - $600 or about $395 each for sliding windows and $100 - $400 for installation.

Vinyl Bay Window

Bay windows became popular during Victorian times, but they are still enjoyed in homes today. A bay window consists of three separate fixed frames. The center window is the largest with a smaller window on each side. Favored for elegance and allowing light indoors, bay windows range from $1,500 - $4,500 and cost between $300 and $500 for installation.

Vinyl Windows Glass

Windows are much more than mere functions of light and ventilation, and the variety of glass available expands the options for design and price. Windows affect the way people see their surroundings and the world. Variations in window glass include the number of panes, energy efficiency, decorative, and light or heat reducing. Among the varieties, there are still more options for the glas - filled, glazing, or Low-E treatment. The cost ranges given are for basic glass, with no design, inlays, or colors.

Single-pane Vinyl Windows

Single-pane windows have one piece of glass that is available in a range of styles, colors, and treatments, including tinted, shatterproof, or heat tempered. At $100 - $400, single-pane is the least expensive glass for vinyl windows.

Double-pane Vinyl Windows Cost

A step up from a single piece of glass, double panes are two sheets of glass with a layer of air between them. Because of the air space, these windows are more energy-efficient and less likely to have condensation. Double panes are sometimes filled with argon gas to enhance efficiency. As with a single pane, double-pane windows can be as basic or as complex as the homeowner desires. Double panes cost more than single, with the typical price between $150 - $600 for simple designs.

Vinyl Window Coating

Coatings for vinyl windows are used to reduce glare and damage to furnishings from UV solar rays. Reflective coatings decrease heat coming into the home, as well as helping to keep the room cooler. Coated windows cost between $225 - $550, depending on the coating type, window size, and complexity of the design.

Vinyl Low-e Windows

Low-E windows have a microscopic layer of metal on the inside of double- or triple-pane glass. No matter the window size, a Low-E coating can be applied to almost any glass. The coated glass ranges from $250 - $650, depending on the size and design of the window. It helps prevent UV rays from entering and causing harm to sensitive eyes or skin and fading or damaging curtains, furniture, carpets, and other home furnishings. Another benefit of this glass is that it helps cool the home in hot weather by reflecting radiant heat and provides heat from the sun in winter.

Spectrally Selective Coating Glass

Through the application of special tinting or coating, homeowners can experience a pleasant year-round environment. Spectrally selective coatings separate the solar spectrum, allowing as much light as possible to enter while blocking 40 - 70% of the heat. Heat-reducing coatings are especially popular in hot and sunny locations. Prices vary greatly depending on the coating type, number of panes, design, and size. Homeowners can expect to spend $350 - $850 on average.

Vinyl Argon Gas Windows

Another alternative to standard glass is the vinyl argon gas window. Available in two or three pane frames, argon gas is injected between the glass layers and sealed. Because argon gas is six times denser than air, it provides superior energy efficiency at a cost of $375 - $850 per window.

Triple-pane Vinyl Windows

A triple pane is a window with three separate layers of glass separated by a layer of air, which offers the maximum level of energy efficiency, sound buffering, and condensation prevention. While these windows provide the highest level of quality, the high cost prevents the use in standard construction. Triple panes range in price from $400 - $950 for a basic vinyl window.

Cost to Install Vinyl Windows

Vinyl windows are among the fastest and easiest to install because they use the partial frame of the window they are meant to replace. The old window is removed from the casing, and the frame is left inside the wall. The vinyl window is designed to fit inside that frame, so the installer simply measures the interior of the frame and orders the window that fits this space. The vinyl 1 window fits into place and is screwed into the frame at the corners. Caulk is used, sealing the two sections together, and to allow some expansion and contraction from the window without causing air leaks. A vinyl window can be fitted much faster than another window, taking around 35 minutes per window on average by an experienced installer. However, the estimated time to install assumes that all preparation work is completed, and the old windows are ready to remove.

Most window installers charge a flat rate to install vinyl 1 windows of around $135 for a simple single hung window. This price can go down if you are having multiple windows installed at one time, or it can go higher if you are having oversized windows installed or windows that require more than one installer to put in, such as large picture windows 4 or bay windows 5. In the case of windows of this size, installation could go to $300 - $1,000 per linear ft. per window. For a standard, 24-inch by 36-inch double hung window 3, the installation would be $135 of the $600 total.

Comparing Vinyl Windows with Other Materials

Vinyl 1 windows are just one material on the market. There are other materials that can be used for frames as well, including fiberglass 6, wood, and aluminum.

How to Maintain Vinyl Windows

Vinyl ¹ windows are considered low maintenance because they do not require painting, but they do still require some care. They will need to be cleaned periodically, and because they can warp in extreme temperatures, you need to inspect the caulking ² around the windows periodically and replace it as needed to help maintain the energy efficiency of the windows and seal up any air gaps.

Vinyl ¹ windows may occasionally crack or break and require repair, but this is a fairly easy job that can be done quickly.

Vinyl Window Replacement Cost

One of the reasons that vinyl ¹ windows are so inexpensive is the fact that they use the frame of the windows they replace. If you want to install vinyl ¹ windows in new construction, you will need to order a window with the frame, which will increase both the costs of the window and the cost of the installation. It is not uncommon for a new installation to cost twice as much as a replacement window in the case of vinyl ¹, ;$1,200 instead of $600.

Vinyl Windows Pros and Cons

Vinyl ¹ windows have been around for more than 50 years and make up a good percentage of the window market. The frame is made from polyvinyl chloride, a type of plastic that has color going all the way through. This means that the window will not require painting or scraping over its lifetime. Vinyl ¹ windows are among the least expensive types of replacement windows and are fast and easy to install. They come in all the same window types as other replacement windows and can have a range of glass types, including energy saving options.

Vinyl ¹ can expand and contract with heat and cold, and it can also warp over time, so it may allow air leaks to develop as it ages. The windows have a lifespan of roughly 20 years, which is lower than other window frames as well. Some vinyl ¹ window frames without a UV resistant coating may yellow with age as well. And all vinyl ¹ replacement windows will reduce the size of the “view” through the window, because they are installed inside your old window frame.

Vinyl Storm Window Prices

Storm windows are considered additional windows, often not included in a new home or apartment construction, that can be installed either inside or on the outside, over the top of the existing windows. Providing additional protection against storms and insulation to reduce heating and cooling costs, storm windows also create an improved environment for occupants by reducing the movement of air. While storm windows are not the same as replacement windows, it is a much cheaper option for the homeowner. Storm windows range in cost, depending on the size and other features. Most homeowners spend between $100 and $175 each for the least expensive vinyl storm windows, or approximately $1,056 for a home requiring eight single-hung storm windows.

Vinyl Replacement Windows for Mobile Homes

Most mobile home owners replace windows because they are not energy efficient, or they are outdated. Windows may also need replacing if there are leaks, rust, damage, or if they fail to function. Replacing old, leaky windows will lower electric bills, improve the comfort level for the occupants, and prevent further damage to the home.

Often older mobile homes built in the 1960s and 1970s have glass slats windows, known as jalousie windows, that are terribly inefficient and tend to leak over time, not to mention aesthetically unappealing. Though more modern mobile homes have standardized sizes, it can still be challenging to install replacement windows.

Vinyl windows make for less costly replacements while still improving energy efficiency and visual appeal. For standard mobile home sizes, expect to spend $90 - $280 per window. Most mobile home windows are smaller than a stick-built home, so the cost is less to replace mobile home windows.

Enhancements and Improvement Costs

Energy-efficient Glass Price

Homeowners looking for ways to save on heating and cooling bills, as well as increase the comfort of the living space, may consider energy-efficient glass. Windows of this type have triple-glass panes with high-tech glazings or coatings. Energy-efficient glass enhancements start at about $225 and cost an additional $1,200 - $5,500 per house for the typical homeowner. Homeowners living in climates with extreme heat or cold, in particular, will benefit from energy-efficient glass.

Old Window Removal

Most replacement window costs will include the cost of the old window removal and disposal. However, if you are also removing the frame, you can expect to pay an additional $50 for this service.

Additional Costs and Considerations

• Vinyl ¹ windows are not solid. The frames are made up of multiple chambers. Quality windows have several smaller chambers, so to determine the quality of a window, take a look at a cross-section of the frame.
• Vinyl ¹ windows have a resale value of over 73%, making them a good investment for the home.
• Many quality windows have a double lifetime warranty, which is one option to look for when shopping for good quality.
• You will likely require a permit for window installations; always check with your town or city hall for more information.
• Many window manufacturers or installers offer payment plans due to the expense of having multiple windows installed at once.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

¹ Vinyl: A synthetic plastic made from ethylene and chlorine. Vinyl has many applications in the construction industry and it is widely used in sidings, window frames, roofing and gutters, among others

² Caulking: A chemical sealant used to fill in and seal gaps where two materials join, for example, the tub and tile, to create a watertight and airtight seal. The term "caulking" is also used to refer to the process of applying this type of sealant