How Much Does Window Replacement Cost? [2025 Data]

Windows let sunlight into your living space, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere, but more importantly, they keep the elements outside where they belong. Installing new windows can help keep your living space protected from harsh weather, improve your home’s energy efficiency, reduce heating and cooling costs, and even boost curb appeal, adding to your property value.

Window replacement costs an average of $800 per window, and the cost can range from $300 to $3,000 per window, depending on the window size, the type of window, and the frame and glass materials you choose.

Window Replacement Cost

Window Replacement Cost by Number of Windows

The average cost of replacing windows is $800 per window, and typical window replacement costs between $450 and $1,200 per window. Prices can vary widely depending on the type of window you choose. Basic vinyl models tend to cost less, while larger or custom options in wood or fiberglass fall on the higher end of the range.

Many window installers will offer a discount per window when you agree to replace multiple windows, so while your total will always increase as the number of windows does, your cost per window can come down a bit. These discounts vary widely, so check with your installer and manufacturer for volume discounts to see if bulk ordering will lead to savings.

Cost of Window Replacement by Frame Material

The frame material you decide on will affect your replacement window cost as well as the window’s appearance, longevity, durability, and energy efficiency. Vinyl is considered the standard window frame material, as it strikes a good balance between upfront cost, durability, and insulation.

A vinyl window will cost between $350 and $800, on average. Aluminum is the most budget-friendly material, but it offers less insulation than vinyl and can dent from impact. An aluminum window costs between $200 and $800, in most cases.

Fiberglass and composite window frames are the most energy-efficient and can help reduce heating and cooling costs, especially in more extreme climates. While they’re often among the least cost-effective materials, totaling between $300 and $2,500 per window for composite units and between $400 and $1,500 for fiberglass, on average, they can pay for themselves in utility bill savings and frame longevity over time. Wood frames are on the higher end of the price, but they have the longest lifespan and are the easiest to repair. Wood windows cost between $400 and $2,000 each.

Average Cost of Window Replacement by Window Type

When you’re deciding on the best window to install, key factors to consider include curb appeal, ventilation, ease of cleaning, operation, and security.

Your chosen window type and style directly influence material and labor costs. Simpler designs like picture windows or single-hung windows are less expensive for materials than windows with a more complex opening system, like casement windows or double-hung windows. Fixed windows like picture or garden windows offer maximum light and efficiency but lack ventilation and internal cleaning access. On the contrary, operable windows like casement or awning windows provide good ventilation and are easier to clean, but are less secure.

You can also purchase custom windows to meet your preferences, but custom building drives up material costs, so you’ll almost always pay more for non-standard sizes.

Average Window Replacement Cost by Glass and Pane Type

In addition to frame material and window style, you’ll have to choose the type and quality of glass you want, which can also make a big difference when it comes to cost and energy efficiency.

The most common options you’ll have to choose from will refer to the different number of glass layers. Single-pane window replacement costs the least, but these windows have just a single pane, making them the most affordable but the least insulative. Double-pane windows have two layers of glass with a layer of argon or krypton gas sealed between them for improved insulation. Triple-pane is the most expensive with three layers of glass and two layers of insulating gas.

You can also choose frosted glass for improved privacy for bathroom windows, laminated or tempered glass for improved security and a reduced risk of breaking during severe weather, or tinted or low-emissivity (low-E) glass for improved energy efficiency and lower energy bills, especially in hot, sunny climates.

Labor Cost to Remove and Replace Windows 

The labor for window replacement costs between $150 and $300 for smaller windows and up to $800 for large bow or bay windows that require multiple installers to maneuver the window into place. On average, labor makes up 30% of your total.

Full house window replacement cost vs. individual 

Replacing a single window will cost an average of $800. For an average single-story home that has 10 to 15 windows, you’re looking at a total between $8,000 and $12,000, while for the average two-story home that has 15 to 30 windows, your cost to replace all of the windows in your house will fall between $12,000 and $24,000.

Additional Cost Factors

The type of window, frame materials, glass materials, and the number of windows you replace will affect your overall costs the most, but there are some other minor cost factors you should consider.

Window Size & Customization

Larger windows will drive up your material costs because they need more glass and bigger frames to fill the space. Installing big windows usually takes more time and effort, so you might have to pay extra for labor, too. You’ll find that labor costs scale with window size.

Custom-sized windows also increase material costs. This is common in older homes with non-standard openings, as these windows cannot be mass-produced, leading to higher manufacturing expenses. 

Structural Repairs & Framing

When your window replacement professional removes your old window, there’s a chance they’ll find hidden water damage or shifting framing that represents structural issues. You’ll need to make repairs before your new window can go in, which can cost a few hundred dollars or thousands, depending on the extent of the issue. This is hard to plan for, but if your windows are sticking or showing signs of active leaks, you should budget extra for hidden damage repair.

Glass Upgrades

Some homeowners budget for glass upgrades, like tempered or laminated glass for homes on golf courses or in areas prone to tornadoes and hurricanes. These upgrades can add between $100 and $800 per window to your project costs.

The same is true for energy efficiency upgrades, like low-E glass or tinted glass. These add to your total window replacement cost, too, but they can end up saving you money over time by reducing wear and tear on your HVAC system, reducing how quickly your flooring and furniture fade from UV exposure, and reducing energy bills.

Permit & Inspection Fees

Some municipalities require permits for window replacement in general, while most will require permits if you’re making structural changes, like changing the size of the wall opening. Permit fees depend on the fee schedule of your local building department, but they average between $50 and $300.

Disposal & Cleanup

Many professionals will include the cost of hauling away the existing windows and cleaning up the project site in your initial estimate, but others will charge separately. Haul-away fees can vary based on regulations and dumping fees in your area, so check with your installer before budgeting for this line item.

Accessibility

Finally, how accessible your window is can play a role in your installation costs. Windows on the second story will almost always cost more to replace than those on the first floor, as your installers will need to take on more risk and use additional equipment. This is especially true for large home windows on the second floor, which may require a crane to lift them into place.

Signs Your Windows Need Replacement

Not sure you even need to worry about window replacement costs? Here are a few signs it may be time to replace your windows:

• You notice drafts: One of the most obvious signs of window damage is the presence of a draft in colder weather. It’s possible that a repair will do the trick, but a replacement may be best for maintaining energy efficiency.

• Your heating/cooling bills are higher than usual: If those drafts aren’t so obvious, you may instead notice increasing heating and cooling bills. There are other reasons you could see an increase, but old windows plus energy bills could mean it’s time for a replacement.

• There’s condensation between the panes: Condensation between the panes on double-pane and triple-pane windows means you have a broken seal. This often means the window has structural damage or is nearing the end of its life, so a replacement may be a good idea.

• Your windows are difficult to open or close: Stuck sashes could result from swelling from humidity changes, but it could mean structural damage that requires a full replacement.

• You see signs of a leak: If you notice water damage to the drywall around your window or rotting, soft, spongy frames, you have a leak that demands a window replacement.

In some cases, you can get by with a window repair, especially if there’s no evidence of drafts, structural damage, or a window leak.

DIY vs. Professional Installation

If you have the skills, it’s possible to DIY your window replacement project, and doing so will save you between $150 and $300 per window on labor costs.

The savings may be tempting, but it’s best to leave the job to a pro. First off, most window manufacturers will void your window’s warranty if you don’t have a professional perform the installation. That could mean higher repair costs down the road if something goes wrong with your window. A pro is also less likely to make mistakes that could lead to water or air leaks that result in expensive water damage or decreased energy efficiency and higher utility bills.
Finally, a professional can complete a window installation in just 1 to 4 hours, depending on the size of the window, while an inexperienced DIYer is likely to take a day or two. A faster installation will reduce how long your home’s interior is exposed to the elements.

Because the damage caused can be severe and include mold and other water issues, we generally don’t recommend this project as a DIY project

Niki O’Brien

Custom Exteriors

How to Save on Window Replacement

Window replacement costs can get pricey, especially if you’re looking to replace multiple windows at once. There are a few things you can do to help keep costs down:

• Replace multiple windows at once: Your total will be higher as you add more windows to your replacement project, but you could benefit from bulk discounts and discounted trip fees that help you save over time.

• Schedule your project during the off-season: Window replacement companies are busiest in the spring and summer, so you may enjoy discounted labor in the fall or winter thanks to lower demand.

• Take advantage of rebates and other incentives: You may qualify for rebates, tax credits, and other incentives from the federal government or your local municipality if you invest in ENERGY STAR-certified windows or high-efficiency upgrades.

• Consider energy-efficient upgrades for long-term savings: Even if you won’t qualify for incentives, energy-efficient windows will help insulate your home, reducing heating and cooling costs and the strain on your HVAC system, which can save you on utility bills and HVAC maintenance over time.

• Consider an insert window replacement: If the frame of your window is in good condition, you may be able to complete a pocket window or insert window replacement, which is when you replace just the sashes for a reduced fee.

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