How Much Does It Cost to Install or Replace Wood Windows?

Wood windows have a timeless and historical elegance to them. In fact, wood has been the window frame material of choice for hundreds of years and continues to be a popular option today. Therefore, wood windows are a beautiful choice for those homeowners seeking to add to the period feel of a classic home or infuse character and charm into newer houses.
The average price range for a new replacement wood window installed is between $460 and $1,290, with most homeowners paying $875 for a double-hung, double-pane replacement wood window.

Wood Windows Cost

Wood Window Costs by Type

Wood windows are often seen in traditional styles like double-hung and casement. Although these are the most common styles, other types of wood windows are available, and the cost varies depending on the style.

The chart below shows the average price range for each standard-size wood window, not including installation. Custom-designed windows cost up to double the price of a standard window.

It is also important to note that the average cost for each type of window includes a wide range. The final per-window cost of each is affected by the species of wood and the glass type you choose.

Fixed Wood Window

A fixed window offers a non-opening airtight fit for rooms that need a window for light, not ventilation or as a means of egress. Fixed windows are the least expensive option, averaging $150 to $675 plus installation.

Single-hung Wood Window

Single-hung windows are common in new homes. They open by sliding the bottom sash upwards. The top sash is fixed in place. Single-hung windows are less airtight than other styles. Expect to pay $185 to $950 plus installation for a single-hung window.

Wood Sliding Window

Sliding windows open horizontally with either one or both panes moving sideways to open. This window is often favored by homeowners who want quick and easy-to-open windows with no crank handles. Plan to budget $225 to $1,000 plus installation costs for a wood sliding window.

Double-hung Wood Window

Double-hung wood windows operate similarly to single-hung windows except that both the bottom and top sash are moveable. This allows for increased air circulation. As with single-hung windows, a double-hung window is less energy-efficient because it makes a less airtight seal. The average double-hung wood window costs $240 to $1,150 plus installation.

Wood Awning Window

Awning-style windows have a hinge at the top, and the window opens outward at the bottom. Since the sash presses against the frame when the window is closed, awning-style windows are less prone to air leakage than other types of windows. This style is often used in basements. The average cost of a wood awning window is $265 to $875 plus installation.

Wood Casement Window

Casement windows are single panes of glass with a vertical hinge on the outside of the frame. The windows open outward using a crank handle and are a favorite choice for rooms that require ventilation. Wood casement windows average $290 to $950 plus installation.

Wood Picture Window

Picture windows are a variety of windows traditionally found in living rooms and rooms with a view. A picture window is a fixed window made of one piece of glass to maximize the visibility through the pane. A wood picture window costs $350 to $840 plus installation.

Wood Bay Window

Bay windows are the most expensive style. A bay window is made of three fixed frame windows - a larger center window with a smaller one on each side. The windows jut out from the house, providing visual appeal as well as additional square footage inside the home. Bay windows were popularized during the Victorian era and are most often seen in the breakfast nooks of modern homes. Budget $800 to $2,650 plus installation costs for a wood bay window.

Wood Window Costs by Wood Species

Wood is one of the most expensive window framing materials in terms of upfront cost. Once you decide to purchase wood windows, select a wood species. Wood frames come in hardwoods and softwoods with the hardwoods being the more expensive but durable option. Some species used for wood window construction include pine, Douglas fir, oak, maple, cherry, mahogany, and teak.

Pricing varies depending on the species, and the average cost range listed below encompasses all window styles.

Pine is the most affordable choice with Douglas fir, oak, maple, and cherry rounding out the midrange offerings. Mahogany is more expensive but also has a similar durability and strength to the old hardwoods used in historic homes.

Teak is the most expensive and is nearly identical in hardness to mahogany. A custom teak window costs twice as much as the same mid-range fir window. Teak is often used for boats because it handles moisture well without being painted. This makes teak an excellent choice for homes that are near the ocean or in humid climates.

The choice of manufacturer also impacts the cost of your wood windows. Most wood windows come from premium companies like Pella and Marvin, although Andersen Windows and Jeld-Wen offer more moderately priced selections. Premium windows average $735 to $1,250 per window, depending on the type. Moderately priced windows range from $650 to $900.

Wood Window Glass

In addition to choosing the species of wood for your wood window frames, you also need to select a glass to put in the frame. The glass choice also determines the overall per-window cost.

First, select the number of panes - either single, double, or triple pane. The more panes your windows have, the more energy-efficient they are. In double and triple-pane windows, the space between the windows is filled with argon, which is a dense gas that further enhances the window’s energy efficiency.

Several coating options may be applied to your windows. Reflective window coatings reduce the heat coming in during the summer. A Low-E coating is a thin metal coating that takes the protection of reflective coatings one step further. Low-E also blocks the harmful UV rays that fade furniture, carpets, and window treatments along with damaging your eyes and skin. In particularly warm and sunny climates, spectrally selective coatings are popular for their ability to allow light to enter the room while blocking 40-70% of the heat transfer.

Labor Costs to Install Wood Windows

The labor costs to install wood windows include placing the unit in the rough opening, shimming it to level it, securing the window in place, and insulating the perimeter. Wood windows are heavier and more difficult to install than their lighter vinyl counterparts, so labor costs are usually higher. A wood window weighs 20 to 30 pounds compared to an 8 to 12-pound vinyl window.

The installer may need to make fit adjustments and do finishing work like sanding and painting or staining in addition to the basic installation process. Expect your labor costs for installation to be $100 to $300 per window. This means that for the average double-hung, double-pane replacement wood window installation costs are between $100 and $300 of the $875 total. The remaining $575 to $775 are materials costs.

Wood Replacement Windows Cost

There are two types of wood window frame setups, and it is important to understand the difference. One is meant for replacing existing windows, and the other is for new construction. A new construction window comes with a nail fin - a flange around the window that attaches to the studs. This window type requires finish work and may also be referred to as a full-frame window. Full-frame windows cost $150 to $800 to install.

The second type of wood window frame is the retrofit or replacement window. This window type is used to swap out an older window. The replacement slides into the hole the old window was removed from, with no finishing work required. The ease and speed of installation lowers labor costs. Expect to pay $100 to $300 per window to install a replacement window.

Aluminum Clad Wood Windows Cost

Wood windows provide a beautiful, classic look, but they also require more maintenance than easy-to-care-for aluminum models. Homeowners who want the look of wood on the inside with the low-maintenance ease of aluminum on the outside opt for aluminum clad wood windows.

These windows have aluminum overlaid on the exterior side of the frame. From the inside of the home, the wood frame is still visible. This hybrid option offers another solution to the wood vs vinyl debate.

The cost of an aluminum clad wood window depends on the thickness of the aluminum along with other factors. The thicker the aluminum, the higher the price. The average price range is from $1,000 to $2,000 per window.

Benefits of Wood Windows

Selecting wood windows for your home offers many advantages, including visual appeal, thermal performance, longevity, and environmental friendliness. The many benefits of wood windows explain why this historical material is still used in today’s homes.

Wood windows lend a historic traditional look to a classic home. If your historic home has previously had its original windows removed, new wood windows recapture its former look. Wood windows are easily painted in your color choice so that they work perfectly with your home. You are not restricted to a preset list of color offerings.

While other window materials are thermal conductors that are naturally prone to the unwanted interior-to-exterior air exchange, wood is an insulator that promotes thermal stability, keeping warm air in during the winter and cool air in during the summer. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, wood has an R-value, or insulative rating of 1.41 per inch for softwoods and 0.71 for hardwoods. The higher the R-value, the more insulative the material is. By comparison, the R-value of aluminum is 0.61, and the R-value of steel is just 0.0031.

Properly maintained wood windows have a long lifespan, although homeowners must perform regular maintenance to optimize the performance and durability of wood windows. Original old wood windows last up to 200 years. New wood windows have a life expectancy of more than 30 years.

Finally, wood windows may cost more initially, but their natural material construction is more environmentally friendly than man-made vinyl or fiberglass. The trees that wood windows are made from are renewable resources. When it is time to replace the wood windows, they naturally decompose rather than sitting in a landfill for decades or centuries.

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Wood Window Maintenance

The expected lifespan of a wood window depends on the quality and frequency of maintenance and care that it receives. A well-cared-for wood window lasts over 30 years, and some homes have original historic wood windows that are over 200 years old.

Regularly scheduled preventative maintenance is necessary for a wood window to maintain its appearance, energy efficiency, and overall performance. The four most important keys to wood window health are painting, glazing putty, weatherstripping, and storm windows. Paint is used to protect the window frame from exposure to moisture and insects that damage its structural integrity. For this reason, it is important to inspect and repaint as needed.

Glazing putty creates a seal between the glass pane and the window frame. Over time, the putty dries, cracks, and needs replacing. Inspect your putty annually or semi-annually and replace as needed. When painting, paint over the glazing putty to give it extra protection from the sun and rain.

Weatherstripping involves adding a thin strip of material - foam, felt, rubber, or metal - around the window to seal air and moisture leaks. Properly installed weatherstripping improves the energy efficiency of a window.

Storm windows are the final item that maintains the health and maximizes the performance of your wood windows. Storm windows are installed on the outside of existing wood windows to protect the wood windows and create the thermal effect of a dual-paned window. A storm window is less pricey than a wood window and extends your wood window’s life.

Painting Wooden Window Frames

Homeowners must maintain their paint as a firm requirement. A new coat of paint quickly refreshes a tired-looking window. If you want to update your home’s color scheme, all it takes is some fresh paint for your windows to coordinate the new look.

A solid, non-peeling or cracking coat of paint is important for more than visual appearance. It helps keep moisture and insects from infiltrating and damaging the wood or causing it to rot. Check the paint on your wood window frames every year. Windows exposed to more extreme weather conditions like direct sunlight, extreme humidity, or lots of wind and rain need to be repainted more frequently. In general, expect to repaint roughly every few years.

Wood Windows vs Vinyl Windows

Wood and vinyl are two of the most commonly used window framing materials. While wood is the original, historical choice and has been in use for as long as people have been building homes with windows, vinyl is a popular modern choice. Both materials perform similarly in terms of energy efficiency, so to figure out which is best for your home, weigh the pros and cons of each then make a decision.

Wood windows are often more visually appealing than vinyl, particularly in historic homes or homes with a classic design. They are painted to complement or match your home’s color. Since it is made of natural, renewable, biodegradable materials, wood is a more eco-friendly choice for window frames. Wood windows are long-lasting, 30+ years, when cared for correctly.

The downside of choosing wood is that the initial cost to purchase and install the frames is higher. Wood windows require more routine maintenance than a vinyl window and are more susceptible to insect and moisture damage.

Vinyl windows cost less to purchase and install. They require minimal maintenance, just needing to be washed once a year. If you want to install your windows yourself, vinyl is an easier DIY project than wood because the installation process is less complex. Finally, if you replace your windows and plan to sell your home during the lifetime of the new windows, according to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs Value Report, expect to recuperate 72.3% of the cost of vinyl windows on resale compared to 68.9% for wood.

A disadvantage of vinyl windows is that they need to be replaced sooner than wood since vinyl usually has a 15 to 20-year lifespan compared to wood’s 30+. Vinyl windows also only come in predetermined colors. Although the number of colors is expanding, homeowners are generally unable to choose a custom color for vinyl windows. Aesthetically, vinyl windows lack a historic feel. Although they fit with the lines of a contemporary home, they often look out of place in a more traditional and classic older home.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Old Window Removal

Unless you are installing windows in a new home, you need to plan for the costs and labor associated with removing and disposing of your old windows. The old window casing, trim, and frame must be removed, and anything not being reused must be hauled away. Your contractor may include these costs in the total labor quote. If your invoice itemizes the removal costs, expect to see $94 to $153 per window for the labor and disposal fee.

Storm Windows

Adding an exterior storm window provides additional insulative value and noise reduction along with extending the life of your wood windows by protecting them from the elements. Depending on their materials, storm windows cost as little as $109 or as much as $969, but most homeowners pay an average of $350 per storm window.

Window Screens

If your windows open, installing a window screen keeps out bugs and dirt while allowing for good airflow. Screens are a quick, inexpensive, and practical addition to new or replacement windows. In most cases, installers install the screens along with the windows at no additional cost. The screens themselves average $10 per screen for standard-size windows and up to $21 per screen for custom windows.

Energy-efficient Wood Windows

Due to wood’s insulative value, wood window frames are naturally energy-efficient. Pair these frames with Energy Star certified glass or glazing to maximize energy efficiency.

Windows are available in single, double, or triple pane. A triple-pane glass with gas fill and a low-emittance or Low-E coating provides the most energy-efficient combination. A double-hung Low-E wood window costs $1,000 to $1,600, installed.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• Prior to installation, check local building codes and ordinances. In some cases, you may need to pay for permits to install new wood windows.
• Like other wooden surfaces, it is recommended that you prime wood windows prior to painting them. Save time, effort, and money by shopping for pre-primed wood windows instead of bare wood. The price is usually similar, and you avoid having to purchase and apply primer to your new windows.
• Some experts say that replacing rather than repairing old wood windows should be avoided for owners of historic homes. Replacing old wood windows removes part of the historic character of the house, and in many cases, the new windows will not last as long as the original ones would have had they been repaired. The wood used to construct the windows of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries was a higher-quality old-growth lumber, which is more rot-resistant than today’s wood options. Also, historic wood windows were made using a simple design, allowing the windows to be repaired piece by piece so that they did not need replacement by future generations who would inherit them.
• A fixed style of window is the most energy-efficient but does not allow airflow. The most efficient opening window styles are awning and casement windows since their sashes press against the window frame to provide a more airtight seal compared to sliding or double-hung models.
• Protect wooden window frames from the elements and insects by keeping them painted. Paint prevents water infiltration and subsequent swelling due to humidity or precipitation. It also keeps damaging insects like termites from eating away at your window frames.
• If you need to install multiple new windows throughout your home and are concerned about the cost, check with your manufacturer and installer. In many cases, you may be eligible to set up a payment plan rather than paying for everything at once or putting it on a credit card.