How Much Does Window Replacement Cost?
Per window and for the whole house, by material, style and install type.
Estimated total
$8,250.00
- United inches
- 96 in
- Size factor
- 1.000
- Price per window
- $420.00
- Windows
- $4,200.00
- Labor
- $1,800.00
- Full-frame premium
- $0.00
- Trim and capping
- $900.00
- Disposal
- $350.00
- Permit
- $250.00
- Contingency (10%)
- $750.00
- All in, per window
- $825.00
United inches is width plus height — how the trade sizes an opening and prices against it.
Windows are one part of the envelope → insulation cost calculator
How this is calculated
united inches = width + height size factor = 1 + (united ÷ 96 − 1) × 0.5 per window = base price × style multiplier × size factor windows = per window × count labor = labor per window × count full frame = (windows + labor) × premium% total = (all lines) × (1 + contingency%)
The size factor is damped on purpose. Doubling the united inches does not double the price, because only the glass and frame scale with size — the hardware, the flashing and most of the labour are the same whether the opening is small or large.
Cost by opening size
Vinyl double-hung as an insert, one window. Same function as the calculator above.
| Opening | United inches | Size factor | Window | With labor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 × 36 basement | 60 in | 0.813 | $341.25 | $521.25 |
| 28 × 54 bedroom | 82 in | 0.927 | $389.37 | $569.38 |
| 32 × 48 | 80 in | 0.917 | $385.00 | $565.00 |
| 36 × 60 standard | 96 in | 1.000 | $420.00 | $600.00 |
| 36 × 72 tall | 108 in | 1.063 | $446.25 | $626.25 |
| 48 × 60 large | 108 in | 1.063 | $446.25 | $626.25 |
Installed price by material and style
| Material | Per window, insert | Per window, full frame | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $450-$800 | $540-$960 | The value choice, most of the market |
| Composite | $650-$1,100 | $780-$1,320 | Stiffer than vinyl, paintable |
| Aluminum | $550-$1,000 | $660-$1,200 | Slim frames, conducts cold |
| Fiberglass | $750-$1,400 | $900-$1,680 | Moves least with temperature |
| Wood | $1,000-$1,900 | $1,200-$2,280 | Best looking, needs maintenance |
| Bay or bow | $1,800-$4,500 | $2,200-$5,400 | Carpentry, not just a swap |
Frequently asked questions
How much does window replacement cost?
Most homeowners pay $450 to $800 per window installed for standard vinyl as an insert replacement, and $500 to $2,500 across the full range once material, size and install type vary. Ten standard vinyl windows typically land between $3,000 and $8,000 for the house.
What is the difference between insert and full-frame?
An insert drops a new window into the existing frame, keeping the exterior trim intact. Full-frame strips everything back to the rough opening, which lets the installer see and fix rot, re-flash the opening and change the window size. It costs roughly 20 percent more and is the honest choice when the old frame is failing.
Why is my quote priced per window and not per square foot?
Because most of the cost is not glass. Each window carries its own frame, hardware, flashing, trim and a fixed block of labour, so a small window is nowhere near proportionally cheaper than a big one. The trade sizes openings in united inches — width plus height — and prices around a standard opening from there.
Which frame material is worth it?
Vinyl is the value choice and dominates the market for good reason. Fiberglass costs more but moves less with temperature and takes paint. Wood buys appearance and is the only one that needs maintenance. Aluminum conducts cold badly and is mostly used where a slim frame matters.
Do bay and bow windows cost much more?
Several times more. They project out from the wall, which means a supported seat, a roof over the projection, insulation and often a header change — that is carpentry, not just a window swap. Expect three to four times a comparable double-hung, and more if the existing opening has to be enlarged.
Is replacing windows worth the energy savings alone?
Rarely, on savings alone. Replacing single-pane windows in a cold climate pays back the fastest, but upgrading windows that are already double-pane usually takes decades to recover. The stronger reasons are comfort near the glass, noise, rot in the existing frames, and windows that no longer open or lock.
Planning estimates only. Window pricing moves a lot with brand, glass package, custom sizes and how much rot the crew finds once the old unit comes out. These are not quotes — get three, itemised per window, and ask each one whether it is an insert or full-frame.