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Window Replacement Cost Calculator
Use this free window replacement cost calculator to budget a window job before you call a contractor. Pick the number of windows, the size, the frame material, the style, and the install type, and it gives a materials cost, an install cost, and a total low-to-high range with the average per window.
How it works
Window cost has two parts: the window itself and the labor to install it. The calculator prices the window by frame material, using typical per-window ranges: vinyl $300 to $800, aluminum $400 to $900, fiberglass $500 to $1,200, and wood $800 to $1,500. Vinyl is the most common choice because it is cheap, never needs paint, and insulates well; wood costs the most but suits historic homes, while fiberglass is strong, stable, and paintable.
Size and style then adjust the material price. A small 24-by-36 window costs about 15 percent less than the standard 36-by-60 size, and a large 48-by-72 window costs about 25 percent more. A custom size is priced by area relative to the standard window. Style matters too: a casement window with its crank hardware and tight seal costs about 15 percent more than a double-hung, a sliding window about 5 percent more, and a fixed picture window about 5 percent less, since it has no moving parts.
Installation is priced per window on top of the material. A retrofit install — fitting the new window into the existing frame — adds $100 to $200 per window and is the cheaper option when the old frames are sound. A full-frame install — removing the whole old window down to the studs — adds $200 to $400 per window, but it is the right choice when frames are rotted or you want to change the window size or add insulation around the opening.
The calculator shows a range rather than a single price because real quotes vary with brand, glass options, and local labor rates. Double-pane low-E glass is standard in most quotes; triple-pane glass, argon fill, and grilles between the panes all push the price toward the high end. Get at least three local quotes and compare them against this range before signing anything.
Worked example
A homeowner in Ohio replaces 6 standard 36-by-60 double-hung windows with vinyl frames, using retrofit installation.
Step 1: Materials — vinyl is $300 to $800 per window, the standard size factor is 1.00, and double-hung is 1.00, so materials are 6 × $300 = $1,800 to 6 × $800 = $4,800.
Step 2: Installation — retrofit is $100 to $200 per window, so install is 6 × $100 = $600 to 6 × $200 = $1,200.
Step 3: Total — $1,800 + $600 = $2,400 at the low end and $4,800 + $1,200 = $6,000 at the high end.
Step 4: Per-window average — ($2,400 + $6,000) ÷ 2 ÷ 6 = $700 per window.
The job costs $2,400 to $6,000 in total, averaging $700 per window installed. A quote near $4,000 sits in the middle of the range; anything far above $6,000 deserves a second quote.
FAQ
What is the cheapest window frame material?
Vinyl is usually the cheapest, at $300 to $800 per window, and it needs no painting. Aluminum is next at $400 to $900, followed by fiberglass at $500 to $1,200, with wood the most expensive at $800 to $1,500 per window.
What is the difference between retrofit and full-frame installation?
A retrofit install fits the new window inside the existing frame, costing $100 to $200 per window, and works when the old frames are sound. A full-frame install removes everything down to the studs, costing $200 to $400 per window, and is needed for rotted frames, size changes, or added insulation.
How much does it cost to replace one window?
A single standard vinyl double-hung window with retrofit install typically runs $400 to $1,000 installed. Wood or fiberglass frames, casement styles, and full-frame installs push that higher, sometimes past $1,900 per window.
Do new windows save money on energy bills?
Energy-efficient double-pane low-E windows can cut heating and cooling loss through the windows noticeably, but the payback period is usually 10 to 20 years. Replace windows for comfort, drafts, and failed seals first, and treat energy savings as a bonus.
Do I need a permit to replace windows?
Many cities require a permit for full-frame replacement or for changing a window's size or location, while a like-for-like retrofit often does not. Check with your local building department before the work starts.