Whether your windows need to be replaced due to age, damage or because they’re energy inefficient, you have a wide range of options and price points. Once you know your budget, you can choose materials and styles that add to your home’s curb appeal.
Window replacement costs and considerations
The average homeowner spends $450 to $1,700 per window. Where you land in this range will depend on the style and materials you choose.
Costs by style
To begin, you’ll want to choose the right windows. Below are the most common types of windows with corresponding price estimates. Prices on the higher end reflect hiring an expert installer, while you can keep costs lower by using a handyman. If you need to involve a structural engineer or contractor (for example, if you’re installing a bay window where there wasn’t one previously), this can also drive up pricing.
Double-hung: $150-$2,000. This window opens from the top and bottom, providing additional ventilation and air circulation.
Single-hung: $100-$2,000. One half of the window remains in place while the other half slides to open.
Sliding: $150-$1,800. This window opens horizontally along a track. It’s a common choice for windows that extend close to the ceiling.
Bay: $900-$7,100. The window combines three or more panes and extends outward from a room. It is also load-bearing and may require additional support.
Casement: $150-$2,500. The window is hinged on one side and opens outward.
Picture: $200-$2,000. This window uses large panes of glass that don’t open, making it suitable for letting in light and views.
Awning: $300-$1,600. The window opens outward from top-mounted hinges, so it can be opened when it rains.
Transom: $200-$700. These are small, decorative windows that are installed above a door or another window.
Costs by frame material
Your choices for window frames include wood, vinyl or aluminum frames, as well as those made with composite materials and fiberglass. Below are average costs per window broken out by material.
Vinyl: $200-$1,700. Vinyl is a popular choice because of its relatively low cost and easy maintenance.
Wood: $150-$2,000. Wood frames can create a timeless look, but be aware that they can require the most upkeep due to rotting and warping.
Aluminum: $60-$1,000. Aluminum is the most economical option, but it’s not very energy-efficient compared to alternatives.
Fiberglass: $300-$2,000. The most expensive option, fiberglass windows are also the most energy-efficient and require the lowest amount of maintenance.
Composite: $300-$2,300. Composite windows combine wood with polymers or aluminum to create a stronger frame than wood or vinyl.
Glass choices can affect your price as well. From laminated panes for extra strength to tinted and tempered glass, your decision will be based on priorities related to security, durability, energy efficiency and cost. For instance, glass enhancements can include glazing and coating that reflect heat, as well as gas fills and spacers that form a heat transfer barrier between panes.
Do window upgrades enhance home value?
New windows do add to your home’s value, but as with most home improvement projects, don’t expect to recoup the costs when you sell your house. According to the home project hiring platform Angi, the return on investment on new windows is from 70% to 85%. However, new windows can improve the home’s curb appeal (especially if the previous windows were visibly damaged), provide better security and are likely to be more energy-efficient — all factors that could potentially be of interest to a buyer.
What about savings from energy-efficient windows?
According to the Department of Energy, the heat that’s gained or lost through windows makes up 25% to 30% of a home’s heating and cooling energy use. Windows that aren’t energy-efficient require your HVAC systems to work harder, increasing your monthly energy bill.
Energy Star, an Environmental Protection Agency initiative, claims that installing single-pane windows that meet Energy Star certification standards lower household energy bills by an average of 13%. Keep in mind, however, that you may not recoup the window costs in energy savings.
Homeowners can claim up to $600 in tax credits for new windows that meet Energy Star Most Efficient certification requirements.
How to pay for your new windows
New windows can get expensive, especially if you’re replacing more than one. If you’re not planning to pay for your new windows out of pocket, you have several options to finance them.
The first is a credit card with a 0% interest introductory period. If you’re confident that you can pay off the card before this introductory period ends (generally 15 months or more), this can be an effective way to stretch out payments without accruing interest. See NerdWallet’s list of the best 0% APR and low interest credit cards to see your options.
If you need a longer period to pay off your new windows, you might consider a personal loan. These are less risky than options that are backed by your home, but they also tend to have higher interest rates. See NerdWallet’s list of the best home improvement loans to find an offer that fits your needs.
If you have at least 20% equity in your home (meaning that its value is at least 20% greater than what you still owe on your mortgage), you might consider converting some of it into cash via a home equity loan. These loans are delivered as a lump sum at a fixed interest rate, and payments usually begin right away. Since you’re using your home as collateral, rates are typically lower than on personal loans; however, you can also lose your home to foreclosure if you can’t keep up with payments. See NerdWallet’s list of the best home equity loan lenders to learn more about lenders that offer this product.
Alternatively, you can also access your home equity via a home equity line of credit, or HELOC. HELOCs are open lines of credit that you can borrow from as needed, up to a certain limit. These can be a great option if you need to draw additional cash, such as if you’re installing new windows as part of a series of projects. HELOCs usually have a variable interest rate that moves up and down with the market, and draws are limited to the first 10 years of the loan. Like home equity loans, you get a lower interest rate (compared to a personal loan) in exchange for using your home as collateral. See NerdWallet’s list of the best HELOC lenders to learn more.
