Window replacement · 2026 cost estimate
Enter your material, window type, count, size, and region for an itemized 2026 cost range — per-window and whole-project, materials plus labor.
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What the calculator charges for
The oversized double-hung on this wall has twice the glass of the standard one and prices at $600–$2,160 against $375–$1,350, so ×1.6. The casement is in the same size band as the standard hung window (drawn smaller here, with less glass) and still prices above it. The bay, a three-unit assembly with its own roof and seat, runs $1,285–$5,270. And the same standard double-hung in wood instead of vinyl is $975–$2,550.
Installed price per window, national average, bars to scale on one dollar axis. starting point · size or type · frame material
| Material | Typical installed cost per window | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $375–$1,350 | The default choice for roughly 70% of U.S. window replacements. Good energy efficiency, no painting or sealing to keep up with, and the lowest material cost of the four — the reason it's the volume leader. |
| Aluminum | $325–$1,200 | The cheapest frame material and the strongest per inch of frame, which is why it shows up in large commercial-style openings and mild-climate homes. Its downside is thermal conductivity — aluminum transmits heat and cold far more than vinyl, wood, or fiberglass, so it's a weaker pick anywhere heating or cooling bills matter. |
| Fiberglass | $875–$2,250 | Expands and contracts with temperature at almost the same rate as glass, so seals last longer and hold tighter than vinyl over time. Priced above vinyl, below wood, and increasingly the pick for people who want vinyl's low maintenance with better long-run performance. |
| Wood | $975–$2,550 | The traditional choice, especially for historic homes or where an HOA/historic district requires it. Best natural insulator of the four and the look many buyers want — at the highest material cost and the only one that needs periodic repainting or resealing. |
Priced at a standard-size double/single-hung window, national average region. Your calculator result above is specific to what you entered. Full comparison including durability and energy efficiency in the materials guide.
Vinyl, wood, fiberglass, aluminum — cost, durability, and energy efficiency, side by side.
The decision that changes both price and permit requirements — and how to tell which you need.
The real cost tradeoff between bundling a whole-house job and spreading it out.
Tell us your ZIP and we'll connect you with a local window installer who can give you an actual bid.
Get quotes from local pros →Most homeowners pay roughly $375 to $1,350 per window installed for a standard vinyl double-hung window, with fiberglass and wood running higher ($875–$2,550 per window) and aluminum running lower ($325–$1,200). A whole-house project (10-20 windows) typically lands between $4,000 and $25,000+ depending on material, window count, and size. Material and window type drive most of the spread — use the calculator above for a range that matches your actual job.
An insert (pocket) replacement fits a new window into the existing frame and is faster and cheaper — it's what most window replacements are. A full-frame replacement tears out the old frame down to the studs, which costs more in labor but is the right call if the existing frame is rotted, out of square, or you're changing the window's size. Full-frame jobs are also the ones most likely to need a permit; a like-for-like insert replacement usually doesn't. See the full-frame vs. insert guide for the decision.
For pure dollar-per-performance, vinyl wins for most homeowners: good energy efficiency, no repainting, and the lowest material cost. Fiberglass costs more up front but holds its seals longer as it ages, which can pay back over a couple of decades. Wood is the highest cost and the highest maintenance but is often required for historic homes. Aluminum is cheapest but insulates poorly, so it's a weak pick anywhere heating or cooling costs matter. See the full materials comparison for the breakdown.
Yes, meaningfully. A slider is typically a bit cheaper than a standard hung window because the hardware is simpler. A casement costs more because of its crank mechanism and tighter compression seal. A bay or bow window costs several times a single standard window because it's a multi-pane assembly that usually needs its own structural support and roofline work, not just a bigger pane of glass.
Usually not for a like-for-like insert replacement — same size, same opening, same wall structure. You typically do need one for a full-frame replacement that changes the window's size or the structural opening; permit fees generally run $80–$300 depending on your jurisdiction. Check with your local building department before starting, since requirements vary by city and county.
Usually, yes, on a per-window basis — a contractor pricing one mobilization for 15 windows can spread crew setup, travel, and dumpster/disposal costs across all of them, versus repeating that overhead for five separate one-off jobs over a few years. It's also often the trigger for a whole-house volume discount some installers offer past 8-10 windows. See the guide on bundling vs. one-at-a-time for the tradeoffs when budget doesn't allow all-at-once.
Quality vinyl windows typically last 20-30 years; fiberglass and wood (with maintenance) can run 30-40+ years; aluminum varies widely with climate and coating. Seal failure (fogging between panes) is usually the first sign of age, well before the frame itself fails.
No — it's a planning-stage estimate built from published 2026 national cost data for the material, window type, size, region, and count you enter, not a live bid from a contractor who has seen your home. Your specific opening condition, local labor rates, and glass package (Low-E coatings, gas fill, impact-rated glass) can all move the real number. Use it to sanity-check a bid, not to replace one.