When it comes to replacing your home's windows, here's everything you need to know about cost.

Our editorial team independently chose and reviewed each product we feature. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase using the links provided.

Windows can last for more than a decade or two, so you may not have given them much concern unless a baseball recently crashed into your living room. However, there are other reasons why you might wish to replace your windows, particularly if they're old or broken.

Leaky or cracked windows can allow a significant amount of heat to escape, raising your energy bills, while rotten or broken windows can become unstable and constitute a safety threat.

According to HomeAdvisor.com, the cost of replacing a window varies depending on its size, design, and material, but you should expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $1,000 for the window itself and another $200 for labor. For example, a bespoke or bay window can cost $1,000 or more, while a storm window can cost as little as $50.

Is there a method to cut costs on window replacements? All of the windows in your home should be replaced at the same time. The average cost of replacing one window is $300 to $700; replacing all of the windows in a three-bedroom, single-story home can cost $3,000 to $7,000.

Do you need a window to be replaced in your home? Here's a rundown of what to expect from the procedure.

Manufacturers of Replacement Windows

Numerous window manufacturers can replace a window in your home, and there are many options accessible countrywide. Here are some of the industry's most well-known and well-known window brands.

Andersen Windows and Doors

Andersen Corporation was formed in 1903 and is headquartered in Bayport, Minnesota. It now has factories all throughout the world, notably in North America and Europe.

Andersen offers a large choice of windows in a variety of materials and styles, including energy-efficient options. Andersen windows can be purchased at one of the company's showrooms or at home improvement stores such as The Home Depot.

According to a J.D. Power report from 2020, Andersen also offers a window replacement company named Renewal by Andersen, which was ranked first in customer satisfaction among both window manufacturers and retail stores. You may book a free window replacement consultation with Renewal by Andersen online.

Jeld-Wen

Jeld-Wen, one of the world's major window and door manufacturers, is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and operates in 19 countries. Jeld-Wen windows come in a variety of forms, including single-hung and bay windows, and are made of wood, vinyl, composite, and aluminum. Jeld-Wen windows can be purchased from The Home Depot and Lowe's, or you can schedule a window consultation with the company.

Marvin

Marvin windows are marketed by independent dealers countrywide and were founded in 1912 in Warroad, Minnesota. The company makes corner windows, pentagon- and octagon-shaped windows, and fiberglass, aluminum, and wood windows in a variety of sizes and styles. A Marvin window dealer can be found on the company's website.

Milgard Windows & Doors 

Milgard is a window manufacturer that manufactures vinyl, fiberglass, and aluminum windows in a variety of styles, including slider, awning, picture, and specialty windows, and was founded in 1958. Schedule a free consultation online to learn more about the manufacturer's windows. Lowe's and The Home Depot also have a few Milgard windows in stock.

Pella Corporation.

Pella Corporation, headquartered in Pella, Iowa, is one of North America's largest window manufacturers, with more than 200 showrooms across the United States and Canada. Pella windows come in a range of styles and materials, including fiberglass, vinyl, and wood, and are available in standard and custom sizes. Pella windows can be ordered through an in-home or virtual consultation, or from a selection of approximately 500 Pella windows at Lowe's.

Cost of Window Replacement by Material.

Window frame materials are available in a number of options for homeowners. The good news is that many modern window frames are more robust and stronger than ever before.

"It would be easy to pinpoint the Achilles heel of each window type if you went back 30 years," says Chad Kleis, vice president of sales at Window World, a North Wilkesboro, North Carolina-based window replacement firm. "Each of the goods has now grown past its issues."

The most prevalent window materials and their prices are as follows:

Vinyl

Polyvinyl chloride is commonly used to make vinyl window frames. They also contain elements that protect the frame from UV radiation, making them a long-lasting and energy-efficient option (particularly when filled with insulation). Vinyl window frames are one of the more cost-effective solutions.

Costs range from $100 to $900.

Wood

Wooden frames are popular because they are elegant and good insulators. They do, however, necessitate some routine maintenance, and wood is one of the most costly window materials available.

Price range: $150 to $1,300

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is a sturdy, long-lasting material, and fiberglass window frames may be insulated, making them more energy efficient than wood or vinyl frames that aren't insulated.

Price range: $500 to $1,500

Aluminum

Aluminum is a robust, lightweight, and low-cost material, yet it is ineffective as an insulator. If you do decide to buy aluminum window frames (which aren't as common as other types), look for ones with insulating strips around the frame.

Price range: $75 to $400

Composite

Composite window frames are made up of a variety of materials, including wood and polymer polymers. They have a similar appearance to wood window frames, but they are more resistant to dampness and other forms of degradation.

Price range: $300 to $1,200

The price of window replacement varies depending on the type of window.

Many factors influence the cost of replacing a window, including window size, frame material, and the location of the home. Another cost-determining factor is window design.

Smaller, less sophisticated windows are generally less expensive to install than larger, more elaborate windows. "On the ground floor of a ranch home, a single-hung or double-hung window is pretty easy," Kleis explains. "A bay window at the same location is significantly heavier, requiring significantly more labor. And you'll have to build a roof over it 50% of the time to protect it from the elements. It's almost as if you've added a new room to your house."

Are you looking for a specific type of window? According to HomeAdvisor.com, these are the alternatives you have, along with a general estimate of how much each one will cost.

Single-Hung

The bottom sash of a single-hung window frame can move up and down, while the top sash remains fixed in place. This window style is slightly less expensive to install than double-hung windows, and thus less expensive to replace.

Price range: $100 to $400

Double-Hung

Double-hung windows have two movable sashes that can both be raised and lowered. They're pricier than single-hung windows, so they'll cost a little more to replace.

Price range: $150 to $650

Awning and Casement

An awning window has a top hinge, whereas a casement window has a side hinge. They frequently use a crank to open and close.

Price range: $150 to $1,000

Picture

The majority of picture windows are "fixed," meaning they do not move. A picture window may require custom fabrication, making it more expensive to replace than other standard-sized windows.

Price range: $65 to $1,200

Sliding

Sliding windows open and close in the same way as their name implies. The majority of the time, they're installed on the ground floor.

Costs range from $150 to $800.

Bow and Bay

Bow and bay windows are a combination of three or more windows that protrude outside the walls of your home and are a staple in many elegant living rooms. Because they are larger and require more labor to install than other windows, they might be more expensive to replace.

Price range: $600 to $6,500

The Price of Replacing a Window Depends on the Size of the Window

 Larger windows are more expensive to install in general than smaller windows, while custom-sized windows in specialized shapes—for example, an octagonal-shape window with a diamond grille pattern—can be more expensive than a standard-size window, regardless of size.

The entire cost of a window is also influenced by labor requirements. According to Kleis, a bay window can be so heavy that it takes four people to move the frame. In addition, bay windows have three to five distinct windows within the frame, which might increase the cost of installation.

Cost of Window Replacement by Location

"The location obviously influences the complexity of an install," Kleis explains, along with the size of the window. For example, a window built on the second or third story will likely cost a little more than a window installed on the ground floor, he explains.

This is because window installers will have to work on both the inside and exterior of your property, and installing a window on a higher floor can be more difficult than installing a window on the ground floor, necessitating the use of additional equipment and scaffolding.

The siding material on your home might also affect the cost of installation. Replacing windows in brick walls is more difficult than replacing windows in vinyl siding exteriors; this is mainly due to the fact that installing a window in a brick wall necessitates very accurate measurements.

The price of window replacement varies depending on the age of the home.

Replacing a window in an older home (say, one built in the 1940s or earlier) can be substantially more expensive than replacing a window in a newer home—sometimes twice as much as a newer home.

Historical properties, in example, may require custom-sized windows or a certain form or grille pattern to fit the home's traditional appearance.

In other circumstances, older homes may have structural issues that make window replacement more difficult. For example, the surrounding wall may have deteriorated over time and needs to be repaired, or the house may not meet contemporary building requirements.

Lead paint may be present in windows or window sills in homes built before 1978, which can be deadly if chipped or cracked during a renovation. If your property has lead paint, you'll have to hire a professional to remove it, which will add to the expense of the window replacement. (After 1978, restrictions prohibiting the use of lead-based paint in residential structures were enacted.)

Cost of Window Replacement Determined by Energy Efficiency

Windows, for example, are one of several energy-efficient components available for your home. The following are some of the reasons why this is a good thing: The heat that is transported and lost through windows accounts for around 25% to 30% of a home's overall heating and cooling demand, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). When you consider how much heat is wasted (and how much sunlight is let in) through your windows, it makes sense to at least consider replacing them with energy-efficient models when the time comes.

You'll save money on your energy costs because energy-efficient windows do a better job of keeping cold air out in the winter and warm air out in the summer. According to HomeAdvisor.com, switching to energy-efficient windows can save a homeowner between 7% and 15% on their heating and cooling expenditures. The price difference: These windows are more expensive than regular windows, ranging from $120 to $1,200 per window.

A low-emissivity (low-E) coating is used on many energy-efficient windows, for example. According to the EPA, low-e coatings are thin, nearly undetectable layers that can minimize energy waste by as much as 30% to 50%. They do, however, tend to be roughly 10% to 15% more expensive than normal windows.

If you're looking for new, energy-efficient windows, seek for those that carry the Energy Star badge, which is a government-backed mark for environmentally friendly products. Even if you aren't looking for energy-efficient windows, simply replacing your old, drafty windows with newer, more airtight ones will improve your home's energy efficiency.

Window Installation Labor Costs

For a professional to replace a window in your home, you should expect to pay between $35 and $65 per hour. (However, in cities like New York City, the cost of living might be higher than in smaller communities with a lower cost of living.)

The more difficult the window to replace, the longer the window installers will have to work; the quantity of time required often determines at least a portion of the ultimate cost. Installing a larger window, such as a bay window or a custom-shaped picture window, will take longer than installing a single-hung or double-hung window.

This will increase the cost if your home requires structural repairs to the surrounding walls or trim, or if you need to upgrade your home to meet current construction requirements. Most window installs, on the other hand, will take roughly a day to complete.

According to Kleis, "a lot of the normal installs for one residence can be done in one day." "Larger residences with more windows—say let's 25 or more—might take two days to complete if all of the windows are completed."

How to Save Money on Window Replacement

Replacing all of your windows at once rather than one by one every few years is one approach to save money on replacement windows.

You should also receive at least three quotations for the job, as with many home repair projects. While one of these offers will be the most cost-effective, other considerations such as the brand's reputation and your relationship with the company's salesperson may impact your choice.

You might also be qualified for national rebate programs that give money back to people who buy energy-efficient windows. Because programs differ by region and municipality, it's worth checking with your local government to see if any financial incentives are available in your area.