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Replacing windows within your home can turn out to be a costly exercise and trusting a window contractor to give you the right information and a fair quote is not always the best thing to do. You nee to understand what costs are involved with replacement windows for yourself, get your knowledge up to date.

In this Window Price Guide, we want to provide you with the information and guidance you need to understand what things are considered when you’re working out the average window installation prices for your home.

Be aware that this page is for average guidance only, the following prices are estimates based upon industry averages as taken from the main window installers from across the main U.S states. The best way to get a 100% accurate window installation price is to get a quote from a local contractor.

Average Installation Prices By Type Of Window

The following table gives an overview of the industry average installation costs for windows by window type, this excludes the cost of the window unit itself. If you’re looking for a detailed breakdown of window prices by type including installation, then check out our window prices section.

Table 1: Average Price Of Window Installation By Window Type

Window Type	Window Installation Prices
Single Hung Windows	$72 – $140
Casement Windows	$80 – $250
Double Hung Windows	$115 – $200
Bay Windows	$610 – $960
Awning Windows	$100 – $202
Bow Windows	$620 – $980
Fixed Frame Windows	$110 – $185
Sliding/Gliding Windows & Doors	$75 – $310

If you’re looking for full window prices specific to a particular window brand (including & excluding installation), please check out our window brands page, choose from the brands we currently have available and check out the prices listed on that page. If you’re looking for full window prices (including & excluding installation) for a particular type of window, please see our window types page.

What Effects The Window Installation Price?

The price of window installation will vary depending on who you go to for a quote, however when you’re looking at window installation, regardless of the contractor there will always be a standard set of variables to take into account when pricing up. In general though, you should work out the window installation cost based upon 30% of the total cost of your window units. Example: If a window costs $200 to buy then in general you should expect around $60 extra to have it fitted, bringing the total cost for that window to $260.

A breakdown of how the window installation cost is effected have been detailed below.

The Size Of The Windows

This really goes without saying, but the larger the window to be fitted then the longer it’s going to take to fit it and the more expensive it’s likely to be as a result. In addition to that, larger windows usually mean the openings are bigger in size and so more care and support will be needed when removing the old window to prevent structural damage to your home.

The Number Of Windows

The more windows you need fitting then the more expensive your overall installation cost will be, however this may also reduce the installation cost per window if you’re buying in bulk from the one contractor. Be sure to ask your contractor if you can have a discount on larger purchases.

The Type Of Windows

Some windows are more complex to install than others, for example bay windows will take a lot longer to install than a single casement window, equally a bow window will usually take longer to install than a bay window. For this reason you will find that the price of bay window installation or the price of bow window installation will be higher than most other types of window.

Window Disposal

The removal of your old windows and disposal of the units is usually factored into the installation price. The cost of disposal will be affected by the company your installer is using to dispose of the old windows, find out from them and see if you know anywhere cheaper.

Have We Missed Anything?

Is there anything else you’ve come across which we’ve not included in the list above, if so then we’d love to hear from you. Simply enter your comment in the box at the bottom of this page.

When you come to receive your window price quotes for your window replacement project you are going to need to have an understanding of how it’s broken down and exactly what you’re going to be charged for.

The remainder of this window prices guide will aim to identify the main costs involved in window replacement, along with their average breakdown.

When it comes to replacing the windows within your home there are going to be several factors which determine the overall cost of your replacement windows, these factors include the following:

• The window company you buy from
• The type of windows you have installed
• The number of windows you have to have installed
• The price of additional extras including window glazing types
• The window installation costs

The Window Types You Have Installed

The type of windows you choose to have installed in your home will depend on the shape & size of your home as well as your own preferences. Window types are generally broken down into around 7 main kinds which include:

• Bay & bow windows
• Casement windows
• Picture/fixed frame windows
• Single & double hung sash windows
• Awning windows

Out of the main types of window you will find that picture and casement are the cheapest, with bow and bay being the most expensive. The price of a simple vinyl picture window will usually be around $200 plus installation, whereas the cost of a bay or bow window can extend into the $2000 mark. This price can be affected further by the size of window you need as well as the addition of optional extras such as energy efficient glass and various internal and external finishing types.

Number Of Windows You Have Installed

It goes without saying that the more window units you need to have installed then the more it’s going to cost overall. But obviously you’re going to have a fixed amount of windows you need installed, something you can’t really get away from. But, if you’re economical on the other elements of your window replacement, such as optional extras, then you can usually get the cost down.

The Price Of Window Panes

The type of glass you choose for your window can significantly increase the price you have to pay for your windows. The most expensive glass is the type which has all of the energy efficient/energy saving elements to it, this includes:

1. Double glazed glass
2. Low-emissivity coatings
3. Window tinting

On average energy efficient glass which includes all of the above can increase your overall cost of windows by up to 40%, but you can also decrease your home energy bills with it. So, it’s really a case of weighing up the pro’s and con’s, and finding out what works for you.

Contractor Installation Costs

On average the cost of your windows will make up around 60-70% of your total window replacement budget, the remaining cost will be for your window removal, disposal and installation of new windows. Some window companies will charge far more on window installation, for that reason it’s always worth checking whether you can buy wholesale windows and pay someone separately to install them for you.

Our window price quotes page is a great place to find approved local window contractors in your area.

In order to fully understand the energy efficiency factors relating to home replacement windows you will first need to have a basic understanding of replacement window ratings. In this section of the Window Price Guide resource, we examine the multiple factors associated with energy efficiency in window ratings, helping you to better understand your options when looking at window prices and buying replacement windows.

What Are Window Ratings Important?

Window ratings are directly related to the energy efficiency of a replacement window, they are the main factors which are measurable when assessing the efficiency of any window product. But why is that important? The main reasons good window ratings are important are simply because:

1. You’ll lower your overall heating and cooling costs throughout the year, saving you money
2. If you use a window tax credit, rebate or discount then there is usually a stipulation that the product you buy meets certain energy efficiency ratings
3. Good energy efficiency is kind to the environment

What Are The Main Energy Rating Factors?

There are 5 main window ratings which are assessed when looking at the energy efficiency of any window product, these factors are outlined in brief in the table below:

Table 1: Window Ratings For Energy Efficient Windows

Value	Rating Description	Expected Ranges
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)	The quantity of solar heat transferred through the window.	0.25 – 0.80
Visible Transmittance (VT)	The amount of light which is allowed to pass through the window into the inside space	0.20 – 0.80
U-Factor	How well a window insulates the room in which it’s installed	0.25 – 1.25
Air Leakage (AL)	The amount of air lost through gaps and seal losses around the window unit	0.3 (Required)
Condensation Resistance	The amount of condensation resistance provided by the window	0 – 100

The U-Factor Or U-Value

Looking at the U-factor measurement of a window means measuring the heat which is able to flow through the window material from the environment inside to the outside, or in simpler terms a measure of heat loss.

The U-factor will be measured by assessing heat loss for the complete window product, this includes the glazing and the frame. The expected and required value will vary depending on the state in which you live, in general though a value of between 0.25 and 1.25 Btu/h·ft²·°F is expected. In simple terms the lower the U-factor or U-value then the more energy efficient the window product is.

The Air Leakage Measurement

The air leakage value (AL) of any window product is similar to the U-factor, the main difference though is that the AL measures the air and heat loss through gaps around the window frame or in the window seal. AL is usually measured in cubic feet or in volume of air transferred in a given period of time, usually 1 minute.

An AL value of 0.3 cf·m/ft² or less is expected from an energy efficient product.

The Visible Transmittance & Solar Heat Gain Coefficient

The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, otherwise known as the SHGC or Shading Coefficient (SC), measures the heat gained through the window unit by the influx of solar radiation. The construction of a good replacement window should reduce the amount of solar radiation passed through the window unit. Therefore a SHGC value of between 0 and 1 would be expected as an industry standard.

Secondly, the Visible Transmittance, also known as the VT, is a measurement of the total visible light be can pass through the pane of glass in the window unit. In a real world situation the VT gives you a measure of how good the window will be at allowing light into the inside space, particularly helpful when you’re trying to make the most of a dark space in your home. It’s for the above reason that one would expect a good quality and high energy efficient window product to have a high VT rating value.

The Condensation Resistance

One of the worst things a window unit can do is allow condensation formation on the inside of the window, in a standard window condensation formation indicates a fault in the seal.

The measure of a windows ability to prevent condensation formation is known as the condensation resistance value. This value is usually between 0 ad 100, ideally the number should be as low as possible.

Putting It All Together

This guide has explained above what each of the individual window ratings means in relation to energy efficiency, but in the real world what do you need to be looking for to get the ideal replacement window? The best window product will have an energy rating criteria of the following values:

• A low U-factor or U-value measurement which at least below 1.25 Btu/h·ft²·°F
• A low Solar Heat Gain Coefficient which is somewhere between 0 and 1
• A high Visible Transmittance which is 0.20 at it’s lowest
• A high Condensation Resistance

Finding Energy Efficient Windows Easily

Having an understanding of what the energy efficiency ratings for windows actually mean is a great start, but how do you go about finding energy efficient windows?:

1. Look for Energy Star rated window products (Use our tool to get instant window prices)
2. Look for NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) rated products

It’s not enough to simply look for energy efficiency claims from the window manufacturer any more, you need to have evidence and proof to back those claims up and ensure they’re being 100% honest about the values they’re claiming. By looking for the Energy Star or NFRC energy rating label (shown left) you can be sure that the window product offered has been rigorously tested and has met standards outlined by the U.S. Department Of Energy and the NFRC. The main values, as well as the NFRC rating, are always shown on the product certificate.

If you’re looking for quick window prices for Energy Star rated windows from local contractors then try out our free window quotation tool today, it takes just a few seconds.