Basement window prices in this guide include windows designed specifically for basement use, both new construction and replacement basement windows.
Do you have a walkout? In exposed walls of a walkout basement or with the use of window wells, any type of window can be installed in a basement. For more information on those types of windows, see our guides to Double-hung windows, Casement windows and other popular types.
There are four basement window types to consider for your home. Basement replacement windows prices for each are found in the table below.
An Overview of Basement Window Prices
The following table provides an overview of prices and costs for basement windows by type, including prices for installation and supply only.
| Basement Window Prices and Costs | ||
| Window Type | Unit Price (Supply Only) | Unit Price (Including Installation) |
| Hopper / Awning | $70-$500 | $295-$1,000 |
| Sliding | $50-$475 | $190-$975 |
| Large Glass Block | $170-$1,500 | $230-$2,400 |
| Egress | $275-$1,000 | $425-$1,700 |
Basement Window Brands and Prices
Basement windows are a bit of a niche market – there aren’t nearly as many brand and style options as you find with casement windows, double-hung and other common types.
In this guide, we discuss awning, hopper, glass block and egress windows, typically sliding windows, made specifically for the basement.
If you prefer a small hopper or awning window for basement use from Pella, Champion, Jeld Wen or other household name brand because you have used them in the rest of your home and want them to match, then they’ll likely work. However, they’ll probably be more expensive than those from brands like TAFCO and Park Ridge commonly associated with making “basement windows.”
Buying tip: Stay away from wood. We recommend vinyl, fiberglass or aluminum windows for any location near the ground. Wood – even wood clad on the exterior with vinyl or aluminum – will be more susceptible to damage from water splashed or dripped onto them. Also, consider your climate. Aluminum windows allow heat to transfer pretty easily, and they are best used in coastal climates where their corrosion-resistance fights the negative impact “salty” sea air can have. Vinyl and fiberglass offer better thermal insulation in cold climates.
How do basement windows differ? They typically have beefier frames for structural strength and security, so there’s a little less glass. And, of course, glass block windows are popular for the basement for better privacy while still allowing for natural light.
Did you know? These windows are sometimes called utility windows.
This chart shows details of the brands and basement windows you are most likely to encounter at Home Depot, Menards, Lowes, Amazon and similar retailers.
Keep in mind that not all basement windows are egress windows. Only those listed as egress meet code for that purpose.
| Basement Window Cost & Prices by Brand | |||
| Brand | Style | Material | Average Cost |
| Park Ridge/Feldco | Sliding | Vinyl | $145 |
| Egress | Vinyl | $150 | |
| Single Hung | Vinyl | $115 | |
| Hopper | Vinyl | $145 | |
| Awning | Vinyl | $145 | |
| Northview | Hopper | Vinyl | $100 |
| Sliding | Vinyl | $115 | |
| TAFCO ReliaBilt | Sliding | Vinyl | $95 |
| Single Hung | Vinyl | $90 | |
| Hopper | Vinyl | $125 | |
| Glass Block | Vinyl | $190 | |
| Egress | Vinyl | $365 | |
| Duo | Dual Sliding | Vinyl | $170 |
| Clearly Secure | Glass Block | Steel | $225 |
| American Craftsman | Hopper | Vinyl | $105 |
| Boman Kemp | Egress | Vinyl | $735 |
| Monarch | Egress | PVC/Vinyl | $715 |
| Wellcraft | Egress | Vinyl | $595 |
| Hy-Lite | Acrylic Egress | Vinyl | $950 |
Notes:
- Most Egress Windows are sliding windows. However, there are a few single-hung egress windows and in-swing casement style windows. The casement windows do not have a crank. You unlatch them and pull them in.
- As you browse the chart, you can see that there is a wide range of basement windows and costs. Most hopper and awning windows are affordable options with vinyl frames and two-pane glass. When the windows have glass block, cost is a little higher due to the increased amount of material. Acrylic block windows are the most expensive of this type.
- Egress windows are discussed below. To meet code for an egress window, it must meet these rules:
- Minimum 5.7 square feet of net clear opening area
- Minimum 24 inches of net clear height opening.
- Minimum 20 inches of net clear width opening.
Basement Egress Windows Cost and Installation Guide
See this comprehensive guide to basement egress windows for sizes, types and prices for just the windows. The Guide also covers costs for the complete project: Excavation, cutting the window opening, prices for complete egress window and window well kits and much more. You’ll have a full grasp on the scope of the project when you’ve reviewed the Guide.
Types of Basement Windows
Here is a run-down of your style choices, cost range, sizes and options for the basement. Remember – these are windows marketed as “basement windows.”
Hopper / Awning Basement Windows
Hopper/awning windows are small and installed above grade or possibly with a shallow window well. Most have vinyl frames, but steel and aluminum frames are made too. These most popular basement windows can be installed in either direction. If the window is set with the hinge at the bottom, so the sash tilts inward and down, it’s called a hopper basement window. Reversed, with the hinge at the top, it’s an awning basement window. Most awning and hopper basement windows are supported by metal arms, though those that only function as hopper windows might have chains instead of arms. These basement windows are opened with a locking handle at the center of the sash.
Height range: 14” to 23”
Width range: 22” to 38”
Options: Clear glass is common, but frosted or textured glass is a good choice for privacy. Shatterproof security glass is a custom upgrade. Vinyl frame color choices are available on high-quality hopper basement windows.
Glass block windows also have a small hopper window in them for ventilation, and those windows are discussed below.
Screens aren’t standard on all hopper windows, but you’ll find quite a few with screens. They obviously do better keeping out insects and small rodents. The screens are almost always steel rather than fiberglass mesh, since rodents make quick work of cheap screen material.
Pros and cons of hopper/awning windows: These windows lock tight for security and to seal out moisture and weather. They are too small for most adults to fit through, so security is good. Those with double-pane glass are energy efficient, and vinyl insulates better than metal. Hopper windows offer better ventilation than sliding windows of the same size.
Here are a few potential disadvantages to consider. Because the windows are small, they offer a limited amount of natural daylight. Cheap hopper windows will develop hardware problems sooner than quality windows will. When positioned as an awning window, they are slightly more susceptible to rodents, insects and rain entering through them when left open.
Sliding Basement Windows
Sliding basement windows have one fixed side and one sliding side. Sliding windows lock where the sliding sash closes. Both left-slide and right-slide basement windows are produced. Most are not large enough to qualify as egress windows. Sliding egress windows are discussed below.
Height range: 14” to 24”
Width range: 30” to 36”
Options: Glass options include clear (standard), privacy or frosted and security glass. A few glass block sliding windows are produced too. You have a few color choices with some brands of vinyl sliding basement windows.
Pros and cons of sliding basement windows: These windows are the most affordable standard basement windows. On the negative side, the frames allow in less natural light than hopper windows of the same size, and the track the sash glides in will need to be cleaned regularly to ensure smooth sliding. The locking clamps on cheaper windows are prone to wearing out and becoming difficult to open and lock closed.
Glass Block Basement Windows
These are fixed window created from glass blocks in a steel frame. While they allow daylight in, glass block windows distort visually, like a warped lens, so you can’t see clearly through them. If there is living area in the basement or you don’t want anyone perusing what you’ve got stored, then a glass block window is the right choice for privacy and security.
Height range: 9” to 72”
Width range: 16” to 76”
Options: Several styles of glass are used including frosted and textured. Many glass block windows have a small hopper window as part of the construction for ventilation.
Pros and cons of glass block basement windows: The size range of glass block windows is much greater than hopper/awning and sliding windows. They are harder to break through than the other types too. Those without ventilation windows have no moving parts that can malfunction. Of concern are the higher cost of the windows and, as noted, the lack of ventilation with some glass block windows.
Egress Basement Windows
These windows are typically installed along with a window well for getting out of the basement if the stairway is blocked. Basements with bedrooms must have at least one egress window. Check with your local building department for details on what is required in your community.
Height range: 48” to 72”
Width range: 28” to 60”
Options: Egress windows come in casement and sliding styles. Glass options including double-pane and frosted glass are offered on some models.
Pros and cons of egress basement windows: Casement styles require a narrower opening, but they also allow in less daylight. They use a crank that might wear out with time and make the window difficult to open in an emergency. Sliding egress windows have a track that must be kept clean for smooth operation, something you want to be sure of in an emergency. A concern about egress windows as a whole is that they can be a source of home break-ins. When it’s an option, choose an egress window with security/tempered/ glass.
Tip: Double-check that any window marketed as an egress window meets code requirements listed above.
How Much Does Concrete Cutting for an Egress Window Cost?
Roughly $750 to $1,200 based on window size, how much digging is involved, concrete thickness and where you live.
If your home does not have an egress window, and you intend to have a bedroom in the basement, then an egress window is required by law – and, of course, it is a good idea for the safety of anyone sleeping there.
Are you building a home? Even if you don’t currently plan to finish the basement or have a bedroom there, it might be wise to add an egress window to the foundation plan. It’s a lot easier – less costly – to create an opening with foundation frames prior to pouring the foundation – or laying the block – than it is to cut one in later.
Factors that Affect Basement Window Cost
The wide spectrum of prices is due to the range in quality from quite cheap to outstanding. The size of the window and glass options account for the remainder of the price fluctuations, especially with block windows.
On the installation side, who installs the window is the biggest variable. A general handyman service will charge the least, but quality might suffer, and some handymen are not insured for your protection if something goes wrong. The best way to get quality installation at the lowest cost is to request written estimates from several reputable, licensed and insured companies that know they’re competing for your window installation work.
How to Install a Basement Window
How do you install a basement egress window? The following video gives you a nice overview of how to do it.
