Replacement Window Pricing Calculator

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Page Sections

• Introduction
• Window Cost Estimator Basics
• Installation Requirements
• Window Material
• Type Of Window
• Overall Manufacturing Quality
• Frame Color Upgrade
• Window Glass Upgrades
• Additional Upgrades
• Where You Live
• Replacement Window Pricing Calculator Q And A

Email our site editor Dan K. and get all of your questions answered!

Window Cost Estimator Basics

The first task here is to explain how our replacement window pricing calculator works. So let’s dive in and explore the mechanics, logic and math that make up the magic. First question asks for the type of installation that you require. There are three options to choose from: historic home, new construction, and replacement/insert. While we’re not going to go into too much detail, its does help to explain each option. First up, historic home. These are homes where special rules apply that mandate

Installation Requirements

The cost of the windows (and / or doors) should account for 66% of the total project cost. Yes, this will differ some depending on your project specifics, but as a general rule, this is what most American consumers can expect. This means that installation accounts for 33%. However, that is the simplistic answer. This is because there are two installation methods for replacing windows - insert / retrofit and full frame / new construction.

Window Material

Another big cost consideration of our replacement window pricing calculator is the frame material. Here is the list of materials from least expensive to most - vinyl, aluminum, fiberglass, composite, and wood. Actually, the middle three - aluminum, fiberglass, and composite - are not necessarily in order, but they are certainly more than vinyl and less than wood. Our calculator adds a base price for each of these frame materials as it goes about trying to determine a per window only price.

Industry Note: By far, vinyl windows are the most popular replacement material on the market. In fact, vinyl windows account for roughly 70% to 75% of all windows sold in the United States. Why? Because they are a great mix of price, quality, energy efficiency, longevity, and require little to no maintenance. However, there are lots of cheap vinyl windows options that will not provide this great mix so please inquire with us about our replacement windows list (we have no ties to any window company so you are getting unbiased advice here - promise!)

Type Of Window

There are lots of options in terms of type of window that are all listed in our selection drop down. The five most popular window types include double hungs, single hungs, sliders, casements, and fixed frame (sometimes called picture windows). While it would take too long to explain the pros and cons of each of these in this paragraph, it is helpful to understand what might best suit your needs prior to starting to shop.

Cost wise, each of these windows types has an associated cost that our calculator uses in conjunction with the question on window material. Our replacement window pricing calculator combines these two answers in order to create a per window only price.

Industry Note: Casements and awnings tend to get the best energy efficiency numbers (besides pictures windows, but they cannot be opened) and they also are the more expensive options. I personally like a well made single hung that can be opened but only has one sash so it keeps it easy and neat visually.

Overall Manufacturing Quality

The level of company/brand/series that you purchase certainly has an effect on the price you’ll pay. Most companies have a general price point (this is same in most industries - for instance - Ford automotive markets to a different level car buyer than say BMW or Mercedes). Therefore, how you answer this question will affect the per window price. For instance, if you select entry level brand, the calculator will make no adjustment to the per window cost. However, if you select mid range quality, then the per window cost is multiples by 1.3. And, if you select premium quality from our drop down, our replacement window pricing calculator will multiple the per window cost by ((((1.6)))).

Industry Note: How well does this track in real life? Generally, pretty well for most buyers. For instance, if the cost of a Reliabilt 3201 double hung window is $400 (entry level window), then the ProVia Endure windows cost is $620 (premium window). This genuinely tracks with the cost of these two windows.

Replacement Window Pricing Calculator : Frame Colors

Our fourth to last question deals with window frame color upgrade. This is one of the most expensive upgrades that consumers can make. Custom frame colors can add up to 35% of the per window cost, which is quite steep. However, every company has their upgrade cost so it’s tough to say what the definitive percentage upgrade cost will be.

Industry Note: If you do want to upgrade the frame color to something custom (black is very popular these days) and you are concerned about the cost, consider collecting a fair number of bids as the final project price will vary considerably. Also, note that custom frame colors often do not carry the same warranty period, so that’s another factor to look at.

Window Glass Upgrades

Three questions to go and you will have all of our replacement window pricing calculator secrets down. And this one has to do with window glass - specifically glass package upgrades. In today’s market, most window company offer a single low-e glass as the default window setting if you will. There is a cheaper option, which is referred to as clear glass, meaning no coating whatsoever. Single low-e glass, on the other hand, contains a single coating that reflects heat and cold. The net result is a much more energy efficient window.

Consumers can upgrade to more energy efficient packages that will vary from company to company. Often, these are called low-e 2 or low-e 3 (typically these will have 2 or 3 coatings respectively). Each upgrade will cost more money per window. For our purposes, we add $150 for low-e2 and $225 for low-e 3 to the price of the window.

Additional Upgrades And More

Let's wrap up with our last three questions. The first asks about any additional upgrades, which includes either foam fills in the frame and or a lift rail reinforcement. Either of these upgrades will run approximately $75 per window - and this is what is added to the per window cost. At this point, our replacement window pricing calculator has a pretty darn complete picture of the per window cost - taking into consideration everything that you want (or don't want in your window). Next, it asks how many windows you want. Whatever the answer, our calculator multiplies the per window price by the number of windows you require.

Finally, it asks for your zip code, which is completely optional. This helps us if you decide to use our online form to find quality local window companies.

Where You Live

The final question deals with what part of the country in which you live. Generally speaking, the more rural the location, the less expensive the cost of living and the less many home service professionals charge. Conversely, the more urban your location, the higher the cost of living and the more money home service companies charge. Depending on your answer to this question, our replacement window pricing calculator will add a simple cost multiplier to account for your location.

Replacement Window Pricing Calculator Questions

Many consumers have pricing questions that we can help answer. Hit us up with your questions and we will do our best to answer them in a timely fashion.

Dan K. - Site Editor

How Accurate Is Your Online Calculator

How accurate would you say your window cost calculator is on your website? The reason I ask is that my bids came in considerably higher than they did on your price estimator. Thanks -- your site has great information.

Janie - Homeowner - from 2025

Editor Reply

Janie, we tried to make the calculator as accurate as humanly possible. However, here is the real issue. If I say that vinyl windows cost shouldn't exceed $1250 per window installed and then Acme Local Window Company bids your project out at $1500 per window, does that make my calculator wrong.

The fair market price shouldn't exceed $1250 but a company can bid out at whatever price they see fit. That is the big problem. However, the solution is to collect 4 to 5 bids so that you can toss out the bid from the company that basically wants to see if you're willing to pay an above market price.

Dan K. - Site Editor - from 2025

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