How Much Does It Cost to Replace Windows in a House in 2026?
Your windows are drafty, fogged between the panes, or so stiff you need two hands to open them — and now you are wondering what new ones will cost.
Window prices are confusing because every quote seems to use a different number: per window, per project, or per square foot. The truth is simple once you know it: the frame material sets the price, and the number of windows sets the total.
All prices below are national US estimates checked Nov 2, 2026, from Angi, HomeGuide, Fairpane, and Calcusense. Your quote will vary by frame material, window style, and where you live.
The Quick Answer
A single replacement window costs $400 to $900 installed in 2026 for a standard window, according to Calcusense. Angi puts the average whole-house project at $7,348, based on nearly 18,000 verified projects, with most homeowners paying between $3,436 and $11,837.
Use this simple formula to budget:
Total = number of windows × price per window installed + permit + any structural repairs
A typical three-bedroom house has 10 to 12 windows. At the average of about $750 per window, that is roughly $7,000 to $9,000 for the whole house with standard double-hung vinyl windows, according to Angi.
Window Replacement Cost Per Window by Frame Material
Frame material is the largest single variable in the price. These are installed prices for a standard double-hung window.
| Frame material | Per window installed | Typical lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $300 – $800 | 20 – 40 years |
| Aluminium | $325 – $1,200 | 20 – 30 years |
| Fibreglass | $500 – $1,500 | 40 – 70 years |
| Wood | $800 – $2,000 | 30 – 50 years |
| Composite | $500 – $1,300 | 30 – 50 years |
Vinyl covers roughly 70% of US window replacements because it is the cheapest good option: it never needs painting, it insulates well, and it lasts 20 to 40 years. Fibreglass costs 25% to 45% more than vinyl but outlasts it significantly and needs no maintenance. Wood looks best on older and period homes but costs the most and needs regular painting or sealing.
Vinyl: $300 to $800 Per Window
Vinyl is the default choice for most homes. It is affordable, energy-efficient, and maintenance-free. The downside is a limited colour range — most vinyl windows are white or tan — and they cannot be repainted if you change your mind later. Fairpane puts a typical standard vinyl window at $715 installed, with a common range of $550 to $960.
Fibreglass: $500 to $1,500 Per Window
Fibreglass frames are stronger than vinyl, expand and contract less with temperature, and can be painted. They last 40 to 70 years, the longest of any common frame. The catch is price: expect to pay roughly a third more than vinyl for the same window.
Wood: $800 to $2,000 Per Window
Wood windows are the premium choice. They insulate well, look warm and traditional, and suit older homes. But they need painting or sealing every few years, and they can rot if neglected. HomeGuide puts 10 wood windows at $11,000 to $26,000.
Window Replacement Cost by Window Style
Style matters almost as much as material. These are installed prices for mid-grade vinyl unless stated otherwise, from contractor guides published in 2026.
| Window style | Per window installed |
|---|---|
| Single-hung | $200 – $650 |
| Double-hung | $350 – $900 |
| Sliding | $300 – $850 |
| Casement | $400 – $1,100 |
| Picture (fixed) | $250 – $800 |
| Bay | $1,200 – $3,500 |
| Bow | $1,500 – $4,000 |
Double-hung is the most common style in American homes: both sashes slide, so you can clean the outside glass from inside. Casement windows crank open on a hinge and seal tighter, which helps energy efficiency. Bay and bow windows are the expensive outliers — they project from the wall, need structural support, and cost three to four times a standard window.
Worked Example: Replacing 10 Windows in a House
Here is a common job: a three-bedroom house with 10 standard double-hung windows, ground floor and first floor, insert installation into the existing frames, no structural work.
Using Fairpane's 2026 figures for standard vinyl double-hung windows:
- 10 vinyl windows at about $715 each: 10 × $715 = $7,150
- Common range for the same job: $5,550 to $9,650
- Permit, if your city requires one: $80 to $320
That lands right on Angi's national average project cost of $7,348. Now compare the same 10 windows in other materials:
- Fibreglass at about $1,000 each: roughly $10,000
- Wood at about $1,180 each: roughly $11,800, and up to $25,000 for full-frame clad wood with new exterior trim, according to the Cost vs. Value report cited by Ledger and Lumber
- A single window on its own: about $865, because the crew, delivery, and setup are not spread across a job — Fairpane's figures show one window costs more per unit than ten
These are mid-range examples, not quotes. A second-storey window, a non-standard size, or a full-frame installation will push you to the high end.
What Else Affects the Price?
Insert vs full-frame installation. An insert replacement fits the new window inside the existing frame and costs less. A full-frame replacement removes everything down to the rough opening, fixes hidden rot, and costs more — but it is the right choice if the old frames are damaged.
Glass package. Single-pane windows averaged $400 per unit in a 2026 survey of 1,000 window customers, double-pane $529, and triple-pane $609. Double-pane with a low-E coating is the standard choice today; triple-pane is worth it mainly in very cold climates.
Labour. Labour is typically $150 to $300 per window for a standard insert replacement, or about 30% of the total bill, according to Calcusense and Fairpane.
Location and access. Ground-floor windows in kitchens, bedrooms, and bathrooms are the cheapest at $300 to $1,000 per window.
Permits. You typically need one for a full-frame replacement that changes the window size or the structural opening. Permit fees generally run $80 to $300 depending on your city.
Do New Windows Save Money on Energy?
Yes, but slowly. New double-pane windows cut drafts and heat loss, and the 2025 Cost vs. Value report puts the national average resale return on vinyl window replacement at 65 to 70 cents per dollar spent. You replace windows mainly for comfort, quiet, and ease of use, and the energy savings and resale value soften the cost over time.
DIY vs Hiring a Pro
Window replacement looks simple on video and is unforgiving in practice. A window set out of square leaks air and water, sticks, and voids the manufacturer's warranty.
DIY makes sense for one ground-floor window if you are handy and the opening is square and rot-free. For a whole house, a pro crew usually finishes 10 windows in one to two days, and the labour is only about 30% of the bill — a poor place to save money by risking the other 70%.
How to Get an Accurate Price
Count your windows, note the style and rough size of each, and decide on a frame material. Then get at least three written quotes that list the window brand and model, the glass package, labour, disposal of the old windows, and the permit separately.
Ask whether the quote is for insert or full-frame installation — this is the most common reason two quotes differ by thousands of dollars for the same house.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to replace all the windows in a house?
For 10 to 15 standard vinyl windows, HomeGuide puts the range at $4,500 to $22,500, with most whole-house projects landing near $7,000 to $9,000. Fibreglass for the same home runs $7,500 to $18,500, and wood $11,000 to $26,000 or more.
How much does one window cost to replace?
About $400 to $900 installed for a standard window in 2026. A basic vinyl insert can be as low as $300, while a large bay window can reach $3,500. One window alone costs more per unit than a whole-house job because setup and delivery are not shared.
How long do replacement windows last?
Vinyl lasts 20 to 40 years, wood 30 to 50 years with maintenance, and fibreglass 40 to 70 years. The glass seals usually fail before the frame does — fogging between the panes is the usual sign a window is near the end of its life.
Do I need a permit to replace windows?
Usually not for a like-for-like insert replacement. You typically do need one for a full-frame replacement that changes the window size or the structural opening. Permit fees generally run $80 to $300.
Is it cheaper to replace all windows at once?
Yes. Per-window costs fall as the project grows because the crew, delivery, and setup are spread across more windows. Fairpane's figures show a five-window project at $500 to $1,000 per window, a ten-window project at $450 to $900, and a twenty-window project at $400 to $800.
Sources: Angi, HomeGuide, Fairpane, Calcusense, Ledger and Lumber, and This Old House 2026 window cost guides. Prices are national US estimates checked Nov 2, 2026, and are not a quote for your home.