Summary: Summary: Window replacement in 2026 costs about $400 to $900 per window installed for vinyl, $650 to $1,300 for fiberglass, $900 to $1,800 for wood or wood-clad, and $500 to $1,200 for aluminum. A whole-house job of 10 to 15 windows typically totals $7,000 to $18,000, with contractors pricing multi-window jobs 10 to 20 percent under per-window math. Full-frame installation adds about 25 percent over insert replacement. Modern double-pane low-E windows cut energy loss through windows by 25 to 50 percent.
What moves the per-window price
Frame material is the clearest lever: vinyl is the value choice at $400 to $900 installed per window, fiberglass runs $650 to $1,300, and wood or wood-clad runs $900 to $1,800, per 2026 manufacturer and contractor data. Within a material, the glass package matters: double-pane low-E with argon fill is the standard efficient choice, while triple-pane adds $100 to $200 per window and pays back mainly in very cold climates. Window style matters too: double-hung and casement are standard, while bay and bow windows run $1,500 to $4,500 each.
Installation type is the second lever. Insert (pocket) replacement slides the new window into the existing frame: cheaper, faster, and right when frames are sound. Full-frame replacement removes everything down to the studs, fixes rot and air leaks around the opening, and costs about 25 percent more. If your frames are rotted or you want to change the window size, full-frame is the only correct choice.
How to read a whole-house quote
Per-window pricing scales almost linearly, with one helpful exception: contractors price multi-window jobs more efficiently because mobilization, setup, and disposal are shared. Whole-house bids commonly land 10 to 20 percent under the per-window total. A 10-window vinyl job at $700 per window prices at $7,000 in raw math but often bids $5,600 to $6,300 as a package.
Compare quotes on identical scope: same window line and glass package, same install type, same trim and disposal terms. Ask whether the quote includes interior trim replacement, exterior capping, and disposal of old windows: each is a few hundred dollars when missing. A typical crew installs 10 to 15 windows per day, so most whole-house jobs finish in 1 to 2 days.
2026 window replacement cost by material
Typical installed per-window ranges from Pella, Fixr, and contractor pricing data. Whole-house column assumes 10 windows with volume pricing. Download this table as CSV.
| Material (double-hung) | Installed $/window | 10 windows | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $400-$900 | $4,000-$8,100 | Best value |
| Fiberglass | $650-$1,300 | $5,850-$11,700 | Strongest, paintable |
| Wood / wood-clad | $900-$1,800 | $8,100-$16,200 | Premium look |
| Aluminum | $500-$1,200 | $4,500-$10,800 | Mostly commercial |
| Triple-pane upgrade | +$100-$200 | per window | Cold climates |
| Full-frame (vs insert) | +25% | per window | Fixes rot, resizing |
Window cost guides
- Window replacement cost per window: what the per-window price includes and what moves it
- Vinyl vs wood vs fiberglass: the full material comparison for 2026
- Are energy efficient windows worth it?: payback math on energy savings, comfort, and resale
- Whole-house window replacement cost: package pricing, volume discounts, and project planning
- 7 signs your windows need replacing: how to tell when repair is enough and when it is not
Related tools
- HVAC Replacement Cost Calculator: new windows cut heating and cooling loads: price the HVAC next
- Roof Replacement Cost Calculator: the other big exterior project to budget alongside windows
- Home Warranty Cost Calculator: compare window costs against a year of whole-home protection
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to replace one window?
- In 2026, $400 to $900 installed for a vinyl double-hung, $650 to $1,300 for fiberglass, and $900 to $1,800 for wood or wood-clad. Bay and bow windows run $1,500 to $4,500 each.
- Is it cheaper to replace all windows at once?
- Usually yes: contractors price whole-house jobs 10 to 20 percent under per-window math because mobilization and disposal are shared. Doing them in two phases costs more total.
- Are energy efficient windows worth the cost?
- For comfort and resale, generally yes. Pure energy-bill payback takes 10 to 20 years at typical utility rates, so buy efficient windows for comfort, noise, and home value, with energy savings as a bonus.
- How long does window installation take?
- A crew installs 10 to 15 same-size windows per day, so most whole-house jobs finish in 1 to 2 days. Bay windows, custom sizes, and full-frame jobs take longer.
Data current as of October 2026. Sources: Pella, Fixr, and contractor pricing data. Estimates only, not a quote. Always get multiple written quotes from licensed local window installers.