How Much Do Double Pane Windows Cost? (2023)
By Dan Simms /
In this complete guide to purchasing vinyl windows, we’ll discuss:
Each product and or company featured here has been independently selected by the writer. You can learn more about our review methodology here. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Replacing a vinyl window as a DIY project can be appealing because of the low cost, but opting for a professional replacement is a far better option in most cases. The typical cost to have a professional replace a single vinyl window is around $600, and the total usually falls between $300 and $800 for most windows.
In this guide on replacement vinyl windows, we’ll discuss what vinyl windows are, the pros and cons of this frame material, the cost factors you need to consider when purchasing, and more.
Vinyl — also called polyvinyl chloride (PVC) — windows use vinyl material for their frames. Frame materials come in a few options besides vinyl, including aluminum, wood, fiberglass, and composite. Vinyl is well-known as the best option for balancing cost and energy efficiency.
Vinyl windows are common in all parts of the home, including living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, and bathrooms. Even basements can have vinyl windows installed. Some homeowners prefer the traditional appearance of wood windows or other frame materials, but vinyl fits in with most decor styles.
Pros
Cons
Pros
Cons
Pros
Cons
There are a number of upsides associated with choosing vinyl frames over those made of other materials. These include:
The chart below provides a quick look at how vinyl compares to other frame materials and why it’s a relatively low-maintenance option.
Aluminum | Vinyl | Wood | Composite | Fiberglass | |
Resists Cracking | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Resists Peeling | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Resists Warping and Bending | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Resists Sticking in Humid Conditions | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Can Be Painted | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Available With Wood Appearance | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Considered Efficient (High Energy Star Rating) | No | Yes | Moderately | Yes | Extremely |
Relative Cost | $ | $$ | $$$ | $$$ | $$$$ |
As you can see from the chart above, vinyl windows are far from perfect. While they’re relatively durable, affordable, and energy-efficient, they have some downsides, including:
The standard cost of installing a single vinyl window is around $600. You could be looking at anywhere between $300 and $800, though, depending on the size of the window, the style of the window, the number of windows you replace, the brand you choose, and more. Prices lower than $150 and higher than $1,200 for vinyl windows are uncommon.
The price range for vinyl windows is so wide because there are lots of other factors besides the window frame material that determine the total project cost for window replacement. In some cases, these factors have a greater impact on your window replacement cost than the frame material.
Below, we’ll discuss the major cost factors that can influence your total cost and how each can affect your pricing.
The cost factors above mostly relate to materials, but a significant portion of your total replacement costs for windows will be for labor. There are a few things that can bring your labor charges up or down as well. We’ll discuss each of these below.
The style of window you’re installing is a major determining factor when it comes to price. Certain styles of windows are naturally smaller and simpler than others, which leads to a lower overall price.
In the table below, we’ll include some typical prices for different styles of vinyl windows:
Window Type | Typical Cost for Replacement (Per Window) |
Single-Hung Window | $300 |
Awning Window | $300 |
Double-Hung Window | $450 |
Picture Window | $350 |
Bay Window | $2,200 |
Bow Window | $5,000 |
Casement Window | $725 |
Sliding Window | $750 |
Skylight Window | $1,000 |
As we mentioned above, the size of the window you’re replacing can have a significant impact on your total cost. Not only will larger windows run you more for more materials, but they can also require multiple installation technicians and specialized equipment if the window is particularly heavy or bulky.
The table below provides a quick look at prices for standard sizes of vinyl windows. Keep in mind that other factors — like the type of window — can still swing these prices up or down even further.
Window Dimensions | Average Vinyl Replacement Window Price (Per Window) |
19” x 16” | $250 |
19” x 29” | $300 |
24” x 36” | $400 |
24” x 52” | $450 |
27” x 27” | $400 |
32” x 38” | $600 |
32” x 62” | $700 |
33” x 33” | $550 |
36” x 24” | $500 |
36” x 36” | $550 |
41” x 29” | $550 |
48” x 60” | $800 |
48” x 72” | $850 |
60” x 35” | $750 |
72” x 48” | $700 |
84” x 48” | $1,000 |
96” x 64” | $1,500 |
You have two main options for purchasing vinyl windows for installation. The first is to buy your windows from a home improvement store or retailer like Home Depot, Lowe’s, or Costco. The second is to purchase windows directly from a manufacturer like Pella, Andersen, Simonton, Milgard, or Marvin.
Buying a single window from a retailer or home improvement store will give you the most options when it comes to size, brand, and frame material. However, the cost will usually be higher than the value provided.
Buying windows from a manufacturer will increase the value-to-cost ratio, so you’ll get more for your money. Additionally, you can choose from a wide range of customization options in most cases, as well as glass coatings and glazing options.
Since vinyl is the most common frame option, most manufacturers and retail stores will carry vinyl window options, usually in multiple sizes.
We mentioned previously that the quality of the window you choose will be a determining factor when it comes to the price you pay for your new vinyl windows. Two indicators of quality and value are the brand of window you choose and the warranty included by the manufacturer.
Many different window manufacturers make their products available throughout the U.S. These include budget options like Jeld-Wen and Reliabilt as well as higher-end options like Marvin, Simonton, and Milgard.
The table below provides a quick look at the standard cost of vinyl windows from different brand names.
Window Brand Name | Average Replacement Cost (Per Window) |
Andersen | $700 |
Certainteed | $900 |
Harvey | $900 |
Hy-Lite | $550 |
Jeld-Wen | $500 |
Marvin | $750 |
Milgard | $800 |
Pella | $750 |
Simonton | $750 |
Reliabilt | $500 |
Although vinyl is one of the most affordable frame materials, replacing windows is still an expensive endeavor, and most property owners will want to keep costs as low as possible. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to keep your totals down and find deals on vinyl windows.
First, you can optimize the other window materials and options for affordability. Specifically, you can:
You can also plan your home window replacement for the off-season. Installation companies are busiest from around April through July, and their labor costs are inflated to keep up with demand. Choosing a late summer or fall installation can help you keep costs down.
Additionally, you can replace all of your windows at once. This will drive up the total up-front cost, but most window installers will provide a small discount on the total project price if you tackle multiple windows at once. This can lead to savings on each window due to labor costs and decreased travel time to your property.
Finally, you can look for deals on vinyl windows, which most often happen around the holidays. Labor day is often a great time for window deals, as it’s after the busy season when window companies want to continue pulling in new business going into the fall and winter.
A lot of factors go into determining the cost of a replacement vinyl window, so it’s often challenging to calculate an estimated price. Although your results can vary based on seasonality, deals you find, window type, and more, you can use the formulas below to figure out a rough cost estimate:
Cost for a single vinyl window replacement:
Average Frame Cost Based On Window Type + Glass Cost + Labor Costs + Glass Coatings + Window Accessories) x Brand Coefficient = Vinyl Window Replacement Cost
Cost to replace all vinyl windows in a home:
Vinyl Window Replacement Cost (from above) x 0.95 (discount factor) x Number of Windows In Your Home = Discounted Total Price to Replace Multiple Windows
Assuming you’re purchasing a standard vinyl double-hung window with double-pane glass from Marvin and choose no additional glass applications, your calculation could look something like this:
($450 + $100 + $150 + $0 + $0) = $700 x 1.1 = $770 for a single Marvin vinyl window
$450 + $100 + $150 + $0 + $0) = $700 x 1.1 = $770 x 0.95 x 10 windows = $7,315 for 10 Marvin vinyl windows
The cost to replace a single vinyl window will depend on many different factors, including the style of the window — like double-hung or casement windows — the size of the window, the window brand, glass coatings, the location of the window in your home, and more. The only way to get an accurate estimate is to have a window company assess your window project and provide a quote.
With that being said, the average window installation cost for a single vinyl window is around $600. Most single windows fall between $300 and $800 for replacement.
Replacing vinyl windows doesn’t take any longer than replacing windows made from most other frame materials — although fiberglass requires some additional time and precision, as the material is rigid and can get damaged by improper installation techniques.
If you’re installing a vinyl window on new construction, the entire process should take around 30 to 45 minutes for a professional to complete. If you need an existing window removed and replaced with a new vinyl window, you should account for one to two hours for the entire process. This could be longer if there are complications, including second-floor installation.
Lastly, you should keep in mind that these timelines don’t account for delivery times. If you’re ordering custom windows or uncommon sizes or styles, you might need to wait several weeks for the materials to be delivered.
New vinyl windows are almost always worth the investment. Vinyl is one of the most popular and prevalent frame materials because it offers a nice balance between affordability and efficiency for your home.
Installing all new vinyl windows will cost several thousand dollars upfront, but your home value is expected to increase as a result, and your energy bills will likely decrease with the boost in efficiency.