How Much Does Window Replacement Really Cost?

Summary: I’m sure you’ve all seen the billboards. “$249 any window installed”. In almost all cases, it’s a gimmick of some sort. The reality is that not all windows are alike. Unless, of course you’re looking for the cheapest, worst performing white vinyl windows that barely meet Energy Star standards.

Stock, off the rack windows will not be custom made to order for a perfect fit. These will be “average sizes” that require a lot of shims, caulking, and some trimming of your house to install! As the old saying goes: “you get what you pay for”.

The Window Experts Do It Differently. Professionally!

The reason why the big box store stock sized windows are so cheap is because they are mass produced in great volume. No home is completely square and level which creates a lot of labor and, well, jury-rigging to get stock sizes to seal right.

That’s why our windows, each and every window we install is custom measured, custom ordered and custom installed by a team of professional installers. We take at least 3 measurements in different places on each window. This gives us the exact size we will need for the closest, tightest, never leak fit. A poorly fitting window is just a bad window!

Let’s ask Jeff Ludy to explain in this video:

Window Replacement Cost: You Get What You Pay For!

Vinyl Replacement Window Cost: We have some great, high quality vinyl windows at The Window Experts. Manufacturers like Anlin and Windsor. The least expensive, quality built window will be white vinyl, double pane windows with no Argon and no grids. Windows from these two brands are great windows and we sell a lot of them. But, they are not for everyone. Upgrading to argon, grid patterns, and color options will drive up the price. But it will add to your curb appeal and satisfaction.

Thermally Broken Aluminum Windows: Our Don Young Company replacement windows are a step up from Vinyl. They are stronger and are available with all the usual options. Thermally broken means the frames are two separate frames joined in the middle by a composite material. This insulates the inside of the frame from the outside so heat does not radiate or conduct through the frames. We install a lot of these quality aluminum windows and have many happy customers.

Composite, Fiberglass and Aluminum Clad Wood Windows: Each of these styles represent our top of the line windows. Even their basic models out perform windows in the lower end of our window lines. Brands like Sierra Pacific and Infinity by Marvin populate our top line and geared more for our discerning clients who are looking for the best possible performance and return on investment for their windows. Infinity by Marvin windows are top of the line, high strength fiberglass. The Sierra Pacific line of aluminum clad windows are unique. With super strong, long lasting aluminum exterior framing and real hardwoods for interior framing, you can easily have one color outside to complement your home’s exterior and a beautiful wood finish in your interior. Color choices and customization are what sells these top choices.

All Windows Use The Same Glass, Right?

Sort of. All of our manufacturers source glass from Cardinal Glass. We use exclusively LoE366 glass which is triple coated with heat blocking iron oxide coatings. Our NFRC ratings are significantly above the ratings for Energy Star.

In other words, Cardinal Glass windows are more efficient. Many other windows have glass rated as 2/70. This means 2 coats of the oxides and 70% of light still enters the room. 3/66 glass has 3 coats with 66% light penetration. 270 glass is less expensive and less efficient than 366 glass.

Replacement Window Cost Bottom Line

When it comes to window replacements, you get what you pay for. There are several DIY options available at the large home improvement retails that are priced well. The issues are: They don’t include installation. That cost extra. They will also have minimum specifications for Energy Star and NFRC ratings. And materials are generally limited to vinyl and some aluminum.

In the middle of the road, you’ll get better features and better quality materials. With our manufacturers, these are not off the shelf windows. They are custom ordered with your exact specifications.

The top of the line windows are going to be more expensive. Materials like fiberglass, for example, will last forever. Colors won’t fade. Specifications will be the best available. Window replacement cost will be more.

So Let’s Get Down To Prices, Already!

As explained in Jeff’s video, not all homes are alike, not all windows are the same size, and customer aesthetics preferences vary widely.

Use a general rule: For great entry level windows purchased from a reputable, qualified window installation company could be equivalent to about 10% of the value of your home. So a $400,000 home could see a $40,000 estimate (depending on the number of windows).

When you want the top of the line windows with all the bells and whistles, your replacement window estimate could be 30-40% of the value of your home.

But, you’ll never know what it will cost and how easy our process is until you call!