Window Costs Per Square Foot

House Window Prices : Window Costs Per Square Foot

Window Costs Per Square Foot

Explore window costs per square foot for a variety of different styles, options and frame materials. Use our home window price estimator for additional cost information.

Have a question about window cost per square foot? Ask our replacement window editor, Brandon, who is happy to tackle your toughest questions on the subject.

Click to read our windows cost per square foot Q & A.

Window Prices By Style

We break down our window prices per square foot by material, as opposed to by the style of window. The reason for this is that there are minimal price differences between say a casement and an awning window. While it is true that a picture window will run $50 less than a similarly sized double hung window, the price difference is minimal enough that it makes more sense to use frame material as the basis for cost comparisons.

There are, however, some big differences in pricing between say a vinyl window and a fiberglass window. On average, fiberglass will run 30% more than a vinyl window. Wood clad can run as much as 100% more than vinyl. Of course, it really depends on the brand you buy, the upgrades you opt for, and the lineal foot or size of the window. In our examples below, we use a 48 inch by 60 inch window, which is equivalent to 20 square feet--essentially a medium to medium large window. So if the window cost per foot is $20 to $40, the installed window price range would be $400 to $800.

Vinyl Window Costs Per Square Foot

Vinyl window frames are the most popular windows on the market, and for good reason. They account for over 50% of the entire replacement market. Vinyl windows are less expensive than other materials, achieve excellent energy efficiency numbers, require no maintenance, and carry better warranties.

However, there are huge differences between cheap, builder-grade windows and high end vinyl windows. The window costs per square foot vary greatly in the vinyl market. Vinyl windows cost on average between $5 and $30 PSF for the window-unit itself. Installation typically runs $75 to $350 per opening. Fully installed, consumers can expect to pay between $10 and $40 per square foot.

A 48 inch by 60 inch vinyl window will cost between $200 to $800. For instance, Window World offers their 4000 series (a relabeled MI 1650 series) for $389 completely installed, although they do try to upsell upgrades on an ala carte basis. At the other end of the cost spectrum is the Okna 800 EnviroStar, which is sold in that $800 to $900 range. The difference in quality, craftsmanship, tolerances, and energy efficiency between these two vinyl windows, is really night and day.

-- Installed Cost: $10 to $40 psf --

Wood Window Costs Per Square Foot

Wood clad windows are by far the most beautiful option on the market, although they are also the most expensive. In addition, they require the most maintenance, have some of the worst energy efficiency numbers, and carry the shortest warranty. Still, there is something amazing about the look of real wood interiors.

Wood windows cost, on average, $20 to $50 PSF for the window itself. Installation typically runs $150 to $350 per opening, depending on whether you are doing a retrofit or a new construction installation. Fully installed, consumers can expect to pay between $35 and $75 per square foot on wood clad windows.

To use our example of a 48 inch by 60 inch wood clad , the cost will run $700 to $1,500. For example, Jeld Wen offers their Auralast wood window that usually comes in somewhere in that $700 installed range, while the Marvin Ultimate wood clad window will run you in the $1,500 per window fully installed.

Wood windows can cost quite a bit more than this $1500 price--high end companies might go $2500 plus per window by the time all of the upgrades and custom installation requirements get factored in. We didn't really include this small percentage of wood clad windows because this is for the uber elite that have no issues with paying $3000 for a window.

-- Installed Cost: $35 to $75 psf --

Fiberglass Window Costs Per Square Foot

Fiberglass series are both more expensive than vinyl, as well as slightly more energy efficient. Fiberglass windows cost on average $15 to $35 PSF for the window-unit itself. Installation typically runs $150 to $350 per opening. Fully installed, consumers can expect to pay between $20 and $55 PSF on fiberglass windows.

Back to our example -- a fiberglass window that is 48 inch by 60 inches, will run $500 to $1100 installed. So a fully installed Pella Impervia might run $650, while the Marvin Infinity windows price will be more like $1100 installed.

-- Installed Cost: $25 to $55 psf --

Aluminum Window Costs Per Square Foot

Aluminum window frames are by far the stronger of all frame types, although they are also by far the least energy efficient. Aluminum windows cost on our $5 to $25 PSF for the window-unit itself. Installation typically runs $150 to $350 per opening. Fully installed, expect to pay $10 to $40 PSF. Aluminum window prices are typically right on par with vinyl windows, although without the real entry level options that low end vinyl provides.

So, for instance, a 48 inch by 60 inch aluminum window , will run $400 to $800. Don Young, based in Texas, makes a very good thermally broken aluminum series that will run in that $800 range fully installed.

-- Installed Cost: $20 to $40 psf --

Composite Window Costs Per Square Foot

Composite frames are the newest material on the market, often made of a combination of vinyl and wood. Composite windows cost, on average, $15 to $30 PSF for the window-unit itself. Installation typically runs $150 to $350 per opening. Fully installed, consumers can expect to pay $25 to $40 PSF between per square foot.

In our example of a 48 inch by 60 inch window , the cost of an Andersen 100 composite might run $500 installed, while a Renewal By Andersen will run $1200. The best composite on the market is the Okna Starmark Evo, which will often be quoted out at roughly $900 a window.

-- Installed Cost: $25 to $40 psf --

Soundproof Window Costs Per Square Foot

Soundproof windows are built and manufactured specifically to reduce sound and noise from entering through the unit. This is done in a number of ways, but the biggest noise abatement method is to increase the space between the two panes of glass in the IGU. This is where most of the noise deadening comes from. This is an expensive process though and consumers will pay for this more robust and deeper frame. Noise reduction is also done with a laminated glass, or with glass thickness offsets between the inner and out glass pane. Often, these are found in urban areas or in homes close to freeways and other noisy locales.

Soundproof windows cost, on average, $25 to $55 PSF for the window itself. Installation typically runs $150 to $350 per opening. Fully installed, consumers can expect to pay $30 to $75 per square foot.

In our example of a 48 inch by 60 inch window , the cost is $600 to $1500 fully installed. A Simonton Reflections 500 double hung with a laminate glass upgrade (not "officially" a soundproof window, but a good noise mitigator) might run $650 installed, while a Milgard Quietline window will cost $1500 to install.

-- Installed Cost: $30 to $75 psf --

Impact Window Costs Per Square Foot

Impact hurricane windows are built to protect homes from hurricanes and other severe weather. One way they do this is through the use of a strong multi-welded frame with a design pressure or DP in the 45 to 85 range. Typically, an impact window will have a reinforced frame, as well as the use of laminated glass. Nearly all impact window series are made of vinyl these days.

Impact windows cost, on average, $25 to $55 PSF for the window itself. Installation typically runs $150 to $350 per opening, depending on whether its a replacement installation or a full frame install. Fully installed, consumers can expect to pay $40 to $75 PSF for impact windows.

In our example of a 48 inch by 60 inch window , the cost of an impact window would be $800 to $1500. At the lower end of the price range, a Viwinco OceanView might run in that $700 range, while the Soft-Lite Armor Impact Series will run in that $1500 price range.

-- Installed Cost: $40 to $75 psf --

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Questions On Costs PSF

How Much Do Windows Cost?

Alside Mezzo Cost PSF

Looking to replace 20 year old double pane aluminum windows. From your site I learned the aluminum is great for strength in the heat, not so much for efficiency.

We have sliders: (4) 5X5, (2) 5X6, and a 8X6

Single hung: (3) 2X6, (4) 3X6, and one picture 4X6

We've had one quote thus far, the Alside Mezzo (double pane, low-e with argon), and I see that you normally recommend other brands. $21450, $1430 per window or 63 psf. This number seems awfully high for a mid tier series unless the odd sizes and current market are such.

Scott - Homeowner - from 2023

Cost Of Windows Per Square Foot

I have 11 double hungs in my 1500 square foot house. We're collecting bids and so far this is what I have.

Soft Lite Pro Series: $9.8K

Provia Aspect Series: $10.2K

MI Sunrise V4000 Series: $11K

Brandon - Site Editor - from 2023

How Much Do Grids Cost

Hello, thanks for all the great information. I am looking for a ballpark figure for a standard colonial style grid/grille that is between the glass. How much should this add to the cost for standard double hung vinyl replacements? I have seen everywhere form $30 to $12 per square (which adds up fast!) or more. We are in Atlanta GA. Thanks!!!

Douglas - Homeowner - from 2020

[Site Editor's Answer]

Douglas, I have to say $25 to $45 each for grids is pretty standard. Some companies do it by the square foot. There is no industry standard for anything really. The best thing you can do is get those four quality bids and ask each rep what they charge for their upgrades, whether its grids (many don't do in glass grids anyway), glass packages, spacers, etc. Get your bids, try and compare apples-to-apples, look at the online reviews of each company doing the work, and then make your decision.

Brandon - Site Editor - from 2020

How To Calculate Square Footage

How exactly do you calculate the square footage of windows?

Melie - Homeowner

[Site Editor's Answer]

Melie, let's say you have one that measures 2 feet by 4 feet. You simply multiply 2 x 4 for 8 square feet. So in our example above, the median cost of a vinyl window installed is $25 per square foot. So 8 x 60 equals $480 -- the median cost of an installed vinyl series is $480, while a mid range series installed would be about $425 out the door.

The above example is simple, but often windows are measured in inches. So let's take the same one -- 24 inches wide by 48 inches tall. 24 x 48 equals 1152. Divide by 12 and you get 96 square inches. Divide by 12 again and you get 8 square feet.

Brandon - Site Editor