Replacement Window GuideThis Old House reports a 2026 national average of about 517 dollars per installed window and roughly 7,183 dollars for a typical project. Costs vary widely by frame material, pane count, window style, and whether the job is a full-frame or insert installation. The figures below are attributed to the dated sources where they appear so you can judge how they map to your own project.
Average cost per window and per project
This Old House reports a 2026 national average of about 517 dollars per installed window, with an average whole-project cost near 7,183 dollars across a typical replacement of seven windows. Because most projects replace several openings at once, the per-project figure is the number many homeowners actually plan around.
This Old House also notes movement over time, describing homeowners paying roughly 491 dollars per window in late 2025, which it frames as a five percent per-window increase heading into 2026. Treat any single average as a starting point rather than a quote, since size, access, and local labor rates all move the final number.
Cost by frame material
Frame material is one of the clearest cost drivers. This Old House lists average installed costs of about 453 dollars for aluminum, 472 dollars for vinyl, 513 dollars for composite, 544 dollars for wood, and 564 dollars for fiberglass per window.
Vinyl sits near the affordable end and remains a common choice, while wood and fiberglass carry a premium. Because these are averages, a large or specialty unit in any material can run well above the listed figure.
Cost by glass package
Pane count also shifts the price. This Old House reports average costs of about 400 dollars for single-pane, 529 dollars for double-pane, and 609 dollars for triple-pane units.
Double-pane is the mainstream package for most homes, and the step up to triple-pane buys additional insulation for a higher price. The right package depends heavily on climate, which the efficiency guide covers in more detail.
Cost by window style
Operating style changes the price too. This Old House reports single-hung as the most budget-friendly at about 474 dollars, casement at about 529 dollars, sliding at about 531 dollars, awning at about 545 dollars, bay at about 550 dollars, and double-hung at about 551 dollars per window.
The spread between the least and most expensive common styles is meaningful across a whole house, so style choice is worth weighing alongside material and glass package.
Full-frame versus insert installation cost
How the window is installed also affects price. This Old House reports insert or pocket replacement, which fits a new unit inside the existing frame, at about 100 to 400 dollars per window, while full-frame replacement, which replaces the frame itself, runs about 180 to 1,500 dollars depending on size, type, and material.
Insert installs cost less but are described as less energy efficient than full-frame work, since the old frame stays in place. Full-frame becomes the practical choice when the existing frame shows rot, warping, or structural damage.
Tax credits can offset part of the cost
ENERGY STAR describes a federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit worth 30 percent of product cost up to a 600 dollar maximum for exterior windows and skylights, with the products required to meet the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient criteria. ENERGY STAR states this applied to products purchased and installed between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2025.
The rules for the 25C credit changed for improvements after 2025, so do not treat any single percentage or dollar cap as settled for current work. Confirm current eligibility and terms directly at IRS.gov and energystar.gov before counting on a credit.