Per-window pricing
Full-frame replacement costs more than insert replacements.
- Vinyl insert: $400–$700/window
- Wood full-frame: $800–$1,500/window
- Bay or picture windows: $1,500–$4,000+
Insert vs full-frame
Inserts fit inside existing frames when sills are sound. Full-frame removes trim and old frame for maximum glass area and sealing.
- Insert: faster, lower cost
- Full-frame: better for rot or out-of-square openings
- Flashing integration with siding type
Energy performance
U-factor and SHGC ratings should match your climate zone — not every window needs triple-pane.
- Low-E coatings for sun control
- Argon fill in cold climates
- Installation quality matters more than glass alone
Insert vs full-frame is the real price fork
Inserts keep the existing frame and cost less if that frame is square and sound. Full-frame replacement tears to the studs, fixes hidden rot, and redoes siding returns. A vinyl insert price on a rotten wood frame is a leak with a new sash.
- Ask the estimator to probe the sill, not only measure glass
- Historic or lead-painted sash replacement can require a different crew
- Whole-house discounts exist; they should not hide a mix of insert and full-frame without saying so
Labor and flashing, not the U-factor sticker
A high-performance unit flashed with tape and pan beats a premium unit sitting in a gap of spray foam and hope. Price the install method. NFRC labels matter for tax credits; they do not replace a sill pan.
- Interior and exterior finishing (stool, casing, siding) may be extra
- Egress sizes in bedrooms are a code check, not a style choice
- Use the energy-efficiency window guide for glass packages; this page is the installed dollar band