How Much Does Window Replacement Cost in Washington?
Window replacement cost runs $300 to $1,300 per window installed, according to one national cost guide. That guide says most standard double-hung or sliding windows in vinyl or fiberglass come in at $450 to $900. A second national cost guide lists an average of about $800 per window. Its typical range is $450 to $1,200.
Washington sits in the first guide’s West Coast region, which runs 10 to 20 percent above its national average. There, a standard vinyl double-hung costs $550 to $1,000 installed, and a 10-window project runs $6,500 to $13,000.
These are market numbers, not our price list. We price window replacement after a free look at your windows and the wall around them.
What does each window style cost to replace?
The first guide says window style moves the price more than any other single choice. Double-hung and sliding windows lead the replacement market because they fit standard openings. The two guides do not always agree, so the table shows the window replacement cost per window in each.
| Window style | One national cost guide | A second national cost guide |
|---|---|---|
| Double-hung | $300 to $700 | $300 to $1,000 |
| Sliding | $300 to $800 | $700 to $1,500 |
| Casement | $400 to $1,000 | $400 to $1,200 |
| Picture (fixed) | $250 to $800 | $300 to $1,600 |
| Bay | $1,500 to $5,000 | $900 to $4,500 |
| Bow | $2,500 to $8,000 | $1,500 to $8,000 |
Casements cost more than double-hung windows in both guides. The first guide says a casement has the tightest air seal of any window that opens. That counts on a wall that takes wind off the water.
How much does the frame material change the price?
Frame material sets the upfront price and how long the window lasts. The first guide prices a standard double-hung this way.
| Frame material | Installed cost, standard double-hung | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $300 to $700 | 20 to 30 years |
| Fiberglass | $500 to $1,200 | 30 to 50 years |
| Wood | $700 to $1,500 and up | 30 to 50 years and up |
Vinyl handles over 70 percent of residential replacement jobs nationally, that guide says. It costs 40 to 60 percent less than wood.
Fiberglass costs 30 to 50 percent more than vinyl in the first guide. It expands and contracts at nearly the same rate as the glass, so its seals stay tighter over the decades. We replace windows with new vinyl or fiberglass windows.
In the first guide, wood needs paint or stain every 3 to 5 years, at $50 to $100 per window. Skip a cycle and rot starts at the sill corners.
Is insert replacement cheaper than full-frame replacement?
Yes, by a wide margin. An insert, or pocket, replacement sets a new window into the existing frame, and the old trim stays. The first guide prices it at $300 to $1,000 per window. It says a good crew handles one opening in 30 to 60 minutes.
A full-frame replacement tears everything out down to the rough opening. That takes the sashes, the frame, the trim and sometimes the siding. The same guide prices it at $600 to $2,500 per window, roughly double an insert. Each opening takes 2 to 4 hours.
Full-frame is the only option when the frame is rotted or out of square by more than a quarter inch. It is also the choice when the window size changes. Siding cut back around the opening goes back on as siding installation work.
Does double or triple pane glass change the cost?
Yes. The second guide prices double-pane windows at $450 to $2,000 each and triple-pane at $1,000 to $4,000. It lists low-E glass, chosen for better energy efficiency, at $300 to $1,100. The first guide says triple-pane glass adds 25 to 40 percent per window.
What moves the price on an island home?
Rot is the big one. A window that leaked for years often hides soft wood at the sill or in the frame. The first guide says rot found during removal adds $200 to $500 per opening.
On homes over 40 years old, the guide expects at least 2 to 3 openings to need structural work. That fix is wood rot repair, and it happens before the new window goes in.
The Olympic Mountains create a rain shadow over Whidbey. Even so, the south end still averages 30-some inches of rain a year. Island County sees some measurable precipitation on about 120 days a year. Wind drives that rain at water-facing walls, so the flashing around each window works harder.
Height and odd sizes add cost. The first guide adds $50 to $150 per second-floor window for ladder time. Factory-ordered units cost 30 to 60 percent more than stock sizes and take 4 to 8 weeks to arrive. Ask the office that covers your address whether your window job needs a permit.
Should you replace all your windows at once?
It usually costs less per window. The first guide says doing them all at once almost always saves 10 to 15 percent over batches. The second guide says installers may offer bulk discounts and lower trip fees on larger jobs.
| Whole-house project | Published range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 10 to 15 windows, vinyl | $5,000 to $15,000 | First national guide |
| 10 to 15 windows, wood or fiberglass | $10,000 to $25,000 | First national guide |
| Single-story home, 10 to 15 windows | $8,000 to $12,000 | Second national guide |
| Two-story home, 15 to 30 windows | $12,000 to $24,000 | Second national guide |
If the budget will not cover every window, start with the failed ones and the walls that face the weather. If siding work is coming, the first guide says contractors discount combined projects by 5 to 10 percent. You also pay for scaffolding once.
What is the cheapest time of year to replace windows?
The guides point to the off-season, though prices vary by contractor. The second guide says window companies are busiest in spring and summer, so fall or winter labor may cost less. The first guide calls January through early March the slowest season in most of the country. It says quotes come back faster then, with more room on price.
On the island, that slow stretch falls in the rainy season. Ask any contractor how an open wall stays dry if rain moves in.
What are the signs a window needs replacing?
Fog between the panes means the seal on the glass unit has failed. Drafts that stay after new weatherstripping mean the sash no longer fits the frame well. The first guide says that is common in windows older than 25 years.
Soft or stained sills and water at the sill after a storm point to water getting into the wall. Not every problem needs a new window, though.
The first guide prices window repair at $75 to $350 per window. A new glass unit alone runs $150 to $400.
How do you get a real number for your windows?
Published ranges help you plan the cost of window replacement. The first guide says online calculators cannot assess opening condition or access, and both move the price.
We are based in Langley, on the south end of Whidbey Island. Our island crew works with no ferry wait. Read how we replace windows, then call or text (360) 544-9655 for a free estimate.