According to Home Advisor, the average window replacement can be anywhere from $300 to $1,000 per window. This range makes finding a fair price for your window replacement tricky.
An expert window installer can look at your unique home and assess the right installation type, understanding your specific needs, and working within your budget. But before you call a professional and get a quote, understand what can affect the price of your replacement windows and installment.
- Window Style
The type and size of the window you choose will be the most significant factor in cost. For example, a basic single-hung window will cost less than a double hung window, and much less than a large bay window.
- Materials
Wood windows will be the most expensive, and while they are durable, homeowners usually chose them for aesthetic reasons. Vinyl windows are the most common and are less costly while being relatively maintenance-free and highly durable. But even vinyl windows will come in higher and lower quality options.
- Window Frame Replacement
Sometimes homeowners wait too long to replace and re-seal the openings in their home’s walls, and the wood framing that supports the window starts to rot. Once it has failed, replacing this framing is necessary, and of course, adds to the cost and project.
- Windowpane Types
Homeowners have three options for the glass in their windows, single, double, and triple pane. Single pane windows are exactly what they sound like – one glass panel. Double pane windows have two glass panels that are air-tight and separated by a layer of gas, and triple pane windows are built similarly with three panels of glass and two gas layers. In the Maryland climate, double pane windows are usually your best option as they offer excellent energy efficiency and cost less than triple pane.
- Labor Costs
The cost of labor will vary by the experience level of the window installer you hire, how complicated the replacement is, and how many labor hours it will take. Make sure to ask questions before you hire a window professional, such as what certifications they have, if they are licensed in Maryland, and what kind of warranties they offer. You also should ask manufacturers they partner with – for example, Brothers regularly works with ProVia and Pella for window replacements.
- Installation
While most windows will look similar in the end, a proper install will be based on the size of the openings in your unique home. Many smaller contractors install “one size fits all” windows which can be cheaper but result in gaps between the window opening and the physical opening requiring filler materials that create subpar insulation and fail sooner.
- Warranty
The quality and terms of the window’s warranty will impact the price because windows do fail, and fixing those failures is a real expense to the company. Warranties with a good headline like “Guaranteed for 50 Years!” often come with the highest price tags and the most exclusions.
Considering all of these factors, what does a window replacement really cost in Maryland? Cheaper windows with lower quality vinyl, glass, and spacers (which hold the air-tight seal) usually cost $400-$600 installed. Premium quality vinyl windows typically cost $800-$1,000 installed, and high-end wood and composite windows generally cost $1,300-$1,500 installed. However, the premium vinyl windows and the high-end wood and composite windows typically use very similar installation methods. If you are paying significantly more or less than these ranges, you should investigate why very carefully.
The good news is, window replacement isn’t just an aesthetic choice. New windows preserve and even increase the value of your home. According to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value analysis, you could recoup over 70% of the project cost in home value!
At Brothers, we work with the manufacturer to ensure that the windows we install are custom made for the precise size of each opening. They fit so tightly that we often have to use a soft mallet to tap them into place. That way, your new windows not only look great but also create a seal that protects you and your family for years to come.
If you see signs that it’s time for new windows such as drafty rooms, mold or rot on your window frames, or condensation on the window panes schedule a free no-pressure consultation with one of our window replacement experts.
