The Cost of Replacement Windows and Patio Doors

By Frank Giuseppini

I recently came to the conclusion that even in this “age of Google,” it is still difficult for consumers to do online up front research on what it will cost to replace the windows and patio doors in their home or business.  Replacement windows and patio door companies’ websites tout their discounts and savings, but rarely allow you to understand what your final cost may be.  You have to have a virtual (Skype, Zoom, etc.) or in-home appointment with a salesman to get an idea of what your actual cost may be. I want to change that!

Sure, Jantek exclusively designs, manufactures and installs vinyl replacement windows and patio doors. We do not manufacture, or offer for sale, metal, wood clad, or composite windows or patio doors. However, in the over 25 years in the replacement window and patio door industry we have an insider’s view of all types of products offered by fellow window manufacturers and dealers around the country, including the price. Add to that the experience of our employees who have come from all corners of the industry including wood, metal and composite window and patio door manufacturers and retailers. I knew we, with all our expertise, Jantek Windows could and should address the very important “How much do replacement windows and patio door’s cost?”.

At Jantek we want to serve as the fair, and direct source of answers to all of your replacement window and patio door questions. Let’s face it, vinyl replacement windows are the absolute most popular replacement windows and patio doors, by far. But vinyl is not for everyone. Like any other product you purchase, there are pros and cons to each when considering a consumer’s ultimate objective. In this article I want to give you a guide to the cost comparison of all types of replacement windows and patio doors.

As you consider purchasing a replacement windows, this cost and pricing guide will help you develop an initial budget and plan for the ownership costs associated with each type window and patio door. Final prices will vary by location and supplier. You may want to read our article on The Ultimate Replacement Window Contractor Vetting Checklist

A Few Things to Consider

There are three things to consider when researching the cost of any type replacement windows and patio Doors:

• The Scope of work of your project
• The initial purchase price
• The long term cost of ownership associated with the replacement windows and patio doors

Vinyl, Wood Clad, Metal, Or Composite Cost Comparision

So now let’s take a look at the intial cost of wood clad, vinyl, metal and composite replacement windows and patio doors and get an idea of how much to budget for each type. Keep in mind that these prices will vary greatly based on the scope of your replacement project and from region to region. Then we will look at the long term cost associated with owning each type of replacement window and patio door.

Vinyl Replacement Windows: Initial Cost

You need to know that you can purchase “stock size” replacement windows and patio doors right off the shelf from a big box store or lumber yard, or, you purchase custom manufactured replacement vinyl windows and patio doors from a manufacturer’s authorized dealer. The difference is that the stock size products will be chosen based on the “best fit” to your rough opening and that opening may need to be modified to properly install the replacement window or patio door. The custom sized window or patio door will be custom manufactured to within 1/8” of the size provided to the manufacturer. This customization will size the windows to optimally fit your specific opening and will require less labor in the installation of the replacement window or patio door.

No matter whether you purchase stock or custom vinyl replacement windows and patio doors, there are three distinct types of Vinyl Replacement Window and Patio Door Packages (scope of work):

• Self -installation
• Partial (assisted) Installation
• Turn Key installation

Let’s take a look at each to learn more.

Vinyl Replacement Windows and Patio Doors Self-Installation Package

A self-installation package scope of work would include:
• Establishing product specifications (size, style, options etc.) and ordering the windows and patio doors from the manufacturer
• Receiving and inspecting the accuracy and quality of the order
• Delivering the windows and patio doors to the jobsite (could be optional)

The customer takes it from there.

The obvious advantage of installing your own replacement windows is what you’d save from reducing the replacement window and patio door installation cost. On average most people will save between $150 and $375 per window and $700 to $1,300 per patio door depending on the scope of the project and who does the majority of the work and provides the installation materials.

The price of the replacement windows and patio doors for the project is determined by four things: The style/design, the features/options, the size of each window and patio door, and the cost to deliver the replacement windows and patio doors to your home.

If you are considering a self-installation, ask if the quoted price for the windows and patio doors includes delivery. If pickup is not an option, then get a delivery quote in writing.

Replacement vinyl windows are basically classified into the following styles/models and in most cases, you can expect prices for the products, without delivery and installation, will vary based on standard features, size and options you may choose to add.

• Hung window (double hung / single hung) $250 – $600
• Slider window (double slider / Triple slider) $300 – $875
• Picture/ Fixed window $300 – $725
• Casement or Awning window (crank out) $290 – $700
• Architectural Shape (half round, trapezoid, octagon, eyebrow, etc.) $400 – $1,500
• Basement hopper window $175 – $300
• Bay window, Bow window (Buck frame cost only. Add windows as above) $900 – $1,600
• Garden window $1,300 – $2,300
• Patio Door $875 – $2,400

Delivery Fees could be anywhere from $50 to $200 within a 50 to 75 mile radius of the Point of Sale.

Resources are available to teach homeowners how to install their own replacement vinyl windows, but the vast majority of replacement window purchasers prefer to leave the installation of the windows and patio doors to manufacturers authorized dealers.

Assisted Installation Vinyl Replacement Windows and Patio Doors Package

An assisted installation differs from a self-installation in that it includes these additional scope of work items.

• Delivery of the and patio doors
• EPA lead testing if building is pre 1978 construction (required by law)
• If lead paint is present, follow EPA safe work practices
• Labor to set the replacement windows or patio doors into the rough opening
• Labor to caulk seal the interior and exterior of the window or patio door

These are the most critical (and unfamiliar) phases of the installation.
The customer provides all the other labor, materials and equipment.
This is a great option for those who can remove their old windows themselves and handle any remediation of the rough opening such as wood rot and finish the interior and exterior capping and trim, but rather not deal with the headache of leveling, squaring, securing and sealing the replacements into the rough opening.

You can expect prices as follows for the products with assisted installation, of course prices will vary based on standard features, size and options you may choose to add and location.

• Hung window (double hung / single hung) $375 – $875
• Slider window (double slider / Triple slider) $500 – $1,150
• Picture/ Fixed window $375 – $800
• Casement or Awning window (crank out) $365 – $775
• Architectural Shape (half round, trapezoid, octagon, eyebrow, etc.) $475 – $1575
• Basement hopper window $175 – $300
• Bay window, Bow window (Buck frame cost only. Add windows as above) $1,275 – $2,275
• Garden window $1,850 – $2,850
• Patio Door $1,100 – $3,000

Turn-key Vinyl Replacement Windows and Patio Doors Package

The overwhelming advantage of a turn-key project is convenience, quality and time savings.

A vinyl replacement window and patio door company handles all of the above, plus these additional details:

• Provide permits if required
• Hiring the installation subcontractors (or, at Jantek we use our own employee labor)
• Scheduling and overseeing the work
• Provide all Installation materials
• Remediate any deterioration of the rough opening
• Remove and replace shutters (if necessary)
• Finish to the siding, seal and cap the exterior
• Finish, seal and trim the interior
• Disposal of old windows and debris

The scope of work for a turnkey package can vary greatly from company to company, so ask specifically what your estimate includes. It is surprising how often a company’s turnkey package doesn’t include (or charges extra for) lead testing, finishing and capping the exterior, or disposal of the old windows and debris etc.

It’s also important to consider other details like warranties, or will installation be done by the company’s employees or will they use subcontractors? Also, you should know the quality and energy performance of the products being installed, and the manufacturer of those products.

The customer does not need to oversee and manage any aspect of a turnkey package project. The customer does not need to supply any of the materials or equipment or do any of the work themselves.

Many customers find it worth the investment to let someone else handle everything- not to mention the added peace of mind knowing that there is only one company responsible for the project.

On average, turn key vinyl replacement windows and patio door costs are as follows:

• Hung window (double hung / single hung) $475 – $975
• Slider window (double slider / Triple slider) $600 – $1,250
• Picture/ Fixed window $475 – $900
• Casement or Awning window (crank out) $465 – $875
• Architectural Shape (half round, trapezoid, octagon, eyebrow, etc.) $575 – $1675
• Basement hopper window $275 – $400
• Bay window, Bow window (Buck frame cost only. Add windows as above) $1,750 – $3,475
• Garden window $1,750 – $2,950
• Patio Door $1,250 – $3,450

Projects that require extensive special designing, opening remediation or special installation methods or equipment can cost much more.

You can receive a hassle free TeleEstimate/Virtual Estimate for vinyl replacement window and patio door quote of your own in about 15 to 20 minutes.

Wood Clad Replacement Windows: Initial Cost

Wood clad replacement windows and patio doors are manufactured with wood master and sash frame with the exterior surfaces clad with either vinyl or aluminum. Having lost market share in the last 20 years, wood clad windows still remain extremely popular in certain regions of the country and for applications that require painting or staining of the interior wood surfaces.

Wood Clad windows are typically available in stock sizes, although some manufacturers may provide custom sizes by special order. Though the product is the most expensive of all the window types, you can save money by purchasing the windows locally and doing a self -installation as we discussed earlier.

Often, people are surprised to learn that the price of vinyl replacement windows and patio doors and wood replacement windows and doors are significantly different.

When it comes to the initial price of a wood replacement window or patio door and a vinyl replacement window or patio door, the primary difference is the manufacturer’s cost of material to make the mainframes and sash frames. Wood is a more costly commodity than vinyl. On the installation side, because the manufacturing processes of wood windows and patio doors, do not lend themselves easily to customization (some wood window and patio door manufacturers will do this by special order) of sizes to within the optimum 1/8” of the homeowner’s specific opening the wood clad replacement windows are typically manufactured to stock sizes. Therefore, the installer will choose the “best fit” for each opening. This requires more labor and materials on the installation side of the scope of work to insure an overall good fit installation.

On average, wood clad replacement windows and patio door turn key costs (with installation and the required painting or staining the interior wood frames) are as follows:

• Hung window (double hung / single hung) $807 – $2,150
• Slider window (double slider / Triple slider) $1,225 – $2,500
• Picture/ Fixed window $1,000 – $2,000
• Casement or Awning window (crank out) $1,000 – $2,150
• Architectural Shape (half round, trapezoid, octagon, eyebrow, etc.) $1,275 – $3,600
• Basement hopper window $545- $950
• Bay window, Bow window $2,275 – $10,000
• Garden window $2,275 – $7,700
• Patio Door $2,625- $7,800

Metal Replacement Windows: Initial Cost

Just to be clear, the majority of metal replacement windows or patio doors are made from aluminum or steel. Having lost significant share of the residential market over the last couple of decades, they are typically used for heavy commercial or large architectural glass panel applications where heavy commercial structural ratings typically are more important than energy efficiency.

When it comes to the initial price of a metal window or patio door and a vinyl window or patio door, the primary difference is the manufacturer’s cost of material to make the mainframes and sash frames. Metal is a more costly commodity than vinyl. Also, metal is a high conductor of heat and cold, so additional materials and features need to be designed into the metal window or patio door product designs to meet practical energy standards. On the installation side, as is the case with wood windows and patio doors, the manufacturing processes do not lend themselves easily to customization of sizes, so metal replacement windows are typically manufactured to stock sizes. Again, with stock sizes, the installer will choose the “best fit” for each opening which requires more labor and materials on the installation side of the scope of work to insure an overall good fit installation.

On average, turn key metal replacement windows and patio door costs are as follows:

• Hung window (double hung / single hung) $525 – $1,175
• Slider window (double slider / Triple slider) $675 – $1,400
• Picture/ Fixed window $550 – $1,100
• Casement or Awning window (crank out) $550 – $1,175
• Architectural Shape (half round, trapezoid, octagon, eyebrow, etc.) $700 – $1,975
• Basement hopper window $300 – $525
• Bay window, Bow window $1,250 – $5,500
• Garden window $1,250 – $4,200
• Patio Door $1,450 – $4,300

Composite Replacement Windows and Patio Doors: Initial Cost

Composite replacement windows and patio doors are relatively new to the industry. The main frames and sash frames of composite replacement windows and patio doors are made from combinations of extruded plastic, wood particles and sometimes fiberglass or other materials.

When it comes to the initial price of composite window or patio door and a vinyl window or patio door, again the primary difference is the manufacturer’s cost of material to make the mainframes and sash frames. The extrusion process and raw materials for composite frames are more costly than vinyl for the manufacturer. Also, additional steps must be taken in the manufacturing process of composite replacement windows and patio doors to mechanically fasten or bond the frame components. On the installation side, as is the case with wood windows and patio doors because they cannot be fusion welded. Because of these facts, manufacturing processes do not lend themselves easily to customization of sizes, so composite replacement windows and patio doors are typically manufactured to stock sizes. As is the case with stock sizes, the installer will choose the “best fit” for each opening which requires more labor and materials on the installation side of the scope of work to insure an overall good fit installation.

On average, turn key composite replacement window and patio door costs are as follows:

• Hung window (double hung / single hung) $525 – $1,175
• Slider window (double slider / Triple slider) $675 – $1,400
• Picture/ Fixed window $550 – $1,100
• Casement or Awning window (crank out) $550 – $1,175
• Architectural Shape (half round, trapezoid, octagon, eyebrow, etc.) $700 – $1,975
• Basement hopper window $300 – $525
• Bay window, Bow window $1,250 – $5,500
• Garden window $1,250 – $4,200
• Patio Door $1,450 – $4,300

Cost Of Ownership Associated with Each Type Replacement Window or Patio Door.

Now let’s take a look at how much it costs to own each type of replacement window or patio door over time. The following chart compares the typical cost for vinyl, wood clad, metal and composite windows over a ten year period.

So now you have somewhat of a guide to the cost dimension of your replacement window and patio door project. This is just one piece of the total picture. We will address more of the pieces in our upcoming articles on energy performance, warranty, lead times, what to expect during installation, replacement window design etc.