How Much Do Double Hung Windows Cost?

Common Price Range: $445 – $2,000 Per Window

National Average: $1,035 Per Window

Updated: November 17, 2023. Written by: Steve Hansen

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Double Hung Window Installation Cost Range

The cost of most double-hung windows generally ranges from $445 – $1,400 each when installed by a local pro. The cost of double hung custom wood windows can be twice as high.

Yes, the prices of windows and doors have gone up dramatically, and most online window price estimates are quite low. Verified window prices submitted to us show a 20% to 37.5% increase in window costs since 2020.

If you DIY, the cost is $200 to $1,400 per window for popular vinyl and wood windows depending on size and material. An explanation of the wide cost range – due to cost factors – is found below and will help you narrow your budget.

Average Replacement Cost

The average cost to replace standard double hung windows is $1,035 per window, but the true cost will depend on a number of factors, including the size of the window, the type of material used (such as wood, vinyl, or aluminum), the quality of the window, and any additional features or finishes. Vinyl windows that cost $775 installed might cost $1,200 if you choose wood.

This cost range is for off-the-shelf plus semi-custom windows (explained later) in popular sizes and options. When you add special features like impact-resistant or hurricane glass, between-pane blinds and arched cornice tops, price rises by as much as 50%.

Average Do It Yourself Cost
$490 Per Window (Window Only)
Average Contractor Installed Cost
$1,035 Per Window
Typical Cost Range
$445 – $1,250 Per Replacement Window

new double hung windows replacement of kitchen windows

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Overview of Double-hung Windows

What is a double-hung window? A window being “double-hung” means that both the top and bottom sashes can slide to open and close, unlike single-hung windows with just the lower sash moving. On a double-hung window, the top sash slides down, obviously, and the lower sash raises. The thinking behind the design is that lowering the top sash allows rising heat to escape, while a raised lower sash allows cool outside air to enter.

Keep in mind this design pre-dates central air conditioning. Today, the most common reason to choose double-hung windows is that both sashes tilt in, so they can be cleaned from the inside of the home.

Why Choose Double-hung Windows?

Double-hung windows have three advantages.

First, as noted, cleaning the outside is easy, even on a second story of the house. No ladder needed.

Second, double-hung windows provide excellent ventilation. Opening both the top and bottom sashes helps to circulate the air inside the house, letting stale air and/or warm air to flow out while allowing fresh air to come in.

Third, double-hung windows are safe for homes with small children. The top sash of a double-hung window can be opened instead of the bottom sash, so the open part of the window is always out of reach.

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Double Hung Window Installation Cost Factors

The factors below help determine the cost of replacing or installing double-hung windows at your home.

  • Material – This is generally the largest cost factor. Vinyl (PVC/plastic) is cheap and easy to form/work with. But don’t overlook vinyl just because it is affordable. Vinyl is popular because it offers outstanding value whether you choose Jeld Wen, Simonton, Ply Gem or another brand. Fiberglass from Pella and Milgard costs a little more and gives you a painted wood look. Aluminum is cheap, but suitable only for warm to moderate climates. Wood is the premium material, and Andersen, Marvin, Jeld Wen and Harvey are leading brands. Andersen and a few other manufacturers make a wood/PVC blended composite window that is mid-priced.
  • Size – Bigger windows of the same window series cost more, and sometimes the difference is significant. Consider that a 24×24 window is 4 square feet while a 36×48 window is 10 square feet. That’s a lot more glass and framing. Then bump up size to 48×60, and square footage doubles to 20.
  • Quality – Affordable vinyl is a very decent material, but wood is an upgrade. Windows of each material type come in basic, better and best ranges too, with quality being determined by the thickness of the frame, how it is joined, the grade of the finish or hardware, accessories and similar factors.
  • Glass – Single pane windows cost less but are less energy efficient. Double pane comes in standard low-E glass and coated options that make them more energy efficient. Then you’ve got tempered/shatterproof glass, hurricane-rated glass, obscured glass and other options to consider. If energy efficiency is important to you, look for windows with Energy Star rated glass.
  • New Construction or Replacement – Because of design and installation factors, new construction windows cost roughly $15 to $80 more each to install. They must be installed before home siding is installed because they are nailed to the home’s exterior sheathing.
  • Other Work Done – You might get a discount on all work done if you hire the same company to replace your windows as part of a total home exterior home improvement projects that include a sliding glass door or new vinyl siding, wood siding or fiber cement siding.
  • Location – Second-story windows cost more to install, if they’re new construction windows installed from outside, because of the increased time and difficulty factor. This is a minor cost factor.
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Double Hung Window Prices by Size

As mentioned above, the size of your window is going to affect the price you pay. Below are some of the most common sizes when discussing single-hung windows. The measurements listed are inches, and the stated dimension are the rough opening size for the window to fit. For example, a 24″ x 48″ window actually measures 23 1/2″ wide x 47 1/2 tall”, which is designed to leave a small gap for insulation, flashing, construction irregularities, and adjusting it’s square fit into the 24″x48″ rough opening.

Common Sizes and Prices for Double Hung Windows

24 inch wide windows – $125 to $950, Add $125 to $275 per window for installation.

  • 24″ x 36″ | $125 – $650
  • 24″ x 44″ | $135 – $665
  • 24″ x 48″ | $150 – $690
  • 24″ x 52″ | $165 – $725
  • 24″ x 54″ | $190 – $780
  • 24″ x 60″ | $220 – $815
  • 24″ x 72″ | $245 – $935

28 inch wide windows – $150 to $1,100, Add $130 to $285 per window for installation.

  • 28″ x 36″ | $150 – $715
  • 28″ x 44″ | $160 – $765
  • 28″ x 48″ | $190 – $825
  • 28″ x 52″ | $215 – $885
  • 28″ x 54″ | $230 – $950
  • 28″ x 60″ | $255 – $1,025
  • 28″ x 72″ | $280 – $1,100

32 inch wide windows – $200 to $1,250, Add $150 to $300 per window for installation.

  • 32″ x 36″ | $200 – $795
  • 32″ x 44″ | $235 – $855
  • 32″ x 48″ | $260 – $915
  • 32″ x 52″ | $295 – $1,035
  • 32″ x 54″ | $330 – $1,100
  • 32″ x 60″ | $375 – $1,180
  • 32″ x 72″ | $405 – $1,250

40 inch wide windows – $260 to $1,500, Add $150 to $300 per window for installation.

  • 40″ x 36″ | $280 – $840
  • 40″ x 44″ | $330 – $925
  • 40″ x 48″ | $375 – $1,100
  • 40″ x 52″ | $440 – $1,200
  • 40″ x 54″ | $500 – $1,300
  • 40″ x 60″ | $550 – $1.400
  • 40″ x 72″ | $595 – $1,500

44 inch wide windows – $315 to $1,600, Add $175 to $325 per window for installation.

  • 44″ x 36″ | $315 – $885
  • 44″ x 44″ | $335 – $1,025
  • 44″ x 48″ | $400 – $1,150
  • 44″ x 52″ | $495 – $1,335
  • 44″ x 54″ | $510 – $1,465
  • 44″ x 60″ | $550 – $1,550
  • 44″ x 72″ | $615 – $1,600

48 inch wide windows – $350 to $1,800, Add $175 to $350 per window for installation.

  • 48″ x 36″ | $365 – $950
  • 48″ x 44″ | $400 – $1,065
  • 48″ x 48″ | $490 – $1,235
  • 48″ x 52″ | $550 – $1,400
  • 48″ x 54″ | $615 – $1,585
  • 48″ x 60″ | $680 – $1,690
  • 48″ x 72″ | $720 – $1,800
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Double-Hung Window Costs by Material

Below is a list of the materials available for double-hung windows with the average cost for each material.

  • $400 – $3,500+ | Wood Windows – This classic material offers the most elegance. Plenty of wood species are available from affordable pine like the Andersen 400 Series to walnut, mahogany and Douglas fir in top lines like top lines the Andersen E-Series and other premium brand lines.
  • $200 – $2,400 | Vinyl Windows – The most popular material used, vinyl windows are made by many leading brands including Jeld Wen, Pella, Ply Gem and Simonton Reflections, a top-rated vinyl window according to Consumer Reports.
  • $300 – $2,750 | Fiberglass – One of the newer materials available, fiberglass offers enhanced strength over vinyl, and the frames are often textured to mimic painted woodgrain. Pella Impervia might be the best-known fiberglass window, but other brands are starting to make them including the Marvin Ultrex windows.
  • $350 – $2,200 | Composite Windows – These windows are made from plastic and wood, typically, but there are a few other blends available. Andersen Fibrex stands out as a popular composite window line.
  • $200 – $1,350 | Aluminum or Metal Windows – Cheap yes, but not energy efficient. They’re a decent choice for coastal regions where salt in the air can be an issue for other materials. Jeld Wen Premium Atlantic is a top line. There are some regional manufacturers in the Southeast too.

Permits, Inspection, Related Costs and Installation Time

Permits and Inspection Cost

  • $0 – $200 | Window replacement when no structural changes are made to the home do not require a permit. If you’re cutting in for a new window and add headers, etc., then a permit should be pulled. Your window contractor should be able to advise you on this. The contractor will obtain the permit and add its cost to the invoice.

Labor Costs and Installation Time

Installation Time: Pros take 30 minutes to a couple hours per window at a labor cost of around $50 – $80 per hour. DIY homeowners, depending on skill level, might take longer.

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If so, head over to our Costimates Pro’s page, and help us make this page better and more accurate for both our visitors and your future customers.

DIY or Hire a Pro?

What’s your skill level and experience? Do you follow tutorials and instructions well? If you have good skills and can learn from others, then DIY should be considered.

Think about it this way: At an installation cost of around $200 per window, and a typical 2,500 square foot house having about 20 windows, the savings could be $4-grand. HomeGuide puts installation cost per window at $159 to $258, which is just about right. Remodeling Expense puts the installation labor cost as high as $450 per window. While we think that’s a little high, it shows again how much cash there is to be saved by doing it yourself.

However, if you get it wrong, the savings will be lost in repairs, potential water damage and the higher energy costs due to windows that are poorly installed and sealed.

Most homeowners don’t have the skills, tools and/or time to do the work, so they hire a qualified pro. Just make sure that they are licensed and fully insured – so that if they fall off a ladder at your house, they’re covered and won’t come after you.

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Reviewed and edited by Steve Hansen of Costimates

steve hansen of costimates-sm Steve Hansen, that's me, the Senior Editor of Costimates. (Learn more about myself and our team) I'm an avid home improvement professional with more than 37 years experience working on all types of residential new home building, upfits, repairs and remodeling.

"Like most homeowners, I was frustrated with the lack of quality information available on specific home improvement repairs and renovations. In 2015, Costimates was formed to help homeowners learn as much as possible about various projects and their costs so they could make better financial decisions."