How much does it cost to replace one double hung window?

A standard 36-by-60 inch double hung window replacement runs 400 to 900 dollars installed for vinyl, 700 to 1,200 dollars for wood-clad, and 900 to 1,500 dollars for fiberglass. Sash-only replacement, which keeps the existing frame and swaps the moving parts, runs 200 to 500 dollars per window and is appropriate when the frame is in good condition.

What is the difference between full frame and sash-only replacement?

Full frame replacement removes the entire window down to the rough opening, including the frame, and installs a new window. It is appropriate when the existing frame is rotted, warped, or out of square. Sash-only replacement keeps the existing frame in place and replaces just the moving sashes and the balance system. It is faster, cheaper, and appropriate when the frame is structurally sound but the sashes are drafty, painted shut, or broken.

How long do double hung windows last?

Vinyl double hung windows last 20 to 30 years with minimal maintenance. Wood-clad double hung windows last 25 to 40 years with repainting every 7 to 10 years. Fiberglass double hung windows last 30 to 50 years. The balance system, the springs or constant-force coils that hold the sash in place, typically wears out first and can be replaced without replacing the whole window for 100 to 250 dollars per sash.

Can I replace just the glass and keep the existing sash?

Yes, if the sash frame is in good condition but the glass is failed, foggy, or single-pane, an insulated glass unit (IGU) replacement is a good option. The old glass is removed, a new sealed IGU is installed in the existing sash, and the window is reglazed. IGU replacement runs 100 to 300 dollars per window and is the right call when the sash is wood, the frame is sound, and the goal is improved energy efficiency.

What is the best material for double hung windows?

Vinyl is the best value for most homeowners, with the lowest cost, good energy efficiency, and a 20 to 30 year lifespan with minimal maintenance. Fiberglass is the best long-term value for homeowners who plan to stay 25 years or longer, because it has the longest lifespan and the best energy performance. Wood is the most aesthetic but requires repainting every 7 to 10 years and has the highest maintenance cost.

Do double hung windows need to be replaced if they are just drafty?

Not always. Drafty double hung windows often have worn weatherstripping, failed balance systems, or air leaks around the sash stops. Weatherstripping replacement runs 50 to 150 dollars per window and is a DIY-friendly job. Caulking the exterior frame and adding interior rope-style weatherstripping can solve 80 percent of draft problems for under 200 dollars per window. Full window replacement is the right call only when the sashes are rotted, the glass is failed, or the frame is out of square.

Double Hung Window Replacement Cost 2026 Per Window

What 2026 double hung window replacement actually costs

Double hung window replacement in 2026 costs between 400 and 1,200 dollars per window installed for most homes, with full-house replacement of 10 to 15 windows running 5,000 to 15,000 dollars for vinyl. Sash-only replacement, which keeps the existing frame and replaces just the moving parts, runs 200 to 500 dollars per window and is the right call when the frame is in good condition. The number on the invoice breaks down into the window itself, the labor to remove the old window and install the new one, the trim and interior finishing, and any necessary frame repair around the rough opening.

For a standard 36-by-60 inch double hung vinyl window with low-E glass, expect 400 to 700 dollars installed. A wood-clad window of the same size runs 700 to 1,100 dollars. Fiberglass runs 800 to 1,300 dollars. Custom sizes, divided-light patterns, and architectural shapes add 20 to 50 percent. Your live cost-of-home-window-replacement guide covers generic single window and whole-house pricing; this one focuses on the most common American window style specifically.

Why double hung windows are different from other styles

Double hung windows are the most common window in American homes because the two movable sashes allow ventilation from the top, the bottom, or both. The trade-off is mechanical complexity. Each sash is held in place by a balance system, the springs or constant-force coils that counterbalance the weight of the glass and allow the sash to stay open at any position. Over 20 to 30 years, the balances wear out, the sashes start to fall or refuse to stay up, and the weatherstripping compresses and leaks air.

That mechanical complexity is why double hung windows have more failure modes than casement or fixed windows, and why the replacement options include both full frame and sash-only. A failed balance or a rotted sash can often be repaired for a few hundred dollars without replacing the whole window. A rotted frame or failed insulated glass usually requires full replacement.

Full frame vs sash-only vs IGU replacement

Three replacement options exist for double hung windows, and choosing the right one is the biggest cost decision.

Full frame replacement

Removes the entire window down to the rough opening, including the frame, and installs a new window. The right choice when the existing frame is rotted, warped, or out of square, when you are changing the window size or style, or when you want the most energy efficient installation. Cost: 400 to 1,500 dollars per window installed, depending on material and size.

Sash-only replacement

Keeps the existing frame in place and replaces just the moving sashes and the balance system. The right choice when the frame is structurally sound but the sashes are drafty, painted shut, broken, or have failed balances. Most sash kits include new sashes, new balances, new weatherstripping, and new hardware. Cost: 200 to 500 dollars per window.

Insulated glass unit (IGU) replacement

Keeps the existing sash and frame and replaces just the failed sealed glass unit. The right choice when the sash frame is in good condition but the glass is foggy (failed seal), single-pane, or inefficient. The old glass is removed, a new IGU is installed in the existing sash, and the window is reglazed. Cost: 100 to 300 dollars per window. Particularly valuable for wood sashes where the frame is high quality but the glass has failed.

What drives the price up or down

Five factors decide where you land in the price range. Each one has a real impact on what you pay and a real impact on what you get.

Frame material

Vinyl is the lowest cost and the right choice for most budget-conscious replacements. Wood-clad, an exterior aluminum or fiberglass cladding over a wood interior, gives the traditional look of wood with less maintenance. Full fiberglass is the strongest, most energy efficient, and longest lasting, but it costs the most up front. Composite frames blend wood fibers and recycled plastic, sit between vinyl and fiberglass in cost and performance, and work well in cold and hot climates.

Glass package

Double-pane low-E glass is the modern default. Triple-pane adds another 100 to 300 dollars per window and is worth it in very cold climates or in homes with significant street noise. Gas fills, argon being the most common, add 20 to 60 dollars per window and improve insulation. Laminated glass adds impact resistance and noise reduction for another 50 to 200 dollars per window.

Divided light pattern

A single large pane of glass is the cheapest. Simulated divided lights, grilles between the glass panes, add 20 to 80 dollars per window and are the easiest to clean. True divided lights, separate pieces of glass in each pane, add 100 to 300 dollars per window and have the most authentic historical look but reduce energy efficiency slightly because of the additional frame breaks in the glass.

Replacement method

Full frame is the most expensive because it includes the labor to remove the old frame, dispose of it, and flash and seal the rough opening. Sash-only is the cheapest because the labor is mainly inside the existing frame. IGU replacement is the cheapest of all because the labor is glass-only and the sash stays in place.

Rot repair and code work

When the crew pulls the existing trim they often find rot in the sill, sheathing, or surrounding framing. Repair can be 200 to 1,000 dollars per window depending on the extent. Older homes may also need new flashing, house wrap integration, or structural reframing to meet current energy code, which adds 500 to 2,000 dollars to a whole-house job.

How to read a double hung window estimate

A good estimate is itemized by window, not lumped into one total. Each line should specify the manufacturer, model, series, U-factor, SHGC, warranty, and install method (full frame, sash-only, or IGU). The contract should also specify whether the price includes removal and disposal of the old windows, interior trim replacement, exterior capping, and any rot repair allowance.

Compare at least three estimates on an apples-to-apples basis. The same window from the same manufacturer, installed the same way, should be within 10 to 15 percent of each other. Estimates that are 30 percent or more below the others usually mean a smaller window brand, thinner glass, fewer features, or a subcontractor crew that may not be there for warranty work.

How to extend the life of existing double hung windows

If your windows are 10 to 20 years old and just drafty or hard to operate, repair is often the smarter move. Five maintenance tasks add years of life for under 500 dollars per window.

Replace the weatherstripping. Self-adhesive foam or rubber weatherstripping costs 20 to 50 dollars per window and reduces drafts significantly. Silicone bulb weatherstripping lasts longer than foam but costs a bit more.
Replace the balance system. Constant-force coil balances cost 30 to 80 dollars per sash and are a doable DIY replacement. Old spiral balances can usually be replaced with constant-force coils for less than the cost of a service call.
Reglaze the glass. If the glass is single-pane or the putty is failing, reglazing with new putty and a fresh IGU extends the life of a wood sash by decades.
Caulk the exterior frame. A 20-dollar tube of quality exterior caulk applied around the window frame where it meets the siding stops the slow water intrusion that rots the sill and sheathing.
Repaint the exterior cladding. For wood-clad windows, repainting every 7 to 10 years protects the wood and the cladding seal, and is much cheaper than full window replacement.

Bottom line

Double hung window replacement in 2026 runs 400 to 1,200 dollars per window installed for vinyl, wood-clad, or fiberglass. Sash-only replacement cuts the cost in half and is appropriate when the frame is sound. IGU replacement at 100 to 300 dollars per window is the right call for wood sashes with failed glass. Get three itemized estimates on the same window from the same manufacturer, ask for the U-factor and SHGC for your climate zone, and consider repair before replacement for windows under 20 years old that are merely drafty or hard to operate.

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Written by

Fazlur RahmanAI, Entrepreneurship, EdTech

Fazlur Rahman is the founder of Tutorsbot, building AI-powered tools for learning and career growth. He writes about applying AI in real products and the practi… Read more

Fazlur Rahman is the founder of Tutorsbot, building AI-powered tools for learning and career growth. He writes about applying AI in real products and the practical side of building an ed-tech startup.