Replacing the windows in your North Carolina or South Carolina home may feel like a daunting task — after all, even if you started out thinking about replacing a single window that got damaged, you might have found yourself wondering if it might actually be worth replacing all of the windows in your house at once for the sake of energy efficiency or general aesthetics.
Here, we take a look at the costs associated with residential window replacements and, hopefully, give you an idea of how much you need to set aside for your upcoming home maintenance project, no matter how large of a scale you ultimately decide on. Remember, homeowners regularly have just one window replaced, and they also have whole house replacements, so the most important thing is for you to feel comfortable with the choice you make!
How much do different types of windows cost?
If you’ve just begun looking into all of the different types of windows that are on the market today, you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choice that is available to you. The easiest way to begin narrowing down your options is to learn more about how much each popular window frame material costs — this way, you can automatically eliminate those that simply don’t fit into your budget.
Vinyl – Vinyl window frames are a durable, versatile, and cost-effective choice in most cases. They typically range from $100 to $800 per window. The options on the more expensive end of the spectrum may be “vinyl-clad” windows, which are typically manufactured using wood cores that have vinyl shells put on top of them.
Wood – Wood window frames tend to require more upkeep than any other option on this list. However, they do have a beautiful appearance and, in some situations, make the most sense for homeowners. In certain historic neighborhoods, for example, homeowners are required to use materials that existed when their homes were built and wood may be the only option that fits the bill in particular antebellum Carolina districts. Wood windows are usually priced between $150 and $1,500 per frame.
Aluminum – Aluminum window frames are sometimes even less expensive than vinyl, starting under $75 for base models. The cost for high-end aluminum or aluminum-clad windows, though, can range to about $1,000. Although aluminum windows can be affordable, they are not excellent insulators in most cases and, therefore, don’t rank highly for energy efficiency.
Fiberglass – Fiberglass window frames are one of the newest options on the market, and they are quickly rising in popularity. In general, fiberglass frames are priced between $500 and $1,500 per frame. This makes them approximately 20% to 30% more expensive than popular vinyl windows.
Remember, no matter what window frame material you choose, you will need to factor in labor charges when you plan your budget. Typically, labor for window installations runs about $100 to $200 per window frame and pane.
If you have questions about what to expect during the window replacement process, the qualified team at Hatch Homes is here to help. Give us a call anytime to discuss your upcoming project and to discover how investing in new windows can do wonders for the look and value of your Carolina home.