This window can cost anywhere from $477 to $1400 to replace in the San Antonio market.
Once you decide that you would like new windows installed in your San Antonio home, the next step is to weight out replacement windows prices. However, this can be a serious undertaking because figuring out the cost involves many variables. Companies can’t possibly list all their prices on their websites. It can take months of weekends to learn about and explore all the options available and have all the various sales associates come out to your home. This guide will help explain the hierarchy of replacement windows prices, so that you can explore all of your options effectively.
One efficient way to compare replacement windows prices is to pick one specific window that you would like to replace and look at prices for just that window. For example, we can look at the cost to replace this damaged old window with colonial grids that measures approximately 35” x 69”. The chart below shows the approximate price for various replacement windows in San Antonio (assuming you meet each company’s requirements for minimum installation).
Replacement windows prices for your home depend on several factors:
Size, shape, and style
You don’t have to keep what you already have!- Bigger windows are more expensive than smaller ones, for obvious reasons.
- Fancy shaped windows like circles, half circles, or odd shapes will have a higher price than standard rectangular windows.
- Picture windows (that don’t have any opening mechanism at all) are the least expensive, followed by a price increase for single hung, more for double hung, with casement windows usually costing the most.
- Sometimes, two or more smaller windows adjacent to each other can be replaced with one large window, decreasing the price.
- Grids, Grilles, or Divided Lights (all the same thing) will have an extra cost, from $25 to $50 more per window or sometimes priced per sash. Most of the time, the different grid styles will cost the same (i.e., prairie grids will usually be the same cost as colonial grids).
Glass type
All Texas replacement windows are required to be energy-star, so you may not find the same type of window you already have in your house. Windows with great energy ratings will have more value, so make sure to find out what will be on the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) labels.- Basic double-pane (a.k.a. double glazed) glass is less expensive than Triple-pane.
- Thicker glass and a wider space between the panes will usually raise the price.
- Glass Low-E coatings can be a price upgrade.
- Argon gas between the panes of glass cost more than no fill, and Argon/ Nitrogen / Krypton or other glass blends are considered very high-end and will add to the price tag.
- Tempered glass and Obscure glass cost extra.
Frame material
Surprising to some, the frame itself, not the glass, is probably the most significant overall price factor. Since vinyl is at the low-end, we will use it as a baseline for the cost of frames.- Vinyl – the least expensive material; price increases with number of “chambers” in the frame.
- Super-strong or composite vinyl – considered an upgrade as it may not be as bulky and will cost more.
- Plain aluminum windows – no longer available in Texas as they are very poor insulators.
- Aluminum windows with thermal breaks – will cost 15-25% more than vinyl.
- Fiberglass – there is a range of fiberglass prices in San Antonio, with some from 30% more up to double the cost of vinyl.
- Composite – can be double the cost of vinyl.
- Natural Wood – the most high-end frame material. Will cost double to triple the price of vinyl.
Insect screen upgrades
- Most windows come with a standard screen, but upgraded screens are available for an additional charge.
- Some windows only come with a premium screen, and they will cost more.
Installation practices
The price of windows, unless bought at a distributer or warehouse, includes the cost of installation.- Some companies tack on an extra cost for removing the existing window.
- Companies who do all of the work in-house, without sub-contracting it out have higher costs.
- When removing windows, contractors who break out or shatter glass may charge less than those who carefully remove glass from the frame without breaking it.
- Contractors with extensive training will charge more; workers with little or no official training will charge less for windows as minimally trained laborers save on expenses.
Number of Windows Installed
- Many companies offer discounts based on quantity of windows (Buying only one window can cost more per window than buying 10).
- Some have minimum installation requirements, usually 2-4 windows or only allow smaller installations with a surcharge of $200-$400 extra.