Picture windows provide a wide, unobstructed view of your surrounding landscape, and picture windows typically cost between $200 and $775.
Picture windows bring in a great deal of light, but installation costs can vary drastically depending on many factors. This guide will explore these cost factors to provide a better understanding of how much your picture window will cost.
In this pricing guide, you’ll find:
- Average Costs
- Cost Estimator by Size
- Other Factors That Affect Cost
- Related Services
- Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost
- Cost by Location
- FAQ
Average Picture Windows Costs
| National Average Cost | $490 |
| Typical Price Range | $200 – $775 |
| Extreme Low-End Cost | $50 |
| Extreme High-End Cost | $1,900 |
When you are looking to install picture windows, you can expect to pay between $200 and $775 on average. However, on the low end, you may pay as little as $50 for a small, inoperable picture window with a cheaper vinyl frame. On the high end, you might end up spending as much as $1,900 for a wall-length installation with a luxury frame.
Window prices can vary drastically depending on a variety of factors. The most influential factors are labor, materials, brand, and dimensions. However, costs can go up even higher based on other factors, including hidden costs that deal with the cost of installation, such as window removal and disposal.
Picture Windows Cost Estimator by Size
Picture windows may cost more according to the size of your windows. If you are putting picture windows in an area that currently frames single or double-hung windows, a few tweaks to the existing framing will allow for installing the new ones. Picture windows are typically much larger than standard windows.
Here are the typical sizes that picture windows come in:
- Width: 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 6 feet, 8 feet
- Length: 1 foot – 8 feet
Naturally, the larger your window, the more it will cost and the more difficult it will be to install (meaning labor costs will rise, too). A simple 2′ x 1′ window would be close to the low end cost of $50, and a panoramic 8′ x 8′ window would be close to the high end of $1,900.
For homeowners that want picture windows that exceed the current window space, structural work on the wall will be required to make room. Widening the hole for the window, installing a new frame, and repairing the siding and drywall of the surrounding area can drive up project costs exponentially.
Other Factors That Affect Cost
As with many home improvements or repairs, it is difficult to provide precise costs because there are so many variable factors that influence costs. Here are some of the major cost factors that may influence the cost of your picture window installation:
- Materials
- Labor Costs
- Home Level
- Brand
- Shape and Customization
- Energy Efficiency
- Age of the Home
- Window Removal and Disposal
- Travel and Delivery Fees
Materials
A factor that can have a significant impact on the cost of your picture windows is the frame material. Materials for window frames may include vinyl, wood, fiberglass, and other natural or synthetic materials.
Wood Picture Windows
Wood is one of the most expensive options for framing your picture window at $195 to $1,210. Wood looks great on historic homes and makes a good insulator, but it is susceptible to warping and rotting and takes maintenance such as sealing and painting every few years.
Vinyl Picture Windows
Vinyl is one of the most common and affordable picture window framing materials at around $140 to $765 per window. It is also energy-efficient as an insulator, low-maintenance, and easy to install. If you want a picture window but want to spend as little money on it as possible, a vinyl frame will give you the best bang for your buck
Fiberglass Picture Windows
Fiberglass is the most modern and expensive choice for framing your picture window. It’s incredibly energy efficient and durable. For these reasons, it costs a lot more than other materials at $585 to $1,430 per window.
Aluminum Picture Windows
Aluminum window frames are the most affordable option at $80 to $460 apiece, but there’s a reason for that low price. Aluminum doesn’t insulate very well, and even though it isn’t susceptible to rust, the metal can still corrode over time.
Composite Picture Windows
Composite looks like wood and behaves like fiberglass, so it can be a great compromise. Even though a composite picture window frame isn’t quite as expensive as fiberglass, it’s still pretty pricey at $340 to $1,240.
Labor Costs
Another critical factor that may drive up the price of picture windows is the cost to install them. You’ll find that labor costs can vary widely from company to company, but they typically fall in the range of $30 – $60 per hour. Materials make up most of the cost of a new window, and labor is only a small percentage.
Home Level
Where your picture windows are located in your home could drive up the costs, especially if your home has multiple stories. Installing a new window on a second, third, or higher level will cost more than installing one on the first floor. Installation on upper levels is more difficult and more dangerous, so labor costs are higher.
Brand
Who makes your windows? This can also be a significant cost factor. Each brand will have different pricing for their picture windows based on frame materials, window style, customization, and other window options. Here are some of the top window brands you may encounter when searching for new windows, along with the typical price range of a new picture window from each brand.
| Window Brand | Cost of Picture Windows (Not Including Installation) |
| Pella | $275 – $2,105 |
| Andersen | $95 – $2,700 |
| Milgard | $200 – $600 |
| Simonton | $140 – $360 |
| Jeld-Wen | $95 – $1,750 |
| Atrium | $200 – $850 |
| Harvey | $500 – $1,350 |
| Champion | $400 – $850 |
| Kolbe | $250 – $950 |
| Marvin | $250 – $1,500 |
Shape and Customization
Many picture windows come in a standard rectangular shape, but it’s also possible to customize the shape of your window to better fit the design of your home. Just keep in mind that custom shapes will drive your cost way up because the window has to be built custom, and so does the frame.
Energy Efficiency
One great thing about picture windows is that, because they don’t have too many moving parts, they improve the energy efficiency in your home. You won’t have to worry about air getting through the cracks and crevices of these windows because they don’t open. If you want even better energy efficiency, especially an Energy Star window, expect this to drive up costs.
Age of the Home
Installing picture windows in an older home may also increase the cost of your windows. This is because older homes may have a different standard of windows that will have to be reframed to fit newer windows. There could also be structural problems that a contractor needs to address before you can install a new window. This will drive up labor costs.
If the home is historical, replacing windows can be quite expensive. However, buyers, beware! Before replacing windows on a home classified as “historical,” be sure to get the proper local clearances.
Window Removal and Disposal
Unless your home is new construction, it already has windows in place. Before you can install a new picture window, you’ll need to remove and dispose of the old window in its place. This can be a difficult and dangerous job, so you may delegate it to your window installation contractor. The same labor costs of around $30 – $60 per hour apply.
Travel and Delivery Fees
Depending on how far you live from your window supplier and/or installer, you might also see travel and delivery fees on your final bill. The farther your windows have to travel to get to your home, the higher these fees will be, so you can expect quite a hefty sum if you live in the middle of nowhere.
Related Services
Although your focus may be on installing a new picture window right now, adding other services to your project can possibly save you money in the long run. Some contractors who install windows offer these additional services and may offer discounts if you include them in a package deal.
Storm Windows
Do you live in a region prone to high winds, tornadoes, hail, hurricanes, or other threatening weather conditions? Unfortunately, these conditions can cause harm to your windows. It may be a good idea to install storm windows on top of your picture windows for protection against harsh weather. New storm windows cost about $125 to $415 apiece.
Window Tinting
Many homeowners love picture windows but are bashful about getting them because they don’t want to have nosey neighbors, strangers, or thieves peering in their homes, especially while they are away. In such cases, you may want to get a protective tint on your picture windows. Tinted glass, especially for a large picture window, can cost up to $2,930.
Doors
While these may not be windows, they are just as important to replace when you replace windows, especially as it relates to energy efficiency and safety. So, when getting new picture windows consider installing new doors, as well. They may cost you between $335 and $5,165 on average.
Picture Windows vs. Other Window Types
Picture windows seem great, but they’re one of the priciest options. They’re also less practical than most other window types since they don’t open, and they can be a pain to keep clean because they’re usually taller than you are.
There are lots of other options for your new windows that may be better suited to your needs. Take a look at the table below to compare the cost of picture windows to the cost of other popular window styles. You can learn more about the general costs of window replacement in our window replacement cost guide.
| Window Type | Typical Price Range |
| Bow window | $2,190 – $6,140 |
| Arched window | $345 – $925 |
| Awning window | $295 – $655 |
| Bay window | $1,125 – $4,790 |
| Casement window | $155 – $970 |
| Circle window | $250 – $825 |
| Double-hung window | $195 – $635 |
| Egress window | $2,445 – $5,265 |
| Folding window | $835 – $2,200 |
| Garden window | $1,050 – $4,000 |
| Glass block window | $410 – $1,235 |
| Hopper window | $200 – $665 |
| Jalousie window | $175 – $410 |
| Picture window | $200 – $775 |
| Single-hung window | $115 – $410 |
| Skylight window | $115 – $410 |
| Sliding window | $180 – $870 |
| Tilt-out window | $350 – $1,500 |
| Transom window | $160 – $365 |
| Single-pane window | $160 – $390 |
| Double-pane window | $425 – $950 |
| Triple-pane window | $500 – $1,865 |
| Custom window | $300 – $3,000 |
Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost
If you’re looking for ways to save on the cost of window installation, the most ideal way to save substantially will be to do it yourself. Need guidance? Learn how to install a window in our DIY guide.
If you plan to install your own picture windows, you can expect to spend between $450 and $1,450 if you need to rent a lift. A lift is used to help you reach things that are well above ground level. In most homes, you won’t need a lift. Therefore, this range will fall to $250 to $850 if you don’t need one.
| Typical DIY Equipment For Window Installation | Average Cost |
| Picture Window | $200 – $600 |
| Pry Bar | $3 – $23 |
| Hammer | $5 – $27 |
| Silicone Caulk | $3 – $10 |
| Caulk Gun | $2 – $20 |
| Power Drill | $29 – $99 |
| Level | $6 – $30 |
| Screw Driver | $5 – $20 |
| Putty Knife | $1 – $10 |
| Utility Knife | $1 – $10 |
| Measuring Tape | $3 – $10 |
| Lift Rental (optional for second story installation) | $200 – $600 (per day) |
| Total DIY cost with lift rental: | $458 – $1,459 |
| Total DIY cost without lift rental: | $258 – $859 |
Compared to professional installation, this average range is generally about the same. The risks of DIY installation, plus the minimal cost savings, make it worth it to hire a professional window installer, especially for larger windows like picture windows that are more difficult to install.
Cost of Picture Window Installation by Location
As is the case with all windows, installation may cost significantly more than the national average if you live in a northern state that experiences harsh winters. With colder winters, insulation is harder, and you need thicker, treated glass to keep your home comfortable. The cost of more energy-efficient glass can rise quickly for larger picture windows.
Your project costs might also be much higher if the cost of living in your area is above average (think California or New England). Both labor and materials are much more expensive in some areas than others.
The only way to get a truly accurate price estimate for a picture window installation in your town or city is to reach out to a local window installer for a quote. We recommend contacting multiple contractors and comparing prices to find the best deal.
FAQ About Picture Windows
Yes. Even if they aren’t labeled as energy-efficient windows, picture windows can provide a greater level of energy efficiency than most other windows because they don’t open and close. Windows that open and close and have various moving parts, like casement windows, could let in cold air, which is not typically an issue with picture windows.
Yes, they can. But since these windows have a different shape, the window installation team may have to reframe the area in order to install your new picture windows. They may also have to expand the hole for the window if your old windows were of a standard size.
Yes and no. Again, these windows don’t have moving parts. This alone makes them easier to maintain because you don’t have to worry about springs coming undone in sashes or sliding windows going off track.
However, keeping them clean and smudge-less can be a big challenge because they’re so large. This is especially the case if you have small children or pets, as picture windows usually reach closer to the ground than standard windows.
The number one way to get installation costs down is to perform comprehensive research on window installation companies, narrow them down to three, and choose from the best among them in terms of price and value.
You can also try to lower costs by getting competitive bidding from your three final choices, seeing if they will budge on pricing to get your business.
Another way to reduce installation costs is to try to take advantage of coupons you may receive in local mailers or on a company’s website.
One final way to save on installation costs is to see if a company will allow you to supply your own windows. They may be cheaper than the ones they supply, and as a result, you may only be responsible for installation charges and other costs associated with installation, including hidden costs.
Yes. There are some homeowners who don’t want to cover their picture windows. However, if you prefer privacy, you can install picture window curtains to keep neighbors and passersby from looking into your home. Keep in mind that standard-sized curtains may not be large enough to cover your picture window completely.
Yes. Just because you want a great view of the outdoors and want more light in your home doesn’t mean you want people staring directly into your home. If you are worried about privacy, there is a privacy film that can be installed on your picture windows to protect you from prying eyes during the day or at night.
DIY or Hire a Pro to Install Your Picture Window
Although the average cost of window replacement or installation may be a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, general costs aren’t the only costs you should consider. There are so many other costs associated with picture window installation or replacement that can drive the cost of your window installation project up very high.
When preparing a budget for picture window installation, make sure you take into consideration average cost ranges and prepare a contingency fund in case the installation costs are higher than presumed. You can install your own windows to save a little money, but we highly recommend you hire a window professional, especially for large picture windows.
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