As a 2026 planning estimate, a medium vinyl window with double low-e argon glass installed as an insert plans at about $650 to $1,500 depending on type: $900 to $1,500 for a casement, $700 to $1,200 for a slider, $650 to $1,200 for a picture window. Bay or bow units plan at $4,000 to $9,000, patio doors at $2,500 to $6,000.
- Base ranges assume a medium vinyl window, double low-e argon glass and an insert installation.
- Size multiplies the range (small ×0.8, large ×1.35); frame multiplies it (fibreglass ×1.3, wood-clad ×1.6, aluminum-clad wood ×1.7, aluminum ×1.1); triple glazing ×1.15.
- Full-frame installation adds $250 to $600 per unit, plus $300 to $800 per unit on stucco.
- Bay and bow windows use a fixed range; patio doors take frame and glass multipliers but not size.
- These are the same ranges the Window Replacement Planner uses; they are planning estimates, not quotes.
01 /How much does it cost to replace a window in Canada?
Replacing a window in Canada typically costs several hundred to a few thousand dollars per opening, depending mostly on the window type, its size, the frame material, the glass and whether the old frame stays (insert) or comes out (full-frame). The table gives the base planning ranges used by the site's Window Replacement Planner for a medium vinyl window with double low-e argon glass, installed as an insert, including the unit and installation.
| Window type | Planning range per unit | Multipliers that apply |
|---|---|---|
| Casement | $900 to $1,500 | Size, frame, glazing |
| Awning | $850 to $1,400 | Size, frame, glazing |
| Slider | $700 to $1,200 | Size, frame, glazing |
| Single or double hung | $750 to $1,300 | Size, frame, glazing |
| Picture / fixed | $650 to $1,200 | Size, frame, glazing |
| Basement | $700 to $1,400 | Size, frame, glazing |
| Bay / bow | $4,000 to $9,000 | None: fixed range |
| Patio door | $2,500 to $6,000 | Frame and glazing only |
02 /How do size, frame and glass change the price?
The planner applies multipliers to the base range. They stack: a large fibreglass triple-glazed casement is the base range × 1.35 × 1.3 × 1.15. The table shows each multiplier and what it represents.
| Choice | Effect on each unit's planning range | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Size: small | ×0.8 | All types except bay/bow and patio door |
| Size: medium | ×1.0 (base) | All types except bay/bow and patio door |
| Size: large | ×1.35 | All types except bay/bow and patio door |
| Frame: vinyl | ×1.0 (base) | All except bay/bow |
| Frame: fibreglass | ×1.3 | All except bay/bow |
| Frame: wood-clad | ×1.6 | All except bay/bow |
| Frame: aluminum-clad wood | ×1.7 | All except bay/bow |
| Frame: aluminum | ×1.1 | All except bay/bow |
| Glazing: double low-e argon | ×1.0 (base) | All except bay/bow |
| Glazing: triple | ×1.15 | All except bay/bow |
| Install: full-frame | +$250 to $600 per unit | Each unit |
| Full-frame on stucco | a further +$300 to $800 per unit | Each unit |
| Frame | Double low-e argon | Triple |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $900 to $1,500 | about $1,035 to $1,725 |
| Aluminum | about $990 to $1,650 | about $1,139 to $1,897 |
| Fibreglass | about $1,170 to $1,950 | about $1,346 to $2,243 |
| Wood-clad | about $1,440 to $2,400 | about $1,656 to $2,760 |
| Aluminum-clad wood | about $1,530 to $2,550 | about $1,759 to $2,933 |
Size classes are broad rather than exact dimensions. As a rough guide, think of small as a bathroom, basement or narrow side window, medium as a typical bedroom window, and large as a living-room or wide window. If a window sits between classes, run both and use the overlap.
03 /What does a whole-house window replacement cost?
A whole-house estimate is the sum of each window's range. The first example is a common ten-opening mix: six medium casements, one large picture window, two small basement windows and one patio door.
| Frame, glass, install, exterior | Planning total |
|---|---|
| Vinyl, double, insert, siding | about $9,900 to $18,860 |
| Vinyl, triple, insert, siding | about $11,380 to $21,690 |
| Fibreglass, triple, insert, siding | about $14,800 to $28,200 |
| Vinyl, double, full-frame, siding | about $12,400 to $24,860 |
| Wood-clad, double, full-frame, brick | about $18,340 to $36,180 |
| Fibreglass, triple, full-frame, stucco | about $20,300 to $42,200 |
A larger house with eighteen openings (eight medium casements, two small awnings, two large picture windows, two medium hung windows, three small basement windows and a patio door) plans at about $16,000 to $29,440 in vinyl, double glazing, inserts; about $18,390 to $33,860 with triple glazing; and about $25,900 to $54,640 in vinyl, double glazing, full-frame on stucco.
Notice how much the installation method and wall type move the total. On stucco, full-frame adds $550 to $1,400 to every opening before any change in product. That is why the insert vs full-frame guide and the brick and stucco guide matter as much as the choice of frame.
04 /What is included in a window replacement price?
The planner's ranges are for an installed window and assume the components a complete job normally includes. Its output lists them so you can check each quote against the same list.
- The unit: the window or door itself, built to size, with its glass, hardware and screens.
- Installation: removal of the old sashes or window, fitting, shimming, fastening, insulating and air sealing.
- Disposal: removal and disposal of old windows and debris.
- Interior trim: new stops, casing or finishing so no foam or gap is left exposed.
- Exterior capping and flashing: capping or trim outside, sealant, and flashing appropriate to the method.
Items commonly priced separately include repairs to rotted framing, stucco or masonry repair beyond the opening, painting, scaffolding or lifts, permits for enlarged openings, and new window wells. Ask each installer to state them. The quotes and warranties guide covers what a complete quote says.
05 /What is the cost of window replacement per square foot?
Per-square-foot pricing is a poor way to estimate replacement windows, because much of the cost is per opening rather than per area: removal, fitting, flashing, trim, capping and disposal take similar time for a small and a medium window. That is why small windows cost more per square foot than large ones, and why the planner prices by unit with a size multiplier instead of by area.
Per-area thinking is more useful for very large fixed glass or custom units, where the glass itself dominates. If a supplier prices by area, convert their number into a per-window price for your openings and compare it with the planner.
06 /What makes window replacement cost more or less?
| Driver | In the planner? | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Window type | Yes | Casements and awnings cost more than sliders and fixed units |
| Size | Yes | Small ×0.8, large ×1.35 |
| Frame material | Yes | Up to ×1.7 for aluminum-clad wood |
| Triple glazing | Yes | ×1.15 |
| Full-frame and stucco | Yes | +$250 to $600, plus $300 to $800 on stucco, per unit |
| Dark or custom colours, special shapes, grilles | No | Often raise the price |
| Access: upper floors, scaffolding, lifts | No | Can raise labour and equipment costs |
| Rot or structural repairs found | No | Priced as extras; ask for unit rates |
| Enlarging openings, egress wells | No | Construction work with permits; well beyond replacement |
| City, region and season | No | Labour rates and demand vary |
| Very small jobs | No | Many companies price one or two windows higher per unit |
Searches for costs in specific cities, such as Calgary, Edmonton or Toronto, are common. The planner uses national planning ranges and does not adjust by city. Local labour rates, demand, winter conditions and typical wall types all shift real quotes, which is why three local quotes are the only way to know your market. For Alberta specifics, including permits, hail and CEIP financing, see window replacement in Alberta.
07 /How do you get from a planning range to a real price?
- List every opening
Type, rough size and location. Note which rooms are bedrooms and what the exterior cladding is.
- Run the planner twice
Once with your preferred choices and once with a lower-cost alternative, for example vinyl insert versus fibreglass full-frame.
- Check programs
Look for provincial, utility or municipal incentives before signing; see the rebates, tax and insurance guide.
- Get written quotes
Ask each installer to measure and to state the method, product series and inclusions.
- Compare like with like
Enter them in the Window Quote Checker, which reports price per window, warranties and inclusions and warns about method or tax differences.
HAUSE Home is an independent information and service-request network, not a window seller or installer. When you are ready, you can request quotes and attach your planner summary.
FAQQuestions people ask
What is the average cost to replace one window in Canada?
As a 2026 planning estimate, a medium vinyl casement with double low-e argon glass installed as an insert plans at about $900 to $1,500. Sliders and fixed windows plan lower, and fibreglass, clad wood, triple glazing or full-frame work raise it. Single-window jobs are often priced higher per unit.
Why is window installation so expensive?
Each window is usually built to measure, then removed, fitted, flashed, insulated, sealed and trimmed by hand. Full-frame work, stucco or masonry and upper-floor access add labour. The window itself is only part of the price.
How much do triple pane windows cost compared with double?
In the planner, triple glazing multiplies each unit's range by 1.15. A medium vinyl casement moves from $900 to $1,500 to about $1,035 to $1,725. Real premiums vary by product line and size.
How much does a patio door replacement cost?
The planner uses $2,500 to $6,000 for a patio door with vinyl frame and double glazing, then applies frame and glazing multipliers. Full-frame and stucco allowances are added per unit.
How much does a bay window replacement cost?
The planner uses a fixed $4,000 to $9,000 per bay or bow unit, without size, frame or glazing multipliers, because the assembly drives the cost. Structural or roof repairs are extra.
Is there a window replacement cost calculator for Canada?
Yes: the Window Replacement Planner on this site takes up to six rows of windows with global frame, glass, install and exterior choices and returns a total planning range, a per-row breakdown and a components list.
