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Windows Price Index

Price trends, forecasts, and supply data for vinyl, aluminum, wood, and commercial window systems.

Product pricing by subcategory

Commercial and retail price ranges tracked from major distributors. Updated weekly.

Fiberglass94 products
Retail$78 – $1030/sq ft
Commercial$47 – $773/sq ft
Retail Commercial | = median
Price by spec (commercial)
SizeProductsLowHighMedian
24X364$76$95$85
18X363$354$593$521
24X643$194$642$232
36X543$165$224$202
Specialty355 products
Retail$79 – $1770/sq ft
Commercial$47 – $1328/sq ft
Retail Commercial | = median
Price by spec (commercial)
SizeProductsLowHighMedian
72X8011$75$1106$384
21X218$213$525$374
26X267$170$439$395
30X465$351$724$651
48X484$712$890$801
16X324$207$831$748
30X604$58$1328$148
46X604$133$644$166
17X323$84$105$95
20X463$243$378$340
24X243$318$398$358
27X453$416$520$468
36X723$60$75$68
40X403$207$259$233
46X483$133$1328$150
550X7003$354$843$613
Vinyl200 products
Retail$79 – $795/sq ft
Commercial$47 – $596/sq ft
Retail Commercial | = median
Price by spec (commercial)
SizeProductsLowHighMedian
36X4820$90$237$144
36X6012$47$480$183
15X327$73$418$112
24X366$98$596$457
24X486$55$596$378
32X546$132$409$227
15X514$385$481$433
20X465$540$596$596
20X304$291$514$418
16X483$177$221$199
18X323$100$501$113
20X363$140$439$210
36X363$67$138$124
3X483$96$406$108
Wood/Clad120 products
Retail$75 – $1209/sq ft
Commercial$45 – $907/sq ft
Retail Commercial | = median
Price by spec (commercial)
SizeProductsLowHighMedian
72X807$76$907$907
30X385$588$735$662
30X453$233$599$455

Prices last updated Mar 14, 2026. Commercial = contractor/trade pricing (typically 25-30% below retail).

Understanding Windows Prices in Construction

Windows represent one of the most specification-sensitive and lead time-critical material categories in construction. The category spans vinyl replacement windows under $200 each to custom commercial curtain wall systems costing $50-150 per square foot. Windows are unique in that they must simultaneously satisfy structural, thermal, acoustic, and aesthetic requirements — and increasingly stringent energy codes are driving specification complexity upward.

The window market is segmented between residential (dominated by vinyl and fiberglass) and commercial (dominated by aluminum). Each segment has different manufacturing bases and supply chain dynamics, though both face common pressures from glass pricing, energy code requirements, and labor availability in manufacturing.

Key Pricing Drivers

  • Flat glass pricing, influenced by energy costs (glass is extremely energy-intensive to produce)
  • Vinyl resin and aluminum extrusion costs for frame materials
  • Energy code requirements (IECC, Energy Star) mandating higher thermal performance
  • Low-E coating and gas-fill technology costs for performance glazing
  • Residential construction volume, particularly new single-family housing
  • Commercial curtain wall and storefront demand from office and mixed-use construction

Windows price trends

Historical pricing and 6-month forecast for windows.

Windows scorecard

Current direction, confidence, year-over-year change, and volatility.

Windows tariff & trade impact

How current tariffs and trade policy affect windows pricing.

Supply Chain Context

Residential windows are manufactured domestically by companies including Andersen, Pella, Marvin, JELD-WEN, and Milgard, plus numerous regional manufacturers. The domestic production base limits tariff exposure on finished windows. However, glass production is concentrated among a few float glass manufacturers (Guardian, Vitro, NSG), and glass coating technologies are specialized.

Commercial aluminum window and curtain wall systems are manufactured by Kawneer (Arconic), YKK AP, Wausau, and others. Commercial systems involve longer engineering and fabrication cycles, with lead times of 8-16 weeks for standard storefront and 12-24 weeks for custom curtain wall. Residential window lead times range from 2-4 weeks for stock sizes to 6-10 weeks for custom.

Windows supply chain risk assessment

Current risk factors affecting windows availability and lead times.

Seasonal Patterns

Window demand follows new construction cycles, peaking in spring and summer. Manufacturers announce price increases in Q1, often in the 3-8% range. Energy code transitions (such as new IECC adoption by states) can create step-function price increases as products must be upgraded to meet new performance requirements.

Year-over-year construction material price changes

How windows price movements compare across all tracked building materials.

Related Categories

For details on how we calculate these forecasts, see our methodology. View all categories on the Price Index overview.

Frequently asked questions

Increasingly stringent U-factor and SHGC requirements mean that windows must incorporate better glazing (triple-pane in cold climates), low-E coatings, and insulating frames. Each performance increment adds 5-15% to window cost. The transition to IECC 2021 and beyond has increased window costs 10-25% compared to prior code cycle specifications.

Commercial curtain wall and storefront systems require project-specific engineering, custom aluminum extrusion, and quality-controlled glass procurement. Supply chain constraints on glass and aluminum can extend lead times beyond historical norms. Early design coordination and submittal approval are critical to meeting project schedules.

Vinyl windows are generally 15-30% less expensive than comparable fiberglass windows. Fiberglass offers better structural performance and thermal stability (lower expansion/contraction), which matters for large openings and extreme climates. Both outperform aluminum in thermal efficiency for residential applications.

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