How Much Does It Cost to Board up a Window With Plywood? [2025 Data]

Boarding up a window with plywood costs $250 on average, and prices can range from $50 for a small window on the first floor of your home up to $500 for an oversized window. You may pay an additional fee of between $50 and $100 for an emergency board-up to maintain home security.

Window Boarding Cost Factors

The cost range to board a window varies so much because there are a few factors that can affect the price.

Size 

Larger windows require more materials to board up, and your local handyman service may need to bring multiple professionals to maneuver larger sheets into place to secure them. As such, you’ll see higher costs to board up large picture windows than you would with small transom windows, hopper windows, or mini sliding windows.

Handymen will also charge for a full sheet of plywood regardless of how much they need to cover your window, so the window boarding costs won’t change much until windows exceed the width of a standard plywood sheet—4 feet.

Number of Windows

Most professionals will discount the cost of boarding on a per-window basis if you guarantee them more work, so your cost per window could drop from $250 to $200 or even less if you’re boarding all of your windows in preparation for a hurricane or other major weather event.

Materials

Plywood costs between $0.75 and $1.25 per square foot, but remember that your professional will usually charge for a 4-foot by 8-foot sheet of plywood, regardless of how much they need to use over your window. You’ll pay $24 to $40 per sheet of plywood you need. You can also opt for oriented strand board (OSB), which is less durable but more affordable. OSB costs $0.50 per square foot or $15 per sheet.

There are two ways to board your windows: by screwing plywood into the framing around your window or by placing the plywood over the exterior and bolting it through the open window to a 2-by-4 braced across the wall opening on the inside. If you go the first route—a better option in extreme temperatures—you’ll just need to pay for plywood. If you go with the second option, you’ll pay $4 per 2-by-4 you need, plus $5 to $10 for the bolts and hardware.

Extent of Damage

If you’re boarding your window after property damage from a vehicle strike, a fallen tree limb, or blown debris, you may need to account for larger boards to cover damaged areas of framing. Damage beyond the glass and sashes could add $25 to $30 to your total if it means adding an additional piece of plywood to your materials list.

Location

Labor will account for 80% to 90% of the total cost to board up a window. Labor costs scale with the cost of living, so your location can influence the price, as well.

Emergency Services

Boarding a broken window is considered an emergency service, as you’ll need to restore your home’s security right away. Prompt boarding can also keep rain out of your interior, reducing the risk of water damage inside. Handymen may charge an additional $50 to $100 for same-day service, but you’ll only pay this for a single project and not per window.

Labor

If you don't want to do the job yourself, you can hire a local window contractor or handyperson to do it for you. Labor for boarding a window costs an average of $220 per window. Labor costs may increase in inclement weather or if you need emergency service, especially if it’s on a weekend or holiday.

Temporarily boarding a damaged window is a quick process, but boarding over windows in a vacant home may cost $300 or more for a more permanent solution. That's because the handyperson will have to do additional things like installing insulation and a vapor barrier to protect your home better.

Why You Should Hire a Window-Boarding Pro

While DIYing this job might save you $150 to $300 per window in labor costs, we don’t recommend it. Hiring a local handyperson will ensure the work is done cleanly and without error, which can become expensive since you’re dealing with cutouts and glass. 

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire a pro to board your windows 

Boarding up windows isn’t a fun job, nor is it one you need to spend your own time doing. Some other reasons to hire a pro are:

• They will be able to do it in less time than a DIYer.

• A pro will have no issue working on ladders for long periods of time. 

• Insurance is an important consideration due to the safety hazards—pros have it. 

• Pros will have high-power tools that make the job safer and faster. 

• A bonus is that a pro might notice an issue with your roof or gutters that you may have missed. 

If you want to DIY a window-boarding project

Some homeowners, especially those with single-story homes, might opt to DIY this project. Some useful tips are:  

• Measure twice, cut once. 

• Even if it’s more expensive, make sure your wood is thick enough to withstand the elements, but not so heavy that it damages the wall. 

• Use exterior screws—not nails.

• Ensure you aren’t drilling near any electrical lines or plumbing. 

• Wear proper eye protection and thick gloves. 

Cost of Common Add-Ons

While you’re figuring out the cost of boarding your window, you may want to budget for the following add-on services, as well.

• Installing protective window film: $5–$10 per square foot

• Adding insulation between the window and board: $2 per square foot

• Caulking around boards to prevent water intrusion: $10 per window

• Window repair cost: $180–$640

• Shutter installation cost for future protection: $300–$1,300

How to Save Money on Boarding Up Windows

Boarding windows is a relatively affordable project, but you may still want to consider the following tips for keeping costs as low as possible.

• Opt for OSB over plywood: OSB is half the price of plywood, so it’s a better option for affordability. Keep in mind that OSB isn’t as resistant to water, so only choose it for temporary boarding for security purposes.

• Board in advance, if possible: You’ll pay up to $100 extra for emergency window boarding services. When you have the option—like when preparing for a hurricane—schedule the service in advance to save.

• Get multiple windows boarded at once: Professionals will charge a trip fee for window boarding, so get everything done all at once to avoid paying the fee multiple times. Most professionals also discount per-window costs if you have multiple windows to board.

• Do the work yourself: If your window is easily accessible and there’s no risk of cutting yourself on broken glass, tackling the job yourself could save you over $200 per window on labor.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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