How to Choose the Best Replacement Windows for Old Houses

If the windows in your old home are drafty, damaged, or difficult to open, you can save yourself a lot of frustration—and save on your energy bill, too—by replacing them. But if you live in a historic home with original wood windows, that decision becomes more complicated. Keep reading for some tips on choosing the best replacement windows for old houses. 

Should You Restore Old Windows Instead?

If your windows are vinyl or metal and they’re significantly rusted or warped, replace them. But if you have solid wood windows, especially ones with historic and aesthetic value, consider the cost of restoring old windows instead (at an average cost of $360 each). The original antique windows in older homes were often crafted from durable old-growth woods, so they’re often worth salvaging if possible. Plus, by going the restoration route, you’ll hew to your home’s historic aesthetic. 

To determine which updates your windows need, ask your local window company for an estimate. They might suggest any of the following:

• Freeing up painted-shut upper sashes

• Repainting or staining frames

• Replacing broken parts such as glass panes, sash cords, and hardware

• Repairing rotted or damaged sashes

• Adding storm windows. Acting like ad-hoc air chambers between existing windows and home exteriors, these typically run $240 to $900 each, including installation. Although the upfront cost is relatively high, storm windows can save you 10% to 30% on heating and cooling costs.

What to Consider When Replacing Old Windows

Keep these tips in mind if you decide to replace your windows. 

Follow Regulations

If you live in a historic home, you might need to follow certain architectural requirements. For instance, you may be asked to use building materials authentic to the time period when your home was constructed. Check with your local municipality for details.

Consider Your Budget

Replacement is an option worth considering, as long as the cost of window replacement fits in your budget. You can expect to pay an average of $280 per window, but the actual cost varies based on size and on the designs you select. You may be able to save some money if you order a large number of windows at once.

In terms of the best designs of replacement windows for an old house, three primary cost ranges are available.

• Least expensive: Picture, single-hung, and pocket windows are the least expensive options, starting at about $100. Some of these designs can cost as much as a few hundred dollars.

• Average cost: You’ll find average costs with casement, sliding, and double-hung windows around $280. The priciest options in this group cost several hundred dollars. These are some of the most common bathroom and kitchen window ideas. 

• Most expensive: Bay, bow, and custom-made windows are among the most expensive types of window designs, starting at $900. They could cost several thousand dollars apiece in certain sizes.

Additionally, the number of panes within each replacement window affects the cost. Single-pane windows are the least expensive, with an average cost of $200 to $250. Double-pane windows have an average cost of $800 to $1,000, while triple-pane windows can cost $1,300 to $1,700. 

Respect Your Home’s Aesthetic

Choose windows that complement your home’s original architecture. If you own a home with a classic design, selecting the right window type for your home is important for maintaining your home’s vintage style. Some of the best styles of replacement windows for a vintage old house include:

• Cape Cod: bay or large double-hung sash windows

• Classic Cottage: double-hung sash with multiple lights

• Colonial: 6-over-6 casements or double-hung windows

• Craftsman or Arts and Crafts: casement or double-hung windows with long vertical panes

• Federal: double-hung windows with 12 lights

• Georgian: tall, double-hung windows with nine or 12 lights 

• Gothic: custom arched windows

• Greek Revival: double-hung sash with six lights

• Italianate: custom arched 1-over-1 or 2-over-2 windows with crowns

• Modernistic: plate-glass windows or glass block windows

• Queen Anne or Victorian: large bay and single-hung sash windows, although some elaborate homes had arched windows

• Ranch: double-hung or casement windows with a large front picture window

• Saltbox: double-hung sash with nine or 12 lights or diamond-paned casement windows

• Spanish Colonial Revival: custom arched windows

• Tudor Revival: narrow, tall double-hung windows or casement windows with multiple lights or diamond-shaped panes

In some cases, you may be able to add window treatment sets to help improve the charm without having to install costly windows, but this option will not increase curb appeal. 

Vintage vs. Modern Windows

Vintage windows tend to have a style that looks better on older homes, adding to the charm and personality of the structure. These types of old windows have complex frames and multiple panes, which was an important style element 100 years ago or more. Large panes of glass were expensive and difficult to obtain, so vintage windows consisted of multiple panes (or lights) connected using the frame.

Vintage windows typically have wood frames, as the vintage look is difficult to duplicate with vinyl, fiberglass, or aluminum frames.

Modern windows use a minimal amount of framing, as they feature larger panes of glass. This design allows more light to enter the home and simplifies cleaning and maintenance. However, modern windows may not match the vintage design of your older home. 

Choose the Right Window Material

You have five primary materials you can select for your frames in the replacement windows at the old home.

Wood

Wood-framed windows have been the most popular for decades—in part because they were the only choice. With an older home, wood often continues to be the best way to maintain the vintage style. However, if you prefer easier maintenance and a lower cost than wood-framed windows, other options are available, even if they don’t quite match the period and style of the older home.

Vinyl

Vinyl frames are highly popular with new constructions, as they’re easy to maintain and inexpensive versus most other options. Vinyl does not require regular painting. You may want to replace maintenance-intensive older wood windows with new vinyl windows, even if they don’t quite match the architecture of the home.

Aluminum

With aluminum-framed windows, you have a low-maintenance option that’s also more durable than vinyl while carrying a similar cost. However, aluminum retains heat and leaves the glass prone to condensation more so than other materials.

Fiberglass

One of the newer options is fiberglass frames. These are more durable than vinyl while remaining low maintenance. However, fiberglass does cost more than any other materials, and it won’t give you the vintage look you may want.

Composite

Composite frames use a mixture of wood fibers and thermoplastic to provide a look similar to wood without maintenance requirements. This makes composite a palatable option on an older home where you simply don’t want wooden windows. Its price is similar to wood, too.

Look for Energy-Efficient Features

Many original windows in older homes are single-pane—not ideal for energy savings. When upgrading, look for energy-efficient windows with two or three panes, a low air infiltration rate, and built-in weatherstripping and barriers such as low-emittance (low-E) coatings. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, windows with low-E coatings usually cost about 10% to 15% more than regular windows but reduce energy loss by 30% to 50%.

Determine the Level of Replacement You Need

You have a few options, depending on the condition of your existing windows. Here’s a rundown, ranging from the most to the least involved and pricey:

• Full-Frame Replacement Windows: If your existing frames, sills, and jambs are rotted or out of square, you’ll need to go this route. These windows feature complete frames with head jambs, side jambs, and sills. To put them in, your local window installer will need to expose window openings down to the rough framing.

• Insert Replacement Windows: If your window frames are sound and square, consider retrofitting. These fully assembled, ready-to-install windows, which range from $300 to $1,500 each, slip into existing openings and are fastened to existing side jambs. 

• Sash Replacement Kits: Go this lower-priced route if you only need to replace your sashes—not the frames or panes.

Choose the Right Size Windows

Careful, precise measuring is essential when it comes to ordering replacement windows. If you don’t want to learn how to measure for replacement windows or install them yourself, you’ll want to have your window company or carpenter measure the width, height, and depth of each opening. To ensure you get the right fit, be prepared to order custom windows. 

After all, most older homes feature window openings larger or smaller than today’s standard window sizes. This is especially important to remember after your replacement and while you’re budgeting for the cost to install blinds, as you may need custom support.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Installing new windows can be challenging and time-consuming. Plus, it’s critical that the installation be correct to ensure that your windows work properly, save energy, and last. 

Installation by a window company or qualified contractor may also be required in order to get the most coverage under a manufacturer’s warranty. For all these reasons, it’s usually worth hiring a professional when it’s time to replace your windows.