Bay Window Cost to Install or Replace [2025 Data]
Bay windows cost an average of $2,500 to install, and most homeowners pay between $2,000 and $4,000 to have one installed. Prices depend on the size, frame type, glass material, and more.
Bay windows come in a variety of sizes, but you can expect to pay around $100 to $150 per square foot for this project.
Larger bay windows may require structural reconfiguration, meaning the cost of an engineer, new drywall, and paint will need to be added.
Increasing efficiency with triple-pane glass adds about $3,300 to your all-in cost.
Labor accounts for 40% to 60% of the total cost, or roughly $1,000 to $1,500 per window.
A bay window costs an average of $2,500 to install, with most projects totaling between $2,000 and $4,000. You could pay as little as $1,000 for a smaller bay window with a low-cost aluminum frame, and prices can climb as high as $8,000 for a larger bay window with a high-end fiberglass frame.
Bay Window Size
The size of your bay window will be one of the most significant cost factors to consider in order to get an accurate estimate. You can expect to pay between $100 and $150 per square foot for your bay window. Small bay windows that you might place over a kitchen sink will be significantly more affordable than a larger one in a living room or dining room when it comes to both materials and labor.
The type of bay window you choose will also affect material costs, as rounded designs are more specialty options. For example, full bay windows use more frame material and glass than a Tudor bay window.
You can use the table below to get an idea of how much your bay window will cost. Keep in mind that labor prices jump up significantly once you get to a window that’s larger than 12 square feet, as your professional will need additional technicians to maneuver the window into place.
| Bay Window Size (Ft.) | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 4-by-3 | $1,400 |
| 5-by-4 | $2,500 |
| 6-by-4 | $3,000 |
| 5-by-5 | $3,200 |
| 5-by-6 | $4,500 |
| 5-by-8 | $6,000 |
| 6-by-6 | $5,400 |
| 6-by-8 | $7,500 |
Window Installer Costs
Labor accounts for between 40% and 60% of your bay window installation cost or between $1,000 and $1,500 per window. Labor costs can climb higher if your window is on the second floor or is challenging to access from the exterior due to landscaping features.
Structural Engineer Costs
Bay windows are significantly larger than most other types of windows, so if you’re enlarging your window to fit a new bay window, you may need to hire a structural engineer to plan out the project. Exterior walls are load-bearing, so an engineer can help ensure the window is safe to install and won’t compromise your home’s structural integrity. Hiring a structural engineer will cost an additional $550, on average.
General Contractor Costs
If you do have a structural engineer plan your bay window installation, you’ll then need a general contractor to make the necessary changes to your exterior wall before your window installer can proceed. General contractors cost an average of $250 to $500 for work on this type of window.
Additional Pros to Consider Hiring
Enlarging your wall opening to fit a bay window involves cutting out drywall, installing new studs, and cutting a larger hole in your exterior wall. You may need to hire the following professionals for the necessary build-back to restore your home to its finished condition.
Cost to hire a drywall installer: $150–$300
Cost to hire an interior painter: $20–$50 per hour
Cost to install window trim: $0.50–$10 per linear foot
Cost to hire a siding repair professional: $100–$500
Cost by Location
Where you live can affect your bay window costs in two ways. First, homes in more extreme climates are more likely to need more efficient types of window frames and insulated glass, which will drive up the material costs. Additionally, window installers charge more in areas with a high cost of living, so expect to pay more in states like California and New York and in densely populated urban areas where the cost of living is higher.
| State | Average Bay Window Cost |
|---|---|
| California | $3,600 |
| Florida | $2,600 |
| Georgia | $2,300 |
| Illinois | $2,400 |
| Michigan | $2,300 |
| New York | $3,100 |
| North Carolina | $2,500 |
| Ohio | $2,400 |
| Pennsylvania | $2,400 |
| Texas | $2,300 |
Additional Cost Factors
Bay window size and labor are the most significant cost factors, but there are some other things that can affect your installation costs.
Structural Changes
As mentioned above, bay windows are larger than double-hung windows, casement windows, and even picture windows in most cases. If you’re enlarging your existing windows to upgrade to a bay window, you’ll need to make structural changes to your wall to maintain proper support. The cost to enlarge a window averages $3,000, although the total depends on the size of your old window.
Frame Material
You can choose from five primary bay window options when it comes to frame material, and the one you pick will not only have a major impact on your window cost but also on the frame’s durability, curb appeal, and energy efficiency. Aluminum is the most affordable but least energy-efficient option, while fiberglass is on the opposite end of the spectrum in terms of cost and efficiency.
| Frame Material | Average Bay Window Cost |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | $2,000 |
| Vinyl | $2,500 |
| Wood | $2,800 |
| Composite | $2,800 |
| Fiberglass | $3,200 |
Type of Glass
In addition to frame materials, you’ll have your choice of glass for your new bay window. The standard is double-pane glass, which has two panes of glass with insulating gas sealed between them. Double-pane glass is more expensive than single-pane glass, but it offers a good balance of affordability and energy efficiency. Triple-pane glass is even more expensive, but it’s more insulating and blocks more outdoor noise.
| Glass Type | Average Bay Window Cost |
|---|---|
| Single-pane | $2,000 |
| Double-pane | $2,500 |
| Triple-pane | $3,300 |
You can also consider upgrading to low-emissivity (low-E) glass to boost efficiency or installing window tinting to reduce solar heat gain in hot, sunny areas. Winterizing your window in colder climates can help reduce heating costs, too.
Window Location
The location of your window in your home can also affect your installation costs. Easily accessible bay windows on the first floor are more affordable than those on the second floor, as your professional won’t need to use ladders, lifts, or safety equipment to maneuver your window into place. Expect labor costs to increase by 5% to 10% for bay windows on the second floor.
Number of Windows
Installing a single bay window will cost an average of $2,500, but the price per window could sit lower if you install multiple bay windows at once. Manufacturers and window installation companies will often discount each window if you order more than one at a time.
| Number of Windows | Cost Per Bay Window |
|---|---|
| 1 | $2,500 |
| 2 | $2,450 |
| 3 | $2,400 |
Hauling Away Your Old Window
Many window installers will include the cost to haul away and dispose of old windows in their estimates, but some will charge extra for the service. If your installer charges separately, expect your price to increase by $150 to $300, depending on the size of your window.
Permits
Some municipalities require that you pull a permit for window replacement, and permits cost between $50 and $250. You can get an exact price by asking your installer or by contacting your local building department to ask for their fee schedule.
DIY Bay Window Installation vs. Hiring a Pro
The labor to install a bay window costs between $1,000 and $1,500, so tackling the work yourself would save you a significant amount of money.
However, installing any window as a DIY project is risky, as mistakes can lead to costly water damage, a loss of energy efficiency and higher utility bills, and other problems that can easily outweigh your up-front savings. Plus, bay windows are heavy and bulky, so they’re much more difficult and dangerous to transport and lift into place.
It’s best to hire a local window company to complete the installation for you. Doing so is more expensive, but you’ll typically get a labor warranty and the peace of mind that you won’t be subject to leaks and other damages.
Bay Window Replacement vs. Repair
Replacing a bay window costs an average of $2,500 while repairing a window costs an average of $400. Even major bay window repairs like replacing window glass cost less than a full window replacement, averaging $1,700. In most cases, it’s more cost-effective to repair your bay window.
However, if you’ve had ongoing or recurring problems with your bay window or you know it’s reaching the end of its lifespan, you should replace the window rather than repair it. A replacement will cost more up front, but you could spend less over time, and you’ll see a higher bump in property value.
How to Save Money on Bay Window Installation
Bay window costs can reach up to $8,000, making them some of the most expensive windows to install. You can use the tips below to keep your installation cost as low as possible.
Keep your window size the same: If you’re replacing an old bay window with a new one, keeping the size the same can save you an average of $3,000.
Consider more affordable materials: You can keep up-front costs down by choosing more affordable frame and glass options, like aluminum or vinyl frames and single-pane or double-pane glass. Just make sure to consider your local climate and long-term costs, as more affordable materials tend to be less insulating and don’t last as long. Choose double-pane glass and vinyl frames to balance cost, longevity, and efficiency.
DIY what you can: Installing a bay window is a job best left to professionals, but if your project involves buildback after the installation, you can save a few hundred dollars by patching drywall, painting, and installing window trim yourself. You can also save on window cleaning costs and ongoing window maintenance by doing the work yourself.
Haul away your old window yourself: You can save $150 to $300 if you can haul your old window to the dump yourself.
Do Bay Windows Increase Home Value?
Yes, one of the benefits of bay windows is that they drastically improve curb appeal and positively impact home value. Replacing windows provides a return on investment (ROI) of between 80% and 90%, but installing a new bay window can drive ROI even higher, sometimes up to 95% or 100%. This is something to consider when using a window buying guide to determine if a bay window is right for you.
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.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can install a bay window in an existing house. You’ll need to have a structural engineer draw up plans to add the necessary support to your exterior load-bearing walls and a general contractor to make the changes to the framing around the new wall opening. This will cost an average of $3,000. After that work is done, a window installer can set the new bay window in place.
Bay windows are expensive mostly because their above-average size means higher material costs. Unlike bow windows, most bay windows also include casement windows on either side of a picture window, and the opening mechanisms for casement windows drive up costs. You’ll also pay higher labor costs to install a bay window, as you’ll often need multiple technicians to lift the window into place.
On average, bay windows are three times as expensive as a standard double-hung window, so up-front cost is a major drawback. They also let in more natural light than most other types of windows, which can be a positive thing, but it can also lead to more aggressive fading and UV damage to furniture and flooring. Larger windows allow for more heat transfer, so bay windows tend to be less energy-efficient due to their size. Finally, window treatments for bay windows can be more challenging to find, and they’re more expensive than those you’d place over standard-sized windows.
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