Pricing sources checked October 27, 2026 · How we calculate
How this estimate is calculated: the formula, every input and five worked examples.
Illustrative outputs of this site's editorial pricing model (October 2026), not quotes. Change any row or option above to match your house.
Worked example: 15 windows on two floors
The preset is 8 double-hung windows on the ground floor, 6 upstairs and 1 picture window, in vinyl with Low-E glass, insert installation and an average-cost region. The calculator returns $7,000 – $15,150, typical $10,700 for 15 windows (average $710 per window).
| Group | Per window | Group typical |
|---|---|---|
| 8 × Double-hung | $450 – $950 | $5,450 |
| 6 × Double-hung (upper floor) | $500 – $1,060 | $4,500 |
| 1 × Picture | $400 – $1,200 | $750 |
Open this example in the whole-house calculator. The methodology page works through the same 15-window layout in composite step by step; this page uses vinyl and looks at the two choices that move a two-story total most.
What the upstairs windows add
Upper-floor windows carry a 12% factor for ladders or staging and slower work. If all 14 double-hung windows were on the ground floor, the same package would come to $6,700 – $14,500, typical $10,300, so the six upstairs windows add $400 at the typical point. On a two-story house, enter upstairs windows as their own row rather than lumping them in.
Same 15 windows, four frame materials
| Frame | Calculator output | Typical | Average per window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $7,000 – $15,150 | $10,700 | $710 |
| Composite | $8,750 – $19,000 | $13,350 | $890 |
| Fiberglass | $9,850 – $21,250 | $15,000 | $1,000 |
| Wood | $12,000 – $25,850 | $18,250 | $1,220 |
Frame is the biggest single choice after style: fiberglass is 1.40× and wood 1.70× the vinyl price in this model. On a 15-window job that's the difference between $10,700 and $18,250 at the typical point. The model's aluminum multiplier is a compromise between sources, explained under benchmarks.
Tips for pricing a two-story package
- Ask each installer whether upstairs windows are installed from inside or need exterior staging; it changes labor.
- Tilt-in double-hung sashes matter most upstairs, where outside cleaning isn't practical.
- Get the same specification (frame, glass, insert or full-frame) on every quote so the totals compare like for like, then check them against the range here.
Other quick estimates by window count
- 5 windows: replacing the worst few first
- 10 windows: single-story ranch
- 20 windows: larger home, one job or two phases
For any other mix, use the whole-house calculator or the main calculator. Every formula and multiplier is on the methodology page.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to replace 15 windows?
For a two-story layout of 8 ground-floor and 6 upstairs double-hung windows plus 1 picture window, in vinyl with Low-E glass and insert installation, this calculator gives $7,000–$15,150, typical $10,700. Fiberglass raises the typical point to $15,000.
Do second-floor windows cost more to replace?
Usually. This model adds 12% per upper-floor window; in this preset the 6 upstairs windows add $400 at the typical point compared with having them all on the ground floor.
Can I price different frames for upstairs and downstairs?
Frame applies to the whole job in the calculator. To compare a split, run the whole-house calculator once per floor with different frames and add the results.