If you’ve started researching window replacement in Phoenix, you’ve probably noticed that getting a straight answer about price isn’t particularly easy. Most window companies would rather get into your house, measure everything and give you a sales presentation before they’ll talk seriously about cost.
We understand why. There really are a lot of variables. But if you’re just beginning your research, you probably want to know whether replacing your windows is going to cost $8,000 or require a second mortgage.
My brother, Matt, and I get these questions all the time. So let’s talk about it.
The cost to replace windows in Arizona varies considerably based on the number and size of your windows, the material and manufacturer you choose, the type of glass, and how complicated the installation is. It also depends, sometimes dramatically, on who you buy the windows from.
For many standard residential projects in the Phoenix area, professionally installed replacement windows can broadly fall somewhere around $400 to $1,200+ per window. Premium products, oversized windows, specialty shapes and complicated installations can cost considerably more.
That’s obviously a huge range, so here’s what actually determines where your home will fall within it.
What Affects the Cost of Replacement Windows in Phoenix?
The most obvious factor is size. A small bedroom window requires less glass and material than a large picture window overlooking the backyard. Larger and heavier windows can also require additional labor to safely remove the existing window and install the new one.
The style matters, too. A fixed picture window doesn’t have much going on mechanically, while sliding, casement, single-hung and double-hung windows all have operable components and hardware. Specialty shapes and custom configurations can add to the price as well.
Then there’s the frame material. Arizona homeowners will typically encounter vinyl, fiberglass, aluminum, wood and composite materials such as Andersen’s Fibrex®. Basic vinyl tends to be among the more affordable options, while premium fiberglass and composite products generally cost more.
That doesn’t necessarily mean the most expensive window is the best window for your house. Arizona is brutal on building materials, though, so we wouldn’t recommend choosing a product based on price alone. Phoenix windows spend years getting blasted by extreme heat, intense UV exposure and direct sunlight. What saves you a few dollars today isn’t necessarily what will save you money over the next 20 years.
Does Energy-Efficient Glass Cost More?
Usually, yes. In Arizona, this is one area where spending a little more can make a lot of sense.
When it’s 114 degrees outside and the afternoon sun is hammering the west side of your house, your windows aren’t just there to give you a view. They’re part of the thermal envelope protecting the conditioned space inside your home.
That’s why features such as Low-E glass, insulated glass units and a low Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) are particularly important when choosing energy-efficient replacement windows in Phoenix.
We occasionally see homeowners become so focused on the frame manufacturer that they don’t pay enough attention to the glass package. Both matter. A quality window with glass that isn’t appropriate for the Arizona climate isn’t necessarily a great window for your house.
When you’re comparing quotes, ask what glass package you’re actually getting and what its performance ratings are. Don’t settle for someone telling you, “Don’t worry, it’s energy efficient.”
Why Can Two Window Replacement Quotes Be So Different?
This is probably one of the most important things for homeowners to understand.
You can have two companies measure the exact same house and receive quotes that aren’t even in the same neighborhood. Sometimes there’s a perfectly good reason.
One company may be quoting an entry-level vinyl window while another is quoting a premium composite product. One quote may include upgraded glass, better warranties or more finish work. The installation methods may also be different.
But sometimes the difference has less to do with the window and more to do with the company selling it to you.
Large national replacement-window companies have enormous advertising budgets, sales organizations, call centers, layers of management and other overhead. None of those things are free. Ultimately, the homeowner is paying for them.
That’s one reason we always encourage people to compare the actual product and installation they’re receiving rather than assuming a higher quote automatically means a better window.
Which brings us to a company Arizona homeowners ask us about all the time.
Why Is Renewal by Andersen So Expensive? Is It Worth It?
First, let’s get something out of the way: Renewal by Andersen is different than Andersen Windows.
Andersen Windows makes excellent windows and doors. In fact, Vision Windows is one of very few Premier Andersen Certified Contractors in Arizona. We install Andersen products because we love them and because oftentimes they’re the best option for our clients in the Valley.
What many homeowners don’t realize, however, is that Andersen and Renewal by Andersen aren’t the same purchasing channel.
Renewal by Andersen is Andersen’s replacement division. Its pricing reflects the product, custom manufacturing, professional installation and warranty, but it also reflects the cost of operating a large national replacement-window sales and marketing organization. That makes Renewal way more expensive.
So, when someone asks us, “Is Renewal by Andersen worth it?”, our answer isn’t that there’s anything wrong with Andersen. Quite the opposite. Our suggestion is simply to compare what you’re actually getting for the money.
A better question might be: “Can I get an excellent Andersen product professionally installed by an Andersen-certified contractor without buying it through Renewal by Andersen?” Yes! That’s exactly what we do.
On comparable projects we’ve quoted, we’ve seen Vision Windows pricing come in approximately 40 to 50% below Renewal by Andersen while providing the EXACT SAME premium products and professional installation, oftentimes with BETTER customer service, patching, and clean up.
That’s a pretty significant difference on a whole-home window project. If you’re comparing bids, don’t just compare the logos at the top of the paperwork. Compare the products, glass packages, warranties, installation scope and final price.
Is It Cheaper to Replace All Your Windows at Once?
In many cases, replacing several windows at the same time makes the project more efficient on a per-window basis. There are fixed costs involved every time an installation crew comes to your house: transportation, setup, protecting the work areas, cleanup and other labor that doesn’t necessarily double just because you’re replacing twice as many windows.
That doesn’t mean you have to replace every window in your home at once. If your budget doesn’t allow for that, replacing windows in phases can be perfectly reasonable.
We’d generally start with the windows causing the biggest problems. That might mean failed seals, noticeable drafts, windows that no longer operate correctly or the west-facing side of the house that gets absolutely punished every afternoon.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Sliding Glass or Patio Door?
Windows aren’t the only giant pieces of glass attached to Arizona homes. Patio doors can have an even bigger impact on energy efficiency, appearance and the way you use your house.
A standard sliding glass door replacement in Phoenix might cost several thousand dollars depending on the manufacturer, size, glass and installation requirements. Large-format multi-slide doors, bifold doors and specialty patio door systems can cost considerably more.
This is also where a simple door replacement can turn into a much more exciting project. Arizona is one of the best places in the country for indoor-outdoor living, and many homeowners aren’t simply replacing their old sliding door anymore. They’re enlarging the opening or eliminating most of the wall altogether to connect the kitchen or living room directly to the patio, pool and backyard.
Once you start changing the size of the opening, however, you’re no longer talking about a standard door installation. If it’s a load-bearing wall, the project may require structural engineering and a new beam. There’s also framing, drywall, exterior stucco, paint and finish work to consider.
This is an area where Vision Windows is a little different from a typical window replacement company. We’ve completed hundreds of indoor-outdoor living transformations in Arizona and can handle the construction work involved with creating the opening, not just installing the door once somebody else figures everything out.
Vision Windows is a licensed Arizona contractor through the Arizona Registrar of Contractors, ROC #332700. Homeowners can also verify our contractor license directly through the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
That matters on projects involving structural changes. Removing walls, modifying openings and installing structural beams isn’t something we’d recommend handing over to a window salesperson who suddenly decided he’s also a general contractor.
Should I Buy Replacement Windows or Doors From Home Depot?
You certainly can, but here’s something many Phoenix homeowners don’t know. Vision Windows is one of the main installation companies Home Depot uses for large window and door projects in our market.
In other words, you can purchase the project through the big-box retailer and potentially end up meeting our team at your house anyway. Or you can contact Vision Windows directly and eliminate a layer, and some cost, from the process.
What Should Be Included in a Window Replacement Quote?
This is where homeowners can protect themselves from making a bad comparison.
If one contractor quotes $15,000 and another quotes $24,000, don’t immediately assume one is a bargain or the other is ripping you off. Find out whether they’re actually quoting the same thing.
Ask about the manufacturer and specific product line, not simply the brand. Find out what frame material and glass package you’re getting, including the U-factor and SHGC ratings. Ask exactly what installation and finish work is included and what happens if stucco or drywall needs to be repaired.
You should also know who will actually be standing inside your house doing the installation. Are they employees? Experienced installers? Subcontractors you’ve never met? Handymen? And who is responsible if something goes wrong?
Finally, compare both the manufacturer’s product warranty and any workmanship or installation warranty.
A $700 window and a $1,000 window aren’t necessarily comparable. At the same time, a $2,000 window isn’t automatically twice as good as a $1,000 window. The goal is to understand what you’re actually paying for.
So, How Much Should You Budget for Replacement Windows in Arizona?
There’s no honest way for us, or any other window company, to tell you exactly what your house will cost without knowing the number, size and type of windows you’re replacing.
As a starting point, though, homeowners researching window replacement costs in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler and the surrounding Valley should expect standard professionally installed replacement windows to commonly fall within a broad range of roughly $400 to $1,200+ per window. Premium products, oversized windows, specialty shapes, upgraded glass and more complicated installations can push that number higher.
But we’d encourage you not to make “Who has the cheapest windows?” your primary question.
A much better question is, “Where am I getting the best value for my money?”
You’re probably going to look through these windows every day for the next 15, 20 or 30 years. Buy a good product. Make sure it’s appropriate for the Arizona climate. Have someone experienced install it correctly.
Just don’t assume you need to pay an extra fortune because the company selling it has a bigger advertising budget or more sales representatives to pay to ignore the “No Soliciting” sign and knock on your door.
Already Have a Window Quote? We’ll Happily Be Your Second Opinion
You don’t have to buy anything from us to ask whether another window quote makes sense.
If you’ve already received an estimate from another Phoenix window replacement company, Vision Windows is happy to be a trusted second opinion. If you’re wondering whether you’re getting a fair deal, or whether you’re being completely bamboozled, send us the details and we’ll help you make sense of it.
The important part is making sure we’re comparing apples to apples. Tell us how many windows were quoted, their approximate sizes, the manufacturer and product line, frame material, glass package, window styles, installation method and anything else included in the proposal. If doors are included, send those details, too.
The more information we have, the better comparison we can give you. Sometimes we’ll tell you there’s a better option. Sometimes we’ll tell you the quote looks completely reasonable. Either way, you’ll have another experienced set of eyes looking at it before you make a major investment in your home.
Get a Straightforward Window Replacement Quote From Vision Windows
Vision Windows is a local Arizona window and door company serving homeowners throughout Phoenix, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Chandler and the surrounding Valley.
We install replacement windows and doors from the industry’s leading manufacturers, including premium Andersen products as a Premier Andersen Certified Contractor.
We also do something many traditional window replacement companies don’t: construction. When your project involves enlarging an opening, removing a wall, installing a structural beam or creating a massive indoor-outdoor living space, we can take care of the entire project instead of handing you a list of other contractors to call.
Our philosophy is pretty simple. Sell homeowners good products at a fair price, install them correctly, clean up when we’re done and answer the phone if they need us. It shouldn’t be revolutionary, but apparently, it kind of is.
Use the below contact information or submit a request here. We’d love to hear from you!
480-217-0151
