Window replacement cost in Seattle (2026):
per window, by material and whole house
HOW MUCH DOES WINDOW REPLACEMENT COST IN SEATTLE?
Replacing windows in a Seattle home typically costs $5,735 to $23,555, with an average of $14,453 (Angi, August 2026). Per window, Angi lists $350 to $2,750 in Seattle, depending on style and material. Seattle's 10.55% sales tax applies to the whole contract.
Whole-house window replacement cost
Angi says the median Seattle home is 1,890 sq ft with about 15 to 20 windows. Its Seattle page shows what a project costs at $750 per window:
| Windows | At $750 each (Angi Seattle) | With 10.55% sales tax |
|---|---|---|
| 10 windows | $7,500 | $8,291 |
| 15 windows | $11,250 | $12,437 |
| 20 windows | $15,000 | $16,583 |
| 25 windows | $18,750 | $20,728 |
| 30 windows | $22,500 | $24,874 |
Want a number for your own windows? Try our window replacement cost calculator.
Nationally, Fixr puts a single-story home with 10 to 15 windows at about $8,000 to $12,000, and a two-story home with 15 to 30 windows at $12,000 to $24,000. Fixr's average is $800 per window, with most between $450 and $1,200.
Cost per window by frame material
| Frame | Seattle (Angi) | U.S. (Fixr) |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $100–$900 | $350–$800 |
| Aluminum | $75–$400 | $200–$800 |
| Wood | $150–$1,300 | $600–$2,000 |
| Fiberglass | $500–$1,500 | $400–$1,500 |
| Composite | not listed | $300–$2,500 |
Cost per window by glass
| Glass | Seattle (Angi) | U.S. (Fixr) |
|---|---|---|
| Single-pane | $200–$500 | not listed |
| Double-pane | $500–$2,000 | $450–$2,000 |
| Triple-pane | $1,000–$4,000 | $1,000–$4,000 |
| Low-E coating | $300–$1,100 | $300–$1,100 |
Glass matters for rebates too: PSE's rebate depends on the window's U-factor, a rating printed on the NFRC label. Lower is better insulation.
Cost per window by style
| Style | Seattle (Angi) |
|---|---|
| Picture (doesn't open) | $65–$700 |
| Single-hung | $100–$400 |
| Double-hung | $150–$650 |
| Casement | $150–$1,000 |
| Arched | $350–$1,000 |
| Bay | $900–$7,100 |
| Custom | $1,000 and up |
Insert vs full-frame replacement
| Insert (pocket) | Full-frame | |
|---|---|---|
| What's replaced | New window fits inside the old frame; exterior trim and siding stay | Old window removed down to the framing |
| Cost per window (This Old House) | $100–$400 | $180–$1,500 |
| Best when | The frame is square, level and undamaged | The frame has rot, warping or damage, or you're changing size or style |
Fixr says hidden water damage or shifted framing can add "a few hundred dollars or thousands." Ask how the contractor will price rot found after the old window comes out.
Do you need a permit to replace windows in Seattle?
- Angi's Seattle page says Seattle doesn't require a permit for like-for-like replacement in existing openings, but does if you change window styles or create new openings.
- SDCI says minor repairs or alterations of $6,000 or less in any 6-month period don't need a permit, and that "changes to the building envelope" and work that reduces egress or light need one. A whole-house job is usually above $6,000, so confirm with SDCI at (206) 684-8600 before you start.
- Bedroom windows: a 2011 Seattle code solution for replacement bedroom windows says the new window must meet emergency-escape size if the existing rough opening allows it. For one- and two-family homes, the sill must be within 52 inches of the floor. Homes built before August 10, 1972 with higher sills can replace in kind.
- When a permit applies, SDCI asks for the NFRC label certificate to be shown to the inspector before installation (SDCI Tip 403).
Window rebates for Seattle homes
Seattle City Light, which supplies electricity in Seattle, doesn't list a window rebate on the heating and cooling page we checked. Puget Sound Energy does, but only for PSE customers who heat mainly with PSE electricity or PSE natural gas, such as a Seattle home heated with PSE gas.
| Old window | New window U-factor | PSE standard rebate |
|---|---|---|
| Single-pane | 0.23 to 0.30 | $50 per window, up to $2,000 |
| Single-pane | 0.22 or lower | $100 per window, up to $1,500 |
| Double-pane | 0.22 or lower | $100 per window, up to $1,500 |
| Double-pane | 0.23 to 0.30 | Doesn't qualify |
Before you sign
- Washington contractors collect sales tax "on the gross contract price," labor included (Department of Revenue). Seattle's rate is 10.55% since January 1, 2026.
- Homes built before 1978: Washington's Department of Commerce says renovation work on pre-1978 homes requires RRP (lead-safe) certification. Ask for the contractor's certification.
- Look the installer up on L&I's Verify a Contractor tool: active license, bond, insurance and past violations.
- For jobs of $1,000 or more on a home, the contractor must give you a written disclosure statement before work starts (RCW 18.27.114).
- Compare the number of windows, insert or full-frame, frame material, U-factor, trim work, disposal of old windows and warranty on every quote.
Replacing siding too? See our siding replacement cost in Seattle guide.
Angi cites the Journal of Light Construction (2024) for resale value: vinyl window replacement recouped about 81.6% of its cost and wood about 69.8%.
Frequently asked questions
How much does window replacement cost in Seattle?
Angi puts a typical Seattle window replacement project at $5,735 to $23,555, with an average of $14,453 (August 2026), or $350 to $2,750 per window. Seattle's 10.55% sales tax applies to the whole contract.
How much does it cost to replace one window?
Angi lists $350 to $2,750 per window in Seattle. Nationally, Fixr gives an average of $800, with most windows between $450 and $1,200.
How much does it cost to replace all windows in a house?
At $750 per window, Angi's Seattle figures give $11,250 for 15 windows and $15,000 for 20 windows before tax. Angi says the median Seattle home has about 15 to 20 windows.
Do I need a permit to replace windows in Seattle?
Angi says like-for-like replacement in existing openings doesn't need one, but changing styles or adding openings does. SDCI exempts minor alterations of $6,000 or less in 6 months and requires a permit for changes to the building envelope, so confirm with SDCI before a larger job.
Are there window rebates in Seattle?
Puget Sound Energy offers $50 to $200 per window for customers who heat mainly with PSE electricity or natural gas, based on the new window's U-factor. Seattle City Light doesn't list a window rebate on the page we checked.
Sources
- Angi — How Much Does Window Replacement Cost in Seattle? (updated Aug 4, 2026)
- Fixr — How Much Does Window Replacement Cost? (updated January 21, 2026)
- This Old House — Full-frame vs insert window replacement (updated April 23, 2026)
- Seattle SDCI — Do You Need a Permit?
- Seattle DPD/SDCI — Replacement of Bedroom Windows (code solution) and SDCI Tip 403 — NFRC labeling requirements
- Puget Sound Energy — Residential window rebate form 6683 (February 2026)
- Seattle City Light — Heating and Cooling Your Home
- Washington Department of Commerce — Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP)
- Washington Department of Revenue — Custom construction, Seattle rate change, RCW 18.27.114 and L&I — Hiring a contractor
All sources accessed October 12, 2026. Rebates and permit rules change; check the program and SDCI before you sign.
These figures are estimates compiled from the published sources above. They are not quotes and can't account for your home or your contractor. Rebate, tax and permit rules can change, so confirm them with the utility, your contractor and the city. Get written estimates from licensed, bonded and insured contractors before deciding. See our disclosure and disclaimer.