Vinyl is the cheapest of the three common window frames, fiberglass costs more and is stiffer, and wood costs the most and needs the most upkeep. Fixr’s January 2026 data puts installed prices at $350 to $800 for vinyl, $400 to $1,500 for fiberglass, and $600 to $2,000 for wood per window. Pella, a manufacturer, quotes higher installed ranges for the same three materials. The gap between sources is large, so this guide shows both and then looks at what you get for the difference.
For the broader per-window decisions, such as insert versus full-frame, start with our window replacement cost guide. This page is only about the frame.
Price Per Window by Frame Material
Three sources, three answers. None of them is wrong; they measure different products and different quoting habits.
| Frame | Fixr (Jan 2026) | Pella installed | Bob Vila (page dated June 2024) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $350-$800 | $800-$1,600 | $100-$900, average $550 |
| Fiberglass | $400-$1,500 | $1,100-$2,200 | $500-$1,500, average $1,250 |
| Wood | $600-$2,000, average $1,200 | $1,100-$2,200+ | $150-$1,300, average $800 |
| Aluminum | $200-$800 | not listed | $75-$400, average $275 |
| Composite | $300-$2,500 | not listed | $300-$1,200, average $900 |
Two things stand out. Pella’s prices are roughly double Fixr’s at the low end, which fits a brand-name product installed by a dealer. And Bob Vila’s older page puts wood below fiberglass on average, the reverse of Fixr’s ordering, which shows how much species, finish, and cladding move the number. Treat the table as a range finder and let three local quotes decide.
Fixr puts installation labor at $150 to $300 for a standard window, about 30% of a typical job, so a good share of the gap between frames sits in the window itself rather than the crew.
What 10 Windows Cost in Each Frame
Multiplying Fixr’s per-window ranges by 10 gives a quick whole-job comparison. The totals are our arithmetic.
| Frame | 10 windows (Fixr range) | 10 windows (Pella range) |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $3,500-$8,000 | $8,000-$16,000 |
| Fiberglass | $4,000-$15,000 | $11,000-$22,000 |
| Wood | $6,000-$20,000 | $11,000-$22,000+ |
For a whole-house version of this math at 15, 20, and 25 windows, see the cost to replace all windows in a house.
How the Frames Differ
The Department of Energy’s guide to window types describes each frame in plain terms:
- Vinyl: usually PVC with UV stabilizers, needs no painting, and resists moisture. Hollow cavities can be filled with insulation, which makes insulated vinyl better than standard vinyl or wood.
- Fiberglass: dimensionally stable, with air cavities that can be filled with insulation, giving it superior thermal performance compared with wood or uninsulated vinyl.
- Wood: insulates relatively well but expands and contracts with weather and needs regular maintenance. Aluminum or vinyl cladding reduces that maintenance.
- Aluminum: strong and almost maintenance free but conducts heat very well, so it needs a thermal break to perform.
The DOE adds that vinyl, wood, fiberglass, and some composite frames all give greater thermal resistance than metal. It does not rank vinyl against fiberglass on price, and it makes clear that the frame is only part of the picture. Glass coatings and gas fills matter as much, so compare the U-factor and solar heat gain rating on each window’s label, not just the frame name.
Lifespan and Cost Per Year
Fixr lists wood windows at 30 to 60 years with high maintenance, and says fiberglass is designed to last up to 50 years against about 30 for vinyl. Fixr describes fiberglass as virtually maintenance free, which fits the DOE’s point about stability. Those are single-source figures and fiberglass is an “up to” number, so read the math below as a best case.
Using the midpoint of Fixr’s price range (or its $1,200 wood average) divided by the lifespan, our arithmetic gives:
| Frame | Price used | Lifespan used | Cost per window per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $575 | 30 years | about $19 |
| Fiberglass | $950 | 50 years | about $19 |
| Wood | $1,200 | 30-60 years | about $20-$40 |
This leaves out repainting and repair, which fall on wood. Fixr says wood needs maintenance but gives no yearly cost, so we have not guessed one. The pattern is that vinyl wins on up-front cost, fiberglass can catch up if it truly lasts 50 years, and wood only competes if you want its look or are matching a historic house.
Which Frame Fits Which House
- Choose vinyl if the budget is tight, the house is not historic, and you want low upkeep. It is the standard pick for a whole-house job.
- Choose fiberglass if you plan to keep the house for decades or want a stable frame that holds its shape. Expect to pay more per window than vinyl.
- Choose wood or wood-clad if appearance or historic rules require it. Check local historic-district requirements before ordering anything else, since some districts specify materials. Clad exteriors cut the painting workload, per the DOE.
- Skip aluminum in cold climates unless it has a thermal break.
Before You Sign
Ask each bidder for the exact product line, the frame material, and the NFRC label values in writing. Two quotes labeled “vinyl” can differ a lot because of glass package, sash design, and warranty. Use our contractor quote red flags list on the paperwork, and run your own count in the window replacement calculator. If you are replacing windows mainly to lower bills, read new windows energy savings first.
Bottom Line
Plan on vinyl at the low end of any quote range, fiberglass at roughly 65% more at Fixr’s range midpoints (our arithmetic: $950 against $575), and wood at the top. For most homes, vinyl or fiberglass is the sensible choice, and wood belongs where the architecture asks for it. The cost per year looks similar for vinyl and fiberglass on paper, so durability, not sticker price, is the real question.
FAQ
Are fiberglass windows worth the extra cost over vinyl?
Possibly, if you stay in the house long enough. Fixr says fiberglass can last up to 50 years versus about 30 for vinyl, and the DOE calls fiberglass frames dimensionally stable with superior thermal performance. If you may sell within 10 years, vinyl is usually the better value.
Are wood windows more expensive than vinyl?
Yes. Fixr lists wood at $600 to $2,000 and vinyl at $350 to $800 per window. Wood also needs regular upkeep, though cladding reduces it.
Which window frame is the most energy efficient?
No frame wins outright. The DOE says vinyl, wood, fiberglass, and some composite frames all outperform metal, and that insulated fiberglass and insulated vinyl beat standard versions. The glass package matters as much, so compare label U-factors.
How long do vinyl windows last?
Fixr says about 30 years in its fiberglass article, though it gives no vinyl range of its own. Climate and installation quality change that number, so treat it as a general guide.