How Much Does Window Restoration Cost? [2025 Data]

Window restoration costs run between $80 and $1,800, with an average cost of $400. But your window’s size, type, and any broken parts will influence what you pay.

Perhaps you bought a century-old Victorian, and the air is leaking through the window due to aging. Or maybe there’s a crack in the glass, or the wooden frame is rotting. No matter the issue, deciding whether it’s worth restoring old windows often comes down to cost.

Window Restoration Cost Factors

Many factors contribute to the cost of window restoration, doubly so for windows older than 50 years—and that isn’t even taking into account replacing rotted window frames. There are historical restoration requirements for certain old houses which can easily double or triple the cost of restoration. Material matters as well, regardless of age, as certain materials are easier to restore than others which may require certain chemical applications. Finally, unique window designs require extra care as they are often very expensive to replace if damaged.

Number of Windows

The number of windows you restore increases the cost. While there is some economy of scale, remember that you are paying for mostly labor to complete the work. This means you can only save so much, so while you may end up restoring 20 or more windows, you’ll only get a labor discount of about 5% to 10%. 

Age of the Windows

Restoring old windows in homes that are more than 50 years old can double or triple the overall project pricing. Older windows are built of older wood and if you are restoring them, such wood requires intense care so as to not damage it. Contractors will also need to work slower to avoid making costly mistakes that could damage either the glass or the wood. Since labor is the major cost, this adds up quickly. Lead, outdated hardware, and deterioration also play into the cost of older windows. 

Window Material

Wood windows are almost always the most expensive to restore. This is because wood changes over time and can warp, discolor, or lose strength. Other more hardy materials like steel, aluminum, and certain composite take less time to restore and are less costly to replace than most woods. However, most homeowners choose to keep window frames the same material throughout the whole house. If you want to keep the original wood, it can add to the total cost. An alternative is to use a variety of materials and paint over them, but this can detract from the uniqueness of the old window, and in some jurisdictions, you may not even be allowed to. 

Uniqueness of the Windows

On top of older windows being expensive, some may even predate large-scale manufacturing. This means that every window may be unique. These types of windows require skilled craftsmanship, which comes at a premium. In addition to the increased labor cost, many unique windows either require the sourcing of special materials or, in some cases, making those materials from scratch (such as with custom hinges or wood detailing). Like many other parts of a house, the more custom the work, the higher the total cost will be. 

Code Requirements and Historic Architectural Standards

Sometimes historical homes don’t meet modern building requirements, requiring restoration of windows that both look like the original but meet modern safety and building standards. Certain homes may even have clauses in place requiring the local government to approve any work being done. This includes window restoration. A local window repair contractor can help you liaise with the city, making sure that any work performed matches the requirements. In some cases, you may need a building permit. 

Restoring vs. Replacing Old Windows

Before you break out your woodworking tools, the first thing you need to evaluate is whether to restore your old windows or if it's better to replace them entirely. A careful look at the sash that the window sits atop, the seam along the edge of the glass, and the framing against both the exterior of the building and the glass itself will tell you everything you need to know about the condition of your old window.

Routine failure along the bottom edge, where moisture and rot coalesce, is perhaps the most important spot to check when inspecting an old window. If the wood is spongy or if the metal has rusted beyond normal surface wear, you’ll want to reconsider restoration. There are products used in historical work that address these issues and that you might be able to use for a DIY window project, but you’ll need to carefully research the process as skill is required.

Ways to Save on Window Restoration Projects

There are not as many opportunities to save on older window restoration as there are replacing or restoring modern windows. This is because there is a small pool of qualified professionals and the rarity of materials. Historic window restoration isn’t a DIY project as it takes years of practice and experience working with the unique materials. 

However, you can save some money by:

• Hiring local craftspeople familiar with your house or type of window. 

• Looking into grants and tax credits for restoring an older property.

• Scheduling off-peak with your contractors. 

• Buying any material you can in bulk. 

• Only doing a portion of the work at one time if there are budget constrictions.

Does Restoring Old Windows Increase Home Value?

Restoring windows (or replacing them) is a project that’s almost always worth the price. You’ll get around 70% return on your investment when you sell your home according to Remodeling Magazine. Plus, repairing old windows can make your home more energy-efficient, thus saving on electric bills.

Replacing a window costs on average $300 (per window), so depending how much restoration is needed, you may want to consider a full replacement instead.

Why You Should Hire a Window Restoration Pro

Hiring a local window restoration expert is the best way to restore your windows to their former glory. While it’s possible to repair minor damage, clean windows, and add a new coat of paint or finish to the trim, you’ll likely struggle to get the same results as a pro when it comes to more complex repair and restoration. The skills of a trained window restorer make the cost of $200 per $500 more than worth it.

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire a window restoration pro

Here are the top reasons to hire a window restoration expert instead of trying to handle this task yourself:

• Get a beautiful restoration project that fits seamlessly with your home.

• Ensure thorough repairs of any damaged vinyl or rotten wood.

• Improve energy efficiency through better heat retention and air sealing.

• Improve home security with sturdy, solid windows.

• Get slight discounts when restoring multiple windows at one time.

• Avoid the risks of working with hazards like leaded or broken glass.

• Maximize home value with professional restoration work.

If you want to DIY window restoration

While it’s possible to restore historical windows yourself, you’ll always get better, longer-lasting results when you have this job performed by a professional. If you want to attempt to DIY this task anyway, you’ll need to:

• Conduct a lead test and, if necessary, use containment methods and protective equipment to prevent lead paint from contaminating your home, your yard, and yourself.

• Remove both the top and bottom window sashes and the window stop.

• Remove the parting bead.

• Restore the window jamb by sanding and scraping built-up paint away.

• Replace sash ropes with quality cotton cords.

• Safely remove the glass from the window using steam to soften the putty.

• Strip all paint from the window sash.

• Repair wood rot and damage using wood epoxy or carpentry methods.

• Scrape and polish the glass.

• Reglaze the window by reseating the glass pane and bed it with an airtight seal of putty.

• Carefully reinstall glazing putty at a 45º angle with mitered corners.

• Repaint and seal the window frame.

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. 

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