Why Are Windows So Expensive? (Top 11 Reasons)

 

If it has come time for you to replace some of your windows, you may be taken aback by the price that is charged for these windows.

Windows are one of the more expensive parts of a home, and there are some very valuable reasons behind this.

If you are in the market for new windows and have been wondering why the price is so high, we have all the answers you will need.

Here are 11 reasons windows are so expensive.

 

Why Are Windows So Expensive? (Top 11 Reasons)

 

1. Materials Used

 

The materials that windows are made of are going to increase the cost that you pay.

The high-end and good quality windows are made with aluminum and steel.

The cheaper windows are made with vinyl and wood.

The problem with the windows that are not made with high-end materials is that they are going to eventually start to fall apart.

The pricing is still high enough that they will set you back a good amount, and then you will be replacing them after a short period of time.

It makes sense to buy better-quality windows because they will last you longer and keep your home safer.

In addition, the materials used in high-quality windows can also do a better job of regulating the temperature in your home.

The development of these materials has actually gotten a bit less expensive in recent years, but the pricing you pay is still relatively high.

When you get a quote on windows, make sure you know what type of window material you are purchasing.

This can help you understand how much you need to pay and how the costs are going to impact the longevity of the window.

 

2. Size

 

Homes need windows to provide light and to make the homes more aesthetically appealing.

Many of these windows end up being larger in size.

If you are looking for windows that are not quite as large, then you may save some money.

However, you may also feel like you are living on the bottom deck of a ship.

Windows add a ton of positive benefits to a home, and therefore, creating them in larger sizes that leave the house a bit more open and airier is going to be a positive feature.

The larger windows are going to cost quite a bit more than the smaller windows.

Each of these has to be specially crafted, and as you can imagine, the development, shipping, manufacturing, and logistics on larger windows are much more complicated.

If you are building a sunroom and the entire room will be surrounded by windows, you won’t have much of a choice but to go with the larger size.

Many people opt to put one large window in a room as opposed to several small ones.

This tends to have a better architectural look than the smaller windows, all having a bit of wall between them.

 

3. Shape

 

The shape of windows can also impact the price that you pay for the window.

Most windows are rectangular in shape, but many can be in the shape of an octagon or a hexagon.

These windows have to go through some special manufacturing processes in order to achieve this type of shape and functionality.

The shape of a window needs to be carefully chosen and framed out accordingly to make it work in a home.

If these are all things you are willing to pay for, then you can get almost any shape window you would like.

When you stick with the more standard sized windows, you are going to get quite a bit of value for the money you pay.

If you have one window in your home that is going to be a more obscure shape, it pays to purchase something that is high quality and will last a long time.

You won’t want to have to replace a custom shape window at any time.

 

4. Custom Windows

 

Speaking of custom shapes, there are all kinds of custom features that you can get with windows.

When you are building a house, you are going to want to use as many of the stock windows as you can.

Stock windows are going to save you quite a bit of money as compared to custom.

When you have custom windows built, you can choose everything from material to size to tint and more.

Your order will go to a manufacturer, and you will be able to get the windows for your home custom ordered to the exact specifications.

For some people living in older homes, when windows need to be replaced, the sizes are a bit different than those of more modern windows.

This leaves another dilemma that causes the price of the windows for these homeowners to increase considerably.

Sometimes it can make sense to completely reframe the window and then put in the standard size windows.

The customized designs are best to avoid if you are trying to keep the overall price down.

 

5. Security Reasons

 

Windows are expensive because they are built to keep your home safe.

When you look at home security, you need to consider all access points.

The windows and doors are the most important parts of the home and need to be protected.

If a window is breached, then a person can gain access to a home and it can cost you quite a bit of money and result in a terrible experience for your family.

These security concerns are going to make windows more expensive.

When it comes to protecting a family and keeping people safe, most homeowners have no issue paying a little extra money.

With high-quality windows, you can protect yourself from hurricanes and also from a burglar trying to gain access into your home.

Essentially, homeowners have no choice but to protect their home with the use of windows, and therefore, the pricing goes up.

The product is not just a want, it is a need, and the manufacturers of windows know that they have something you need to complete your home.

 

6. Energy Efficiency

 

Windows are becoming more and more energy-efficient.

With energy-efficient windows, the home will stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

Typically speaking, the seals around the windows are the areas where the most air can escape or enter the home.

With older windows, these seals are not properly insulated, and therefore, it can end up increasing your electricity bill.

When you get a price for a new window, make sure to ask about energy efficiency and how you think that it may be affected by the replacement of a new window.

Sometimes knowing that your electric bill is going to go down, will help you justify the costs that you pay for a new energy-efficient window.

You will also make it so that your house is much more comfortable overall.

 

7. Operability

 

If you have experience as a homeowner, you know that windows can open and close in a variety of ways.

Some windows will have a crank that allows you to turn them to open and close.

Other windows won’t open at all.

Some can open from either the top or the bottom to let in the air in a variety of different ways.

The operability of the window is going to have an impact on the price.

People are going to quickly find out that the less your window can do, the cheaper the price you will pay for it.

If you are not a person who plans to open windows all that often, then choosing something that will not open can be a good idea.

Some of your windows will have to open as exit points should there be an emergency.

However, if you can avoid purchasing windows that have sophisticated opening and operability features, you may save yourself a bit of money in the end.

 

8. Installation

 

Another thing that makes windows so expensive is their installation.

Windows need to be installed by professionals who know how to complete this process properly.

For those who think installing windows is simply popping a window out and putting a new one in, the process is quite a bit more complicated.

Installation of windows takes quite a bit of time and effort, and the sealing around the windows is probably the most essential part.

Making sure that no air can pass in around the outer gaps of the windows usually takes both some installation and rough work and finish work as well.

Of course, you will likely need some molding and trim around your new windows and potentially some drywall repair.

This process takes a long time, and it can be quite costly.

You can save money on window installation by handling the process yourself, but it is quite a large undertaking.

Never try to install windows on your own.

You must spend quite a bit of time balancing the window and getting it square before you can simply screw it into place.

You will need an extra set of hands to hold the window in place for you.

As we already know, windows are expensive, and they are difficult to transport, so the last thing you need is to have one fall from the wall while you are working.

 

9. Longevity

 

Windows will last a very long time.

Most people only plan on putting windows in their home once in their lifetime.

You may expect to get 20 to 25 years out of windows, but some people are getting closer to 40 years before needing to replace them.

Of course, this will depend on the initial cost you paid for the windows and the climate and conditions where you live.

You will notice, in many areas, it is not the glass of the windows that starts to fall apart.

Instead, it is the surroundings that will deteriorate.

This happens quite a bit with wood windows as they are known for getting older, cracking, and having some issues.

Overall, the longevity of windows and the fact that they are built to last is going to cost you some extra money when you first purchase them.

If you look at it from the perspective of a company like Anderson or Pella, they know they only have you as a customer once every 25 years, and you will certainly have to pay for it.

 

10. Shipping

 

Windows are difficult to ship.

Depending on the size of the window, it could require a special truck to deliver it directly from the manufacturer.

You can expect to pay some very high freight charges for custom orders and for all window orders.

The shipping costs have to do not only with the size but with the fact that windows tend to be quite fragile.

Many of the windows today are made with impact-resistant glass, and although we don’t worry about the windows shattering and breaking, they can get scratched and damaged.

This is a tough cost to do anything about.

You will not have an easy time transporting windows on your own, and truly, it is not worth taking the risk that something could happen to them during transport.

The best way to cut costs here is to do as many of your windows as you can at the same time.

If everything can come over on the same truck, your freight rates will likely be quite a bit lower.

Anytime a company has to dispatch a truck twice, the rates will almost automatically go up.

 

11. Smart Windows

 

Last but not least is the fact that many windows in today’s world are smart windows.

These windows can sense the light and adjust the amount of light that comes into the house.

The windows may also be able to alert a security system if there are any breaches to the window itself.

Essentially, just like any other product we buy, there is now technology being included in windows as well.

The technology is always going to increase the cost that we pay for windows.

Technology will become outdated, it will need extra work, and you will have to spend time to get the windows upgraded and working as they should.

The advances in technology can certainly be a great thing at times, but other times, we end up paying the price for this when we should have just kept things simpler.

If you want to save money on your next window purchases, choose something that is not nearly as smart or high tech as the latest and greatest windows on the market.

 

Conclusion

Hopefully, these reasons have helped you see how windows can be so expensive.

There won’t be much you can do to avoid putting windows in your home, but you certainly can learn from this experience and choose windows accordingly.

Don’t get hung up on having the most features and benefits in a window.

Try and choose something that does a decent job of balancing the cost with the benefits that it offers.

Buying more than one window at once and completing a large portion of your home will certainly make the price per window a little easier to handle.

Purchasing great windows will not be a decision you regret.