Local research · updated July 2026
Double-hung windows in Birmingham, Alabama
Two vertically sliding sashes; both the top and bottom sash open. For Birmingham's older housing stock (70.9% of homes predate 1980), double-hung window replacement is a common project — and in the ENERGY STAR South-Central zone, the number that matters most is a low SHGC (≤ 0.23) to block solar heat.
Short answer
Double-hung windows in Birmingham typically cost $640–$2,915 installed per opening. The low end is a mid-grade vinyl insert from a regional installer; the top is a premium frame, a full-frame installation, or a full-service national brand.
NREL REMDB + BLS PPI, localized to Birmingham (BEA Regional Price Parity, 2024). How we estimate →
$640–$2,915
installed range per opening for Double-hung window, from a mid-grade insert up to a premium or full-frame job
Source: NREL REMDB + BLS PPI, localized to Birmingham
70.9%
of Birmingham homes were built before 1980
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2019–2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
SHGC ≤ 0.23
the ENERGY STAR v7.0 number that matters most in the South-Central zone
Source: EPA ENERGY STAR v7.0
Is a Double-hung window right for a Birmingham home?
Both sashes slide vertically and typically tilt inward for cleaning.
Where it fits:
- Traditional and historic home styles
- Rooms facing walkways, porches, or patios (no outward projection)
- Easy cleaning from inside on upper floors
What to weigh:
- More potential air-leakage paths than hinged styles at equal quality
- Half the opening ventilates at any one time
Double-hung windows and Birmingham's climate
Birmingham sits in the ENERGY STAR South-Central zone (IECC zone 3A (warm, moist), Jefferson County), where the priority is a low SHGC (≤ 0.23) to block solar heat.
Double-hung sashes seal against weatherstripping as they slide, so they have more potential air-leakage paths than hinged styles. In the South-Central zone, prioritize a well-built unit and low-SHGC glass (≤ 0.23) to offset that.
New to these numbers? See our plain-English guide to U-factor and SHGC and the full double-hung guide.
What Double-hung windows cost in Birmingham
Double-hung window replacement in Birmingham runs $640–$2,915 installed. The low end is a mid-grade vinyl insert from a regional installer; the top is a premium frame, a full-frame installation, or a full-service national brand. Birmingham pricing generally tracks or runs a bit below coastal Southern metros: labor is more moderate than Atlanta or the Gulf coast, and many jobs are insert replacements into sound mid-century frames rather than full historic restorations. Costs climb when openings are out of square, when sills are rotten in older brick homes, or when you add low-SHGC low-E glass and laminated/impact packages for storm resilience. Get itemized bids that separate the glass package, labor, and any frame or sill repair. With the federal 25C credit expired and no reliable local window rebate, do not count on public money offsetting the project.
That's the national range shifted to Birmingham's cost level using the BEA Regional Price Parity for Birmingham, AL (91.6, U.S. = 100; 2024). How we estimate local costs →
For a breakdown by frame material and install type, see our full cost guide.
Installers serving Birmingham
A sample of companies with locations in the Birmingham market. See the full Birmingham directory for all listings, our map, and featured-partner disclosures.
| Company | Location | Request a quote |
|---|---|---|
 4.8 · 200,000+ reviews | Birmingham, AL | Get a quote → |
| 1Champion Replacement Windows of BirminghamChampion | Pelham, AL | Get matched → |
| 2Pella Windows and Doors Showroom of Birmingham, ALPella | Birmingham, AL | Get matched → |
| 3Window World of Central AlabamaWindow World | Birmingham, AL | Get matched → |
| 4Zen Windows of AlabamaZen Windows | Sylacauga, AL | Get matched → |
Renewal by Andersen of Alabama
4.8 · 200,000+ reviewsBirmingham, AL showroom · serving the Birmingham metro
Full-service manufacturer and installer, transferable warranty, local crews. Why it's our Top Pick
Get a quote →Listings compiled from manufacturer dealer locators and public business records. Premier and Sponsored Partners pay for placement and are labeled as such; star ratings shown are reported by the partner, with the source and date beside them. See our advertising disclosure. Contacting a company shares your details with it (or a vetted local installer) so it can reach you about your project.
Are you a window company? Claim your listing to take quote requests from Birmingham homeowners directly.
Rebates & incentives in Alabama
The federal window tax credit (25C) ended for projects placed in service after December 31, 2025. If your windows were installed in 2025, you can still claim it on your 2025 return — but for new projects there is no federal window credit. State and utility programs are now the main source of window incentives.
Alabama's IRA Home Energy Rebates are administered by ADECA (Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs), which as of mid-2026 still lists the HOMES and HEAR programs as under development with no confirmed date for when households can access rebates. If and when they open, windows would generally qualify only through the whole-home HOMES modeled-savings pathway rather than as a direct rebate. Confirm current status with ADECA before relying on it. See our Birmingham guide for the full program list.
Double-hung windows in Birmingham: FAQ
›What efficiency numbers should a Double-hung window in Birmingham meet?
Birmingham sits in the ENERGY STAR South-Central zone (IECC 3A (warm, moist)). Qualifying units need a U-factor of 0.28 or lower and an SHGC of 0.23 or lower. Double-hung sashes seal against weatherstripping as they slide, so they have more potential air-leakage paths than hinged styles. In the South-Central zone, prioritize a well-built unit and low-SHGC glass (≤ 0.23) to offset that.
›How much does Double-hung window replacement cost in Birmingham?
A useful planning range for Double-hung window replacement in Birmingham is $640–$2,915 installed. The low end is a mid-grade vinyl insert from a regional installer; the top is a premium frame, a full-frame installation, or a full-service national brand. Birmingham pricing generally tracks or runs a bit below coastal Southern metros: labor is more moderate than Atlanta or the Gulf coast, and many jobs are insert replacements into sound mid-century frames rather than full historic restorations. Costs climb when openings are out of square, when sills are rotten in older brick homes, or when you add low-SHGC low-E glass and laminated/impact packages for storm resilience. Get itemized bids that separate the glass package, labor, and any frame or sill repair. With the federal 25C credit expired and no reliable local window rebate, do not count on public money offsetting the project.
›Do I need a permit to replace Double-hung windows in Birmingham?
Replacement generally requires a permit, and new units must meet the current energy code. See our Birmingham guide for local permitting and rebate details, and always confirm your installer pulls the permit.
Sources
- — U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (B25034, B25035)
- — EPA ENERGY STAR Version 7.0 Residential Windows specification
- — DOE/PNNL IECC climate zone assignments by county
- — NREL residential window cost analysis (planning ranges)