Local research · updated July 2026
Double-hung windows in Madison, Wisconsin
Two vertically sliding sashes; both the top and bottom sash open. For Madison's mixed-age housing stock (51.6% of homes predate 1980), double-hung window replacement is a common project — and in the ENERGY STAR Northern zone, the number that matters most is a low U-factor (≤ 0.22) to keep heat in.
Short answer
Double-hung windows in Madison typically cost $680–$3,100 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 Madison (BEA Regional Price Parity, 2024). How we estimate →
$680–$3,100
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 Madison
51.6%
of Madison homes were built before 1980
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2019–2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
U ≤ 0.22
the ENERGY STAR v7.0 number that matters most in the Northern zone
Source: EPA ENERGY STAR v7.0
Is a Double-hung window right for a Madison 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 Madison's climate
Madison sits in the ENERGY STAR Northern zone (IECC zone 6A (cold, moist), Dane County), where the priority is a low U-factor (≤ 0.22) to keep heat in.
Double-hung sashes seal against weatherstripping as they slide, so they have more potential air-leakage paths than hinged styles. In the Northern zone, prioritize a well-built unit and a low U-factor (≤ 0.22) 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 Madison
Double-hung window replacement in Madison runs $680–$3,100 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. The mixed-age stock is the whole cost story in Madison. On a prewar isthmus bungalow, original wood openings are often out of square, rot-softened, or were never built to carry a modern insulated unit, and installers frequently push toward full-frame replacement over a cheaper insert — which raises the per-window price but is sometimes the only way to get a sound, weather-tight install. On a newer subdivision home with builder-grade double-panes, a simpler swap may be all that's warranted. Cold-climate glass adds up front too: low U-factor double-pane, and increasingly triple-pane, cost more but are where the heating-season savings live in Zone 6. Add a citywide permit requirement and, in the historic districts, a design-review step, and quotes vary widely house to house. Ask for itemized bids that separate the window unit from labor and any frame or trim repair.
That's the national range shifted to Madison's cost level using the BEA Regional Price Parity for Madison, WI (97.3, 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 Madison
A sample of companies with locations in the Madison market. See the full Madison directory for all listings, our map, and featured-partner disclosures.
| Company | Location | Request a quote |
|---|---|---|
 4.8 · 200,000+ reviews | Madison, WI | Get a quote → |
| 1Champion Replacement Windows of MadisonChampion | Madison, WI | Get matched → |
| 2Mad City RemodelingMad City Windows | Madison, WI | Get matched → |
| 3Mad City Windows & Baths of MadisonMad City Windows | Madison, WI | Get matched → |
| 4Pella Windows and Doors Showroom of Madison, WIPella | Madison, WI | Get matched → |
Renewal by Andersen of Janesville
4.8 · 200,000+ reviewsShowrooms in Madison & Janesville · serving the Madison 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 Madison homeowners directly.
Rebates & incentives in Wisconsin
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.
Wisconsin has been rolling out IRA Home Energy Rebate programs; whole-home efficiency retrofits can include windows within a modeled-savings project. Confirm current availability before promising rebate dollars. See our Madison guide for the full program list.
Double-hung windows in Madison: FAQ
›What efficiency numbers should a Double-hung window in Madison meet?
Madison sits in the ENERGY STAR Northern zone (IECC 6A (cold, moist)). Qualifying units need a U-factor of 0.22 or lower with an SHGC of at least 0.17. Double-hung sashes seal against weatherstripping as they slide, so they have more potential air-leakage paths than hinged styles. In the Northern zone, prioritize a well-built unit and a low U-factor (≤ 0.22) to offset that.
›How much does Double-hung window replacement cost in Madison?
A useful planning range for Double-hung window replacement in Madison is $680–$3,100 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. The mixed-age stock is the whole cost story in Madison. On a prewar isthmus bungalow, original wood openings are often out of square, rot-softened, or were never built to carry a modern insulated unit, and installers frequently push toward full-frame replacement over a cheaper insert — which raises the per-window price but is sometimes the only way to get a sound, weather-tight install. On a newer subdivision home with builder-grade double-panes, a simpler swap may be all that's warranted. Cold-climate glass adds up front too: low U-factor double-pane, and increasingly triple-pane, cost more but are where the heating-season savings live in Zone 6. Add a citywide permit requirement and, in the historic districts, a design-review step, and quotes vary widely house to house. Ask for itemized bids that separate the window unit from labor and any frame or trim repair.
›Do I need a permit to replace Double-hung windows in Madison?
Replacement generally requires a permit, and new units must meet the current energy code. See our Madison 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)