Local research · updated July 2026
Double-hung windows in Portland, Maine
Two vertically sliding sashes; both the top and bottom sash open. For Portland's older housing stock (77.2% 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 Portland typically cost $715–$3,245 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 Portland (BEA Regional Price Parity, 2024). How we estimate →
$715–$3,245
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 Portland
77.2%
of Portland 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 Portland 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 Portland's climate
Portland sits in the ENERGY STAR Northern zone (IECC zone 6A (cold, moist), Cumberland 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 Portland
Double-hung window replacement in Portland runs $715–$3,245 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. Old openings drive the cost story in Portland. With a median build year of 1946, original wood frames are frequently out of square, rot-damaged, or too shallow for a modern insulated unit, so installers often recommend full-frame replacement rather than a cheaper insert, which raises the per-window price. Cold-climate glass packages — low U-factor double-pane, and increasingly triple-pane — add material cost up front but are where the heating-season savings come from in a Zone 6A climate. In the peninsula's historic districts, a requirement for wood or clad-wood units that match the originals can cost a multiple of a standard vinyl job. And unlike insulation and air sealing, replacement windows are not covered by Efficiency Maine's weatherization rebates, so the sticker price is closer to what you actually pay out of pocket. Get itemized bids that separate the window unit from the labor and any frame, sill, or trim repair, and be cautious of a single low number that hides scope.
That's the national range shifted to Portland's cost level using the BEA Regional Price Parity for Portland-South Portland, ME (101.9, 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 Portland
A sample of companies with locations in the Portland market. See the full Portland directory for all listings, our map, and featured-partner disclosures.
| Company | Location | Request a quote |
|---|---|---|
 4.8 · 200,000+ reviews | Saco, ME | Get a quote → |
| 1Pella Windows & DoorsPella | Rochester, NH | Get matched → |
| 2Pella Windows and Doors Showroom of Scarborough, MEPella | Scarborough, ME | Get matched → |
| 3Window World of Southern MaineWindow World | Westbrook, ME | Get matched → |
Renewal by Andersen Window Replacement
4.8 · 200,000+ reviewsSaco, ME showroom · serving the Portland 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 Portland homeowners directly.
Rebates & incentives in Maine
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.
Maine is generally a national efficiency leader, but its IRA Home Energy Rebates rolled out unevenly: Efficiency Maine (with the Governor's Energy Office) launched HEAR in September 2024 only for mobile homes and affordable multifamily, while the whole-home HOMES track — the pathway most relevant to windows — remained pending DOE approval and not open to standard single-family homeowners as of mid-2026. Confirm current single-family availability before relying on it. See our Portland guide for the full program list.
Double-hung windows in Portland: FAQ
›What efficiency numbers should a Double-hung window in Portland meet?
Portland 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 Portland?
A useful planning range for Double-hung window replacement in Portland is $715–$3,245 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. Old openings drive the cost story in Portland. With a median build year of 1946, original wood frames are frequently out of square, rot-damaged, or too shallow for a modern insulated unit, so installers often recommend full-frame replacement rather than a cheaper insert, which raises the per-window price. Cold-climate glass packages — low U-factor double-pane, and increasingly triple-pane — add material cost up front but are where the heating-season savings come from in a Zone 6A climate. In the peninsula's historic districts, a requirement for wood or clad-wood units that match the originals can cost a multiple of a standard vinyl job. And unlike insulation and air sealing, replacement windows are not covered by Efficiency Maine's weatherization rebates, so the sticker price is closer to what you actually pay out of pocket. Get itemized bids that separate the window unit from the labor and any frame, sill, or trim repair, and be cautious of a single low number that hides scope.
›Do I need a permit to replace Double-hung windows in Portland?
Replacement generally requires a permit, and new units must meet the current energy code. See our Portland 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)