Local research · updated July 2026
Double-hung windows in Washington, District of Columbia
Two vertically sliding sashes; both the top and bottom sash open. For Washington's older housing stock (70.3% of homes predate 1980), double-hung window replacement is a common project — and in the ENERGY STAR North-Central zone, the number that matters most is a low U-factor (≤ 0.25) to keep heat in.
Short answer
Double-hung windows in Washington typically cost $760–$3,470 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 Washington (BEA Regional Price Parity, 2024). How we estimate →
$760–$3,470
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 Washington
70.3%
of Washington homes were built before 1980
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2019–2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
SHGC ≤ 0.4
the ENERGY STAR v7.0 number that matters most in the North-Central zone
Source: EPA ENERGY STAR v7.0
Is a Double-hung window right for a Washington 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 Washington's climate
Washington sits in the ENERGY STAR North-Central zone (IECC zone 4A (mixed, moist), District of Columbia), where the priority is a low U-factor (≤ 0.25) 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 North-Central zone, prioritize a well-built unit and a low U-factor (≤ 0.25) 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 Washington
Double-hung window replacement in Washington runs $760–$3,470 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. National installed-cost ranges are the honest baseline, but Washington layers on some of the strongest local cost drivers in the country. DC-area labor rates run well above national averages, and the housing stock compounds it: out-of-square masonry openings, projecting bays, and deteriorated wood sills push jobs toward custom-sized units and extra carpentry. In a historic district, Historic Preservation Office review adds time — clearance precedes the building permit — and often adds cost, because street-facing windows may need to replicate historic profiles rather than use stock product; wood or aluminum-clad units that satisfy review typically cost meaningfully more than builder-grade vinyl. Rear elevations are generally held to a looser standard, so many DC projects end up split: preservation-grade units on the front, standard product in back. Get openings measured individually before trusting any quote.
That's the national range shifted to Washington's cost level using the BEA Regional Price Parity for Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (108.9, 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 Washington
A sample of companies with locations in the Washington market. See the full Washington directory for all listings, our map, and featured-partner disclosures.
| Company | Location | Request a quote |
|---|---|---|
 4.8 · 200,000+ reviews | North Bethesda, MD | Get a quote → |
| 1Champion Replacement Windows of BaltimoreChampion | Rosedale, MD | Get matched → |
| 2Champion Window CoChampion | Fairfax, VA | Get matched → |
| 3Pella Mid-AtlanticPella | Beltsville, MD | Get matched → |
| 4Pella Windows and Doors Showroom of Annapolis, MDPella | Annapolis, MD | Get matched → |
Renewal by Andersen of the Capital Region
4.8 · 200,000+ reviewsShowrooms in North Bethesda & Fairfax · serving the Washington 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 Washington homeowners directly.
Rebates & incentives in District of Columbia
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.
DC's Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) has launched its roughly $59 million in IRA HOMES/HEAR funding, largely channeled through the DC Sustainable Energy Utility to expand income-qualified electrification and affordable-housing retrofit programs rather than broad market-rate window rebates. See our Washington guide for the full program list.
Double-hung windows in Washington: FAQ
›What efficiency numbers should a Double-hung window in Washington meet?
Washington sits in the ENERGY STAR North-Central zone (IECC 4A (mixed, moist)). Qualifying units need a U-factor of 0.25 or lower and an SHGC of 0.4 or lower. Double-hung sashes seal against weatherstripping as they slide, so they have more potential air-leakage paths than hinged styles. In the North-Central zone, prioritize a well-built unit and a low U-factor (≤ 0.25) to offset that.
›How much does Double-hung window replacement cost in Washington?
A useful planning range for Double-hung window replacement in Washington is $760–$3,470 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. National installed-cost ranges are the honest baseline, but Washington layers on some of the strongest local cost drivers in the country. DC-area labor rates run well above national averages, and the housing stock compounds it: out-of-square masonry openings, projecting bays, and deteriorated wood sills push jobs toward custom-sized units and extra carpentry. In a historic district, Historic Preservation Office review adds time — clearance precedes the building permit — and often adds cost, because street-facing windows may need to replicate historic profiles rather than use stock product; wood or aluminum-clad units that satisfy review typically cost meaningfully more than builder-grade vinyl. Rear elevations are generally held to a looser standard, so many DC projects end up split: preservation-grade units on the front, standard product in back. Get openings measured individually before trusting any quote.
›Do I need a permit to replace Double-hung windows in Washington?
Replacement generally requires a permit, and new units must meet the current energy code. See our Washington 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)