Not knowing what a repair should cost is often worse than the repair itself. You see the crack or the fog every day, but you put off calling because you're bracing for a big number, or for a sales visit just to find out.
Here's what drives the price of new window glass, how glass-only repair compares to a full window, and how to get your exact number from a couple of photos without anyone coming to your house first.
How much does it cost to replace a double pane window glass?
It depends mostly on the size of the sealed unit and the kind of glass in it. A regular-size clear double-pane unit costs less than a large, tempered, or Low-E one. That's why we don't publish a range for it. Because you keep the frame, it's a smaller job than replacing the whole window.
A double-pane window has two sheets of glass with a sealed space between them. We call that whole piece the "sealed unit," and it's what gets replaced. The frame, sash, and trim stay where they are.
If you're seeing fog or haze between the panes that won't wipe off, the seal has failed and moisture got in. Replacing the sealed unit clears it. For more on that, see our foggy window repair guide.
What affects the price of window glass replacement?
Five things move the price most: the size of the glass, the type of glass, whether it's single or double pane, where the window is, and whether the window needs anything else, like hardware or a screen. Every job is priced on its own, so these details decide your number.
- Size. Bigger panes take more glass and more handling. A small bathroom window and a large picture window are very different jobs.
- Single or double pane. A double-pane sealed unit is built from two sheets of glass and a seal, so it costs more than a single pane of the same size.
- Type of glass. Regular clear glass is the simplest. Tempered, Low-E, argon-filled, textured, and colored glass cost more and have to be ordered.
- Where the window is. A ground-floor window is easier to reach than one high up or in a tight spot.
- What else it needs. Glass only, or glass plus a new balance, lock, or screen while we're there.
What the price doesn't depend on: knowing the right words. You don't need to know the glass type or part names. The photos usually tell us, and if they don't, we'll ask.
What do the different glass types mean for cost?
Clear glass is the most common and the quickest to replace. Safety and specialty glass, like tempered, Low-E, textured, and colored, costs more, has to be ordered, and takes longer: usually 2 to 3 weeks after we measure. Here's what each one is, in plain terms.
- Clear glass: regular window glass. Regular-size clear single or double-pane glass is usually replaced in one visit, most of the time within 2 hours.
- Tempered glass: safety glass that breaks into small pieces instead of sharp shards. Common in doors. It always has to be ordered, even when it's clear.
- Low-E glass: glass with a thin, invisible coating that reflects heat.
- Argon: a gas sealed between the panes of some double-pane units.
- Textured glass: patterned glass, often used for privacy.
- Colored glass: tinted glass.
What does it cost to fix a foggy, cracked, or broken window?
Each of these is priced by the size and type of glass involved, not by the problem's name. A crack and a full break in the same pane usually need the same new glass. Foggy double-pane glass needs a new sealed unit. Here's how common problems line up with the usual fix.
- Crack in a single-pane window
- Likely fix: New single pane
- What sets the price: Size of the pane
- Crack or break in a double-pane window
- Likely fix: New double-pane sealed unit
- What sets the price: Size of the unit and type of glass
- Fog or haze between the panes
- Likely fix: New double-pane sealed unit
- What sets the price: Size of the unit and any Low-E coating
- Broken tempered glass (often in doors)
- Likely fix: New tempered glass, ordered
- What sets the price: Size of the glass, since tempered glass is ordered
- Broken sliding or patio door glass
- Likely fix: New door glass
- What sets the price: Size and type of the door glass
- Window won't stay up, lock, or open
- Likely fix: Hardware repair, no new glass
- What sets the price: The part needed, and no charge if we can't repair it
- Torn window screen
- Likely fix: Rescreen or a new screen
- What sets the price: Number and size of screens
Your exact price for any of these comes from two photos, usually within minutes during business hours.
If a pane is broken and the opening is exposed, board-up is available on request while you wait for the glass. For hardware, one promise: if we can't repair a hardware problem, we don't charge for that repair or the attempt.
Is replacing the glass cheaper than replacing the window?
Usually, yes. Glass replacement keeps your frame, sash, trim, and paint, so you're paying for the glass and the work to install it, not for a new window and the work around the opening. A full replacement can also bring trim, paint, or siding work with it. In our experience, a glass repair usually costs about a third of a medium-quality full window replacement, and about a fifth of a high-end one.
- What you pay for
- Replacing just the glass: The new glass or sealed unit, plus installation
- Replacing the whole window: A new frame, sash, glass, and installation
- Extra work around the opening
- Replacing just the glass: Usually none
- Replacing the whole window: Can include trim, paint, or siding repairs
- Matching your other windows
- Replacing just the glass: The window still looks like its neighbors
- Replacing the whole window: A new unit may look different
- Timing
- Replacing just the glass: Usually one visit for regular clear glass
- Replacing the whole window: A larger install project
That said, glass isn't always the answer. If the frame is rotted, or cracked or warped too badly to hold new glass, new glass won't hold properly, and paying for it would waste your money. In that case a new window is the right call, and we'll tell you so. We don't sell or install full windows. Our guide to whether you should repair or replace windows covers the signs.
Why don't you list one price for every window?
Because windows aren't one size or one type. Two windows that look alike from the street can need very different glass. Pricing each job on its own means you pay for what your window actually needs, a fair price for the right repair, rather than one flat number that has to stretch to cover every possible case.
We're not trying to hide the number. We just want it to be the right one. That's why the first step is photos instead of a sales visit. You see your price before you book, and nothing is scheduled until you say yes.
How do I get an exact price from a photo?
Send two photos: one of the full window taken from inside and one close-up of the crack, break, or fog. Photo review is free. If the photos show what we need, we can usually send a price within minutes during business hours.
- Photo one: the whole window from inside, so we can see its size and type.
- Photo two: a close-up of the problem.
- Send them at https://2hourglass.com/start-service or by text to (267) 458-7879.
- Get your price. If anything is unclear, we'll ask a quick question.
- Book if it works for you. Same-day or same-week appointments when available.
Removal of the old glass, disposal, and clean-up are included in the job. Wood windows with a special paint finish may need a little touch-up after the glass goes in.
Does the price include a warranty?
Yes. Double-pane glass we install comes with our Lifetime Seal Warranty. If the seal fails and fog or moisture shows up between the panes, covered labor and materials cost you nothing. The warranty stays no matter who owns the property, as long as the glass is still in the same window, the sash is still in the same frame, and nothing has been altered. It doesn't cover impact or misuse damage. Details are at https://2hourglass.com/warranty.
What customers say
"I text 2 hour glass and it was answered right away. They told me to take a picture of my broken window send it to them and they would get back to me with an estimate of the cost to repair. Within 10 minutes I had an estimate so I made an appointment. The tech who showed up was professional and courteous. He had completed the job in about 30 Minutes. Very good price and would definitely recommend."
Vinny, Google review
We have 2,000+ reviews across Google, Yelp, Facebook, Angi, Thumbtack, and Housecall Pro, including a 5.0 average from 1,358 Google reviews. You can read more at https://2hourglass.com/reviews.
Frequently asked questions
How much does window glass replacement cost?
It depends on the size and type of glass and where the window is. We don't publish price ranges, because a range would mislead: the price depends on your exact glass and window. Send two photos and we can usually send your exact price within minutes during business hours.
Is double-pane glass more expensive to replace than single pane?
Usually, yes, because a double-pane sealed unit is made of two sheets of glass and a seal. You still keep your frame, so it's a smaller job than a new window.
How long does window glass replacement take?
Regular-size clear glass is usually replaced in one visit, most of the time within 2 hours. Tempered, textured, colored, and Low-E or argon glass is measured first and installed when it arrives, usually 2 to 3 weeks later.
Should I repair or replace the window instead?
If the frame is solid, replacing only the glass is usually the better fit. If the frame is rotted, or cracked or warped too badly to hold new glass, a new window is the right answer.
Do you charge to look at my photos?
No. Photo review is free.
What photos should I send?
One photo of the full window taken from inside and one close-up of the problem. That's usually all we need to give you a price.
What areas do you serve?
We serve Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester counties in Pennsylvania, plus 13 New Jersey counties: Camden, Burlington, Mercer, Gloucester, Salem, Atlantic, Ocean, Monmouth, Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex, Morris, and Essex. Not sure about your address? Check your ZIP below, or send a few photos and we'll confirm we can get to you.
Where we work
2HourGlass is a local PA and NJ team focused on window glass and hardware repair, with repair before replacement. We serve Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester counties in Pennsylvania, plus 13 counties in New Jersey. When you call or text, you reach a real person, not a call center.
