How Much Does a Garden Window Cost? (2023)

By Rachel Newcomb

May 22, 2023
Herbs on a garden window sill

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Garden window prices typically range from $1,500 to $5,000 with an average cost of $3,250, including professional installation. A garden window, also called a greenhouse window, is a three-dimensional glass box that sits within a window frame and extends out from your home. This mini-greenhouse lets in large amounts of natural light and provides the perfect indoor gardening spot. Garden windows are most commonly found over the sink in kitchens but can be a great accent piece in nearly any room.

We’ve detailed the factors that affect this price and other essential information below.

*Article cost data via Fixr.

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Garden Window Cost Factors

The window’s size and brand, the glass type, and the frame material have the biggest impact on your project’s total cost.

Cost by Window Size

Larger garden windows require more glass and are heavier; thus, they’re more expensive to buy and install. The size you choose will depend on your budget and the window’s location. For example, a bathroom garden window may be smaller than one in a living room or over a kitchen sink. We’ve included average costs for standard garden window sizes, but custom sizes are also available.

Window Size in InchesMaterials CostMaterials and Labor

24″x24″

$500–$700

$800–$1,700

30″x30″

$550–$800

$900–$1,800

36″x48″

$600–$2,000

$1,100–$3,800

48″x48″

$1,200–$3,000

$1,500–$4,500

60″x72″

$2,000–$4,500

$2,500–$6,000

Cost by Window Brand

Many top window brands offer garden windows at multiple price points. Pella and Milgard are usually the most budget-friendly, while Simonton and Andersen have more high-end offerings.

Window BrandCost

Pella

$800–$2,200

Milgard

$800–$2,700

Harvey

$1,200–$3,800

Ventana USA

$1,200–$4,000

Simonton

$1,300–$3,500

Andersen

$1,400–$4,000

Cost by Type of Glass

Though garden windows are beautiful, they’re not the most energy efficient. They let in heat along with sunlight, forcing your HVAC system to work harder to keep your home cool in summer. Choosing windows with energy-efficient glass or multiple panes can reduce this heat transfer.

Type of GlassMaterial CostMaterials and Labor

Double-pane

$600–$1,000

$900–$2,500

Low-e coating

$700–$1,200

$1,000–$2,700

Spectrally-selective coating

$800–$1,500

$1,100–$3,000

Argon-filled

$1,000–$7,000

$1,300–$3,200

Triple-pane

$1,200–$1,800

$1,500–$3,300

Krypton-filled

$1,500–$2,000

$1,800–$3,500

Cost by Frame Material

Garden window frames are usually made from aluminum, vinyl, fiberglass, or wood.

Frame MaterialMaterial CostMaterials and Labor

Aluminum

$600–$800

$900–$2,000

Vinyl

$700–$1,000

$1,000–$2,400

Fiberglass

$800–$1,800

$1,100–$3,200

Wood

$900–$2,000

$1,200–$3,800

Labor Cost

Installation costs heavily depend on the window’s size and complexity. Small garden windows with fixed panes may cost as little as $300 to install, while a large, operable window may cost up to $1,500.

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Additional Factors Affecting Garden Window Cost

The following cost considerations may also come into play, depending on the specifics of your new garden window.

Customizations

As with any home improvement project, customization increases the price. This includes nonstandard sizes or shapes and ornate window sills and frames. Many homeowners who use garden windows to house indoor plants install one or more glass shelves, which typically cost $20 to $30 each.

Garden Window vs. Bay Window

Garden windows function somewhat similarly to bay windows, creating an open feel to an indoor space by letting in tons of natural light. While a garden window is essentially a box created with glass panes, a bay window is a group of three windows set at 45-degree angles to one another. Bay windows are also larger: A garden window usually offers just enough room for a small herb garden, but a bay window may include a bench seat or storage space. Because they’re more common, bay windows cost slightly less to install at $1,350 to $3,600.

New vs. Replacement Window

The average garden window replacement cost is about the same as a new standard window. If you’re replacing a standard window with a garden window, you won’t pay for labor to cut and frame a new window opening, but you’ll need to have the existing window frame reinforced to hold the glass’s extra weight.

Operable vs. Inoperable Window

Some garden windows are composed entirely of fixed panes, meaning they don’t open and allow in light but not air. If you want ventilation, you can install a garden window that has some operable sashes. Typically, this means the top or side panels will be casement windows that open on a side hinge. Operable garden windows cost slightly more than their fixed counterparts.

Type of WindowMaterial CostMaterials and Labor

Fixed

$600–$1,800

$900–$3,300

Operable

$900–$2,000

$1,200–$3,500

Permits

You usually don’t need a permit to install a garden window. However, you may need a permit if the wall needs significant structural changes, such as cutting a larger opening. Ask your window contractor if you have concerns.

 


 

Benefits of Garden Windows

Garden windows are somewhat unusual, but they have some benefits over similarly sized standard windows.

 


 

Professional vs. DIY Garden Window Installation

Garden window installation is typically best left to a professional window installer.

Professional Garden Window Installation

Garden windows are often heavy and unwieldy, so hiring a professional window contractor is usually the best choice. Top window installers know how to properly reinforce the window frame to support its weight and will ensure all the joints and edges are sealed to keep out rainwater and drafts. You’ll have to pay for labor, but the job will be completed quickly and correctly. If you want to cut a new or larger window opening, it should only be done by professionals.

DIY Garden Window Installation

Garden window installation is a complex project that only experienced do-it-yourselfers (DIYers) should attempt—and only if the window opening is already cut. The job involves carefully removing the old window, reinforcing the frame, putting the new garden window in place, and sealing everything against leaks. A leaky window risks compromising your home’s energy efficiency, so it’s usually not worth trying to save money by opting out of professional installation.

 


 

How to Hire a Professional

Do you research before hiring a window installer and check for the following.

 


 

Questions to Ask Your Garden Window Installer

Once you’ve selected a contractor, it’s a good idea to ask specific questions about the project before it gets started. 

 


 

How to Reduce Garden Window Costs

Even if you choose professional installation, you can save money on your project’s total cost with the following tips.

 


 

Our Recommendation

Garden windows add visual interest and lots of sunlight to your home. They’re great for home gardeners and cooking enthusiasts looking to grow their own herbs, or any homeowner who wants more indoor natural light. We highly recommend a professional garden window installation to ensure an airtight seal and optimal energy efficiency.

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Just answer a few questions, and we’ll take care of the rest!

 


 

Garden Window Cost FAQ

Why do I need a garden window?

Garden windows allow you to grow plants indoors while adding style to your home. They also save on storage space, with plenty of surface area to put your plants on rather than an indoor shelf.

Are garden windows outdated?

While garden windows aren’t as popular as they once were, they can still add to your home’s aesthetics by improving visibility and natural light.

Do garden windows increase home value?

A garden window doesn’t directly increase home value, but it can be a selling point for homebuyers, particularly in cooler climates.

What is the difference between a garden and a bay window?

Garden windows are essentially glass boxes with interior shelves, typically placed above kitchen sinks. Bay windows are larger and formed from three windows. They’re more often found in living or dining rooms.