How Much Does a Garden Window Cost? (2023)

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 Inches	Materials Cost	Materials 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 Brand	Cost
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.

• Double-pane windows: These windows have two glass panes separated by foam spacers and insulating gas to keep heat out. They also reduce noise transfer.
• Triple-pane windows: These are similar to double-pane windows but with three panes instead of two. They cost substantially more than their double- and single-pane counterparts but offer maximum energy efficiency.
• Argon-filled windows: These windows have a nonreactive insulating gas (rather than air) between panes, further improving insulation. Argon is the most common and inexpensive option.
• Krypton-filled windows: Krypton is more insulating than argon, but these windows are more expensive and difficult to find.
• Spectrally selective coatings: Window glass can be treated with coatings that help reflect or block heat without interfering with visibility.
• Low-e coating: Low-emissivity (low-e) window coatings screen out infrared or ultraviolet light without blocking visible light. In addition to reducing heat transfer, low-e glass helps prevent items and upholstery near windows from fading.

Type of Glass	Material Cost	Materials 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.

• Aluminum garden windows: Aluminum is the least expensive but also the least insulated frame option. Generally, aluminum frames are best suited to mild climates.
• Vinyl garden windows: Vinyl frames are low-maintenance and versatile, representing a good balance between price and energy efficiency .
• Fiberglass garden windows: Fiberglass frames are less common but highly durable and energy efficient.
• Wood garden windows: Wood frames are typically the most expensive option. They’re prone to rot and warping if not maintained properly. However, wood is the most traditional frame material, and many homeowners find it the most attractive.

Frame Material	Material Cost	Materials 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 Window	Material Cost	Materials 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.

 

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Benefits of Garden Windows

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

• Aesthetics: Garden windows are attractive looking, especially if they house plants. They also provide a better view of your home’s yard and surroundings. 
• Indoor gardening: Plants in these mini-greenhouses receive nearly as much sunlight as if they were outside.
• Natural light: Garden windows have transparent side panels that fill the window opening, letting in maximum light.
• Ventilation: If you install an operable garden window, you can let in fresh air through the panels.

 

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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.

 

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How to Hire a Professional

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

• Ask whether the contractor has specific experience installing garden windows, as these are complex and unusual installations.
• All companies should have a valid contractor’s license, and all workers should be bonded and insured.
• Check the company’s Better Business Bureau page for its rating and accreditation. You can also see how the company has responded to any past complaints.
• Likewise, check customer reviews on sites such as Trustpilot. Ask the company for references from satisfied customers.
• When possible, get an itemized quote so you know where your money will go.

 

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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. 

• What is the overall cost estimate?
• Is interior and exterior trim included? 
• Does this type of installation require permits?
• How long will the project take from start to finish? 
• Will the work be subcontracted?
• Do I need to be present during installation? 
• Do you offer a workmanship warranty?

 

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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.

• Choose a small garden window with fixed panels for the lowest material costs.
• Vinyl windows are typically the most affordable replacement windows because they balance price and energy efficiency.
• Choose a high-quality window with multiple panes of low-e glass to help keep utility bills low.
• Window installers are often busiest during spring and summer, so they charge more for labor. When possible, install your garden window in the offseason instead.
• Ask if there’s any preparation or cleanup work you can do yourself to save on installation costs.
• Get quotes from at least three local window companies before making your choice.

 

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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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