Window replacement companies in Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia's housing stock is dominated by brick and stone rowhomes built long before modern window sizing was standardized, which means window replacement in Philadelphia often involves custom or near-custom units rather than off-the-shelf sizes. Homes in neighborhoods like Fishtown, South Philly, Kensington, and Mount Airy frequently have narrow, tall, or oddly proportioned openings that were framed by hand decades ago, and a contractor who doesn't measure carefully can end up with gaps, drafts, or units that simply won't fit. Because so much of the city's housing predates 1978, replacement windows in Philadelphia are also subject to the EPA's Lead-Safe Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) rule whenever the work disturbs painted surfaces in a pre-1978 home. This adds a certification requirement on top of the usual installation considerations, and it's one of the first things homeowners should confirm before hiring anyone. This guide covers what window installation in Philadelphia typically costs, how permitting works through the Department of Licenses and Inspections, what state contractor registration to check for, and how to plan for the city's cold, humid winters when choosing glass packages and U-factor ratings.
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Get 3 free estimatesTop 10 window replacement companies in Philadelphia, PA
The 10 Philadelphia window replacement companies with the most Google reviews.
- 1View on Google
Renewal by Andersen Window Replacement
4.96,245 reviews761 5th Ave #3, King of Prussia, PA 19406, USA
- 2View on Google
Window Nation
4.75,440 reviews9256 Commerce Hwy, Pennsauken, NJ 08110, USA
- 3View on Google
ARDMOR Windows & Doors
4.81,443 reviews1813 Easton Rd, Willow Grove, PA 19090, USA
- 4View on Google
Graboyes Window & Door
4.8650 reviews48 W Germantown Pike, East Norriton Township, PA 19401, USA
- 5View on Google
Window World of Philadelphia
4.8395 reviews253 Horsham Rd, Horsham, PA 19044, USA
- 6View on Google
Emerald Windows
4.9358 reviews2301 N 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19133, USA
- 7View on Google
Energy Windows, Doors and More
4.7273 reviews923 Haddonfield Rd Ste 300, Cherry Hill Township, NJ 08002, USA
- 8View on Google
Definis and Sons Window and Door Inc.
4.8147 reviews8312 State Rd., Philadelphia, PA 19136, USA
- 9View on Google
O & R Glass Repairs
4.6146 reviews3628 N 5th St, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
- 10View on Google
ProView Construction Inc
5.0113 reviews300 Byberry Rd Apt 313, Philadelphia, PA 19116, USA
Ratings and reviews powered by Google
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What window replacement costs in Philadelphia
| Vinyl double-hung window, installed | $450 - $850 per window (estimate) |
| Wood or wood-clad double-hung, installed | $900 - $1,800 per window (estimate) |
| Fiberglass window, installed | $800 - $1,500 per window (estimate) |
| Custom-sized window for non-standard rowhome opening | $650 - $1,600 per window, plus 10-20% premium over stock sizes (estimate) |
| Full rowhome window package (8-12 windows) | $6,000 - $16,000 (estimate) |
| Historic-district-compliant wood window replacement | $1,200 - $2,500 per window (estimate) |
| Lead-safe RRP work practices surcharge | $200 - $500 per project or added per-window fee (estimate) |
Ranges are general estimates gathered from homeowner-reported quotes in the Philadelphia area, not an offer or a quote for your project.
When to schedule window replacement in Philadelphia
Philadelphia sees cold winters with average January highs in the upper 30s to low 40s and regular freezes, plus humid summers that push cooling loads. This climate argues for low U-factor windows (0.27 or lower is a common target for the region) to cut heat loss, along with a solid low-E coating to manage summer solar gain. Because rowhomes are attached on both sides, window replacement is often the single biggest opportunity to cut drafts, since there's limited exterior wall exposure compared to a detached home. Fall and early spring are the most popular installation windows in the city, before winter cold or summer humidity complicate sealing and caulking work; contractors do still work through winter, but exterior caulk and spray foam need appropriate temperatures to cure properly.
Permits and HOA rules
Window replacement in Philadelphia generally requires a permit from the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) when the work changes the size, structural opening, or egress characteristics of a window; straight swap-outs that keep the same rough opening and don't alter framing may qualify for simpler review, but homeowners and contractors should confirm the current requirement with L&I before starting, since rules on egress windows (especially in bedrooms) and structural changes are enforced closely. Homes in one of Philadelphia's local historic districts, or individually listed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, also fall under Philadelphia Historical Commission review, which can require specific window materials, profiles, or muntin patterns to preserve the building's historic appearance rather than allowing any standard replacement window. Homeowners should check with L&I and, where applicable, the Historical Commission, before ordering windows.
Licensing and insurance in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania requires home improvement contractors doing work over $5,000 in a 12-month period to register with the Bureau of Consumer Protection under the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA); ask any contractor for their PA HIC registration number and confirm it's active before signing a contract. Because most Philadelphia rowhomes predate 1978, any contractor disturbing painted surfaces during window removal or installation must also be EPA Lead-Safe Certified under the RRP rule, with at least one certified renovator on site directing lead-safe work practices. Homeowners should ask contractors directly for both their HICPA registration and their EPA Lead-Safe firm certification, and should not assume standard licensing alone covers the lead-safe requirement.
Areas Henry covers
Fishtown · South Philadelphia · Kensington · Mount Airy · Germantown · Fairmount · West Philadelphia · Society Hill · Manayunk · Northern Liberties
Common questions
Do I need a permit to replace windows in my Philadelphia rowhome?
It depends on the scope of work. Replacements that keep the same rough opening size and don't affect egress or structural elements are often treated differently than projects that change the opening. Check with the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) to confirm requirements for your specific project before work begins.
Why does my contractor need EPA lead certification?
Most Philadelphia homes were built before 1978, when lead-based paint was commonly used. Under the EPA's RRP rule, contractors disturbing painted surfaces in these homes during window replacement must be Lead-Safe Certified and follow specific containment and cleanup procedures.
What is PA HICPA registration and why does it matter?
Pennsylvania's Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act requires contractors performing work over $5,000 in a year to register with the Bureau of Consumer Protection. Ask for a contractor's HIC registration number and confirm it's active before hiring.
Can I install standard-size windows in my rowhome?
Many Philadelphia rowhomes have non-standard opening sizes due to how they were originally hand-framed. Accurate individual measurement is important, and custom or semi-custom sizing is common, particularly on older blocks.
What U-factor should I look for given Philadelphia's climate?
Many homeowners target a U-factor of 0.27 or lower for good cold-weather performance. Check the NFRC label on any proposed window and compare it against ENERGY STAR's criteria for the Northern climate zone.
Does living in a historic district affect my window choices?
Yes. Properties in a Philadelphia Historical Commission-designated district, or individually listed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, typically need replacement windows that match the historic profile, material, and configuration, which can affect both cost and material choice.
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