Service life
How Long Do Windows Last?
Vinyl windows last 20–30 years, fiberglass and aluminum-clad wood 30–40, and the insulated glass seal itself typically 15–25 years — seal failure is usually what triggers replacement rather than the frame.
Verified August 2026
Typical service life
20–40 years
Longest-lived option
40 years
Fiberglass
Shortest-lived option
20 years
Vinyl
How long do windows last?
20–40 years typical
Vinyl windows last 20–30 years, fiberglass and aluminum-clad wood 30–40, and the insulated glass seal itself typically 15–25 years — seal failure is usually what triggers replacement rather than the frame.
Service life by type
Expected years in normal residential service before replacement.
| Type | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | 20–30 | Extreme heat can distort frames in the highest-sun markets. |
| Fiberglass | 30–40 | Lowest expansion rate, best seal longevity. |
| Aluminum-clad wood | 30–40 | Interior wood needs maintenance; cladding protects the exterior. |
| Aluminum | 25–40 | Durable but thermally poor without a thermal break. |
What shortens it
- • Direct west sun with dark frames
- • Salt air
- • Poor original flashing
- • Frequent freeze-thaw cycling
What extends it
- • Keeping weep holes clear
- • Re-caulking exterior joints every few years
- • Operating hardware maintenance
Signs it is time to replace
- • Fogging between the panes on multiple units
- • Sashes that no longer lock or stay up
- • Visible rot at the sill
- • Drafts you can feel with the window locked
Insurance implications
Impact-rated openings change the wind portion of the premium
Underwriting
- • In hurricane states, opening protection is a scored line on the wind-mitigation form and can move the wind premium substantially.
- • Partial protection usually scores nothing — credits generally require every glazed opening to be protected.
At claim time
- • Glass breakage from a covered peril is covered; seal failure and fogging are manufacturer-warranty issues, not claims.
- • Water intrusion around failed flashing is often treated as a maintenance defect rather than storm damage.
What to do
- • Get the Notice of Acceptance or product-approval numbers from the installer; carriers need them for the credit.
- • Re-file a wind-mitigation inspection after the install — the credit is not applied retroactively on its own.
Replacement cost
| National typical cost | $15,200 |
|---|---|
| Typical range | $7,500–$34,000 |
| Typical timeline | 1-3 days of installation, 3-8 weeks including product lead time and permitting |