What is the cost difference between casement and double-hung windows in NB?

In New Brunswick, casement windows typically cost 15-30% more than comparable double-hung windows — for a standard 3-foot by 4-foot vinyl window, expect to pay roughly $500-$750 installed for a double-hung and $650-$950 installed for a casement. The gap narrows at the high end of the market where both styles are available in premium fibreglass with triple-pane glass, but casements almost always carry a premium because of their more complex hardware and superior air-sealing.

The price difference comes down to mechanics and performance. A casement window hinges on the side and swings outward with a crank mechanism, which means the sash presses firmly against the frame seal every time it closes — creating a better air seal than a double-hung, which slides vertically on channels and is inherently harder to seal perfectly at the meeting rail. For NB's winters, this isn't a trivial distinction. Casements consistently outperform double-hungs on air infiltration ratings, and in a province where heating costs are significant, that matters over a 20-30 year window lifespan.

Double-hung windows have their own advantages that explain their continued popularity. Both sashes open, which is genuinely useful for ventilation and, importantly, for cleaning — you can tilt the sashes inward to wash the exterior glass from inside the house. In a two-storey NB home, being able to clean upper windows safely from inside is a real practical benefit. Double-hungs also fit more traditional NB home styles — the older housing stock in Fredericton and Saint John tends to look better with double-hungs than with the more modern casement profile.

For triple-pane glazing — which is worth the upgrade in NB's climate — the casement premium holds. Budget $800-$1,200 installed for a triple-pane double-hung and $950-$1,400 for a comparable triple-pane casement in standard vinyl. Fibreglass frames add another 20-40% over vinyl for either style but deliver meaningfully better thermal performance and dimensional stability through NB's freeze-thaw cycles.

There's a practical consideration specific to NB coastal homes: casement windows that swing outward into prevailing ocean or Bay of Fundy winds can be difficult to open and can be damaged if a gust catches an open sash. In exposed coastal locations around the Fundy shore or Northumberland Strait, sliding or double-hung windows sometimes make more practical sense despite the air-sealing trade-off. Inland and in sheltered locations, casements are the performance choice.

Most NB homeowners do a mix — casements in bedrooms and living areas where ventilation is controlled and air-sealing matters most, double-hungs in kitchens and areas where cleaning access and traditional appearance are priorities. Bay windows and picture windows are their own category and priced differently. When getting quotes, make sure contractors are comparing the same glazing package (double versus triple pane), frame material (vinyl versus fibreglass), and Low-E coating specification — these factors affect pricing as much as the casement versus double-hung style choice.

Get at least three quotes and ask each contractor to break out the window cost from the installation cost. Window pricing in NB varies considerably depending on the supplier — Canadian-made windows from companies with regional distribution tend to be more competitively priced than brands that ship from the US and absorb freight costs. For detailed window guidance, New Brunswick Electrical at newbrunswickelectrical.com can help if your window project ties into electrical work, and for the full renovation picture, New Brunswick Renovations can connect you with experienced local window installers for free estimates.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The New Brunswick Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Thirty Four Renovations
• Gionetterenovations