New windows and doors improve comfort, cut energy bills and add long-term value to your home. Meridian Windows and Doors San Francisco pairs proven product lines with our own installing crews for lasting performance - and a price we put in writing.
Choose your installer
The unit is half the job - the install is the other half. Our own background-checked crews measure, set, seal and insulate every opening, and they know the lines we quote inside and out because they install them every week.
Select the right products
Compare styles, materials and glass packages side by side until the fit is right for your rooms, your budget and your goals. The product-line comparison below is the place to start.
Prepare your home for install
Before install day we walk you through a short checklist - furniture pulled back, treatments down, a clear path to each opening - so install day is watch-it-happen, not scramble.
Compare the Lines We Quote
Every project is priced on the same lines, side by side - the price indicators below are relative, and your consultant shows exact numbers on your actual openings.
PGTThe line homeowners arrive naming - the most impact certifications in the industry$$$
- More impact certifications than any other line we quote
- WinGuard, EnergyVue and ClassicVue Max systems built for every wind zone
- 99% on-time delivery keeps your install date on the calendar
CGIThe heavyweight impact line$$$$$
- Large-missile impact ratings for the strictest wind zones
- Architectural-grade aluminum with commercial-depth frames
- The line we quote when protection is the whole point
CWSThe value pick$$
- Vinyl systems built to strict wind codes
- Strong energy packages at the friendliest price point
- The smart start for whole-home replacements on a budget
ESWSlim lines, big glass$$$$
- Narrow-sightline aluminum for modern elevations
- Oversized openings and floor-to-ceiling glass
- Impact-rated without the bunker look
ECOThe aluminum impact workhorse$$$
- Factory-built aluminum impact systems
- A strong price-to-protection ratio for coastal homes
- Proven inventory lines with short lead times
Single & Double Hung Windows in San Francisco, CA
Single and double hung windows are the vertical-sliding windows you see on most San Francisco homes built before 1980: a top sash and a bottom sash, one or both of which move. The difference between the two is simple. A single hung window has a fixed top sash and only the bottom sash slides up. A double hung lets both sashes move, which means you can vent from the top, the bottom, or both at once. At Meridian Windows and Doors San Francisco, we provide Window Installation Near Me in San Francisco, CA for both types across the city, from the Richmond District to Noe Valley, using products from ECO Window Systems, Mr-Glass, and Therma-Tru. Call (831) 273-7126 for a written quote before any work starts.
This page covers what these windows cost in San Francisco, when they need replacing, how our installation process works, and the questions homeowners ask us most. If you’re comparing window styles, our Window Installation page covers the full range of options we install.
Key Takeaways
- Single hung windows cost roughly $450 – $850 installed per window in San Francisco; double hung runs $600 – $1,200 depending on size, glass, and frame material.
- Most installations in San Francisco take one day for up to four windows, barring structural surprises in older framing.
- Every job gets a written price before work begins and a 365-Day Done Right Promise in writing.
- Double hung windows generally make more sense in San Francisco than single hung because they allow top-down ventilation on upper floors, where warm air collects.
When You Need Single & Double Hung Windows
Most San Francisco homeowners don’t think about their windows until one of them stops doing its job. Here are the conditions we see most in the field:
- Sashes that won’t stay open. The balance system inside the frame wears out. In older wood windows in the Inner Sunset and the Mission, the original rope-and-pulley weights snap after decades of use, and the sash drops shut on its own.
- Drafts you can feel from across the room. San Francisco’s marine air pushes moisture into worn weatherstripping. A window that leaks air also leaks noise, and on streets like Geary or 19th Avenue, that noise is constant.
- Fog between the glass panes. Once the seal on an insulated glass unit fails, the fog is permanent. You’re not just losing visibility; the window’s insulating value has dropped to near zero.
- Rotted or soft wood sashes. Homes in the Sunset and Richmond Districts deal with persistent fog and salt air. Wood sashes there fail faster than anywhere else in the city, and replacing the sash often costs more than replacing the whole window.
- Lead paint concerns. Any San Francisco home built before 1978 with original wood windows likely has lead paint in the sash or frame. A full replacement removes that risk rather than managing it.
- Condensation on interior glass. This usually means the window has lost its thermal seal or the room isn’t venting properly. New double hung windows with proper glass coatings fix both issues.
If you’re seeing any of these conditions across multiple windows, the math usually favors replacement over repeated repairs. A full rundown of our replacement approach lives on our Window Installation in San Francisco page.
Single Hung vs. Double Hung: Which One Fits San Francisco?
Both styles look nearly identical from the outside. The difference is in how they operate, and that difference matters more in San Francisco than in most cities.
Single hung windows cost less upfront. The top sash is fixed in place, which means fewer moving parts, fewer places for air to leak, and a lower price per unit. For a ground-floor window or a garage window where top-down ventilation isn’t needed, single hung is a sensible choice and we recommend it without hesitation when it fits the job.
Double hung windows cost more but do more. Both sashes tilt in for cleaning, which matters on upper stories where exterior access is limited. In San Francisco’s three- and four-story Victorians and Edwardians, that tilt-in feature saves you from hiring someone to clean exterior glass. More importantly, double hung windows let you open the top sash while keeping the bottom closed. Hot air collects at the ceiling; opening the top sash vents that heat directly outside. In a top-floor bedroom in the Castro or Potrero Hill on a warm September afternoon, that’s the difference between a stuffy room and a comfortable one.
For most San Francisco homes, we spec double hung windows. The cost difference is modest, and the ventilation and cleaning benefits show up every single day. But we carry both types from ECO Window Systems and Mr-Glass, and the choice is always yours after we walk the site and give you honest numbers.
Our Single & Double Hung Windows Process
We run window installation on a fixed sequence, the same way every time. That consistency is the point. Here’s what happens when you call (831) 273-7126:
- Phone call with a live person. You reach a human being, not a voicemail tree, at any hour of the day or night. We take your information, hear what’s going on with your windows, and schedule a site visit at a time that works for you.
- Site measurement and inspection. A background-checked, uniformed technician arrives on time and measures every opening. In San Francisco, we also check the condition of the surrounding framing, since water damage behind the stucco or siding is common in older neighborhoods like the Mission and the Excelsior.
- Written quote. You get a price on paper before any work is scheduled. That price doesn’t move at the door. If we find something unexpected during installation, we stop and discuss it with you before doing anything else.
- Installation day. We remove the old window, repair any damaged framing, set the new unit, insulate the cavity, and seal against San Francisco’s wind-driven rain. The crew follows The Garrison Code on site: drop cloths down, work area cleaned at the end of the day, no surprises.
- Post-install walkthrough. We show you how both sashes operate, how the tilt-in cleaning works if you have double hung, and answer any questions. We don’t leave until the windows operate smoothly and the job site is clean.
- 365-Day Done Right Promise. Every installation is covered in writing for a full year. If anything fails within that period, we return at no charge. No fine print about labor exclusions.
Single & Double Hung Windows Pricing in San Francisco
Single hung window replacement in San Francisco typically runs $450 to $850 per window installed. Double hung windows run $600 to $1,200 per window installed. The spread depends on a few factors, and you deserve to know what they are before you start budgeting.
| Window Configuration | Typical Range (Installed, Per Window) |
|---|---|
| Single hung, vinyl frame, standard size | $450 – $650 |
| Single hung, wood or fiberglass frame | $600 – $850 |
| Double hung, vinyl frame, standard size | $600 – $850 |
| Double hung, wood or fiberglass frame | $800 – $1,200 |
| Add low-E glass coating | +$40 – $90 per window |
| Add grid/grille pattern (to match period trim) | +$30 – $70 per window |
| Full-frame replacement (not insert) | +$200 – $450 per window |
What drives the price in San Francisco specifically:
- Full-frame vs. insert replacement. If the existing frame is square and rot-free, we can install an insert that fits inside it. If the frame is compromised, which happens often in the fog belt of the Sunset and Richmond, we replace the entire frame. Full-frame work costs more but gives you a cleaner seal and new insulation around the whole opening.
- Glass coatings. Low-E glass, which is a thin coating that reflects heat while letting light through, adds roughly $40 to $90 per window. In San Francisco, it cuts heat gain on sunny afternoons and heat loss on foggy nights. We typically recommend it for east- and west-facing windows.
- Sound ratings. Homes on busy corridors like Van Ness, Geary, or Lombard benefit from laminated glass with higher sound transmission class ratings. That’s an upgrade we spec from Mr-Glass or Therma-Tru when street noise is a complaint.
- Period trim and muntin grids. If your home falls within a historic district or you simply want the replacement to look like the original, we can order windows with exterior grilles that match the period look. It matters for curb appeal and, in some neighborhoods, for resale value.
- Access and floor level. Upper-story work off a ladder takes longer than ground-floor work. If the crew needs scaffolding or a lift, that’s reflected in the written quote before we start.
Most whole-home projects in San Francisco, meaning eight to twelve windows, land between $6,000 and $13,000 total. You’ll get an exact number in writing before you commit to anything. Call (831) 273-7126 for a free estimate.
What We Install: Manufacturer Lines We Trust
We don’t push whatever happens to be in the shop. Meridian Windows and Doors carries eight manufacturer lines-including 3-Panel Sliding (3-Lite Roller) Windows-so we can match the product to the house, the budget, and the exposure. For single and double hung windows in San Francisco, we most often spec from three:
- ECO Window Systems builds impact-rated and thermally efficient hung windows that handle San Francisco’s coastal moisture without the corrosion issues we see in lesser frames. Their single hung units are a solid value for rental properties and in-law units where budget matters.
- Mr-Glass is our go-to when a homeowner wants a specific glass package. They produce double hung windows with laminated and low-E glass options that perform on noisy, sunny, west-facing walls like the ones in the Outer Sunset.
- Therma-Tru may be better known for doors, but their hung window line holds up in wood-sided homes from the 1920s and 1930s. We spec Therma-Tru when the goal is a period-appropriate look with modern energy numbers.
Every one of these products gets the same installation standard and the same 365-Day Done Right Promise. The window matters, but so does the crew putting it in.
Why San Francisco Homes Need a Different Approach to Windows
San Francisco isn’t like the inland suburbs where most window best practices were written. The city has its own weather, its own building stock, and its own rules. If you’ve lived here long, you already know this. If you’re new to the city, here’s the short version.
The marine layer rolls in most summer mornings and sits over the western neighborhoods until early afternoon. That means the Sunset, the Richmond, Sea Cliff, and the Presidio get persistent exterior moisture that inland windows were never designed to shed. Wood frames without factory-applied treatments absorb that moisture. Vinyl holds up better in the fog, but low-quality vinyl expands and contracts enough to loosen seals over time. We spec products accordingly, usually ECO Window Systems for coastal exposure.
Then there’s the building stock. A large share of San Francisco’s housing predates 1940. Those homes have window openings that are no longer square, framing that has shifted over decades, and in some cases, windows that were never flashed correctly to begin with. A window installed square into an out-of-square opening will bind, leak, or both. Our installers shim and level every unit before sealing, and we repair surrounding framing when the opening demands it. That’s why we won’t give a quote over the phone without seeing the site first.
San Francisco also enforces specific building codes around window replacement. Depending on your neighborhood and your home’s status, replacement windows may need to meet certain glass safety requirements, particularly in windows close to the floor or in door-adjacent sashes. We handle that compliance as part of the job, not as a surprise add-on.
And for homes built before 1978, lead paint is a real concern. Old San Francisco windows often carry lead paint in the sashes. Replacement removes that hazard from the equation entirely, which is one of the quieter reasons a full swap beats repainting old sashes.
Energy Savings: What New Hung Windows Actually Do
Replacing old single pane windows in San Francisco with new double hung units typically cuts the heat loss through the glass by half or more, depending on the old window’s condition and the new glass package. In a city where summer heat is mild but winter dampness is constant, the savings come less from air conditioning and more from heating and comfort.
New double pane glass with a low-E coating does two things for a San Francisco house. It reflects radiant heat back into the room during the cool months, which means your furnace or space heater runs less. And it blocks a meaningful share of solar gain during the warm afternoons, which means upper-floor rooms stop feeling like greenhouses by 4 p.m.
The most consistent feedback we hear from customers after a full replacement is about noise before energy. A double pane window with a good air seal drops street noise perceptibly. On a bus route in the Inner Richmond or above a commercial strip in the Mission, that difference is immediate and it’s the thing people mention first.
Frequently Asked Questions About Single & Double Hung Windows
How much does it cost to replace a single hung window in San Francisco?
Replacing a single hung window in San Francisco typically costs $450 to $850 installed, depending on frame material, glass options, and whether the existing frame can support an insert or needs full-frame replacement. Call (831) 273-7126 for a written quote on your specific windows; the estimate is free and the price does not change at the door.
Are double hung windows worth the extra cost over single hung?
For most San Francisco homes, yes, double hung windows are worth the premium because you gain top-down ventilation, which matters in multi-story houses where heat collects upstairs, and both sashes tilt inward for cleaning without exterior access. The cost difference is typically $150 to $350 per window, and for upper-story units, that’s recovered in convenience within the first few years.
Can you install single or double hung windows in a San Francisco historic district?
Yes, we regularly replace windows in San Francisco neighborhoods with historic character, and we can match period trim profiles and muntin grid patterns so the new units read as original from the street. Some districts require design review before window replacement; our team can walk you through what applies to your specific address. Call (831) 273-7126 and we’ll tell you what the process looks like for your block.
How long does a single or double hung window installation take?
A typical installation of one to four windows takes one working day. Whole-home replacements of eight to twelve windows usually take two to three days, depending on framing conditions and access. We’ll give you a timeline in writing alongside your price quote, and if the work fails within 365 days of installation, we return at no charge under the Done Right Promise.
Do you replace windows in San Francisco buildings with lead paint?
Yes, we replace windows in pre-1978 San Francisco homes, and full sash and frame replacement is actually the cleanest way to eliminate lead paint hazards from your window openings rather than managing them. Our crew takes standard precautions during removal, and the final product is a window with no lead paint anywhere in the assembly.
About Meridian Windows and Doors San Francisco
Meridian Windows and Doors is the windows-and-doors specialist within the Garrison Partners network, locally owned and operated and held to The Garrison Standard on every job. A meridian is a fixed line you measure everything against. That’s what the name means and how we run every install.
We’ve operated to The Garrison Standard since 2009. That standard shows up in small, concrete ways: every technician who walks through your door is background-checked and in uniform. Every job gets a written price before work begins, and that price does not move. Every installation is covered by the 365-Day Done Right Promise, which says in plain language that if the work isn’t done right, we make it right, for a full year, at no charge. Phones are answered by a live person 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There’s no voicemail loop and no waiting until Monday for a call back.
We carry eight manufacturer lines so that we can spec the right window for the house and the exposure, not just the one that happens to be in the warehouse. For hung windows in San Francisco, that’s most often ECO Window Systems, Mr-Glass, or Therma-Tru, but the line matters less than the standard behind it. Return to our home page to see the full scope of what we do across the city, or read more on Window Installation in San Francisco.
Get a Written Quote for Your San Francisco Windows
If your hung windows are drafty, stuck, fogged, or simply showing their age, the next step is a measure and a written price. Call (831) 273-7126. A live person answers, day or night. We’ll schedule a site visit, measure your openings, check the framing, and put a number in front of you before any work is scheduled. No pressure, no door-knocking, no price changes mid-job. Just a fair number, a clear timeline, and the Done Right Promise behind it.
Written by Elliot Vance, Owner at Meridian Windows and Doors San Francisco, serving San Francisco.
Six Reasons Homeowners Choose Meridian Windows and Doors San Francisco
Laminated glass and reinforced frames hold up to wind-driven rain, hail and flying debris, so your openings stay sealed when the weather turns.
Low-E insulated impact glass from our manufacturer lines commonly cuts monthly cooling bills 20-30%.
Laminated impact glass shuts out up to 40% of outside noise - traffic, neighbors, weather.
Monitoring services run $30-90 a month. Laminated impact glass resists forced entry around the clock, with no subscription.
Tighter seals and insulated glass even out hot and cold rooms and stop the drafts at the frame.
A full impact package upgrades curb appeal, buyer confidence and appraised value in one project.