How Much Does a Glass Wall Cost in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Glass walls can transform your home with a modern aesthetic and abundant natural light. On average, homeowners spend $5,000 to install glass walls, with costs ranging from $1,000 to $22,000. Prices vary based on factors like location, size, and type of glass wall, averaging between $45 and $1,600 per linear foot. Here's what you need to know to effectively budget for your glass wall installation and ensure a successful project with a professional installer.

Glass Wall Cost by Type

The type of glass wall you choose greatly impacts the overall cost of your project. From floor-to-ceiling window walls to movable glass partitions, each option comes with its own price range and features.

Floor to Ceiling Window Wall Cost

Installing floor-to-ceiling window walls costs between $700 and $1,600 per linear foot. These custom-made systems vary in price based on the materials' quality and durability.

A window wall usually has both horizontal and vertical metal framing members that may contain a combination of components such as windows, panels, and lights. Frameless versions are also available, typically for the commercial and luxury residential markets. The primary advantage of this design is that it provides an unobstructed view.

The latest frameless window walls meet the most stringent impact requirements, which is essential if you live in an area subject to hurricanes. Some versions can withstand positive and negative pressures of 110 pounds per square foot (psf), allowing them to be used in High Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVMZ).

The maximum size of a frameless wall window that can withstand high impacts is 12 feet high and 8 feet wide. These windows typically use a variety of coatings, films, and tints to control glare and heat gain. Check out the cost of window tinting to protect your home from UV rays and heat.

Glass Curtain Wall Cost

Installing a glass curtain wall costs $25 to $75 per square foot or about $200 to $600 per linear foot for an 8-foot wall. If you're replacing an existing wall with a glass curtain wall, expect higher costs—between $175 and $250 per square foot or $1,400 to $2,000 per linear foot —due to the additional demolition work required.

Important cost factors include the design, thickness, and degree of transparency. There is usually no difference between commercial and residential applications.

A glass curtain wall is a glazing system with a lightweight metal frame, typically aluminum. They aren’t load-bearing structures installed beyond the slabs of each floor. They’re often part of a building’s envelope, meaning they make up part of a wall system. Installers must carefully integrate glass curtain walls with adjacent structural elements like roofs and wall claddings. These walls are available as both prefabricated kits and customized pieces.

Glass curtain walls are most commonly installed by local commercial window installers on non-residential buildings, but you can also install them in your home. The most important consideration is that you can’t simply replace an existing load-bearing wall. Accurate measurements are essential for this task because the frames need to fit precisely. Once the frames are in place, the contractor can install the glass panes with relative ease.

Glass Room Divider and Partition Cost

A basic three-panel glass room divider with transparent glass and an aluminum frame costs about $180–$540 per linear foot. Mirrored glass and a wooden frame add to this cost. This type of glass wall divider is usually about 6 feet tall and 5 feet wide, making each panel 20 inches wide in the case of a three-panel model.

A divider with mirrored glass is particularly useful for adding light and opening up a small bedroom, especially when it contains large pieces of furniture. This type of divider also makes a handy dressing area. A divider with frosted glass can break a long, narrow room into sections. You can also create a more progressive look with models that have wide aluminum frames with unique designs.

Moving Glass Wall Systems

Moving glass wall systems, including sliding and folding designs, offer flexibility and style for your home. These systems typically use rollers with stainless steel ball bearings for smooth, effortless movement. They often feature aluminum frames and complete weather stripping to enhance energy efficiency and protect against the elements. Costs for moving glass wall systems depend on the specific installation and choice of materials.

Sliding Glass Wall Cost

A sliding glass wall costs $80–$400 per linear foot.

Sliding glass walls are typically interior pieces, but they can also be used as exterior walls. In this application, the wall is similar to a patio door. They allow more sunlight into the home and are especially common in ranch-style houses. Exterior sliding glass walls cost more than interior ones because they must guard the home from outdoor elements.

Early sliding glass walls were a source of energy loss and presented a weak point in the house’s physical security. However, they’ve improved in both areas. Modern versions are stronger and better insulated, especially when made from impact-resistant glass.

Installing a sliding glass wall may require a building permit and a licensed contractor. Consider consulting with a structural engineer in your area, especially when the installation involves major changes to a load-bearing wall. Budget approximately $3,000 on average for hiring a structural engineer, with inspection fees around $500.

Simply replacing an existing glass wall shouldn’t require a permit since the structural changes are already complete. However, any installation involving a framing change needs a permit to ensure any safety issues are addressed. If the installation involves changing the framing, you'll need to budget for the cost of a building permit.Building permits typically cost between $150 and $2,000.

Folding Glass Walls Cost

Folding sliding doors cost between $800 and $1,200 per linear foot, depending on the number of panels, type of glass, and finish. This design typically consists of a series of panels connected to each other via hinges. The top and bottom of the panels are set in tracks, like sliding doors. However, instead of a single section sliding back and forth, the panels fold against each other as the assembly slides across the track.

The primary advantage of a folding door over a sliding door is that a folding door creates a larger, more unobstructed opening.

The height of this opening is usually between seven and eight feet, which is the height of a standard room. Each panel may be up to 65 inches wide, with as many as 20 panels per door.

Here are some common folding glass wall costs by width:

Folding glass walls are available in a variety of configurations, especially with respect to the size of the opening and panels. Panels must become narrower as their height increases to limit their weight. For example, panels with a height of 10 feet shouldn’t be wider than 39 inches. Large walls often have a standard swing door for easy access without opening the entire assembly.

Exterior Glass Wall Cost

Exterior glass walls cost $120 to $480 per linear foot. Tall panels may cost more due to the extra thickness required, as will wood trim and custom glass. Exterior panels cost more than interior panels because they’re often load-bearing. Unlike interior panels, the strength of a structural glass wall is regulated by building codes.

Glass Window Garage Door Cost

Exterior glass panels can be used as a garage door replacement. In this case, the panel is more like a window than a wall because it doesn’t need to bear weight. Installing a glass garage door costs between $1,000 and $4,800.

Soundproof Exterior Window Wall Cost

Soundproofing is another use for exterior glass panels, though they’re more expensive than standard windows. The average cost of replacing a window is about $850, whereas the cost of installing soundproof windows starts at about $950. However, the price can easily reach $1,500 or more when installing noise-canceling insulation. Soundproof windows custom-built to the architect’s specifications can start at $7,000 per window without installation.

Soundproof glass reduces noise by using at least two thick panes. The thickness of the space between the panes also makes a difference. The total thickness of soundproof glass is at least 12 millimeters. This includes two 3-millimeter-thick panes separated by 6 millimeters of air. At the high end, soundproof glass may consist of three 4-millimeter panes separated by two air gaps of 6 millimeters each, for a total thickness of 24 millimeters.

Pros and Cons of Window Walls

These supersized glass window walls have a lot of benefits, but there are several drawbacks to consider, too.

Pros

• Abundant natural light

• Energy efficiency

• Spacious feel

• Unobstructed scenic views

• Modern aesthetic appeal

Cons

• Reduced privacy

• Potential security concerns

• Higher installation costs

• Increased cleaning and maintenance

• Specialized framing and glazing needed

Budgeting for Window Wall Installation

Installing a glass wall is a significant investment, but you can manage costs without compromising on style. Here are some tips to help you budget for your window wall installation while achieving the look you want:

• Pre-fabricated, standard-sized glass panels are less expensive than custom installations.

• Vinyl and fiberglass frames are more affordable than aluminum or steel but still provide good insulation and durability.

• Combine glass panels with more traditional walls to reduce the amount of glass needed.

• Double-pane glass is less costly than triple-pane, though it can be less energy-efficient.

• Tackle non-technical tasks like painting and trim work yourself to reduce labor costs.

• Sourcing materials from local glass manufacturers and suppliers may reduce shipping costs.

• Incorporating existing window or door frames can minimize the need for structural changes.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.