How Much Does a Glass Window Wall Cost in 2024?
Typical Range:
$200 - $2,900
Cost data is based on research by HomeAdvisor.
Updated August 16, 2024
Written by HomeAdvisor.Highlights
Glass window wall costs range widely from $200 to $2,900 per linear foot.
The size and type of window wall affect the cost.
Tall exterior windows cost more because they’re load-bearing and keep out the weather.
Soundproofing uses thicker panes of glass, which adds to the total cost.
Glass curtains and glass room dividers are other common types of window walls.
A tempered glass window wall costs between $25 and $75 per square foot to install. A glass door costs at least an additional $1,000 to $3,000. Local glass block installation companies typically charge $35 to $150 per hour for labor, depending on location and the nature of the project.
Several factors affect the cost of a glass wall. For example, you may need a roof overhang of up to three feet to prevent the house from overheating during the summer, especially with a southern-facing wall. Some installations may also require double or triple glazing to reduce sun exposure. Glass doors and moving glass walls cost more. Furthermore, the glass needs to be thicker as the size of the pane increases. A 5-by-9-foot pane should be at least a 1/4-inch thick.
Average Window Wall Installation Cost per Linear Foot
| Average | High | Low |
|---|---|---|
| $400–$650 | $1,000–$2,900 | $200–$400 |
Window Wall Cost by Type
Along with total size, the greatest factor in determining window wall cost is the type of glass wall you wish to install.
Floor to Ceiling Window Wall Cost
The total cost of window walls ranges from $700 to $1,600 per linear foot. This wide price range is due to the fact that these systems are custom-made for each home installation. The quality and durability of materials can also vary widely.
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
The cost of installing a glass curtain wall ranges from $25 to $75 per square foot, resulting in a cost of $200 to $600 per linear foot for an 8-foot wall. Replacing an existing wall with a glass curtain wall is more expensive because the original wall must be removed. Window glass replacement costs between $175 to $250 per square foot or between $1,400 and $2,000 per linear foot for an 8-foot wall.
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 $30 to $90 per square 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.
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Moving Glass Wall System Cost
Glass walls can move by sliding, folding, or a combination of both movements. The sections below cover these specific types in greater detail. Dealers provide prices after consultation at no cost or obligation.
Milgard is a well-known manufacturer of moving glass walls that specializes in custom installation. As a result, Milgard moving glass wall costs depend on the specific installation. The Milgard design is based on rollers with stainless steel ball bearings that allow smooth and effortless movement.
The glass walls feature aluminum frames and complete weather stripping for maximum energy efficiency and protection from the elements.
Sliding Glass Wall Cost
The cost of a full wall sliding glass door typically ranges from $1,070 to $2,900, with the national average being about $2,000. Sliding glass doors typically consist of two separate panels, one sliding over the other to open and close. These models are considerably more expensive than a standard sliding glass door because they take up the entire wall.
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.
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.
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:
| Width in Feet | Price Range |
|---|---|
| 9 feet | $7,200–$10,800 |
| 12 feet | $9,600–$14,400 |
| 15 feet | $12,000–$18,000 |
| 18 feet | $14,400–$21,600 |
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 Panels Cost
Exterior glass panels cost $15 to $60 per square foot, with an average cost of $20 per square 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
Lots of natural light
Decreased energy bill from saving on electric light use
Makes a small house look bigger
Lets in scenic views and natural beauty
Adds a modern aesthetic that can increase curb appeal
Cons
Lack of privacy
Lack of security
Window walls cost more than typical windows
Requires lots of cleaning and maintenance
Requires special framing and glazing
Budgeting for Window Wall Installation
Glass wall costs can vary widely based on the nature of the project and the types of materials used. Consider these budget-friendly tips to reduce your window wall costs while maintaining a premium aesthetic:
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.
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FAQs
Are glass walls more expensive?
Glass is the more economical choice for buildings taller than two or three stories. Glass walls are generally more expensive than traditional drywall or brick walls. Glass window repair costs may also be higher. However, the total cost of glass installation becomes lower as the building gets taller. While the cost of the walls themselves remains constant, glass walls are much easier to lift than individual bricks.
How much are retractable or accordion glass doors?
The cost of accordion glass doors depends on whether they’re interior or exterior doors. An interior glass door for a closet could cost less than $100 per linear foot. However, an exterior door that needs to protect an entire side of a room from weather costs between $800 and $1,200 per linear foot.
Is it more affordable to build a glass house?
Due to the higher material cost of glass, it’s unlikely that a glass house would be more affordable than one made of traditional materials. However, this assumes the house is a separate building of no more than two stories. For a condominium in a high-rise building, it may be cheaper to build with glass than other materials.
What is the difference between a window wall and a curtain wall?
A window wall is a load-bearing wall primarily made of some transparent material. It spans floor to floor, built one floor at a time, and is supported by slabs above and below them. A curtain wall is non-structural and serves only to keep the weather out. It can cover floors at once and is built outside of the slab edge of a building. Curtain walls are not load-bearing.
How thick is a glass wall?
The thickness of a weight-bearing glass wall ranges from 3/8-inch to 3/4-inch, depending on its structural requirements. The glass walls on skyscrapers are typically less than 1/2-inch thick, but they aren’t load-bearing structures. The glass used to make walls is also tempered, which is much stronger than what you'll find in your picture frames.
