How Much Do Stained Glass Windows Cost?

How Much Does It Cost to Install Stained Glass?

On average, stained glass windows cost about $100 to $200 for premade panes. However, prices can often range much higher, especially if your stained glass is custom-made, antique, or fitted into an intricate window.

Because so many factors go into the cost of stained glass, prices can vary widely. High-end, extremely detailed, or historically valuable stained glass pieces may cost thousands of dollars.

The typical cost for a stained glass window is between $320 and $900, but you might pay as little as $150 or as much as $10,000 or more.

Custom Stained Glass Prices

Custom-made stained glass prices range from $100 to $600 per square foot. While custom-made stained glass is more expensive than premade designs, it also makes your living space unique and can increase your home’s value. If you’re interested in one-of-a-kind stained glass windows, custom-made stained glass may be well worth the cost.

Antique Stained Glass Window Prices

Antique stained glass windows typically cost anywhere from $100 to $3,000 or more. Antique glass is often more valuable because of its age, history, and unique character. You can find antique glass panels and windows from salvage yards, vintage stores, and online sellers.

Church Stained Glass Window Prices

Stained glass church windows can cost as little as $150—or as high as $20,000 or more. The prices vary depending on where the glass is from, the size of the window, and the intricacy of the design. The bigger the window and the more intricate the scene, the higher the cost.

Stained Glass Pricing Factors

Stained glass costs ultimately depend on your style and preferences, as well as the overall size of the window. Below are the most common cost factors when considering a stained glass window.

Size and Shape

Most importantly, the size and shape of your window will impact total price. The average window size is 24 to 48 inches wide for a double-hung window, but many stained glass windows can be much larger. Additionally, any unique shape (like a round or half-moon shaped window) will require customizations to fit (and therefore cost more).

Colors

Glass is a beautiful medium, but can also be very difficult (and expensive) to work with. There isn’t much room for trial and error, so if you have a very specific color pallet you’re trying to match be prepared to spend more to achieve your desired look. The total number of colors used will also drive up price, so consider sticking to a more limited color palette if you’re trying to save.

Complexity

Intricate patterns or designs can also increase the price. Some stained glass windows are simple geometric patterns, while others showcase specific motifs (like landscapes, animals, or people). The more detailed you want your stained glass window, the more you will pay.

Stained vs. Painted vs. Fused Glass

You can achieve the look of stained glass a few different ways, including:

• Stained glass - adding minerals and oxides to molten glass.

• Painted glass - painting the back of glass to show the color from the front.

• Fused glass - the process of combining two or more pieces of glass using heat. 

For authentic stained glass, you’re typically using the first method, but painting glass to achieve the same look is a cost effective method. Fused glass is rarely used as a method for stained glass given the cost is roughly the same (or more) depending on the project.

Custom vs. Premade Panes

You can purchase premade stained glass panes at national retail chains or your local art fair. Instead of installing a whole panel into your window pane, you can also opt to hang the premade pane in front of your window for light to shine through. Hanging your premade pane (vs. custom installation) usually only requires a simple hanging set, which can be purchased for a few dollars at your local hardware store.

DIY Stained Glass Installation vs. Hiring a Pro

Because stained glass is delicate and expensive, it’s usually a good idea to hire a local pro to install stained glass windows. The exception is if you choose to purchase a decorative stained glass pane that hangs in front of an existing glass window.

The cost to install a new window starts at about $30 to $50 per hour. For larger stained glass windows or custom-sized windows, the installation can be very costly. This is because it requires building a new window frame strong enough to hold the weight of the stained glass or modifying an existing window frame.

The best stained glass contractors will work with you to fit the pane into the frame you have in mind, even if that means modifying an existing frame or build a new one.

If you need to repair an existing stained glass window, you should also get professional assistance. The cost to repair a stained glass window ranges from $175 to $414, and the cost to replace a broken window pane ranges from $168 to $377.