SoFi

Doors can be a portal to another world, or maybe just a great first impression when you walk through a home. But when they don’t look their best, a dated or damaged door can make an entire space feel off.

The doors inside your home come in a wide variety of styles, and can be updated in just as many ways. Some updates can be done on the cheap, while replacing doors entirely will likely come at a higher cost. What follows are key things to know about updating your interior doors, including options and costs.

What Are the Different Types of Interior Doors?

Interior doors come in many styles and price points. Here’s a look at some of the most popular options, plus estimated costs (including materials, labor, and equipment).

•   Traditional Standard doors, such as a bedroom door, swing in or out to open and close. This type of door can be either hollow core, solid composite, or solid wood.
Cost to replace: $50 to $600.

•   Pocket These space-saving doors slide “into” the wall when they’re open. Pocket doors hang from the top and slide along a track mounted in a space inside the wall and across the top of the door opening.
Cost to replace: $140 to $1,000

•   French The door with a certain je ne sais quoi, French doors can be either single or paired, and can have either a full (single) glass pane or a number of divided panes. French doors are often used as exterior doors to porches or patios, but they can also be a great way to let light diffuse inside a home.
Cost to replace: $200 to $4,000

•   Sliding A cousin to the pocket door, sliding doors save space by sliding in tracks at the top and bottom of the door frame. Unlike a pocket door, however, they don’t disappear into the wall. Glass sliding doors are typically used as exterior doors to a patio or deck, but can be used indoors to separate rooms while maintaining visibility between them.
Cost to replace: $400 to $4,500

•   Bifold Also called folding doors or concertina doors, bifolds are made of panels that fold next to each other when opened, sliding on tracks both on top of and below the door. Single bifold doors are sometimes used as doors to smaller closets, and a pair of bifold doors might divide a large room.
Cost to replace: $35 to $70

•   Barn A sliding barn door in the home takes rustic farmhouse trends to the next level. These doors slide on a track mounted on the wall above the door. Barn doors have a low profile, as they do not swing out.
Cost to replace: $150 to $4,000

•   Saloon Head straight to the wild west with these doors. Sometimes called cafe doors, saloon doors hang on a pivot hinge, meaning they can easily swing in and out with a nudge. Because they swing in both directions, they’re commonly used as kitchen doors or in cafes where traffic goes both in and out.
Cost to replace: $100 to $500

•   Murphy You may have encountered a murphy door before without even knowing it. Often custom made, murphy doors are typically bookcases that swing out, turning a door into storage space.
Cost to replace: $700 to $2,500

Recommended: How Do Home Improvement Loans Work?

Signs You May Need New Interior Doors

Interior doors in a home can take quite a beating. They’re slammed, kicked, scuffed, and may have been pounded on a few times. Depending on their quality and age, there’s a chance your doors may simply have seen better days.

If these signs sound familiar, it may be time to buy some new doors for your home:

1.    The door is stuck and has trouble staying open or closed. The more someone struggles to open and close a door that doesn’t budge, the more damage they’ll do. If a door’s always sticking or never manages to stay closed, it may be time to replace it.

2.    The door is warped or cracked. Age will affect the quality of any door, and if the frame or hinges are visibly cracked or peeling, it’s time to think about replacing them.

3.    The door’s style is dated. If your kitchen’s classic saloon-style doors feel decidedly old school — not in a good way — it might be time to consider replacing them. Even if they still work, dated styles can negatively impact a home’s value at the time of sale.

Depending on the style of door and the complexity of the installation, swapping out an interior door can cost anywhere between $150 to $2,000, with an average of $750. A good portion of the cost is professional labor.

While hanging a door might sound simple, doing it wrong can lead to improper closure or a door that just won’t close at all, which leaves you back at the drawing board. It could be worth asking for estimates from a few professional contractors if you decide to replace several interior doors at once.

A door can make an impression — good or bad — when someone enters a room. That first impression might become very important when considering home value. This kind of home improvement project could pay off when you eventually sell your home.

Recommended: Tips for Maintaining the Value of Your Home

DIY Ways to Update Your Interior Doors

Replacing interior doors altogether can be expensive, and is not always necessary. If your door is in good shape, an inexpensive DIY can update your interior doors to look more modern or trendy.

Here are some interior door upgrades you might consider before ditching a door altogether.

•   Swapping out door knobs and hardware Sometimes dated brass or an ornate finish might make a standard swing door feel out of place. For between $75 and $150, you can update a door’s knobs and hinges.

•   Trying a new hue A fresh coat of paint might transform a door’s entire vibe. Instead of a standard white, you might opt for a neutral shade, make a statement with a black door, or choose a rich, deep tone that complements other colors in your home. You can even switch things up by painting the frame and the door different colors. Although you have to remove the door from its frame, this project is DIYable, and can typically be done within a day or two.

•   Updating hollow core doors Hollow core doors are the standard type of door installed in many homes when they’re built. It’s a swing door with a flat surface. These are basic doors that can be a blank slate for your personal taste. For example, you might use molding and beadboard panels to create a paneled look on standard doors. This can make a builder-grade, hollow-core door look custom-made. This DIY project is a small investment for a big payoff.

Recommended: What Are the Most Common Home Repair Costs?

The Takeaway

Doors inside your home don’t just provide privacy, they’re a feature of the property. If your interior doors are in poor shape, replacing and updating them could help increase the value of your home, making the upgrade well worth the upfront outlay of money.

If you don’t have enough cash on hand to cover the cost of upgrading your doors (or any other part of your home), you might consider using a personal loan for financing. This is an unsecured loan that can be used for virtually any purpose, including a home renovation or upgrade. Once approved, you get a lump sum of cash up front you then pay back (plus interest) in monthly installments over time. Rates are typically fixed and lower than credit cards.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. Checking your rate takes just a minute.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SOPL0623062

If you’re like the roughly 45% of credit card holders known as “revolvers,” you probably carry at least some debt from month to month. Indeed, the average credit card balance in the U.S. is currently $5,733.

Unfortunately, many consumers are uninformed and unprepared for the responsibility of paying with plastic. Credit card issuers don’t require you to take a class before they hand you that first card — or the next one, or the next. But the consequences of getting in over your head can be troublesome.

What else should you know about credit cards? Here are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind:

Just Because You Can Get Another Credit Card Doesn’t Mean You Should

Once you prove your creditworthiness, you’ll likely receive other credit card offers in the mail. Retail stores you shop in often ask if you’d like to apply for their card, offering things like special discounts, partnerships, and card-holder shopping days to draw you in.

But unless the rewards are high and the annual percentage rate (APR) is low, you may want to pass, especially if you’re in a store and won’t have time to focus on the terms and fees in the agreement.

Remember: When you apply for a credit card, it can create a credit inquiry on your report because of the hard pull on your credit report. Unless your credit inquiry qualifies as rate shopping, too many inquiries in a short time period could have a negative impact on your credit score.

A Credit Card Can Be Convenient — If You Keep Your Balance In Check

The clock starts ticking whenever you make a purchase using your credit card. Many credit card companies will give you a period of interest-free grace, but if you don’t pay off the balance within the grace period, you’ll start racking up interest.

Of course, using cash instead of credit for purchases is an option, especially for purchases made in person.

Thinking Twice Before Just Paying The Minimum

It’s easy to get into the mindset that you’re on track for the month because you paid the minimum payment due on your credit card statement. But that amount is typically based on a small percentage of your balance, typically between 1% and 3%, or a fixed dollar amount.

Unless you have a 0% credit card rate, letting your balance carry over can rack up additional interest.

Checking Your Statements Every Month

A thorough monthly review of credit card statements makes it possible to find billing mistakes and be sure your purchases and returns are accurately reflected.

It’s worth reviewing your statement for any subscription services you might be making automatic payments or renewals for. You could be paying for a service or app you don’t want anymore.

Reviewing your charges can also help you determine if you’ve been the victim of identity fraud. The faster you move to report any problems , the better off you typically are. The Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) instructs consumers to report unauthorized charges within 60 days after the statement was mailed. So making it a habit to check your statements as they come in — or reviewing them online at least once a month — can help you be aware of any issues and report them quickly.

If you’ve made late payments or missed a payment, your interest rate may have gone up — and you could be paying a much higher rate than you thought. Keeping track of this information will give you a more complete picture of the amount you owe.

Credit card statements also include information about how long it will take to pay off the bill if you send only the minimum payment each month, as well as how much you’ll pay in interest. Think of this information like nutrition facts on food packaging — it could be an encouragement to be financially healthier.

Reporting Misplaced, Lost, or Stolen Cards

Under the FCBA , a consumer’s liability for unauthorized use of their credit card is limited to $50. However, the FCBA also says if you report the loss before your credit card is used to make unauthorized purchases, you aren’t responsible for any charges you didn’t authorize.

If your credit card account number is stolen, but not the card, the FCBA also says you won’t be liable for unauthorized use. Credit card companies are generally quick to provide customers with new account numbers, passwords, and cards.

Using a Credit Card To Get Cash

Another piece of information available on a credit card statement is the APR charged for cash advances. Most likely, the interest rate charged for cash advances is several points higher than the rate charged for purchases.

If a credit card is used at an ATM, there may also be an additional fee charged by the machine’s owner.

So unless it’s an unavoidable emergency, it’s probably much better for your wallet to stick to your debit card or go old-school and cash a check.

Using a Credit Card for Purchases Just to Get the Rewards Points

Cash back and other perks make some cards more appealing than others. But that probably shouldn’t be an excuse to use a credit card if you’re not in a solid financial position. The trade-off probably isn’t worth it if you carry a balance.

Balance Transfer Cards Can Be Appealing, But…

Again, if you have solid credit, you may be getting offers for 0% balance transfer cards. And they may potentially save you a significant amount of money, if you can realistically pay off that balance in the designated period.

If not, the interest rate will increase after the introductory 0% interest period ends. And moving the remaining amount to yet another balance transfer card could ding your credit record, as every time you apply for a credit card a hard inquiry is pulled.

Negotiating Rates and Fees

Even the most attentive person might sometimes miss a credit card due date. This oversight, however, means a late fee and interest may be added to the account balance. If this happens more than once, you might incur a higher late fee than the first one and the account’s interest rate might increase.

It may be possible, however, to negotiate credit card interest rates and fees. If you’ve only had one late payment, it’s worth a call to customer service asking for the late fee to be waived. If there have been multiple late payments and you’re faced with an increased interest rate, it might take up to six months of on-time payments before a credit card issuer is willing to consider lowering the interest rate.

Recommended: How To Lower Credit Card Debt Without Ruining Your Credit

Knowing How Much Credit Is Being Utilized

The amount of debt owed is the second largest factor that makes up a person’s credit score. It accounts for 30% of the total score, and revolving credit accounts like credit cards are important in the calculation of a credit score. Someone who is using a high percentage of their credit card limit might be seen as potentially risky by lenders. But someone who uses a lower percentage of their credit card limit may be considered to be in a favorable financial position.

Credit card companies sometimes raise the credit limit of financially responsible customers. By keeping your account balance low, it can improve the credit utilization rate used to calculate your credit score.

The Takeaway

Credit card debt can feel overwhelming quickly. If you’ve racked up more debt than you can comfortably pay off, you might consider using a personal loan to consolidate that debt. If your financial history is solid, getting approved for a personal loan interest rate that’s lower than your credit card rates could make your outstanding debt easier to deal with. Using a debt consolidation loan to consolidate multiple credit cards would also mean just one bill to pay each month instead of keeping track of multiple payments and due dates. A consolidation loan with a respected lender can be part of a smart overall money management plan.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. Checking your rate takes just a minute.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

SOPL0623063

If you’re considering in vitro fertilization, or IVF, out-of-pocket costs may be one of your major concerns.

The average cost of one IVF cycle in the United States is around $10,000 to $15,000, according to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology . That doesn’t include the cost of medications, fertility testing, and procedures that may be necessary to ensure the success of IVF. And, most patients undergo multiple IVF cycles.

The total cost for IVF treatment can be daunting for many would-be parents. However, there may be ways to lower your out-of-pocket expenses, including insurance coverage for some procedures and medications, discount programs, grants, and financing.

Read on for a closer look at how much you can expect to pay for IVF treatment, plus strategies to help make this treatment more affordable.

How Much Does IVF Actually Cost?

While a fertility clinic may charge $10,000 to $15,000 for one IVF cycle, that number does not include the cost of add-on (often necessary) procedures. The total bill from a fertility clinic for a cycle may more likely fall between $15,000 and $20,000.

Keep in mind that the clinic’s fee likely won’t include medications, including the price of the injectable hormones (which can run anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000-plus). You typically pay for these costs directly to the pharmacy filling the prescription.

Other addition fees you may have to cover include:

•   Donor sperm ($300 to $1,600)

•   Fertility assessment ($250 to $500)

•   Semen analysis ($200 to $250)

Does Insurance Cover IVF?

Many insurers offer at least some coverage for fertility treatments. Certain states have laws that require employers to provide fertility benefits. However, which treatments must be covered and who qualifies for coverage is different from state to state. Also, small employers are often exempt from these laws.

It can be a good idea to reach out to your insurer before beginning treatment and to make sure you understand exactly what is — and is not — covered. Some questions you may want to consider asking include:

•   Which fertility treatments are covered?

•   Will I have to pay for initial treatments out of pocket until infertility is determined?

•   Are initial consultations at a fertility clinic covered and, if so, how many? Knowing this can help you decide if you want to visit several clinics before choosing one.

•   Is diagnostic testing covered? Some policies might not cover IVF, but do cover blood work and ultrasound monitoring.

•   Are medications covered? If so, you may also want to find out if they need to be filled at a specific pharmacy.

•   Do I have to first try intrauterine insemination (IUI) or spend a certain number of months trying to conceive before qualifying for IVF?

•   Is there a cap on my coverage — such as a limit on total cost or number of cycles?

Recommended: Beginner’s Guide to Health Insurance

How to Pay for IVF

While the high price tag for IVF can be off-putting, there are ways to make IVF more affordable, along with several different IVF financing options you may want to consider. Below are a few strategies to help pay for IVF.

Working with your clinic. Many fertility clinics offer payment and financing options to help make IVF more affordable. Some also have refund programs, in which you pay a set fee for treatment (maybe $20,000 to $30,000) and the clinic will refund part of your money if you don’t get pregnant after three or four IVF cycles. Some clinics even have lotteries for free cycles or money to use toward a cycle.

Tapping family for help. It can be helpful to talk to close family members about your situation, fertility treatment plans, and the costs involved. If they’re in a position to help, would-be grandparents might be happy to gift money knowing that it is to be used for fertility expenses.

Enrolling in a clinical study. You could possibly qualify for an IVF clinical study, which can reduce the cost of treatment. One good place to start your search is ClinicalTrials.gov .

Applying for a grant. A number of nonprofit organizations, such as Baby Quest and the Starfish Infertility Foundation , offer grants and scholarships to those who cannot afford to pay for IVF. Qualifying for a grant may be based on various factors, including income and location.

Taking out a loan. While some fertility patients use credit cards or cash out a retirement account to pay for IVF, taking out a personal loan can sometimes be a better option. A personal loan can be used for almost any expense, including IVF, and typically comes with a lower interest rate than credit cards.

Using an FSA or HSA. Putting funds into a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings plan (HSA) can help make IVF treatments more affordable.

Making a Financial Plan

Once you have compiled information about costs and coverage, you may want to take some time to set both treatment and financial goals.

It can be easy to get caught up in the immediate needs of fertility treatments, but taking a moment to think about big-picture financial goals can help you keep things in perspective and provide a roadmap in the event that a pivot is needed.

For example, you may want to discuss with your partner how many IUIs you might have before moving on to IVF, as well as how home many IVF cycles you will want to do before considering other steps, such as using a sperm or egg donor or using a surrogate, or when/if you might consider fostering or adoption.

Each step in the fertility treatment process can cost money and having a rough roadmap of what you’re considering can help you budget for the costs.

The Takeaway

IVF treatments can be expensive, but there are strategies aspiring parents can use to manage the costs. These include understanding (and maximizing) your health insurance benefits, looking to family for help, applying for a grant or a clinical trial, tapping health savings accounts, and taking advantage of financing plans offered through your fertility center.

Another way to help pay for these costs is to take out a personal loan. Some lenders actually offer personal loans specifically for this purpose, called IVF loans.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. Checking your rate takes just a minute.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

SOPL0623067

A cross-country move is exciting. You’ll make friends, have new experiences, and dive into a whole new way of life in a new city. But not so fast: You have to get there first. And one of the big decisions you’ll have to make when moving across the country is whether to drive your car yourself or hire a shipping company to move it for you.

There are a lot of considerations to keep in mind when making this decision, from weather to safety to timing. And of course, there are shipping costs to think about. To make the right choice, take the following factors into account.

Driving Distance

Getting your vehicle to your new home could be one of your biggest moving expenses. When deciding whether to drive or ship your car, the first step is to get a sense of how long the drive actually is. Use a mapping app to get a sense of the various routes you could take, the total distance, and a driving time estimate.

Understanding distance can help give you a sense of how much fuel you’d need to make the journey. Consider how many miles per gallon of gas your car usually gets. Divide the total distance by that number, and that can help you create a rough estimate of how much gas you might expect to purchase.

You may also want to factor in the average gas prices in the locations you’ll be driving through. The American Automobile Association (AAA) aggregates the average price for a gallon of gas in each state, and nationally.

Mapping can also give you a sense of what kind of conditions you can expect to be driving in. For the most part, you may expect to take major highways. But will your route take you across mountains or deserts? These regions might be tough on a vehicle, especially if it’s older and prone to overheating, for example.

Recommended: How to Save Money on Gas

Seasonal Considerations

The time of year you plan to move can make a big difference when it comes to driving conditions. Driving in balmy July weather can be very different from driving through wintry conditions in February, especially if your trip takes you across the northern part of the country where there is a chance of snowy or icy conditions.

Take geographical features, like mountains, into consideration as well. For example, there may be snow in mountain passes far earlier than in places closer to sea level. So, though a cross country trip in October may be snow free in most parts of the country, you might encounter wintry conditions as you cross the Rocky Mountains.

If driving through adverse weather does not sound appealing to you, you may consider shipping your car instead.

Recommended: How to Move Across the Country

Timing

Driving from coast to coast at a fairly reasonable clip could take as little as a few days or as long as a week. If you’re driving with someone else, you can switch off drivers and the trip may take less time.

If you’re driving solo, you may take extra time as you make stops to ensure you’re well rested enough to safely continue your journey. If you can’t afford to take the time off to drive your car yourself, shipping may make more sense.

Recommended: 13 Helpful Tips for You to Afford Moving Out

Safety

When you drive across the country, you necessarily put yourself and any passengers at a certain amount of risk. Your car will experience more wear and tear on a long drive, and you face the possibility of breakdowns.

What’s more, you risk the possibility of theft while you’re on the road, whether of your vehicle itself or its contents.

There is also a chance that you could get into an accident while on the road. Shipping your car limits potential damage to your vehicle and shields you from personal safety hazards.

Recommended: 31 Ways to Save Money on Car Maintenance

Cost to Ship a Car

The cost to ship a car across the country will depend on a number of factors, including the size and weight of the vehicle, the distance the vehicle will be shipped, and what kind of insurance you want to buy.

To a certain extent, price may depend on demand, which can fluctuate throughout the year. The more cars are being shipped along a certain route, the pricier it will be. While prices vary, September through November are generally the cheapest months to ship a car.

On average, it costs around $1,108 to ship a car. Again, price depends on the length of trip, but also on whether you choose an open transport or an enclosed transport. A 2,750-mile trip in an open transport costs about $1,210, while covering that same distance in an enclosed transport runs about $1,580.

You may also want to consider the option of shipping your car by train, which may be faster and cheaper than sending it on a truck. You may have to purchase a ticket and ride the same train that your car is on.

When considering shipping as an option, it’s also important to consider other potential costs associated with it. For example, you will have to purchase plane tickets for you and your family. If you drive your own car, you can pack it full of items you want to move with you. When you arrive at your destination, you may need to rent a car until your own vehicle arrives.

Recommended: Ways to Be a Frugal Traveler

Cost to Drive a Car

In many cases, it may be cheaper to drive your car than it is to ship it. According to Move.org, it is, on average, about $180 cheaper to drive a car than to have it shipped, factoring in the costs for food, lodging, and fuel for one person.

The longer the distance, however, generally the closer the two costs come together. Driving a car 1,000 miles versus shipping it over the same distance costs $470 and $980 respectively. Driving a car 2,750 miles versus shipping that same distance, on the other hand, runs $1,220 and $1,210 respectively.

Lodging is one of the greatest expenses you will encounter while you’re on the road. The more nights you spend on the road, the more expensive driving your car yourself will become. You can of course consider less expensive options, like staying in an Airbnb or visiting with friends along the way.

Making the Decision

As you tackle your moving checklist, the decision to to drive across the country or ship your car will depend on a lot of factors. In some respects it comes down to convenience. Do you have the time to ship your car? Will you need it right away? Do you want to risk driving in poor conditions? In other respects it comes down to cost.

For the most part, driving costs less than shipping. However, the longer the drive, the difference in cost between the two options starts to shrink.

If you decide to ship your car, do your research. Ask friends and family for recommendations and check out company reviews and reports from the Better Business Bureau. Contact multiple shipping companies to make sure you get the best rate.

No matter what you decide, moving is potentially a pricey proposition. If you need a little extra help covering the cost of the move, consider a relocation assistance loan. These loans are personal loans that can cover the cost of shipping your car and other moving related expenses.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

SOPL0623035

Have you noticed a pesky draft in the winter months? Or perhaps the blazing sun heats up your living space in the summertime? It might be time to replace your windows.

The price tag on this type of project will depend on a range of factors, including materials, style, size, number needed, and the cost of installation.

How Much Do Windows Cost?

Count on a bill of thousands.

A standard new window, installed, can cost anywhere from $450 to $1,500, according to HomeGuide. HomeAdvisor puts the costs at $300 to $2,100 per window and $100 to $300 each for labor.

Window frames are commonly made of wood, vinyl, metal, or fiberglass. Of those, vinyl windows are the most popular choice. The average cost of a double-hung, double-pane vinyl window, including installation, is $400 to $2,000, HomeGuide says.

Vinyl windows typically last for 30 years, don’t need to be painted, and are easy to clean. Compared with their cheaper cousin, aluminum, vinyl windows excel when it comes to insulation and improving energy efficiency, and they will not rust.

Fiberglass and fiberglass-composite windows are stronger than vinyl. Like vinyl, they offer a high degree of energy efficiency, and with both types of window, there are options to enhance the energy efficiency. Expect to pay $600 to $1,000 for one fiberglass window, installed, according to The Spruce, though some sites give a lower average cost.

Wood windows can lend a classic look. Expect to pay more — around $800 to $3,800, including installation, according to HomeGuide. Wood windows tend to be harder to maintain than vinyl windows, given that the paint can peel or the wood can start to rot if it gets wet.

Recommended: How Much Does It Cost to Remodel or Renovate a House?

When Should I Replace My Windows?

If you’re thinking about replacing your windows, consider these questions. First, do your windows show any damage? Are they drafty, or have you noticed an increase in your electrical bills in the winter when the heat is on, or in the summer when the air conditioning is on?

Is there frequent moisture buildup on the outside of the glass, or is moisture trapped between layers of glazing, signaling leaky seals? Can you hear too much noise outside? Are you ready for a new look?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, it may be time to consider replacing your windows. Or if you are on a smaller budget, consider repairing them.

If you’re buying a new home, an inspection will be a part of your mortgage process. It’s best to have the windows inspected, and if there are major issues, try to negotiate for their replacement before you close on the house.

Can I Repair Old Windows?

If your windows are in pretty good shape, it may make sense to repair or update them rather than replace them. Doing so can be a cost-effective way to help you save money on energy costs and reduce drafts and moisture in your home.

•   Check windows for air leaks.

•   Caulk and add weather stripping as needed.

•   Consider solar control film that can block heat and reduce glare.

•   If a pane is cracked, in a pinch the glass alone can be replaced with an insulated glass unit.

Recommended: What Are the Most Common Home Repair Costs?

How Long Do Windows Last?

The lifespan of a window depends on a number of factors, such as quality and type of material, local climate, and proper installation.

Wood windows can last a long time, but might require a bit of maintenance on your part, whereas vinyl or fiberglass windows may require none.

Your local weather can play a big part. Extreme heat or cold can shorten the lifespan, salt spray from the ocean can corrode window exteriors, while humidity can lead to warping or rotting.

Whether or not a window is properly installed can also impact how long it lasts. If it is sealed improperly, for example, moisture may get in and damage the frame.

Finally, consider how much a window is used. Normal wear and tear on parts in windows that are opened and closed frequently can lead to replacement more often than windows that are rarely opened.

Should I Replace All My Windows at Once?

Whether or not you decide to replace all of your windows at once will largely depend on your budget. Consider that the price to replace 10 windows in a modest house could be several thousand dollars.

If you don’t have the budget to replace all your windows in one go, it’s common to swap windows out in stages. In this case, windows at the front of the house are generally the first to be replaced. They’re public-facing and add to the curb appeal of the home. The windows in the back of the house tend to come next, followed by any upstairs windows.

There may be economies of scale. After ordering 10 or more windows, the price per window tends to stay the same.

What Type of Window Should I Buy?

The first thing to consider is materials. You might consider wood windows if you’re trying to match them to an existing wood exterior or trim. You might choose fiberglass or composite for its durability and ability to look like painted wood. Or you might decide on vinyl for its affordability.

You’ll also want to consider the many types of windows available. For example, single-hung windows are among the most popular and cheapest options. They have a fixed upper window and allow you to open a lower window sash.

Double-hung windows are pricier but have two moving window sashes that allow for increased airflow and easier cleaning. There are also bay windows, arched windows, sliding windows, and many more to choose from.

The glass option you choose is an important decision. There are a variety of insulating options, such as dual-pane or triple-pane windows. Glass can be treated with a low-emittance coating to reflect heat in the summer and keep it in in the winter.

In climates where you need to cool the house for much of the year, consider three-coat low-e glazing, which best reduces heat from the sun. In colder climates that require more heating, it may make sense to go with a two-coat low-e treatment.

The space between glass may be filled with a nontoxic gas that can provide better insulation than air.

What’s the Best Time of Year for Replacing Windows?

Spring, summer, and fall tend to be the most popular times to replace windows. That’s because in the warmer months, you don’t have to worry about winter air getting into your house, requiring you to jack up your heat or close off rooms to control drafts. These factors can be especially irksome if you’re having multiple windows replaced.

Weather can affect how materials behave. For example, caulk doesn’t adhere well in extreme cold, nor does it cure well in very high temperatures. As a result, you may want to aim to replace windows when temperatures are between 40 and 80 degrees.

If you can stand the cold, you may be able to secure a discount to have windows installed in the winter. A contractor can help you decide on the right time of year to have your new windows installed.

The Takeaway

What does it cost to replace windows? It depends on the materials (wood, vinyl, fiberglass), style, size, and labor costs. Think of new windows as a long-term investment that may provide energy savings, visual appeal, and, potentially, enhanced resale value.

If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and get some home repairs or renovations done, see what a SoFi can offer. With a SoFi Home Improvement Loan, you can borrow between $5,000 to $100,000 as an unsecured personal loan, meaning you don’t use your home as collateral and no appraisal is required. Our rates are competitive, and the whole process is easy and speedy.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SOPL0623051