Pricing reviewed October 2026
Replacing a jalousie (louvered glass) window typically costs $175 to $375 per window according to Modernize, and $170 to $380 according to Angi (both as of Oct 27, 2026). An older 2022 guide from EcoWatch puts the average at about $250. Replacing only the glass louvers usually costs less than replacing the whole unit.
Jalousie windows are rows of overlapping glass slats, or sometimes aluminum or wood slats. A crank tilts them open together, like a shutter. They give almost unmatched airflow, and they let you keep the window open in the rain. They also leak air when closed, are easy to pry open, and in hurricane country they are subject to the same impact rules as any other window. This guide covers what replacement costs, when to repair the louvers instead, and when to switch to a different style. For standard styles, see window cost by type.
Jalousie window cost at a glance
| Item | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Jalousie window replacement, per window | $175 – $375 | Modernize (page updated Sept 23, 2026) |
| Jalousie window replacement, per window | $170 – $380 | Angi (page updated Oct 15, 2026) |
| Jalousie window replacement, per window | $150 – $350 (avg. $250) | EcoWatch (page dated Sept 27, 2022) |
| Cost split | About 70% materials / 30% labor; labor about $38/hour | Modernize |
| Replacing louvers only (repair) | Usually under $150 per window | EcoWatch (2022) |
| Permit, where required | $50 – $200 | EcoWatch (2022) |
| For comparison: average replacement window, all styles | About $750 per window | Angi |
The two current sources agree closely: Modernize says $175–$375 and Angi says $170–$380. EcoWatch's range is a little lower and four years older, so treat it as a floor. All three are for standard non-impact units. In coastal areas where code requires impact protection, a replacement jalousie or its substitute has to meet that standard, and the price looks more like our impact-resistant window cost figures.
What drives jalousie window cost
Repair or replace
Jalousie louvers can be removed one at a time. A professional cranks the window halfway open, slides the old glass panel out and slides a new one in (Modernize). If the frame and crank work and only a few slats are cracked, louver replacement is the cheapest fix. EcoWatch puts it under $150 per window. If the operator is seized, the frame is corroded or you want better efficiency, full replacement makes more sense.
Size and slat material
Bigger windows cost more. Slats come in glass (the most common), aluminum or wood. Modernize notes that aluminum units are typically cheaper than wood, and that aluminum resists saltwater corrosion near the coast.
Wall finish and access
Jalousies are common in warm-climate homes with stucco walls. EcoWatch notes that stucco can crack or chip during installation, and budgets about $100 for patching. Upper-floor or hard-to-reach windows raise labor, as with any window.
Code and storm requirements
In hurricane-prone wind-borne debris regions, building codes require glazing to be impact-resistant or protected by an impact-rated covering tested to ASTM E1886 and E1996 (FEMA Technical Fact Sheet 6.2, as of Oct 27, 2026). If your jalousies are in an enclosed living space in one of those regions, ask the installer which approved product they will use. Ask too whether the permit treats the project as a window replacement.
How efficient are jalousie windows?
Not very, by design. Modernize lists "poor energy-efficiency" as a con and notes that the slats don't make an airtight seal when closed. Few modern louver makers publish rated numbers. One that does is Breezway, an Australian louver-window maker that sells in Hawaii. In a 2010 letter of results from Australia's Window Energy Rating Scheme, simulated with NFRC 100-2004 procedures, its Altair louver window with an outside screen rated a whole-window U-factor of 1.07 with clear glass and 0.73 with low-E glass (Breezway). Lower U-factors insulate better. ENERGY STAR certification needs NFRC-certified ratings that meet EPA limits for your climate zone, so check the NFRC label on any unit you're quoted (ENERGY STAR).
The trade-off is ventilation. In a 2018 technical bulletin, Breezway reported its louvers' air infiltration at about 2.6 L/m²·s at 75 Pa. That compares with 0.39 for an average of fixed windows. Breezway also reported that a modeled Sydney building using the louvers for natural ventilation needed 37% less cooling energy over a year (Breezway technical bulletin). That is a manufacturer-commissioned model for one climate, not a guarantee for your home. It shows why jalousies still make sense where you'd rather open windows than run air conditioning.
Pros and cons of jalousie windows
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Maximum airflow for the window size | Leaky when closed, so they perform poorly on energy |
| Can stay open in rain; the slats shed water | Low security; louvers can be pried out (EcoWatch) |
| Cheaper than most window styles | More moving parts to clean and maintain |
| Broken slats can be replaced individually | Impact-code compliance needed in hurricane debris regions |
| Manual crank works during power outages | Hard to find outside warm-climate markets |
Who jalousie windows are for
- Hawaii and other warm, rainy places. Modernize notes they remain common in Hawaii because they let air in and keep rain out.
- Screened porches, sunrooms and "Florida rooms" that aren't fully conditioned.
- Mid-century restorations, where the louvered look is part of the design.
- Not ideal for air-conditioned bedrooms, cold climates or ground-floor rooms where security matters. Modernize suggests casement windows for better efficiency and security. Double-hung or sliding windows keep good ventilation. Compare their costs in window cost by type.
Making jalousies safer and tighter
If you keep your jalousies, Modernize notes that owners often add metal grating behind them for security, and fit jalousie covers to cut HVAC losses. A screen is recommended because the slats never fully seal. If the house is in a hurricane debris region, the louvers also need approved storm protection or replacement with an impact-rated unit. Ask the installer to show the product approval.
Budgeting for other windows too? See window cost by frame material and transom window cost.
Get a number for your exact windows with the window replacement cost calculator.
Check a contractor's license (HomeProFax)
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to replace a jalousie window?
About $175–$375 per window according to Modernize and $170–$380 according to Angi (both as of Oct 27, 2026). An older 2022 EcoWatch guide put the average at about $250.
Can I replace just the glass slats?
Yes. Louvers are replaced one panel at a time by sliding the old slat out and a new one in. EcoWatch estimated louver-only replacement at usually under $150 per window.
Are jalousie windows energy efficient?
Not very. The slats do not seal airtight. As one example, Breezway reported a simulated whole-window U-factor of 1.07 for its Altair louver window with clear glass and 0.73 with low-E glass.
Are jalousie windows allowed in hurricane zones?
In wind-borne debris regions, codes require glazing to be impact-resistant or protected by an approved impact-resistant covering (ASTM E1886/E1996), so check the product approval or add approved storm protection.
What should I replace jalousie windows with?
Modernize suggests casement windows for better efficiency and security, or double-hung and sliding windows if you still want good ventilation.
Sources
- Modernize, "Jalousie Window Replacement" (updated Sept 23, 2026); accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- Angi, "How Much Does Window Replacement Cost? [2026 Data]" (updated Oct 15, 2026); accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- EcoWatch, "Jalousie Windows" cost guide (dated Sept 27, 2022); accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- FEMA P-499 Technical Fact Sheet 6.2, "Protection of Openings: Shutters and Glazing" (hosted by Town of Edisto Beach) (dated 12/10); accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- Breezway, Altair louvre window energy ratings (WERS letter of results, NFRC 100-2004 simulation) (dated Aug 24, 2010); accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- Breezway technical bulletin, air infiltration and natural ventilation (dated July 18, 2018); accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- ENERGY STAR, "What makes it ENERGY STAR?" (windows, doors and skylights); accessed Oct 27, 2026.
Figures on this page come from the third-party cost guides, manufacturer documents and government sources linked inline and listed above, checked October 27, 2026. They are not from the WindowCostEstimate cost guide or our calculator pricing model. Prices and warranty terms change; confirm with the manufacturer and compare written quotes from local installers.