Window Replacement & Installation in Portland, OR
Replace Drafty, Failing, or Inefficient Windows. Milgard Warranty Service Provider. Marvin, Andersen & All Major Brands. Proper Flashing — Not Just Drop-In Replacements. Licensed OR #241979 | WA #VRESHCL776ND.
Most Portland homeowners replace their windows for one of three reasons: the old windows are drafty and driving up heating bills, the glass is fogged from failed seals, or the frames are rotting and the windows no longer close or lock properly. All three are problems we solve every week across the Portland metro. Window replacement makes an immediate, measurable difference — lower energy costs, eliminated drafts, dramatically reduced street noise, and an updated appearance inside and out. But replaced windows are only as good as their installation. In the Pacific Northwest, where annual rainfall averages 37 inches, and homes are subject to sustained driving rain from the west, improperly flashed windows are among the leading causes of hidden structural damage. Most homeowners don't see the consequences for years — until dry rot behind the trim becomes a $5,000 structural repair.
VResh Construction installs windows the right way: full removal of the old unit, inspection of the rough opening for any existing moisture damage or rot, installation of a proper drainage plane, head flashing above the window, and complete air sealing before the new unit goes in. Then, proper interior and exterior trim finishing that looks as good as it performs. We are a Milgard Warranty Service Provider, and we also install Marvin, Andersen, Jeld-Wen, and other premium brands.
Milgard Warranty Service Provider
Authorized service and installation — all Milgard product lines
Proper Flashing Always Included
Head flash, sill pan, and drainage plane — not optional
EPA Lead-Safe Certified
Required for window work on pre-1978 Portland homes
Licensed & Insured
OR #241979 | WA #VRESHCL776ND
Available 24/7
Emergency board-up and assessment available any hour
5–10 Year Workmanship Warranty
Separate from Milgard's 20-year limited product warranty
(503) 272-6436 — Call or Text, Available 24/7
We answer calls and texts at any hour. For storm damage, active leaks, or structural emergencies, calling directly is the fastest path to a response.
Why Window Installation Technique Matters More in Portland Than Most Places
Portland, OR, receives approximately 37 inches of rain annually, most of it in sustained horizontal rain events from October through May. This is the climate in which the window installation technique either holds up or fails. Most of the window failures we encounter on Portland homes didn't involve a bad window — they involved a good window, improperly installed. Here's what goes wrong, and why our approach prevents it.
The Head Flashing Problem
Head flashing is the piece of metal or membrane that sits above the window and directs water that has run down the wall away from the window opening and to the exterior. When head flashing is absent or improperly installed — which is extremely common in older Portland homes and not uncommon in newer contractor-grade installations — water runs into the rough opening. Over the years, this saturates the rough sill, the jack studs, and eventually the structural framing. By the time paint starts bubbling or trim starts rotting, the damage is already significant. Every VResh window installation includes proper head flashing, period.
The Air Sealing Problem
Drafts from windows are usually not from a bad window seal — they're from inadequate air sealing in the gap between the window frame and the rough opening. Properly filling this gap with low-expansion foam (not stuffed fiberglass, not left open) dramatically reduces air infiltration and improves the energy performance of even an excellent window. We include this as standard on every installation.
The Sill Pan Problem
A sill pan is a formed tray at the bottom of the window rough opening that catches any water that manages to get past the window unit and directs it to the exterior. Without a sill pan, that water sits in the rough opening, soaks into the sill plate, and begins rotting the framing. On pre-1978 homes with wood sills that have been holding moisture for decades, we often find significant rot at the sill before a window is even removed. We address all of this before the new window goes in.
Our Window Installation Process — What We Do on Every Project
We use the same process for every window installation, regardless of window brand, type, or the age of the home. Here is exactly what happens from start to finish.
Window Brands We Install
We are not a single-brand dealer. We work with multiple window manufacturers and help our customers choose the right product for their specific project, budget, and home. Below is an overview of the brands we install most frequently and why we recommend them for Pacific Northwest applications.
Milgard — Our Most-Installed Brand
Milgard Windows & Doors is the most popular window manufacturer in the Pacific Northwest, and for good reason. Their fiberglass, vinyl, and wood-clad product lines are specifically engineered for the wet, variable climate of the Pacific Northwest. Milgard's vinyl windows carry a Full Lifetime Warranty for the original purchaser, with transferability to subsequent owners. VResh Construction is a Milgard Warranty Service Provider, which means we can perform warranty repairs on Milgard windows that have been improperly installed or have product defects — a designation not held by most Portland contractors.
Andersen — Wide Selection, Strong Brand Recognition
Andersen Windows is one of the most recognized window brands in the country. Their 100 Series (vinyl), 200 Series (Fibrex composite), and 400 Series (wood-interior / Fibrex-exterior) cover a wide range of price points and applications. The 400 Series is particularly popular for historical home renovations where wood interior character is desired. Andersen carries a 20-year limited warranty on most product lines.
Other Brands
We also install Pella, Simonton, MI Windows, and other brands. If you've already selected a specific window product, we can install it. If you're still deciding, we can help you evaluate options for your specific project, climate exposure, and budget.
Marvin — For Homeowners Who Want Premium Performance
Marvin Windows and Doors is the highest-performing premium window manufacturer we install. Their Ultimate and Elevate product lines offer real wood interiors with fiberglass exteriors — the performance, thermal characteristics, and feel of wood windows without the maintenance burden. For homeowners in older Portland homes with wood windows who want to match the character of the original while dramatically improving performance, Marvin is the right recommendation. Marvin carries a 20-year limited warranty on most products.
Jeld-Wen — Strong Value at Mid-Range Price Points
Jeld-Wen offers an extensive selection of vinyl, wood, and aluminum-clad windows at strong value pricing. Their W-2500 and W-4500 series are well-suited to standard residential applications in the Portland area. Jeld-Wen is a good choice for larger projects where budget is a constraint, but quality installation remains the priority.
Window Types We Install
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The most common window type in Portland-area homes. Both sashes slide up and down for ventilation. Easy to clean from the inside. Works well in most applications — bedroom, living room, and kitchen.
Best for: Standard residential replacements in most Portland homes built before 1990.
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Hinged on one side, opening outward with a crank handle. Excellent air sealing when closed. Good for areas where maximum ventilation is desired. More challenging to install correctly than a double-hung due to operation and sealing requirements.
Best for: Dining rooms, kitchens, and homes where energy efficiency is the top priority.
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Sashes slide horizontally. Lower profile than casement windows. Good for wider openings and contemporary designs. Easier to clean than double-hung. Very common in 1960s–1980s Portland ranch homes.
Best for: Ranch-style homes, rooms with wide horizontal openings.
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Non-operable windows installed purely for light and view. Offer the best energy efficiency of any window type since there are no operable seams. Often combined with operable windows on either side.
Best for: Living rooms, stairwells, and any application where view is more important than ventilation.
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Bay windows project outward from the wall in a 3-window combination (typically 45° or 30° angles). Bow windows use 4–6 windows in a gentle curve. Both add interior space and visual impact. More complex installation — requires structural header work and proper roof flashing where they project through the siding plane.
Best for: Living rooms, master bedrooms, and dining rooms where architectural impact is desired.
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Code-required windows in bedrooms below grade or bedrooms without sufficient existing emergency egress. Must meet minimum opening dimensions per the Oregon residential code. Egress window installation often requires enlarging an existing rough opening — structural work.
Best for: Basement bedrooms, converted spaces, and code compliance upgrades.
Window Replacement on Portland's Pre-1978 Homes — What You Need to Know
Approximately 40% of Portland's housing stock was built before 1978. If your home was built before 1978, there is a substantial probability that it contains lead-based paint on window trim, window frames, and surrounding surfaces. Federal law (the EPA Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule — RRP Rule) requires contractors who disturb these surfaces to be Lead-Safe Certified, follow specific work practices, and provide documentation.
⚠️ What Happens If Your Contractor Is Not Lead-Safe Certified
Performing window replacement on a pre-1978 home without proper Lead-Safe certification and protocols can create lead dust hazards for your family and the crew.
Violations of the EPA RRP Rule carry fines of up to $37,500 per day per violation for contractors — and can expose homeowners to liability as well.
An uncertified contractor cannot provide you with the required documentation that lead-safe work practices were followed, which may affect your home's record and resale.
VResh Construction is EPA Lead-Safe Certified and follows all required protocols on every pre-1978 project. Ask any contractor you consider to show you their EPA certification before you hire them for work on an older home.
Window Replacement FAQs — Portland Homeowners
What Does Window Replacement Cost in Portland, OR?
Window replacement costs vary based on the number of windows, brand and product line selected, window type and size, and the condition of the rough openings. Here are general ranges based on our current Portland-area projects — these are provided as planning guidance only. Your written estimate may vary significantly based on the specifics of your home.
General Cost Ranges — Portland, OR (Labor + Materials)
- Single window replacement (standard double-hung or slider, vinyl, no rough opening repair): $800–$1,400 per window
- Full home re-window (10–15 windows, mid-grade vinyl): $12,000–$22,000
- Full home re-window (10–15 windows, premium fiberglass or wood-clad): $20,000–$45,000+
- Bay or bow window replacement: $3,500–$8,000+, depending on size and structural work required
- Egress window cut-in (enlarging existing rough opening): $1,500–$3,500 per opening, depending on structural work
- Add $500–$2,000+ per window if significant dry rot or structural damage is found in the rough opening
*Verify these ranges with Vlad before publishing. Pricing may have changed.
Typical Project Timeline
- Estimate to contract: Same day to a few days, depending on complexity
- Material lead time: 2–6 weeks depending on brand and product line. Milgard typically 3–4 weeks for special orders; in-stock units may be available sooner.
- Installation time: 1 window = half day; 5–8 windows = 1 full day; full home re-window (10–15 windows) = 2–3 days.
- Cleanup and final inspection: Included — job site is cleaned and windows are tested before completion.
Spring Special — Current Offer
$500 off window projects over $8,000.
Free moisture and dry rot inspection included with all qualifying window projects.
*Confirm this offer is active and verify the expiration date before publishing.
Client's Talk
We have a wealth of experience working as main building contractors on all kinds of projects, big and small, from home maintenance and improvements to extensions, refurbishments and new builds.
Serving Portland Metro Area
VResh Construction provides window replacement, siding installation, roofing, dry rot repair and full exterior renovation services throughout the Portland metro area and Southwest Washington.
Portland Metro — Oregon
Southwest Washington
Extended Service Areas
Ready for New Windows? Let's Start with a Free Estimate.
Whether you're replacing one drafty window or every window in the house, the process starts with a free on-site estimate. We assess the condition of your existing windows and rough openings, recommend the right product for your home and budget, and give you a detailed written quote with no pressure and no obligation.