Passive House Windows: What U-Factor Do You Actually Need?

A window can have an impressive U-Factor and still be the wrong choice for a Passive House project.

ENERGY STAR window ratings make it easier to compare residential windows using standardized NFRC performance data.

At first glance, tilt-and-turn windows, double-hung windows, casement windows, and sliding windows all do the same job-they let in natural light, fresh air, and views.

Triple-pane windows do more than lower energy bills-they help create a quieter, more comfortable home by reducing outdoor noise.

A new front door typically costs $500 to $2,500 or more installed, depending on material, with steel the least expensive option and wood the most expensive.

A lift and slide patio door typically costs $1,500 to $4,000 per linear foot installed, roughly double or more the cost of a standard sliding patio door, which commonly runs $1,200 to $4,000 total for a typical opening.

Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS), sometimes called synthetic stucco, typically cost $8 to $14 per square foot installed in the US, or roughly $16,000 to $28,000 for a 2,000-square-foot home, according to contractor-reported market data.

The national average cost to replace a window in the US is $1,047 installed, based on data from more than one million completed homeowner projects tracked by Modernize.

Windows and doors account for 3.7% of the total cost to build a new single-family home, or about $15,990 on a home costing the 2024 national average of $428,215 to construct, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

A tilt and turn window combines two distinct opening modes in a single frame: a tilt position that vents from the top like an awning window, and a turn position that swings fully inward like a casement.