Window installation in Denver: new openings, egress & custom windows
Precision Exteriors Restoration handles new-construction and egress window installation across Denver and the Front Range, including basement egress conversions that make a bedroom code-compliant. A licensed Colorado contractor since 2016, we cut, frame, and flash new openings to manufacturer specification.
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Tell us what you are starting from and we scope the structural work, egress, and permit needs during the estimate visit, usually scheduled within the same week.
Denver energy-efficient window installation by Precision Exteriors
Quick answer: Precision Exteriors Restoration handles new-construction and egress window installation across Denver and the Front Range, including basement egress conversions that make a bedroom code-compliant. A licensed Colorado contractor (License #0248041) since 2016, we cut, frame, and flash new openings to manufacturer specification and back the work with a 10-year workmanship warranty. Free inspections are usually scheduled within the same week.
Precision Exteriors Restoration is a licensed exterior contractor in Denver, Colorado (Colorado License #0248041) providing residential window installation across the Denver Metro and Front Range, new window openings in existing walls, egress window conversions, home addition window integration, remodel projects adding light and ventilation to existing spaces, and custom window configurations. Founded in 2016, we bring 20+ years of combined experience and 3,000+ completed Front Range exterior projects to every installation.
New window installation is a fundamentally different scope from window replacement-in-kind. Replacement puts a new unit into an existing opening, the wall structure is already there and the opening is already sized. New installation creates an opening in an existing wall, which involves structural framing modification, header engineering, rough opening construction, house wrap and flashing integration from the rough opening outward, and building permit coordination. It is an exterior construction project, not a swap.
We are an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor and CertainTeed Master Installer. BBB A+ Accredited. NRCA member. All window installation work is backed by our 10-year workmanship warranty. Free inspections and estimates, no obligation. For replacing existing units in place, see our window replacement in Denver page, or browse every option on the Denver windows hub.
Schedule a free estimateNew installation vs. window replacement: understanding the difference
Direct answer: Window replacement drops a new unit into an existing opening with the wall structure undisturbed, and usually needs no permit in Denver Metro. Window installation creates or enlarges an opening, which requires structural framing, headers, permits, and inspections. The distinction drives scope, cost, timeline, and permit requirements.
This distinction matters for project scope, cost, timeline, and permit requirements. Here is how to identify which applies to your project.
| Scope factor | Window replacement | New window installation |
|---|---|---|
| What happens | Removing an existing window unit from an existing rough opening and installing a new unit, same location, same or similar size. The wall structure is undisturbed. | Creating a new window opening in a wall that does not currently have one, enlarging an existing rough opening for a larger unit, converting a solid wall section to a window opening as part of a remodel, or adding windows in a home addition or accessory structure. |
| Permit in Denver Metro | In most cases no building permit is required for standard replacement-in-kind in Denver Metro jurisdictions. | Any of these requires structural framing work, which means permits, inspections, and a scope that goes beyond the window unit itself. |
| Timeline | The project is completed in a day or less. This is the most common window project on existing Denver Metro homes. | An exterior construction project involving framing, flashing, and finish work, scoped per project. |
If you are unsure which category your project falls into, describe what you are starting from, an existing window location or a solid wall section, and we assess the scope during the estimate visit.
What new window installation involves
Understanding the structural and construction scope of new installation helps set accurate expectations for cost, timeline, and disruption before any work begins.
Rough Opening Construction
Every window opening is framed by a rough opening, the structural frame of king studs, jack studs, sill plate, and header that carries the wall loads around the window void. When a new opening is cut in an existing wall, this framing must be built correctly to transfer load around the void without settling, racking, or transferring stress to the window unit itself. Incorrect rough opening framing, undersized headers, missing jack studs, sill plates not properly aligned, is the root cause of windows that bind, fail to latch, and develop frame gaps within a few years of installation.
Header sizing is the most consequential structural variable. The header carries the load of the wall assembly above the opening, wall framing, sheathing, potentially roof load depending on location, and must be engineered for the span. Wider windows require larger headers. Second-story installations and windows under roof loads require larger headers than first-floor installations in partition walls. We size headers correctly for the specific load condition, not to a generic rule of thumb.
House Wrap and Flashing Integration
The moisture management sequence around a new window opening, house wrap, pan flashing at the sill, head flashing above the window, and correct lapping of these elements with the wall assembly, is the most consequential quality variable in new installation. Errors in this sequence do not show up immediately. They show up as interior staining, wall cavity moisture damage, and frame rot two to five years after installation, long after the original installer has moved on.
The correct sequence: pan flashing installed at the rough opening sill before the window is set, so any water that gets past the window assembly drains out rather than into the wall; the window set and anchored in the opening; head flashing installed above the window and lapped over the top of the window frame; house wrap integrated with all flashing elements so that the drainage plane is continuous from the window outward. This sequence is not complicated but it must be completed in the correct order, it cannot be retrofitted after the window is set.
We integrate new window installations with the existing wall assembly's moisture management system and, where siding replacement is being done simultaneously, with the new siding installation sequence as well.
Air Sealing
The gap between the window frame and the rough opening framing, typically 1/4 to 1/2 inch on all sides, must be air-sealed after the window is shimmed and anchored. Low-expansion foam sealant applied to this gap from the interior eliminates air infiltration at the frame perimeter without creating pressure that bows the frame out of square. This is a step that is frequently skipped or done carelessly in low-quality installations and is one of the common sources of persistent drafts around new window installations.
Exterior Casing and Interior Trim
New window installations require exterior casing, the decorative and functional trim that transitions between the window frame and the exterior wall surface, and interior trim that finishes the rough opening on the inside. Both must be correctly integrated with the window frame, the wall cladding, and the moisture management assembly. Exterior casing is caulked to the window frame and to the wall surface with high-quality, paintable exterior sealant. Interior trim is installed after the window is confirmed square and operational.
Egress window installation in Denver
Direct answer: An egress window is large enough for a person to escape and a firefighter in gear to enter. The IRC requires a minimum 5.7 square feet net clear opening (5.0 sq ft for ground floor), 24 inch minimum height, 20 inch minimum width, and a maximum 44 inch sill height. Every sleeping room, including finished basement bedrooms, must have one. Colorado's adopted IRC follows these requirements.
What egress means.
An egress window is a window large enough to allow a person to escape through it in an emergency, and large enough to allow a firefighter in gear to enter through it for rescue. The International Residential Code specifies minimum egress dimensions: minimum 5.7 square feet of net clear opening (5.0 sq ft for ground floor), minimum 24 inches net clear opening height, minimum 20 inches net clear opening width, and a maximum sill height of 44 inches from the finished floor. Colorado's adopted IRC follows these requirements.
Where egress is required.
Every sleeping room must have at least one egress window or door. In finished basements, this applies to every room used as a sleeping space. Finished basement bedroom additions, a common project on Denver Metro homes converting unfinished basements, require egress window installation to meet code. This is not optional and not something that can be inspected around. Egress is a life-safety requirement.
On-site assessment, Denver metro
What egress installation involves in Denver.
Most Denver Metro homes built before 2000 with unfinished or partially finished basements have either no basement windows, or small hopper windows below grade that do not meet egress dimensions. Converting these spaces requires cutting through the foundation wall, installing a window well on the exterior, constructing a correctly sized rough opening in the foundation, and installing an egress-rated window unit. This is a specialized scope involving foundation cutting, concrete or masonry work, waterproofing at the window well, and drainage management at the well base. We assess the specific conditions at each project before quoting, foundation wall thickness, soil conditions, and existing drainage all affect the installation approach.
Permits are required.
Egress window installations require building permits in all Denver Metro jurisdictions. We coordinate the permit process and the required inspections as part of the project scope.
Window installation for home additions and remodels
When windows are part of a larger home addition or remodel project, installation scope expands beyond individual openings. Common scenarios on Denver Metro homes include the following.
Room additions
New construction additions require windows sized and positioned for the room's function, light requirements, and egress compliance. Window placement affects structural framing, window locations must align with the framing plan and header schedule for the addition, not be added as an afterthought. We coordinate window placement with the addition's framing scope.
Basement finishing
Converting an unfinished basement to finished living space typically requires egress window installation for sleeping rooms, well window installation for light and ventilation in non-sleeping areas, and in some cases enlarging existing window openings to meet egress or ventilation requirements for the finished space use.
Garage conversions
Converting an attached garage to living space requires adding windows that meet ventilation, light, and egress requirements for the new use. Garage wall assemblies typically require reinforcement before window openings are cut, garage framing is often minimal and not designed to carry window header loads.
Sunrooms and enclosed porches
Adding glazed windows to an existing covered porch or converting a porch to a three or four-season sunroom involves significant window installation scope, multiple large openings, often with custom sizing or specialty glass, all requiring proper flashing and air sealing integration with the existing structure.
ENERGY STAR and HB 23-1161 on new installation projects
Colorado's HB 23-1161 requirement, ENERGY STAR certification for all replacement windows on residential structures three stories and under, effective January 2026, applies to new installation projects as well as replacement-in-kind. Any window going into a residential structure at Denver Metro elevations must meet Northern climate zone ENERGY STAR U-factor and SHGC thresholds. For new installation projects, the same altitude-specific considerations apply. IGUs specified and sealed at sea level arrive in Denver with pressure calibrated for lower-elevation conditions. At 5,280 feet, this pressure differential stresses edge seals over time. We specify altitude-appropriate products on every installation, whether replacement or new opening.
Choosing the right window type for new installations
Direct answer: New installations let you pick the operating style for the location instead of matching what was there before. Casements seal tightest, double-hungs suit most walls, picture windows are most efficient but never meet egress, sliders fit wide low openings, and awnings vent in light rain. We match the type to use, ventilation, and egress needs during the estimate.
New installations give homeowners a choice that replacement-in-kind often does not, the window type and operating style can be selected for the specific location, use, and aesthetic rather than being constrained by what was there before. Here is a practical guide to the main window types for Denver Metro new installations.
Casement windows
Open outward on a side hinge, operated by a crank. They seal tightly against the frame when closed, the sash presses directly against weatherstripping on all four sides, which makes them among the most airtight operating window types available. They are excellent for locations where maximum ventilation and tight sealing are priorities: bedrooms, living areas, and any exposure benefitting from directional airflow. Casements are not the right choice for locations directly above exterior walking surfaces where an outward-swinging sash creates a hazard.
Double-hung windows
Open vertically with two sashes that slide past each other. They are the most common window type in Denver Metro residential construction and are appropriate for most wall locations. Modern double-hungs with tilt-in sashes allow cleaning from the interior, which matters on upper floors. Their weakness relative to casements is the sash-to-frame seal, the sliding sash cannot compress against weatherstripping the way a casement does, which makes them slightly less airtight at equivalent quality levels.
Picture windows
Fixed-glass units that do not open. They provide maximum light transmission and are the most thermally efficient operating option because there is no operable sash to create air infiltration pathways. They are appropriate for locations where light is the priority and ventilation is provided by adjacent operable windows or mechanical systems. Picture windows do not meet egress requirements by definition.
Not egress ratedSliding windows
Open horizontally with one sash sliding past the other. They are practical for wide, low-profile openings, often used above kitchen counters or in basement applications. Like double-hungs, their sliding sash seal is less airtight than casement seals.
Awning windows
Hinged at the top and open outward at the bottom. They can remain open during light rain without water intrusion, which makes them useful for basement applications and locations where ventilation during summer weather events is valued. They meet egress requirements only in larger sizes where the net clear opening meets the IRC thresholds.
Specified during your estimate
For new installations, we discuss window type options during the estimate visit in the context of the specific location, use requirements, ventilation priorities, and egress needs before specifying the unit. Where a project also involves exterior cladding, we coordinate with our Denver siding installation scope.
How much does window installation cost in Denver?
Direct answer: New window installation, creating an opening in an existing wall, typically runs $800 to $2,500 per window depending on wall construction, header requirements, window size, and finish work. Egress window installation in a basement, including foundation cutting, window well, and drainage, typically runs $2,500 to $5,000 per opening. These are indicative ranges, actual cost depends on site-specific conditions confirmed during an estimate visit.
New window opening
Creating an opening in an existing wall, varying with wall construction, header requirements, window size, and finish work.
Basement egress conversion
Including foundation cutting, window well, and drainage, scoped to foundation type and site conditions.
A window installation contractor Denver trusts
Direct answer: Since 2016, Precision Exteriors Restoration has completed more than 3,000 Front Range exterior projects with a licensed Colorado team (License #0248041), Owens Corning Preferred and CertainTeed Master certifications, a BBB A+ rating, and a 10-year workmanship warranty on every installation.
- Licensed Colorado contractor since 2016, with 20+ years of combined experience
- Owens Corning Preferred Contractor and CertainTeed Master Installer
- BBB A+ Accredited and NRCA member, License #0248041
- Headers, flashing, air sealing, and permits handled to spec
- Every qualifying installation backed by the 10-year Precision Warranty
Completed project, Denver metro
The Precision Warranty
Bumper-to-bumper coverage, in writing
Every qualifying window installation is backed by the Precision Warranty, a 10-year workmanship warranty. Combined with the enhanced manufacturer warranty our Owens Corning Preferred and CertainTeed Master certifications unlock, you get bumper-to-bumper protection on labor and materials.
10-Year Workmanship Warranty
The Precision Warranty covers the quality of our installation for a full decade, in writing, on every qualifying window installation.
Certified-Installer Manufacturer Warranty
As an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor and CertainTeed Master Applicator, we register manufacturer-backed material warranties most contractors cannot offer.
Licensed, Insured, Local Since 2016
Colorado License #0248041, BBB A+ accredited, with 3,000+ completed Front Range projects.
Window installation FAQs
Does new window installation require a permit in Denver?
How much does new window installation cost in Denver?
How long does new window installation take?
Can I add a window to any exterior wall?
What is a rough opening and why does it matter?
Will new window installation disturb my interior walls or exterior siding?
Serving Denver Metro and Front Range communities
Direct answer: Precision Exteriors Restoration provides window installation across the Denver Metro and Colorado's Front Range, including Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster, Thornton, Centennial, Littleton, Highlands Ranch, Castle Rock, Golden, Brighton, and Englewood. Colorado License #0248041. 999 18th St Unit 3000, Denver, CO 80202. (720) 408-1840.
Schedule your window installation inspection
Call (720) 408-1840 or fill out the form for a free, no-obligation estimate on new window installation. We assess structural conditions, egress requirements, permit needs, and ENERGY STAR compliance for your specific project. Available 7 days a week. Emergency response available 24 hours.
