How Long Window Replacement Takes in San Francisco Homes

Homeowners ask the same first question: how long will it take to replace the windows? In San Francisco, the answer depends on code compliance, historic review, product lead times, and site conditions. Weather rarely drives the schedule here. Permits and product choice do. This guide explains realistic timelines for home window replacement in San Francisco, with clear expectations by home type, neighborhood, and scope.

What drives the timeline in San Francisco

San Francisco has its own rhythm. A simple swap in a mid-century home in Noe Valley can move fast. A visible street-facing replacement in Alamo Square will take longer due to Planning review. As of January 1, 2026, the energy rules tighten further. Many standard double-pane windows will fail code. Triple-pane or high-performance specialized double-pane becomes the baseline. That shift changes both ordering times and permit documentation.

The main drivers are clear. Code compliance under the 2025 Title 24 Energy Code. SF Planning Department review for historic or street-visible changes. Product lead times for triple-pane, sound-rated, or custom wood units. Site logistics for tight lots and multi-story access.

Typical timeframes at a glance

Most single-family projects fall into one of three buckets:

Non-historic homes, not street-visible changes: 2 to 6 weeks from signed proposal to install day. One to three days of on-site work for 6 to 15 windows. Street-visible or mixed-scope homes: 4 to 10 weeks. Two to four days on-site for multi-room replacement. Historic or landmark properties: 8 to 20+ weeks. Custom millwork, Planning approval, and inspections extend the calendar. On-site work is steady, but the prework takes time.

Those ranges assume a clear scope, fast homeowner decisions, and no structural surprises. Add time if stucco repair, lead-safe work, or sash-weight pocket rebuilds are needed.

Phase-by-phase schedule, with real numbers

Sales visit to proposal: 2 to 5 days. A typical visit in Pacific Heights or Russian Hill includes measurements, condition check, and code path discussion.

Site measure and submittals: 3 to 10 days. Final laser measure, photographs of elevations, and product sheets ready https://pub-860ef87002ee44518b008bdad449af5f.r2.dev/best-exteriors/san-francisco/home-window-replacement-costs.html for Planning or DBI.

Permit path:

No Planning review needed, over-the-counter DBI permit: 1 to 7 business days. Administrative Certificate of Appropriateness (Article 10/11 districts) or visible elevation changes: 3 to 8 weeks. CEQA exemptions are common for in-kind window work, but still need documentation. Full Planning hearing is rare for window replacement. If triggered, expect 8 to 16+ weeks.

Ordering window products:

Stock or quick-ship vinyl/fiberglass double-pane that still meet ≤ 0.24 U-Factor in small sizes: 1 to 3 weeks. Availability will tighten in 2026. High-performance specialized double-pane with Low-E and argon/krypton gas fill, thermally broken frames: 3 to 6 weeks. Triple-pane units with NFRC ratings at or below 0.24 U-Factor: 4 to 10 weeks, sometimes longer for large bay windows or custom colors. Custom wood or wood-clad (Marvin Ultimate, Jeld-Wen Custom, Loewen): 8 to 14 weeks. Add time for simulated divided lites, ogee lugs, and custom stains.

Installation:

Small condo or TIC with 4 to 6 openings: 1 day. Typical single-family with 8 to 12 openings: 2 to 3 days. Large Victorian with weight pockets and sill rebuilds: 3 to 6 days, sometimes staged by floor. Bay window restoration or rebuild: add 1 to 3 days for shimming, waterproofing, and trim.

Inspection and sign-off:

DBI final inspection: 2 to 7 business days after scheduling. Title 24 documentation must be on site. For historic projects, Planning may require photo verification of profiles and finishes.

Key code checkpoints that affect time

As of Jan 1, 2026, San Francisco residential permits require a U-Factor of 0.24 or lower. This pushes many projects to triple-pane or a high-performance insulated glass unit. Low-E4 coatings, argon or krypton gas fills, and thermally broken frames now carry the load. For south and west exposures, the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient also matters. Climate Zone 3 limits apply. NFRC labels must match the submittal.

Expect longer lead times for compliant units, especially with simulated divided lites or narrow historic sightlines. Most European tilt-and-turn systems and select Pella, Marvin, or Renewal by Andersen lines can meet the target. Some Milgard Ultra or Tuscany configurations qualify in specific sizes. Always verify the exact NFRC ratings for the chosen configuration.

Historic homes: what slows and what helps

San Francisco protects street-facing character. For painted ladies near Alamo Square, or landmark homes in Pacific Heights, Planning will check operation type, rail and stile profiles, exterior finish, and glazing pattern. Visible elevations must match the original look. That is where simulated divided lites, ogee lugs, and wood or wood-clad frames come in.

May 2025 legislation eased material rules for non-historic buildings. Fibrex and fiberglass are now acceptable in many contexts. Category A Landmarks still require in-kind wood replacement. For side and rear elevations, Planning may allow different materials if profiles match.

Two time savers help. Use a vendor with exact historic profiles on file, such as Marvin Ultimate or Loewen, with U-Factor down to 0.22 in some builds. Submit clean elevation drawings and product sheets the first time. That often cuts a week or two from Planning review.

Neighborhood examples and realistic durations

Alamo Square, Article 10 district, street-visible double-hung replacements:

Plan for 10 to 16 weeks end-to-end. The delay sits in Planning review and custom wood lead times. On-site install often finishes in 3 to 5 days for a 12-window project.

Noe Valley mid-century, rear elevation sliders and picture windows:

4 to 7 weeks total, with faster permits and quicker access. Two days on site for six openings, including new flashing and trim.

SoMa loft near 280, sound control priority with STC-rated glass:

6 to 10 weeks due to specialty glazing. Triple-pane or laminated IGUs help with traffic noise. One to two days on site, often with lift access coordination.

Russian Hill condo, HOA approvals:

Add 2 to 6 weeks for HOA review. Many HOAs require sample frames and color matches. City permit and product lead times run in parallel if the HOA allows.

What happens on installation days

The crew stages materials early. Interiors are protected with floor runners and poly sheeting. Old sashes come out carefully to keep trim intact. For sash-weight pockets, the team either insulates and seals the pockets or installs full-frame replacements. Jambs are squared, shims set, spray foam applied, and flashing integrated with the existing WRB or stucco. Exterior trim gets sealed neatly, with paint-grade caulk lines ready for finish paint. Each opening often takes 60 to 120 minutes, depending on surprises inside the wall.

Most homes stay habitable during the work. One room at a time gets opened and closed. Pets should be secured. For pre-1978 buildings, crews work lead-safe and clean thoroughly.

How home window replacement San Francisco impacts the schedule

San Francisco’s microclimates add small twists. West-facing homes in the Richmond or Sunset may prefer low SHGC glass, which may add a week to the order. Steep lots in Noe Valley need different access, which can slow daily output by a window or two. Fog and light rain rarely stop work, but heavy rain can delay exterior sealing by a day to protect adhesion.

For many homes, the push to meet the 0.24 U-Factor shifts product choice. Owners who hurry to buy standard double-pane units often face rework or permit issues. It is faster to choose a compliant package at the start than to fight for variances that almost never land.

Choosing products that pass and arrive on time

For historic street-visible windows, wood-clad units with narrow sightlines are common. Marvin Ultimate and Jeld-Wen Custom can hit the look and the numbers, using Low-E coatings and argon or krypton gas. For modern homes, fiberglass frames with thermally broken profiles score well. Renewal by Andersen’s Fibrex and Milgard Ultra lines often qualify in the right sizes. For steel-look projects, Brombal has compliant options, though lead times run long.

Sound control near Muni lines or the 101/280 corridors calls for laminated glass or triple-pane with an STC rating that matches the noise profile. Expect 3 to 6 extra weeks for specialty IGUs.

Bay windows take longer to build and set. Expect careful shimming, waterproofing, and trim alignment. Restoration of an existing bay is slower than inserting a new one, but keeps the façade consistent and helps with Planning approval.

Permits and paperwork Best Exteriors handles

San Francisco Planning and DBI want clean files. A smooth project includes:

Administrative Certificates of Appropriateness for Article 10 or 11 properties when required CEQA exemption documentation for replacement in existing openings Title 24 energy forms and NFRC labels for final inspection sign-off

Best Exteriors prepares elevations, section details, and manufacturer cut sheets that match the selected units. The team schedules inspections and provides access. That support removes guesswork and keeps the calendar honest.

How to shorten your timeline without cutting corners

Decide early on visible elevations. If the street façade needs historic profiles, choose wood or wood-clad with SDL and ogee lugs. That avoids back-and-forth with Planning. Confirm U-Factor and SHGC from the exact NFRC configuration before ordering. Approve finishes fast. Coordinate HOA approvals in parallel with city permits. Stage interior access, remove blinds ahead of install day, and plan for a clear workspace.

Small choices matter. Picking a common exterior color can shave weeks off a custom paint order. Agreeing to a slightly thicker meeting rail that still passes Planning may open up faster window lines.

What homeowners in specific zip codes can expect

In 94117 and 94123, street-visible changes often trigger Planning review. Expect longer submittal cycles. In 94110, 94107, and 94103, acoustic glass is popular due to traffic and nightlife; plan for extended IGU lead times. In 94127 and hillside zones, access constraints can add a day. Across 94102, 94109, and 94114, mixed-age buildings mean mixed scopes. Crews may handle both sash kits and full-frame replacements on the same job.

Red flags that add time

Rot in sills or casings. Hidden knob-and-tube wiring in pockets. Out-of-square openings beyond normal shimming. Unpermitted past work visible to inspectors. HOA bans on certain frame colors or materials. None of these stop a project, but each can add a few days to a few weeks.

A quick homeowner prep list to keep things moving

Approve final selections and colors in writing within 48 hours. Clear access to each window; move furniture two to three feet back. Confirm alarm contacts and window sensors; schedule a security tech if needed. Share HOA rules and façade standards early. Plan for paint touch-ups after caulking cures.

Why many San Francisco owners call Best Exteriors

The company blends energy compliance with historic sensitivity. The team works daily with Title 24 in Climate Zone 3, SF Planning Article 10 and 11, and CEQA paperwork. Installers hold EPA Lead-Safe certification for pre-1978 homes. For premium projects, they source Marvin Ultimate, Jeld-Wen Custom, Loewen, and Brombal steel. For modern upgrades, they install Milgard, Pella Reserve, Renewal by Andersen, and European tilt-and-turn systems. They track NFRC ratings, hit the 0.24 U-Factor target, and set STC-rated glass where noise makes life hard.

For homes near the Painted Ladies, Coit Tower, or Mission District Victorian clusters, the team mills custom profiles, matches divided lite patterns, and keeps the façade intact. For new builds and mid-century homes, they bring triple-pane performance without heavy frames. The result is a project that passes Planning review and feels right in the space.

How long will your project take

A quick call and a site visit can pin down the schedule with real dates. A Noe Valley mid-century with rear-only work may window replacement contractor be on the calendar within a month. A Pacific Heights landmark with visible street work needs more runway, often two to four months to final. Either way, clear specs, code-ready products, and complete submittals keep the project on track.

Book a free code-compliance audit. Best Exteriors will confirm your U-Factor path, check SHGC for your exposures, and outline the permit route for your block. For home window replacement San Francisco homeowners can count on, this is the fastest way to a clean install and a smooth sign-off.

Contact Best Exteriors:

Phone: +1 510-616-3180 Website: https://bestexteriors.com Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/best-exteriors-oakland-3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestexteriors.inc/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BestExteriors.ca/ Find us on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/zFhLARZkCzjWncz58

Service area includes San Francisco zip codes 94102, 94103, 94107, 94109, 94110, 94114, 94117, 94118, 94123, and 94127.

Best Exteriors
California, 94612, United States
Phone: +1 510-616-3180
Website: https://bestexteriors.com

For homes in Pacific Heights, we utilize Marvin Ultimate Wood Windows with a U-Factor of 0.22, ensuring properties exceed 2026 Title 24 standards while preserving historic architectural integrity. Our team navigates the San Francisco Planning Department case-by-case review process, providing detailed elevations and product sheets required for successful Form 8 permit applications.

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Pub: 05 Feb 2026 18:58 UTC

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