Best Time to Replace Windows in New Orleans

For most New Orleans homes, the best time to replace windows is late fall through early spring. Those months bring milder temperatures and, in October and November, the lightest rainfall of the year. Crews work comfortably, sealants cure well, and your house isn’t wide open during the hottest, wettest stretch of summer.

That said, the calendar is only part of the answer. Order lead times, hurricane season and your own schedule matter just as much, and a window that’s failing now shouldn’t wait for perfect weather.

At TurnKey Window we replace windows across the New Orleans area year round. If you want help picking a window for your project, reach out to our team or call (504) 226-6201.

Key takeaways

October and November are the driest months at New Orleans International Airport, based on the National Weather Service’s 1991 to 2020 normals.
June, July and August combine the highest average temperatures with the heaviest rain, which makes summer the least comfortable season for installation.
Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, with most storms from August through October.
Winter is often cited as the cheapest season because demand for windows drops.
Custom windows can take 4 to 8 weeks to arrive, so order well before the window you want to install in.

What New Orleans weather means for a window project

Window installation involves open wall openings, flashing and sealant, so temperature and rain both matter. The National Weather Service office for New Orleans and Baton Rouge publishes 30-year climate normals, and they show a clear pattern for the city.

Month	Avg. high (°F)	Avg. low (°F)	Avg. rain (in.)	What it means for installs
January	62.5	46.1	5.18	Mild days, cool mornings. Good working weather between fronts.
February	66.4	49.7	4.13	Comfortable for crews. A popular planning month.
March	72.3	55.3	4.36	Very workable, and demand starts to pick up.
April	78.5	61.7	5.22	Warm and wetter. Book early.
May	85.3	69.0	5.64	Heat returns. Morning starts help.
June	90.0	74.7	7.62	Wettest month. Plan around afternoon storms.
July	91.4	76.5	6.79	Hottest month on average.
August	91.3	76.6	6.91	Hot, wet and in peak storm season.
September	88.1	73.5	5.11	Still hot, still peak storm season.
October	80.6	64.3	3.70	Driest month on average. Strong choice.
November	71.2	53.7	3.87	Mild and dry. Strong choice.
December	64.8	48.4	4.82	Mild, with holiday scheduling to plan around.

The figures are for New Orleans International Airport (MSY). Your own street can run a little hotter or wetter, but the seasonal shape holds across the area.

Why heat and rain matter on install day

Sealant is what keeps water out around a new window, and it has limits. Pecora, a sealant manufacturer, says in its technical bulletin on application temperatures that joint sealants generally shouldn’t be applied when ambient and surface temperatures exceed 120°F, because bubbles can form and weaken adhesion.

That same bulletin points out that surface temperature can run far above air temperature. It gives the example of an aluminum panel on a southern exposure reaching 180°F while the air is only 90°F, and recommends working shaded sides first or scheduling early and late in the day.

Rain matters too. GE’s data sheet for its Supreme Silicone Window and Door sealant says a small bead can handle water in as little as 30 minutes at 65°F or warmer with at least 50 percent humidity. Otherwise, it says the sealant shouldn’t see water for 8 hours.

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Fall: the sweet spot for most homeowners

October and November give you the best mix of conditions. The NWS normals put October’s average high at 80.6°F and November’s at 71.2°F, and those two months have the lowest average rainfall of the year at 3.70 and 3.87 inches.

Today’s Homeowner makes the same case in its guide to window replacement timing, noting that cooler fall temperatures give installers a better working environment and a more efficient install.

The catch is that fall overlaps the tail of hurricane season, which runs to November 30. We’ll cover how to plan around that below.

Why fall works well

The driest two months of the year on average, so fewer weather delays
Highs in the 70s and 80s, which makes long install days easier on crews
Your AC isn’t fighting 90°F heat while an opening is exposed
New windows are in before the cooler months, when drafts become noticeable

Winter: often the best value

If price is your top concern, winter deserves a look. Today’s Homeowner says demand for windows drops sharply in winter and that suppliers often run promotions during that season. Any savings depend on the company and the product, so compare written quotes rather than counting on a seasonal discount.

Winters here are mild. January, the coolest month in the NWS normals, averages a high of 62.5°F and a low of 46.1°F.

That matters for sealant. GE’s data sheet says its silicone window sealant cures at a standard speed above 40°F, and slows when it’s colder or when frost or moisture is on the surface. With January lows averaging above 40°F, most winter days clear that bar, though a crew may wait out a cold snap or a wet morning.

Spring: good weather, busier calendars

March and April are pleasant months for installation, with average highs of 72.3°F and 78.5°F. The trade-off is demand. Today’s Homeowner notes that spring and summer can bring long waits between consultation and installation.

If you want windows in before summer heat, start in winter. Measuring, ordering and scheduling all take time, and spring slots fill up.

Summer and hurricane season

Summer is the hardest season for window work in the city. June is the wettest month in the NWS normals at 7.62 inches, and July is the hottest, averaging 91.4°F.

It’s also storm season. NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center says the North Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30, and that most tropical storms and hurricanes typically occur in August, September and October.

You can still replace windows in summer. You’ll want a crew that plans around afternoon storms, works one opening at a time and closes each one up the same day.

Planning around storm season

Aim to have new windows ordered by early spring if you want them in before the August to October peak.
If a storm threatens during your project, expect the installer to pause and secure any open work.
If you’re adding impact-rated glass for storm protection, factor in longer lead times for custom sizes.
Keep your existing storm protection, like shutters or panels, in place until the new windows are fully installed.

If storm protection is the reason for your project, our impact-resistant windows page explains the options.

Lead times often matter more than the season

Many homeowners pick a month and forget the ordering step. GEALAN, a window profile manufacturer, says in its installation timeline guide that custom orders can take 4 to 8 weeks before installation can begin.

So if you want an October install, you’ll likely be measuring and ordering in August or early September. Working backward from your target date is the simplest way to land in the right season.

Pick a target install window. For most homes here, that’s October through March.
Get estimates about 10 to 12 weeks ahead. That leaves time to compare options and decide.
Finalize measurements and order. Allow the 4 to 8 week lead time GEALAN describes for custom units.
Handle permits and approvals. In a local historic district, the HDLC says routine reviews currently take about 3 to 5 days.
Schedule install days. Leave a buffer day for weather.

The historic review timing comes from the city’s Certificate of Appropriateness page. For the installation itself, our window installation page walks through what happens on site.

How long a whole-house replacement takes

Once windows arrive, the install moves faster than most people expect. GEALAN’s guide puts a standard replacement window at about 30 to 60 minutes, with a basic retrofit around 30 minutes and a full-frame replacement at about 60 minutes or more.

By its estimates, 10 to 20 windows is a full day or longer, and homes with 20 or more windows or multiple levels can take up to 2 to 3 days. Hidden damage, out-of-level openings and weather are the usual reasons a job runs long.

That short on-site time is one reason timing is flexible. The work usually fits into a few days, so you only need a short stretch of decent weather.

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When not to wait for the perfect season

Seasonal planning works well for a planned upgrade, but a window that’s actively failing is a different situation. Watch for these signs:

A cracked or broken pane that lets water or insects in
Rotted sills or frames that are getting soft
A sash that won’t close or lock
Water staining on the wall or floor below a window

In those cases, a repair or a partial replacement now is usually better than waiting months. Our window repair page covers fixes that can hold you over until a full replacement.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to replace windows in New Orleans?

October and November are strong choices. They’re the two driest months in the National Weather Service’s 1991 to 2020 normals for New Orleans International Airport, with average highs of 80.6°F and 71.2°F.

What is the cheapest time of year to replace windows?

Winter is often cited as the cheapest season because demand for windows drops and suppliers tend to run promotions. Compare written quotes rather than assuming a discount, since pricing depends on the company and the product.

Can windows be installed in the summer heat?

Yes, with planning. Sealant manufacturer Pecora advises against applying joint sealants above 120°F surface and air temperature and suggests working shaded sides first or early and late in the day, which good crews do in a New Orleans summer.

How long does it take to replace 20 windows in a house?

Window manufacturer GEALAN estimates that 10 to 20 windows takes a full day or longer, and homes with 20 or more windows or multiple levels can take up to 2 to 3 days. Hidden damage and weather can add time.

Should I avoid replacing windows during hurricane season?

You don’t have to avoid it, but plan for it. Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30 with most activity from August through October, so order early and expect the crew to pause and secure open work if a storm approaches.

Pick your install window with a local team

The right time for your project depends on what’s failing, what you’re ordering and when you want the work done. We’re glad to measure, talk through timing and give you a free estimate.

See our window replacement services, contact us online, or call (504) 226-6201.

The Best Time of Year to Replace Windows in New Orleans