Free in-home measure and quote - PGT, CGI and CWS impact lines compared on your actual openings, style by style
Before
After
Before
AfterFull Frame Replacement in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Full frame replacement means removing your existing window down to the rough opening - frame, sill, and all - and installing a brand-new window unit from scratch. In Fort Lauderdale, where salt air, hurricane-season moisture, and Florida’s relentless sun work together to rot wood frames and pit aluminum channels over time, this is often the right call when a simple insert or sash swap won’t solve the problem. If you’re not sure which approach your home needs, explore our Window Replacement services or call us at (904) 913-5886 - a real person picks up every time, day or night.
At Winslow Windows & Doors, full frame replacement is one of the most common jobs Ed Winslow and his crew handle across Fort Lauderdale’s older neighborhoods. It’s more involved than a pocket insert, but it’s also the only way to correct structural damage, bring a window up to current Florida Building Code, or install a properly impact-rated unit when the original opening was never built for one. If you’re exploring your options, start with our Window Replacement in Fort Lauderdale overview, then come back here for the specifics on full frame work.
Ed’s name is on the business, so every full frame replacement we do in Fort Lauderdale carries the weight of that personal commitment. We’ve been locally owned and operating since 2011, and we back every installation with the 36500-Day Done Right Promise – if it’s not right, we make it right. No voicemail loops, no chasing a regional manager. Just a direct line to the people who did the work.
When You Need Full Frame Replacement
Not every window problem calls for a full frame pull. But several situations make it the only sensible path, and Fort Lauderdale homes run into these more often than most because of the climate. Here’s what to look for:
- Rotted or corroded framing around the rough opening. In neighborhoods like Rio Vista, Tarpon River, and the older streets of Victoria Park, wood-framed homes from the 1950s through 1980s frequently show soft, spongy wood at the window sill and jack studs after decades of summer humidity and storm intrusion. A pocket insert sits on top of the existing frame – it can’t fix what’s underneath.
- Water infiltration that keeps coming back. If you’ve had the window resealed two or three times and moisture still shows up on your interior sill or drywall, the frame itself has likely failed. Full frame removal lets us dry out and treat the rough opening before the new unit goes in.
- Windows that predate impact-rated standards. Fort Lauderdale falls within Broward County’s High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ). Single-pane aluminum sliders or older casements installed before the current code simply cannot be brought up to HVHZ impact standards with an insert alone – the opening geometry, anchoring, and buck framing all have to be correct.
- Significant frame warping or out-of-square openings. Florida’s clay-heavy soil shifts, and older slabs settle unevenly. When a window opening has racked even half an inch, a new sash won’t seal properly. Full frame replacement lets us shim and square the opening correctly before the new window is set.
- Switching window styles or dramatically changing size. If you’re replacing a single-hung with a picture window for the view, or widening an opening to capture more light, you need a full frame job – the rough opening itself is changing.
- Original installation was never done properly. We see this in Fort Lauderdale homes that were flipped quickly during the housing runs of the mid-2000s. Windows installed without proper flashing, without the right buck depth, or without HVHZ-compliant anchoring have to come out completely so the new installation meets code from the ground up.
Our Full Frame Replacement Process
Full frame replacement isn’t a one-hour job, and we don’t treat it like one. Here’s how we work through it on a Fort Lauderdale home:
- Measure, assess, and permit. Before a single screw turns, we measure the rough opening precisely and assess the surrounding framing and stucco or siding condition. Fort Lauderdale falls under Broward County building department jurisdiction, and HVHZ work requires permits and approved product drawings. We handle permit pulling – you don’t have to navigate that process yourself. This step also sets the timeline; permit approvals in Broward typically run seven to fourteen business days for residential window work.
- Protect the interior and remove the old unit. We lay drop cloths, cover flooring, and tape off the interior wall before anything comes out. The old window – frame, sill pan, and all trim – is carefully removed. On stucco exteriors common throughout Fort Lauderdale, we cut the stucco line cleanly to minimize repair work later. Any deteriorated wood framing or rotted sill material is pulled and noted.
- Repair and prepare the rough opening. If we find rot, we replace the damaged framing members with pressure-treated lumber rated for Florida’s humidity exposure. We flash the sill and jambs with self-adhering membrane to create a true water barrier before the new window ever touches the opening. This step is where a lot of cheaper installations cut corners – and where water problems recur within two or three years.
- Set and anchor the new window to HVHZ specifications. The new unit – whether it’s a CGI Series 150 impact slider, an ES Windows impact casement, or another product matched to your needs and budget – is set into the prepared opening, shimmed level and plumb, and anchored per the approved product drawing. HVHZ anchoring is more rigorous than standard Florida code: fastener size, spacing, and embedment depth are all specified and inspected.
- Flash, seal, and finish the exterior. We apply exterior flashing tape and a backer rod and sealant bead at every joint. On stucco homes, our crew patches the stucco cut to match the existing texture before caulking. This is one of the details Fort Lauderdale homeowners notice – a clean stucco patch versus a visible raw cut line – and we do it right on every job.
- Interior trim, cleanup, and inspection walkthrough. We install or reinstall interior casing, clean the glass, and do a full walkthrough with you before we leave. If the inspector needs to visit for the permit final, we schedule and attend that appointment. You get a copy of the completed permit and product approval documentation for your records – useful for insurance purposes and for the next buyer if you ever sell.
Full Frame Replacement Pricing in Fort Lauderdale
Full frame window replacement in Fort Lauderdale runs higher than Insert Window Replacement because of the labor involved in removal, framing repair, and stucco work, plus the cost of HVHZ-rated products that meet Broward County code. Here are honest ranges based on what we see in this market:
| Window Type / Scenario | Estimated Range (Installed) |
|---|---|
| Standard single-hung, impact-rated, full frame (up to 36″ x 60″) | $750 – $1,100 per window |
| Impact casement or awning, full frame | $900 – $1,400 per window |
| Impact sliding window or horizontal roller | $850 – $1,300 per window |
| Large picture window or fixed impact panel (over 48″ wide) | $1,200 – $2,200 per window |
| Full frame replacement with framing repair (rot/damage found) | Add $150 – $500 per opening depending on extent |
| Stucco patch and finish (exterior, per window) | Add $80 – $200 per window |
| Permit (Broward County residential window) | $150 – $350 depending on project scope |
Several factors move the number up or down for a Fort Lauderdale home specifically. Second-story windows cost more because of staging or lift requirements. Homes in Fort Lauderdale’s Colee Hammock or Nurmi Isles waterfront corridors sometimes have custom opening sizes that require special-order units – that adds lead time and product cost. Homes built before 1978 may have lead paint in window trim, which triggers additional handling requirements under EPA RRP rules.
Vinyl Replacement Windows and other products are major cost drivers. A CGI Series 150 impact unit and an ECO Window Systems offering can look similar on paper but differ in glass package, frame depth, and hardware – all of which affect the final number. We’ll walk you through the options that actually make sense for your opening size, exposure, and budget.
If you have a written estimate from another contractor, we’ll give you a free second opinion on it – no charge, no pressure. And on any repair work over $200 that comes up during the full frame process, you get $40 off automatically. Seniors and veterans receive a permanent 10% discount on every job we do.
Call (904) 913-5886 for a free in-home estimate. Upfront pricing means you’ll know the number before we start – no surprises on the invoice.
Why Fort Lauderdale Homeowners Choose Winslow for Full Frame Work
Fort Lauderdale’s building environment is genuinely stricter than most of Florida. The HVHZ designation means products have to meet a higher testing threshold, inspectors look more closely, and an improperly permitted or installed window can cause real problems at resale or after a hurricane claim. We’ve been doing this work since 2011 – long enough to know every wrinkle in the Broward County permit process and to have strong relationships with the inspectors who sign off on residential window work.
Ed Winslow is an authorized installer for CGI, ES Windows, ECO Window Systems, CWS, and several other impact-rated lines. That authorization matters in Fort Lauderdale because product approval paperwork has to match the actual installer and the actual product when the permit is filed. When we pull a permit on your home, everything lines up – the product approval number, the installation drawing, the contractor license. There’s no gap a claims adjuster or building inspector can point to.
We also don’t subcontract full frame jobs. The crew that pulls your permit is the crew that shows up. Every technician is background-checked and arrives in uniform, so you know exactly who’s on your property before the truck pulls in. That’s not a policy statement – it’s how Ed runs every job, because his name is on the license.
The 36500-Day Done Right Promise backs every full frame replacement we do. That’s a century-long standard of accountability that a national chain or a one-truck operation that’s been around two years simply cannot offer. If something isn’t right after we leave – a draft, a seal issue, a stucco patch that cracks – you call us, a person answers, and we come back. Full stop.
If you’re comparing us to other contractors, check whether they’re pulling permits, whether they’re authorized to install the specific product they’re quoting, and whether the person answering the phone can actually tell you who will be on your roof or your ladder. We can answer all three without hesitation. Learn more about our full approach to Window Replacement in Fort Lauderdale, or call us directly and we’ll talk through what your home actually needs.
FAQs – Full Frame Replacement in Fort Lauderdale
How is full frame replacement different from an insert or pocket replacement?
Full frame replacement removes everything – the frame, sill, and surrounding trim – down to the rough framing of your home. An insert or pocket replacement slides a new window into the existing frame without touching the structure. In Fort Lauderdale, full frame is required when the existing frame is damaged, when you’re upgrading to HVHZ-compliant impact windows in an opening that wasn’t built for them, or when the opening size or style is changing. If the existing frame is in solid condition and the opening geometry is correct, an insert can work - with proper Window Maintenance & Care - but that’s a determination we make after actually looking at the opening, not before. Call (904) 913-5886 and we’ll tell you straight which approach your home needs.
Do I need a permit for full frame window replacement in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes. Fort Lauderdale falls within Broward County’s High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, and full frame window replacement requires a building permit and an approved product drawing under Florida Building Code. Any contractor who suggests skipping the permit is putting you at risk – unpermitted window work can void your homeowner’s insurance coverage for wind damage and create significant problems at resale. Winslow Windows & Doors handles permit pulling as part of every full frame job; you don’t have to touch it.
How long does a full frame window replacement take in Fort Lauderdale?
The physical installation of a single full frame window typically takes three to five hours per opening, including framing prep and stucco patching. For a whole-house project of six to twelve windows, we typically schedule two to three days on-site. The longer timeline item is permitting – Broward County residential window permits generally take seven to fourteen business days to process. We order products and pull permits simultaneously to minimize your total wait time. Call us and we can give you a more specific timeline based on your project size.
Is full frame replacement worth the extra cost over a pocket insert?
When the conditions call for it, yes – and in Fort Lauderdale, those conditions are common. If your existing frame has any moisture damage, if your current windows are non-impact and your home is in an HVHZ area, or if the original installation wasn’t done to code, a pocket insert builds on a flawed foundation. You might spend $300 to $400 less per window upfront, but you’ll spend more correcting the underlying problem in a few years. Where a pocket insert genuinely is the right call – solid frame, correct opening geometry, compliant product – we’ll tell you that too. We’d rather give you the honest answer than sell you a bigger job than you need. Call (904) 913-5886 for a free estimate and a straight answer.
Ready for a Free Estimate?
If your Fort Lauderdale home has windows that are past the point of patching – or if you’re ready to bring them up to current HVHZ impact standards the right way – call Winslow Windows & Doors at (904) 913-5886. A live person answers every call, at any hour. Ed Winslow has been doing this work in Fort Lauderdale since 2011, and every full frame replacement we do is backed by the 36500-Day Done Right Promise. Upfront pricing, no trip charge, and a free estimate to start. We’re the neighbor down the road – and someone will pick up when you call.
Written by Ed Winslow, Owner at Winslow Windows & Doors, serving Fort Lauderdale since 2011.
Six Reasons Homeowners Choose Winslow Windows & Doors
Impact systems engineered to design pressures up to +/-100, matched to your wind zone - your openings hold when the storm arrives.
Low-E insulated impact glass from our manufacturer lines commonly cuts monthly cooling bills 20-30%.
Laminated impact glass shuts out up to 40% of outside noise - traffic, neighbors, weather.
Monitoring services run $30-90 a month. Laminated impact glass resists forced entry around the clock, with no subscription.
Florida homeowners average around 25% savings on the windstorm portion of their policy after protecting every opening - some homes qualify for more.
A full impact package upgrades curb appeal, buyer confidence and appraised value in one project.