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AfterGeometric & Shaped Windows in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Custom & Geometric Windows - circles, octagons, arches, trapezoids, and custom polygons - are specialty openings that require precision fabrication and impact-rated glazing to work properly in Fort Lauderdale’s hurricane zone. Most window companies avoid them because the measurements, the glass, and the installation tolerances are all harder than a standard rectangle. We’ve been fitting shaped windows into South Florida homes since 2011, and Ed Winslow handles the quoting on every custom job personally so nothing gets lost between the salesperson and the crew.
If you’re replacing a leaking eyebrow window above your front door, filling a new arched opening in a Coral Ridge remodel, or adding an octagonal accent to a Las Olas-area bungalow, this is the page for you. Our Custom & Geometric Windows in Fort Lauderdale service covers the full range of non-rectangular work we do – this page goes deeper on shaped windows specifically. Call (904) 913-5886 any time, day or night, and a live person will pick up.
When You Need Geometric & Shaped Windows
Shaped windows show up in Fort Lauderdale homes for a handful of very specific reasons. Here’s when homeowners call us:
- An existing shaped window is leaking or fogged. Seal failure in a round or arched unit lets humid Fort Lauderdale air into the insulated glass cavity. You’ll see condensation trapped between the panes that won’t wipe off – a sign the unit needs to be replaced, not cleaned.
- An older shaped window isn’t impact-rated. Many homes built before 2002 have decorative octagons or circles that are single-pane, unrated glass. During hurricane season that’s a genuine vulnerability. Florida Building Code now requires impact-rated glazing or an approved shutter system for every opening, and shaped windows are no exception.
- A remodel or addition created a new non-rectangular opening. Contractors in neighborhoods like Victoria Park and Riverside Park often frame arched or angled openings during renovations, then leave the window to the homeowner. We measure, order, and install the finished unit.
- The frame has rotted or corroded. Salt air from the Intracoastal chews through aluminum frames faster than most people expect – especially on the east-facing elevations of homes in Lauderdale Isles or Harbor Beach. A deteriorated frame on a shaped window can’t be patched; the whole unit has to come out.
- You’re building a new home or doing a major addition and want a design feature. A clerestory trapezoid over a great room, a Palladian arch above a formal entryway, or a cluster of fixed circles in a stairwell – these are the kinds of custom specifications we price and install from scratch.
- An insurance reinspection flagged the shaped window as non-compliant. Insurers in Broward County have tightened their inspection criteria. We’ve had homeowners in Tarpon River and Edgewood come to us specifically because their carrier identified a non-impact shaped unit that had to be replaced before coverage renewed.
Our Geometric & Shaped Windows Process
Custom shaped windows aren’t a same-day swap. The fabrication lead time is real, and skipping steps is how you end up with a unit that doesn’t fit or a frame that leaks on the first heavy rain. Here’s exactly how we handle it:
- On-site measurement and template creation. Ed or one of our senior technicians comes to your Fort Lauderdale home and measures the rough opening at multiple points. For true circles, arches, and complex polygons, we create a physical or digital template. Wall openings in older Fort Lauderdale construction are rarely as square or symmetrical as the original drawings suggest, and field-measuring is the only way to get the tolerances right.
- Impact-rating and glass specification. We confirm what Florida Building Code requires for your specific opening – location on the structure, wind-load zone, and whether the window is in a protected or unprotected wall plane. For most Fort Lauderdale addresses, that means laminated impact glass in the correct thickness. We’ll match the glass package to what the rest of your home carries so your permit paperwork stays clean.
- Factory order through our authorized manufacturers. Shaped windows are custom-fabricated to your exact dimensions. We work with brands like CGI and CWS for impact-rated shaped units – both carry the NOA (Notice of Acceptance) approvals required by Broward County. Lead times vary by shape complexity, but we give you a specific estimated ship date at the time of order, not a vague “four to six weeks.”
- Permit coordination. Most shaped window replacements in Fort Lauderdale require a permit, especially when the opening is on the building envelope and the new unit changes the impact rating of the home. We handle the permit application and schedule the required inspections. You don’t have to navigate the Broward County permitting office on your own.
- Precision installation by background-checked, uniformed technicians. Setting a shaped window correctly means cutting the rough opening to exact tolerances, flashing the sill and jambs for South Florida’s rainfall rates (Fort Lauderdale averages about 63 inches of rain per year), and shimming the unit so it’s plumb in an opening that rarely is. Every technician who shows up has been background-checked and arrives in uniform – you’ll know who to expect before the truck pulls into your driveway.
- Final inspection and cleanup. After installation we do a water test on any exterior-facing unit and walk you through the finished product. The job isn’t signed off until you’re satisfied. That’s what the 36500-Day Done Right Promise means in practice: if something isn’t right after we leave, we come back and make it right – no debate, no invoice.
Geometric & Shaped Windows Pricing in Fort Lauderdale
Geometric and shaped windows in Fort Lauderdale cost more than standard rectangular replacements, and it’s worth understanding exactly why before you budget. The price has three main components: custom fabrication, impact glazing, and the added installation labor that non-rectangular openings require.
| Window Type | Typical Installed Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Circle / Round (fixed, impact-rated) | $650 – $1,100 per unit | Price varies with diameter; sizes above 36″ jump in glass cost |
| Arch / Eyebrow (fixed or operable) | $750 – $1,400 per unit | True radius arches cost more than segmented; operable adds hardware |
| Octagon / Hexagon (fixed) | $700 – $1,200 per unit | More cuts in the frame increase fabrication time |
| Trapezoid / Triangle (fixed) | $680 – $1,150 per unit | Angle precision is the main cost driver; steep pitches add labor |
| Palladian / Combination Unit | $1,200 – $2,800 per unit | Rectangular base with shaped top light; price depends on overall width |
| Custom Polygon (5+ sides, complex curve) | Quote required | Template fabrication and engineering sign-off may add cost |
A few things that move the number in Fort Lauderdale’s market specifically:
- Permit fees. Broward County permit fees for window replacements are calculated per opening. Shaped windows typically count as one permit line item, but if you’re replacing multiple units in the same project you may be able to consolidate fees.
- Frame material. Impact-rated aluminum frames are standard and handle the salt-air environment well. If you want a specific finish to match existing windows from brands like ES Windows or ECO Window Systems, the color match may affect lead time.
- Access and height. A circle window in a two-story stairwell needs scaffolding or an extension ladder setup that a ground-floor unit doesn’t. We price that into the estimate upfront – you won’t find it on the invoice as a surprise line item.
- Frame condition. If the rough opening has rotted substrate or corroded framing that we find during installation, we’ll show it to you before we proceed and give you the repair cost on the spot. That’s the “no surprises on the invoice” commitment we make on every job.
Seniors and veterans receive a permanent 10% discount on all services. Any repair over $200 qualifies for $40 off. And if you’ve already received a written estimate from another company, call us for a free second opinion – we’ll review their scope and price with no obligation and no trip charge inside Broward County.
The most useful thing we can do is give you an exact number for your specific window. Call (904) 913-5886 to schedule a free on-site estimate – estimates are always free, and the price we give you is the price on the invoice.
Why Fort Lauderdale Homes Have More Shaped Windows Than You’d Expect
It’s something we notice constantly on jobs across Fort Lauderdale: shaped windows are everywhere once you start looking. The Mediterranean Revival architecture that dominates neighborhoods like Colee Hammock and Seven Isles brought arched & curved windows and round accent openings with it. The mid-century modern stock in areas like Lake Ridge and Edgewood often features clerestory trapezoids and high fixed triangles as design elements. And the newer construction along the Intracoastal has been leaning into Palladian combinations as a way to bring in water views without sacrificing privacy on the street side.
None of those windows were originally impact-rated. Most were installed before the 2002 changes to the Florida Building Code that followed Hurricane Andrew’s aftermath. So there’s a large, aging inventory of shaped windows across Fort Lauderdale that are due – or past due – for replacement. We see this on almost every neighborhood we work in: the rectangular windows have been upgraded, but the round or arched accent units were skipped because the homeowner couldn’t find someone willing to handle oversized openings and custom shapes.
We deal with them. That’s specifically why this service exists.
What Sets Winslow Apart on Custom Shaped Work
National window chains rarely carry the expertise to handle shaped work confidently. Their install crews are optimized for high-volume rectangular replacements, and custom fabrication falls outside their standard workflow. When a shaped window comes up, it either gets declined or handed off to a subcontractor the homeowner has never met.
At Winslow, Ed Winslow reviews every custom and shaped window quote personally. That’s not a marketing line – it’s the practical reality of running an owner-operated business where Ed’s name is on the door and on every job we do. If there’s a question about the specification, the permit, or the installation approach, Ed is the one answering it. That’s the accountability a national chain structurally can’t offer.
We’ve been a fixture in Fort Lauderdale since 2011 – over 15 years of shaped windows, impact glass, Broward County permits, and South Florida weather. The 36500-Day Done Right Promise backs every job we complete: if it’s not right, we come back and make it right. No fine print on the time limit. No negotiating with a call center. You call, a live person answers, and we fix it.
Key Takeaways
- Geometric and shaped windows in Fort Lauderdale require impact-rated glazing under Florida Building Code – decorative non-rated units are a hurricane-season liability.
- Installed prices typically range from $650 to $2,800 depending on shape, size, and frame complexity – call for a free on-site estimate specific to your opening.
- Salt air from the Intracoastal accelerates frame corrosion on east-facing elevations – replace before the seal fails, not after.
- Ed Winslow reviews every shaped window quote personally. You’re not dealing with a salesperson handing off to an unknown crew.
- Permits, inspections, and Broward County code compliance are handled by us – not outsourced to you.
- Seniors and veterans get 10% off. Any repair over $200 gets $40 off. Free second opinions on written estimates.
- The 36500-Day Done Right Promise means there’s no expiration date on our accountability.
FAQs – Geometric & Shaped Windows in Fort Lauderdale
Are geometric and shaped windows required to be impact-rated in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes – any window in the building envelope of a Fort Lauderdale home must meet Florida Building Code impact requirements, and shaped windows are not exempt. The code doesn’t distinguish between rectangular and non-rectangular openings when it comes to wind-load protection. If your existing round, arched, or octagonal window is non-impact single-pane glass, it needs to be replaced with custom impact windows or covered by an approved shutter system to be code-compliant. Call (904) 913-5886 if you’re not sure what your current windows are rated for – we can assess that during the estimate visit at no charge.
How long does it take to get a custom shaped window fabricated and installed?
Fabrication typically takes three to six weeks from the order date, depending on the shape complexity and which manufacturer’s production schedule we’re working with. Simple circles and standard arch sizes run closer to three weeks; complex polygons or custom-radius arches can take longer. We give you a specific estimated ship date at the time of order, not a range. Once the unit arrives, installation is usually scheduled within the same week. We’ll keep you updated if anything changes – you won’t be left wondering where your window is.
Can you match a new shaped window to the existing windows on my Fort Lauderdale home?
In most cases, yes. Frame color, glass tint, and low-e coating can be specified to match your existing windows closely. If your current windows are from a brand in our authorized lineup – such as CGI or CWS – matching is straightforward. If your home has windows from a different manufacturer, we’ll spec the closest available equivalent and show you a sample before we order. The goal is a result that looks like it was always there, not a replacement that stands out.
Do I need a permit for a shaped window replacement in Fort Lauderdale?
Almost certainly yes. Broward County requires a permit for window replacements that affect the building envelope, which shaped window replacements almost always do. The permit ensures the installation is inspected for code compliance – especially important for impact ratings and flashing in a high-wind, high-rainfall area like Fort Lauderdale. We handle the permit application and coordinate the inspection on your behalf. You don’t need to appear at the permitting office or schedule the inspector yourself. It’s part of how we run the job from start to finish.
Ready to get a shaped window measured, priced, and done right? Call (904) 913-5886 – someone will answer, any hour of the day. Estimates are free, pricing is upfront, and Ed Winslow’s name is behind every job. We’re the one down the road.
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.