Free in-home measure and quote - PGT, CGI and CWS impact lines compared on your actual openings, style by style
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterCGI Window Replacement: The Miami Owner’s Guide
CGI window replacement in Miami typically runs $900 to $2,400 per window installed, depending on the series, size, and whether we’re swapping the sash, the glass, or the full frame. We stock CGI-compatible replacement parts on our trucks and can usually complete a standard sash or glass replacement the same day we diagnose it. Most Miami homeowners discover a problem after a storm, when they notice fog between the panes, a crack that spiderwebs overnight, or a window that suddenly won’t lock the way it did last hurricane season.
Which CGI Models This Applies To
CGI manufactures impact windows under several series lines, and the replacement part has to match your specific series, not just your rough opening size. The most common lines we work on across Miami are the Sentinel, Estate, and Targa series, plus the newer commercial-grade lines going into condos along Brickell and Edgewater. Each series uses different frame profiles, glazing beads, and interlock tolerances, so a sash from a Sentinel won’t drop into an Estate frame even if the glass dimensions look identical.
To identify your window, look for the CGI label etched into the corner of the glass or the sticker on the frame header. It will list the series, the product approval number, and the manufacturing date. If the label is faded or painted over, we can identify the series from the frame profile and the interlock design. We always recommend OEM CGI parts when the window is still under warranty or when you plan to sell your home in the next few years, because Miami buyers and inspectors recognize the CGI name. For out-of-warranty windows, we offer quality aftermarket equivalents that meet the same Miami-Dade impact standards at roughly 30 to 40 percent less than OEM pricing. One compatibility gotcha we see often: CGI changed its glazing bead profile around 2016, so pre-2016 windows need a different bead than post-2016 windows, even within the same series. And in Miami’s salt air, the aluminum frames from older CGI lines corrode at the weep holes first, which changes how the replacement sash seats.
Signs Your CGI Window Replacement Is Failing
- Fog or moisture between the glass panes. The seal on the insulated glass unit has failed, which means the argon or krypton gas has escaped. In Miami humidity, this shows up fast, and the window loses both its energy rating and its clarity. The fix is a glass-pack replacement, not a full window replacement.
- Cracks radiating from the corner of the glass. Impact glass is laminated, so cracks don’t shatter the pane, but they do compromise the structural rating. Even a hairline crack means the window will not perform as designed in the next storm. The laminate layer holds, but the impact rating is gone.
- The sash won’t lock or the lock feels loose. Over time, the interlock between the sashes wears, especially on slider windows that get opened daily in Miami’s salt-heavy air. A loose lock means the window isn’t sealing, and it also means the impact rating at that connection point has degraded.
- Water staining on the interior drywall or sill after heavy rain. This usually points to failed weatherstripping or a compromised frame seal at the weep system. Miami’s afternoon thunderstorms will find the weakest seam, and once water gets into the frame channel, it accelerates corrosion
- The window is harder to slide or lift than it used to be. Rollers and balances wear out, and in Miami the salt air accelerates that wear on the springs and roller bearings inside the frame. A window that drags is working its hardware to death, and replacement parts are cheaper than a full frame job.
Replacement Cost & What’s Included
Here’s what we charge in Miami for CGI window replacement work, parts and labor included:
| Replacement Type | Typical Miami Installed Price |
|---|---|
| Insulated glass unit (fogged or cracked glass) | $250 – $600 per pane |
| Sash replacement (sentinel or estate series) | $400 – $900 per sash |
| Hardware kit (locks, rollers, balances) | $125 – $350 per window |
| Full-frame CGI replacement | $900 – $2,400 per window |
What drives the range: window size, series availability, whether the frame itself has corrosion damage, and whether we need to pull a permit. In Miami-Dade, most full-frame replacements require a permit and a product approval number, and we handle that paperwork for you. Every CGI replacement we install carries our workmanship warranty, and we give you a written line-item quote before any work starts. No change orders. Ed Winslow’s name is on the door, and the price we quote is the price you pay.
DIY or Call Us?
You can safely check a few things yourself: look for the etched CGI label to identify your series, note whether the fogging is between the panes or just surface condensation, and take a photo of the frame corner where the weep holes are. That information helps us quote the job before we even roll a truck. What you should not attempt is pulling the sash or replacing the glass yourself. Impact windows are heavy, the glazing beads are under tension, and a dropped sash will damage the frame and possibly you. CGI windows are engineered as a system, and a mis-seated replacement pane means the window will not hold its Miami-Dade impact rating. If you’re in Miami and you suspect a failed CGI window, call us at (863) 862-5435 and we’ll send a background-checked technician to diagnose it. No trip charge inside Miami-Dade.
FAQs
A CGI impact window in Miami should last 20 to 30 years, but the salt air, high UV exposure, and humidity mean seals and hardware often need attention at the 10 to 15 year mark. The glass itself will hold up, but the components around it are the wear items.
Yes, most of the time. Fogged glass can be swapped as a new insulated glass unit, worn rollers and locks can be replaced with OEM or equivalent hardware, and a cracked pane can be replaced without touching the frame. Full replacement is only necessary when the frame itself is corroded or the window is too old to match current parts. Call (863) 862-5435 for an honest diagnosis and a free quote on the repair.
A glass-pack or hardware replacement usually takes 1 to 2 hours once the part is on hand. A full sash or frame replacement can take a half day per window, plus any time needed for permitting. We stock the most common CGI parts on our trucks, so Miami customers often get same-day service when the part is available.
We stock the most common CGI replacement components, including glass packs, rollers, locks, and weatherstripping on our trucks. Less common series-specific parts may need to be ordered, which typically takes 3 to 5 business days. We’ll tell you upfront if a part needs ordering and exactly when we can install it. Call (863) 862-5435 and we’ll check availability for your specific CGI model.
Written by Ed Winslow, Owner, Winslow Windows & Doors at Winslow Windows & Doors, serving Miami and nearby areas.
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.