Free in-home measure and quote - PGT, CGI and CWS impact lines compared on your actual openings, style by style
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Before
AfterCGI Window Installation: The Hollywood Owner’s Guide
CGI window installation in Hollywood, FL typically runs $340-$780 per opening for standard retrofit replacement, with most jobs completed in a single day once materials arrive. We stock common CGI frame components, hardware, and seal kits on our trucks, and we measure every rough opening against the manufacturer’s spec sheet before ordering - no surprises, no change orders. Most Hollywood homeowners discover their CGI window is failing when the sash won’t stay open, they feel air movement around the frame, or they spot moisture between the glass layers after a summer storm.
Which CGI Models This Applies To
CGI manufactures three residential lines we see across Hollywood: the Estate Series (aluminum impact-rated), the Sentinel Series (vinyl impact-rated), and the commercial-grade Targa line. Each uses distinct frame depths, glazing stops, and hardware mounting patterns that do not cross over.
To identify your series, check the etched mark on the glass spacer or the label inside the top track - Estate frames measure 3-1/4″ deep, Sentinel runs 2-7/8″, and Targa starts at 4-1/2″. The part number prefix (ES-, SE-, or TG-) tells us which hardware kit to pull. We also match the generation: CGI updated its Estate lock mechanism in 2019, and the new cam-style latch is not backward-compatible with the 2012-2018 slide-bolt design without replacing the full keeper assembly.
We are an independent service provider with no affiliation to CGI. For most Hollywood homes built 2015-2022, we stock both OEM hardware and verified equivalents that meet the same AAMA 906 cycle-testing standard. The aftermarket route saves roughly 15-20% on parts without voiding the original frame warranty, provided the replacement carries the same finish code - CGI’s “Bronze” and “White” are standard, but “Champagne” and “Black” often require a factory order with a 10-14 day lead time.
Signs Your CGI Window Installation Is Failing
- Sash drops or won’t stay open. The balance system - either a coil spring or block-and-tackle unit depending on CGI series - has lost tension. In Hollywood’s salt-air environment, we’ve seen balances corrode internally within 6-8 years, even when the exterior looks intact.
- Visible moisture or fog between glass panes. The insulated glass unit (IGU) seal has failed, breaking the argon fill and compromising the U-factor. South Florida’s thermal cycling - 90°F days dropping to 72°F indoors - accelerates seal degradation compared to northern climates.
- Air infiltration around the frame perimeter. The compression seal has flattened or the glazing bead has pulled away. On east-facing Hollywood installations, we find this first on the sill where wind-driven rain pounds the seal joint.
- Lock won’t engage or feels loose. The keeper has shifted due to frame settlement, or the cam has worn. CGI’s pre-2019 slide-bolt design is particularly prone to this after repeated cycling; the bolt wears an oval path in the aluminum keeper.
- Frame corner gaps or visible caulking separation. The structural silicone bond between frame members has degraded, or the installation flange has pulled from the substrate. This is not cosmetic - it is a water-intrusion path that rots the rough opening.
Before
AfterReplacement Cost & What’s Included
| Component | Parts + Labor Range | Typical Lead Time |
|---|---|---|
| Balance system replacement (per sash) | $180-$290 | Same day (stocked) |
| IGU replacement (standard size) | $340-$520 | 7-10 days (measured, then ordered) |
| Hardware set (lock, keeper, lifts) | $140-$220 | Same day (stocked) |
| Full frame replacement, standard opening | $680-$1,140 | 10-14 days |
| Seal/glazing bead service | $120-$195 | Same day |
What drives the range: opening size, floor level (second-story carries ladder/setup time), and whether the original installation used CGI’s nail flange or a block-frame retrofit method. The latter often requires additional trim work we quote upfront. Every price is written before we start - Haven Clause 1 - and includes the documented photo record you receive at completion. The 365-Day Done Right Promise covers labor and installation materials; manufacturer defects fall to CGI’s original warranty.
DIY or Call Us?
There is nothing dangerous about checking your own window - open the sash fully, look for the etched series mark, and photograph any label you find. If the lock is loose, tighten the visible screws; if the track has debris, vacuum it out.
Where DIY goes wrong: IGU replacement requires breaking the glazing bead without cracking the glass, then resealing with the correct shore-hardness silicone. Get it wrong and you’ve bought a new window. Balance systems under tension can release unexpectedly - not lethal, but capable of splitting a vinyl jamb. And if you disturb the impact-rated glazing assembly without documenting the sequence, you may compromise the HVHZ (High Velocity Hurricane Zone) compliance your Hollywood home was built to.
We carry CGI-compatible balances, locks, and seal kits on every truck. Call (754) 714-7309 and we’ll read your spec sheet against what we measure on site.
FAQs
Expect 15-25 years for the frame, 8-12 years for the IGU seal, and 6-10 years for hardware in coastal Florida conditions. Salt air, UV exposure, and the seasonal pressure differential between your air-conditioned interior and 95-degree exterior all compress those ranges compared to inland markets. Call (754) 714-7309 for an exact assessment of your specific units - estimates are free.
Moisture between panes cannot be repaired - the IGU seal is factory-set and the argon fill cannot be restored. Surface scratches or minor chips can sometimes be polished if they don’t penetrate the outer lite, but impact-rated laminated glass generally requires full IGU replacement to maintain the structural rating. Call (754) 714-7309 and we’ll tell you which category yours falls into.
A standard retrofit replacement in a wood-frame Hollywood home takes 2-3 hours per opening once materials are on site. Stucco or masonry openings add 30-60 minutes for proper flashing integration. Full-frame replacements with trim repair run 4-6 hours. We schedule arrival, not completion - Haven Clause 2 - because we won’t rush the seal detail to hit an artificial deadline.
We stock balances, locks, keepers, glazing beads, and compression seals for Estate and Sentinel series - the two lines that cover roughly 85% of Hollywood’s CGI inventory. IGU replacements and Targa commercial hardware are measured to order against the factory spec sheet. We also stock PGT, CWS, and ES Windows components for homes with mixed manufacturer packages.
Written by Sonia Raman, Owner, Sightline Windows & Doors Hollywood at Sightline Windows & Doors Hollywood, serving Hollywood and nearby areas.