Frequently Asked Questions - Windows & Doors in Fort Lauderdale, FL
We've fitted windows and doors across Fort Lauderdale since 2012. Here are the questions we actually get, answered with the specifics you'd need to make a decision.
Pricing & Cost FAQs
Most full-frame window replacements in Fort Lauderdale run between $650 and $1,400 per opening, including removal, disposal, and finish trim. The range depends on frame material (vinyl at the lower end, aluminum-clad wood at the top), impact rating, and whether the opening needs structural repair from moisture intrusion. In neighborhoods like Coral Ridge and Rio Vista, we see more stucco returns that need careful patching, which adds labor. Call (754) 666-7478 for a measured survey and written quote under Haven Standard Clause 1 - the price we write is the price you pay.
A complete entry door replacement in Fort Lauderdale typically costs $1,800 to $4,500 installed. Fiberglass doors with basic hardware sit at the lower end; impact-rated fiberglass or solid mahogany with multi-point locks and smart hardware reach the upper range. Coastal exposure in areas like Las Olas Isles means we often specify marine-grade finishes and stainless fasteners, which affects material cost. We measure every opening before quoting, so the number includes jamb adjustment, threshold sealing, and trim repair. Call (754) 666-7478 to schedule your free written estimate.
No. Haven Standard Clause 1 requires a flat, written price before anyone starts. The only way the price changes is if you add scope - a second door, upgraded hardware, additional windows - and that requires a new written amendment signed by both parties. Since 2012, our measured survey document is the quote; what we measure is what you keep. Hidden damage is rare, but if we find rot or termite damage during removal, we photograph it, stop, and present a written amendment before continuing. No surprises means no surprises.
We partner with established home improvement lenders to offer payment options for qualified Fort Lauderdale homeowners. Most programs cover projects from $2,500 to $75,000 with terms ranging from 12 months to 15 years. We don't push financing - we present it as an option after you've seen your written quote. The application takes about 10 minutes, and decisions usually come same day. Ask your project coordinator during the measured survey, or call (754) 666-7478 to discuss before we arrive.
Service & Process FAQs
A licensed technician arrives within the scheduled window, texts when en route, and spends 45 to 90 minutes documenting your existing openings. We record rough opening dimensions, frame condition, wall thickness, interior and exterior trim profiles, and any structural concerns. You receive a copy of every measurement and photo. That document becomes your written quote under Haven Standard Clause 1 - same paper, same numbers, no translation between survey and price. The survey is free and carries no obligation.
A typical whole-home window replacement of 12 to 18 openings takes 2 to 4 days from start to finish. Day one is removal and prep; subsequent days are install, seal, and trim. Weather matters in Fort Lauderdale - afternoon thunderstorms can pause exterior sealing work, so we build flexibility into the schedule. Impact-rated installations take slightly longer because the frames are heavier and the fastening pattern more rigorous. We tell you the day-by-day plan in writing before we start, under Haven Standard Clause 2: arrive on schedule with a real window and a named tech.
Someone 18 or older needs to be present at the start to confirm scope and at the end to review the completed work and sign the documentation. During the day, you can leave once we've established interior access and pet containment. Our crews lock up, alarm if applicable, and text when departing. Many Fort Lauderdale homeowners in gated communities like Harbor Beach or Lauderdale-by-the-Sea arrange key access or concierge coordination - we work with your building's requirements.
Clear a 3-foot path around each window or door, remove fragile items from shelves near the work area, and secure pets in a separate room. Our crew brings drop cloths, HEPA vacuums, and exterior tarps, but we can't move heavy furniture or electronics. If you have hurricane shutters mounted, let us know during scheduling - removal and reinstallation may need to be coordinated. We send a prep checklist with your confirmation text under Haven Standard Clause 2.
Brands & Parts FAQs
We specify PGT and CGI for most impact-rated projects in Fort Lauderdale, with CWS and ES Windows for specific applications where their frame profiles or glass packages fit better. PGT's WinGuard line is our go-to for coastal exposure - the aluminum frames and laminated glass have 20-plus years of Florida testing. CGI's Sentinel series offers slimmer sightlines for modern homes in neighborhoods like Victoria Park. We don't carry every brand; we carry the ones whose warranty departments answer the phone and whose parts we can source in Miami-Dade or Broward without a 6-week wait.
What's the difference between impact-rated and regular windows?
Yes, within the constraints of modern impact-rated engineering. We carry single-hung, horizontal roller, casement, awning, fixed, and architectural shapes in multiple frame colors and interior woodgrain finishes. The sightline - that visible edge of glass inside the frame - varies by manufacturer; PGT tends toward a slightly thicker sightline than CGI, which matters in historic homes where slim profiles are part of the character. We bring sample corners to the measured survey so you can see and feel the difference before ordering.
We repair operable hardware, balances, weatherstripping, and minor seal failures on windows we originally installed, provided parts remain available. For glass-only replacement in impact units, the laminated pane must be replaced as a complete insulated glass unit - you can't field-repair laminated glass and maintain the impact rating. If your windows are more than 15 years old and the manufacturer has discontinued the frame system, replacement is usually the only viable path. We'll tell you honestly which applies after inspection.
Licensing & Insurance FAQs
Every pro working under our name is required to hold the license and insurance their state requires, and we verify it quarterly under Haven Standard Clause 3. In Florida, that means a valid CBC (Certified Building Contractor) or CRC (Certified Residential Contractor) license, general liability insurance, and workers' compensation where applicable. The license number appears on your written quote and final documentation. We don't use unlicensed labor for any part of the installation, and we don't subcontract to crews we haven't vetted and documented.
Yes, for any job requiring structural modification or impact-rated installation per Fort Lauderdale Building Services or your specific municipality - Oakland Park, Wilton Manors, Lauderdale Lakes, and others each have slightly different submittal requirements. We handle the application, the plans drawn from our measured survey, and the scheduling of inspections. Permit fees are listed as a line item in your written quote, not buried in overhead. Final inspection sign-off is part of our closeout documentation under Haven Standard Clause 4: evidence on every job.
The Haven Standard is our five-clause operating framework, not a marketing phrase. H - Have it in writing: flat price, scope, warranty before start. A - Arrive on schedule: real window, named tech, text en route. V - Verified crews: licensed, insured, background-checked, documented. E - Evidence on every job: photos and readings of what we found. N - No surprises: no upsell, no scope creep, no "while we're in here." Every Sightline branch, including Fort Lauderdale, agrees to work to this standard. The documentation system that proves it and the buying power that keeps prices honest come from the brand; the license, the trucks, and the neighbors are local.
Emergency & Response FAQs
Call (754) 666-7478 during our operating hours - Monday through Sunday, 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM - and we'll schedule a temporary board-up or emergency glazing as our first available appointment. We are not a 24/7 emergency service; after 8:00 PM, we recommend contacting your insurance company's emergency line for immediate securing, then calling us the next morning for permanent repair. For hurricane damage during active storm response, city emergency management may have specific contractor activation procedures we follow.
Measured surveys are typically scheduled within 3 to 5 business days of your call. After quote acceptance, impact-rated windows usually ship in 4 to 8 weeks depending on manufacturer backlog and custom options; standard non-impact vinyl can arrive in 2 to 4 weeks. We don't promise same-week installation because that would mean keeping inventory we mark up, and Haven Standard Clause 1 is about honest pricing, not urgency theater. We'll give you a real production week and confirm 48 hours before delivery.
Our measured survey and installation crews cover Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors, Oakland Park, Lauderdale Lakes, Lauderhill, North Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Plantation, Sunrise, Hollywood, Tamarac, and Margate. Some eastern Broward municipalities have specific impact zone requirements or HOA architectural review boards - we know which ones and build that timeline into your quote. If you're unsure whether your address falls in our service area, call (754) 666-7478 with your ZIP code and we'll confirm.
Warranty & Guarantees FAQs
Manufacturer warranties vary: PGT and CGI offer lifetime limited warranties on vinyl frames and 20-year glass coverage; CWS and ES Windows have similar structures with specific exclusions for coastal corrosion if maintenance is neglected. Our installation workmanship is warranted for 10 years against leaks, operational failure due to installation, and finish defects. Both warranties are detailed in writing before you sign, under Haven Standard Clause 1 - no verbal promises, no hand-waving. We register your warranty with the manufacturer and give you the confirmation number.
Call (754) 666-7478 or text the number we provide at closeout. We document every job with photos and readings under Haven Standard Clause 4, so we can compare what we found then to what you're seeing now. If it's a warranty issue, we schedule a service call within our normal hours - Monday through Sunday, 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM. If it's damage from an outside cause - storm impact, foundation settling, accidental damage - we'll diagnose it honestly and quote repair if it's not covered. The goal is fixing the problem, not debating whose fault it was.
Manufacturer frame and glass warranties are typically transferable once within the original ownership period, with a formal transfer filing and sometimes a small fee. Our 10-year installation workmanship warranty transfers to the next owner if you notify us in writing within 30 days of closing, with the new owner's contact information. We see this frequently in Fort Lauderdale's active resale market - homes in Coral Ridge Country Club, Imperial Point, and throughout the city change hands regularly, and a transferable warranty is a selling point. Ask your coordinator for the transfer form at installation or anytime after.
Rinse frames and glass quarterly with fresh water to remove salt deposits - critical within a mile of the Intracoastal or ocean, which includes much of Fort Lauderdale east of Federal Highway. Lubricate operable hardware annually with a silicone-based spray, not WD-40 which attracts grit. Check weep holes at the bottom of the frame seasonally to ensure they're clear of debris; blocked weep holes trap water and void some manufacturer warranties. We provide a maintenance checklist at closeout and can schedule annual inspections if you prefer professional service.
The sightline is the glazing term for the visible edge of glass inside the frame - the part you actually see when you look at a window or door. It's also what you're paying for: the view, the light, the connection between inside and outside. One word that means the same thing to the installer measuring the opening and the homeowner standing in the room. Since 2012, we've fitted more than 18,000 windows and doors, every one with a written price before we started and a documented record when we left.
Written by Sonia Raman, Owner at Sightline Windows & Doors Fort Lauderdale, serving Fort Lauderdale and surrounding communities since 2012.
Still Have Questions?
We are happy to help. Call us - same-day and after-hours emergency service available.
(754) 666-7478