Free in-home measure and quote - PGT, CGI and CWS impact lines compared on your actual openings, style by style
CGI Window Replacement: The Kendall Owner’s Guide
CGI window replacement in Kendall typically runs $340-$780 per opening for standard sizes, with most jobs scheduled within 48 hours and completed in a single visit. We stock CGI-compatible sashes, balances, and hardware for the common series, and we carry PGT, CWS, and ES Windows equivalents when a full-frame change makes more sense. Most Kendall owners discover the problem during a storm-prep check: the window won’t lock flush, or there’s daylight between sash and frame that wasn’t there last season.
Which CGI Models This Applies To
CGI marks their series on a metal label inside the frame channel, usually on the top rail of the operating sash. The Estate Series (ES), Sentinel Series (SL), and WinGuard Aluminum lines account for most of what we see in Kendall, particularly in the townhome clusters near Dadeland and the 1980s-era builds off Kendall Drive where original CGI installs are hitting the 20-25 year mark.
The part match depends on three things: series generation (pre-2015 vs. post-2015 profiles changed slightly), sash size to the nearest 1/8 inch, and whether the original was impact-rated or standard. We bring OEM CGI hardware when the job specifies it, but we’ve also sourced quality aftermarket balances and rollers that meet the same cycle-test ratings at lower cost. The catch: mixing aftermarket balances with OEM sashes can throw off the tilt-latch geometry on Estate Series double-hungs. We check that fit dry before any sealant touches glass.
Signs Your CGI Window Replacement Is Failing

- The sash drops or won’t stay open. This points to a failed balance system, usually the coil spring or block-and-tackle assembly. In Kendall’s humidity, corrosion accelerates balance fatigue; we see this most on south-facing windows where condensation collects in the jamb.
- Visible gap at the lock rail when fully closed. The sash has warped or the interlock weatherstrip has compressed past recovery. On impact-rated CGI units, this gap also compromises the design pressure rating, not just the seal.
- Condensation between panes that doesn’t clear. The insulated glass unit (IGU) seal has failed. In Florida’s UV load, we expect 12-18 years on standard IGUs; coastal Kendall installs with salt exposure often run shorter.
- Crank handle spins without moving the sash. The operator gears are stripped, common on CGI casements after roughly 15,000 cycles. The operator arm itself may be fine; we diagnose before quoting the full assembly.
- Frame corner separation or weep-hole blockage. Thermal expansion and organic debris create a gap at the miter or clog the drainage path. Water then pools in the sill track, rotting the substructure even on aluminum frames.
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AfterReplacement Cost & What’s Included
| Component | Typical Range (Kendall) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard sash replacement (IGU + frame) | $340-$520 | Non-impact, up to 40″ × 60″ |
| Impact-rated sash replacement | $580-$780 | CGI WinGuard or equivalent DP-50 |
| Balance system (pair) | $180-$260 | Includes jamb liner inspection |
| Operator assembly (casement) | $220-$340 | OEM or cycle-matched equivalent |
| Full-frame replacement, standard | $680-$940 | Includes sill pan and flashing |
| Full-frame replacement, impact | $1,120-$1,480 | Permit and inspection included |
What drives the range: size, impact rating, and whether the original frame is square enough to accept a replacement sash or needs full removal. Every quote we write in Kendall starts with the measured survey you keep. The price on that document matches the final invoice. Haven Clause 1: Have it in writing. The 365-Day Done Right Promise covers the installation; manufacturer defects run through CGI’s warranty, which we document and file on your behalf.
DIY or Call Us?

There’s safe checking, and then there’s the part that costs more to fix after a wrong move.
An owner can verify the series label, measure the sash to the nearest 1/8 inch, and photograph the failure for our review. What we don’t recommend: removing a sash with failed balances without supporting the weight first, or attempting to reglaze an IGU without proper edge deletion. The glass in impact-rated CGI units is heavy, and the sash frame can twist if handled unevenly. We’ve been called to Kendall jobs where a homeowner cracked the replacement IGU during insertion because the glazing stops were forced rather than sequenced.
We carry common CGI balances, operators, and sash kits on the truck. If your series is older or custom-sized, we measure, order, and return to install. No deposit for standard parts. Call (786) 321-3319 to schedule the survey.
FAQs
Standard CGI aluminum frames last 25-30 years with basic maintenance; the IGU seal typically fails at 12-18 years in South Florida’s UV and salt exposure. Impact-rated units see similar frame life but may need sash replacement sooner if the laminated glass edge degrades from standing water in the sill track. Call (786) 321-3319 for an exact quote on your series and install year - estimates are free.
Some components can: a stripped operator gear can sometimes be rebuilt, and weep-hole blockage is pure maintenance. But failed IGUs, corroded balances, and warped sashes are replace-only. We diagnose on-site and tell you which category yours falls into before any work is authorized. Call (786) 321-3319 to schedule.
A standard sash or balance replacement takes 45-90 minutes per opening once parts are on hand. Full-frame removals run 2-3 hours per window, plus cure time for sealants. We schedule Kendall jobs to minimize return trips: measure once, document it, then cut. Call (786) 321-3319 to book.
We stock balances, operators, and common sash sizes for Estate Series, Sentinel Series, and WinGuard Aluminum. Odd sizes and pre-2010 series typically order in 5-10 business days. We don’t charge a return trip fee when we’re sourcing the part. Call (786) 321-3319 to confirm availability for your model.
Sightline Windows & Doors Kendall is independently owned and operated under the Haven Standard. We are not affiliated with CGI Windows & Doors; we are an authorized installer and independent service provider for their product lines.
Ready to price your CGI window replacement? Call (786) 321-3319 to schedule your free measured survey. You’ll receive the written scope before any work starts, and the documented photo record when the job is done. That’s Haven Clause 1, and it’s how we’ve handled every one of the 18,000+ openings since 2012.
Written by Sonia Raman, Owner, Sightline Windows & Doors Kendall at Sightline Windows & Doors Kendall, serving Kendall and nearby areas.










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