Free in-home measure and quote - PGT, CGI and CWS impact lines compared on your actual openings, style by style
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After
Before
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Before
AfterCGI Window Replacement: The Three Lakes Owner’s Guide
CGI window replacement in Three Lakes typically runs $340-$780 per opening installed, depending on series, glazing, and whether the frame is salvageable. We stock CGI-compatible sashes, balances, and hardware for same-day repair on most residential series, and we carry full replacement units for the Estate and Sentinel lines in our Three Lakes warehouse. Most homeowners first notice the problem when a window won’t stay open, won’t lock flush, or rattles during a thunderstorm - signs that the balance system, sash track, or weatherseal has reached end of life in South Florida’s salt-air, high-UV environment.
Which CGI Models This Applies To
CGI manufactures three residential window series that dominate Three Lakes installations from 2012 onward: Estate (aluminum impact-rated), Sentinel (vinyl impact-rated), and Targa (non-impact vinyl). The part you need depends on which series is in your wall.
Estate series units carry a stamped label on the sash lock side reading “ES-” followed by a four-digit code. Sentinel labels start “SE-“; Targa starts “TA-“. These codes cross-reference to CGI’s parts matrix for balances, sash cams, and weatherseal profiles. The Estate and Sentinel impact series use laminated glass with a .090 interlayer - the Targa series does not, and the sashes are not interchangeable even where rough opening dimensions match.
We source OEM balances and sash hardware directly from CGI’s Florida distribution center in Medley. For weatherseal and certain roller assemblies, we also stock quality aftermarket equivalents manufactured to CGI’s published spec - the difference is documented on your written quote, and the warranty coverage is identical under our 365-Day Done Right Promise. One compatibility gotcha we see regularly in Three Lakes: Estate series windows installed between 2015 and 2018 used a proprietary sash balance (part ES-BAL-14) that CGI later superseded. The new balance fits the same channel but requires a different mounting screw pattern. We stock both and verify against your existing hardware before quoting.
Signs Your CGI Window Window Replacement Is Failing
- The sash drops or won’t stay raised. This indicates balance spring fatigue, common in CGI units after 8-12 years of daily cycling. The constant tension of Florida’s humidity-expanded wood frames puts lateral load on the balance that accelerates wear.
- Visible moisture between glass panes. The insulated glass unit (IGU) seal has failed. In Three Lakes, where afternoon thunderstorms drive rapid temperature swings, this typically appears first on west-facing units that catch the Killian Corridor sun load.
- Lock cam won’t engage or requires force. The sash has shifted out of square, either from frame settlement or worn sash cams. Forcing the lock stresses the keepers and can crack the jamb liner.
- Air infiltration at the meeting rail even when closed. The weatherseal has compressed or the pile fin has detached. CGI’s original wool pile degrades faster within three miles of agricultural irrigation where calcium deposits abrade the fibers.
- Rattling or whistling at wind speeds above 25 mph. This points to glazing bead failure or sash-to-frame clearance that has opened beyond spec. On impact-rated units, this compromises the design pressure rating and should be addressed before storm season.
Before
AfterReplacement Cost & What’s Included
| Service | Price Range (Three Lakes) |
|---|---|
| Balance / sash hardware repair | $340-$480 |
| IGU (glass-only) replacement, Estate/Sentinel | $520-$680 |
| Full sash replacement (frame salvageable) | $580-$740 |
| Complete unit replacement, opening to opening | $680-$780 |
What drives the range: glazing spec (clear vs. Low-E vs. impact-rated), accessibility (second-story requires our pump jack, not a ladder, per Haven Clause 3), and whether the existing frame is plumb within 1/8 inch. If the frame is out of spec, we document the reading, show you the photo, and quote the full unit replacement - never a patch that fails in two years.
Every quote includes parts, labor, disposal of the old unit, and the documented photo record you receive at completion. The 365-Day Done Right Promise covers the installation; OEM parts carry CGI’s own warranty terms, which we note in writing on your scope document.
DIY or Call Us?
There is one safe check a homeowner can make: open the sash fully and photograph the label on the lock side. That image lets us cross-reference your part before we arrive, which saves time on site. Everything else carries risk.
CGI impact-rated sashes weigh 40-70 pounds depending on glazing. The balance system is under tension; releasing it without a sash brace can damage the jamb liner or cause the sash to drop on your hand. IGU replacement requires clean-room conditions - any pollen or dust trapped during reglazing becomes a permanent blemish. And impact-rated glazing beads must be reinstalled to CGI’s specified compression or the design pressure rating is void.
We are not affiliated with CGI. We are an independent service provider that installs and repairs CGI-compatible products under our own license and warranty. If your unit is under CGI’s original manufacturer warranty, we can help you document the failure for their claims process, but our work is quoted and guaranteed separately.
Call (786) 808-5792 to schedule your free estimate. We will measure the opening, identify your series and part, and hand you a written price before any work starts.
FAQs
CGI residential windows in Three Lakes typically deliver 15-20 years of service before major component failure, with balances and weatherseal needing attention at 8-12 years. The salt-air exposure west of the Turnpike and the thermal cycling from afternoon sun on Killian Corridor homes accelerates seal degradation compared to inland Miami-Dade installations. Call (786) 808-5792 for an exact assessment of your unit’s condition - estimates are free.
A failed IGU seal cannot be repaired; the glass unit must be replaced. Surface scratches or minor chips in non-impact glass can sometimes be polished, but impact-rated laminated glass requires full IGU replacement to maintain the Notice of Acceptance compliance. We verify your glazing spec against Miami-Dade product approval before quoting. Call (786) 808-5792 for a written scope.
Most residential replacements in Three Lakes are completed in 2-4 hours per opening, depending on whether the frame is salvageable and whether the unit is on the first or second floor. Full-frame replacements may require a return visit for interior trim finishing. We schedule arrival windows, not all-day waits, per Haven Clause 2. Call (786) 808-5792 to book.
We stock balances, sash cams, rollers, and weatherseal for Estate and Sentinel series on every Three Lakes service vehicle, and we carry full sash assemblies for the four most common glazing configurations. IGU replacements are ordered to spec after measurement and typically arrive within 3-5 business days. Call (786) 808-5792 - if we don’t have it, we’ll tell you before we schedule.
Measure once, quote it straight, install it right - nothing else belongs on the invoice.
We also stock and install replacement parts for PGT, CWS, and ES Windows units common in Three Lakes homes built between 2012 and 2020. If you’re unsure which manufacturer is in your wall, photograph the label and text it to us - we’ll identify it before we arrive.
Written by Sonia Raman, Owner, Sightline Windows & Doors Three Lakes at Sightline Windows & Doors Three Lakes, serving Three Lakes and nearby areas.