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
AfterFull Frame Replacement in Palm Beach, FL
Full frame replacement means removing a window down to the rough opening – studs, sill, everything – and installing a completely new frame, glass, and hardware in its place. In Palm Beach, where salt air, tropical humidity, and hurricane seasons put constant pressure on building materials, it’s the right call when the existing frame is rotted, warped, or structurally compromised beyond what a simple insert swap can fix. If you’re not sure which approach your home needs, explore our Window Replacement services or call us at (561) 782-7525 – a live person will pick up, any hour, and we’ll tell you honestly what we’re looking at.
At Winslow Windows & Doors, full frame replacement is one of the more involved jobs we do, and Ed Winslow has been doing it in Palm Beach homes since 2011. We don’t subcontract the work out and we don’t rush the prep. The frame cavity is what holds a window in place through a Category 4 storm, and we treat it that way.
If you’re still weighing your options, our Window Replacement in Palm Beach overview covers the full picture – including when an insert (pocket) replacement makes more sense than going full frame.
When You Need Full Frame Replacement
Not every old or drafty window calls for full frame work. But there are specific conditions – common in Palm Beach’s coastal building stock – where pulling the entire frame is the only sound option. If you’re seeing any of the following, a pocket replacement will only mask the problem:
- Visible rot or soft wood in the frame or sill. In Palm Beach’s humidity and salt-spray environment, wood frames on homes within a few blocks of the Intracoastal or the ocean can deteriorate fast. If you press on the frame and it gives, the rot has already done structural damage that no new sash will fix.
- Water intrusion staining the interior wall below the window. Staining on the drywall beneath a window sill, especially in El Cid or Palm Beach Estates homes with older single-pane jalousie replacements, usually means the flashing failed at the rough opening – not just the glass seal. That’s a frame-level problem.
- Frames that are out of square or visibly bowed. A window that won’t close flush, drags on the track, or shows daylight at the corners despite the glass being intact has a frame geometry problem. Inserting a new sash into a warped frame just transfers the warp.
- Upgrading to impact-rated windows from non-impact units. Palm Beach County’s building code requires permits and inspections when adding impact-rated windows where none existed. In most cases, the existing frame openings don’t meet the structural requirements for certified impact units – especially in pre-1994 construction – and a full frame replacement is required to bring the opening into compliance.
- Significant pest damage to the surrounding wood. Termite activity behind a window frame is more common in older Palm Beach construction than most homeowners expect. We regularly find concealed damage during frame removal in the North End and around Sunset Avenue – damage that would have gone undetected with an insert swap.
- The existing window is not a standard size. Custom or geometric openings – arched, octagonal, or oversized – rarely have a pocket-replacement product available. Full frame replacement lets us fit the opening precisely.
Our Full Frame Replacement Process
Full frame replacement takes longer than a pocket swap, and that’s the point. Every hour of prep here is an hour you don’t spend dealing with a callback three years from now. Here’s exactly how we work:
- Free on-site estimate and opening assessment. We measure the rough opening, check the surrounding wall for moisture or structural issues, and confirm whether a permit is required under Palm Beach County building codes. No trip charge for homes within our service area. Ed Winslow or a senior member of his crew performs this assessment – not a salesperson.
- Permit application (where required). Impact window installations and full frame replacements in Palm Beach typically require a building permit and inspection. We handle the permit application on your behalf and schedule work around the required inspection windows. Some homeowners are surprised to learn this step is non-optional; skipping it creates title issues when selling.
- Complete frame removal. We remove the existing window, casing, and frame down to the rough opening. Any deteriorated wood, old flashing, or failed sealant is removed entirely. We don’t skim over soft material or leave questionable wood in place to speed up the job.
- Opening preparation and flashing installation. This is the step that separates a job that holds up through hurricane season from one that doesn’t. We install new pan flashing at the sill, seal the rough opening perimeter correctly, and verify the opening is square and plumb before the new unit goes in. In Palm Beach’s wet season, a properly flashed opening is the difference between a dry interior wall and a mold problem.
- New frame and window installation. We set the new window unit – often a PGT or CGI impact-rated model, depending on what the homeowner selects – into the prepared opening, shim it to level, anchor it per manufacturer specs, and apply backer rod and sealant at the perimeter. For impact-rated units, this step must follow the specific installation method required by the product’s Notice of Acceptance (NOA) to maintain certification.
- Interior and exterior finishing, final inspection, and cleanup. We reinstall or replace the interior casing, apply exterior caulk, and schedule the county inspection if required. We don’t leave until the job passes inspection and you’re satisfied with how it looks from both sides of the glass.
Full Frame Replacement Pricing in Palm Beach
Full frame replacement in Palm Beach runs higher than pocket replacement because of the labor involved in frame removal, wood prep, and proper flashing – and because most homeowners in this market are upgrading to impact-rated units at the same time. Here’s a realistic breakdown of what to expect in our local market:
| Scope | Typical Price Range (Palm Beach Market) |
|---|---|
| Single standard window (full frame, impact-rated) | $850 – $1,400 installed |
| Single oversized or custom opening | $1,400 – $2,800 installed |
| Whole-home full frame replacement (10-15 openings) | $12,000 – $28,000+ depending on unit count and complexity |
| Additional wood rot repair at rough opening | $150 – $600 per opening (scope-dependent) |
| Permit fee (Palm Beach County) | Typically $150 – $350; we quote this separately |
A few things drive cost up or down in Palm Beach specifically:
- Frame material: Impact-rated aluminum frames (standard in coastal construction) cost less than impact-rated vinyl, but aluminum conducts heat. Many homeowners in Palm Beach’s climate choose thermally broken aluminum or vinyl for better energy performance, which affects the unit price.
- Glass specification: Low-E coatings, laminated interlayers, and impact ratings all affect glass cost. PGT WinGuard and CGI Guardian Series units, for example, carry different price points based on glass package.
- Story height: Windows above the first floor require additional labor and in some cases scaffolding. Multistory homes in Palm Beach’s historic districts often carry a height premium.
- Stucco repair: Full frame removal often disturbs exterior stucco. Minor touch-up is included in our scope; larger stucco repairs are quoted separately.
- Wood rot at the rough opening: We don’t know what we’ll find until the old frame is out. We’re transparent about this upfront – if we find rot, we show you before we do anything and give you a scope adjustment in writing before proceeding.
Seniors and veterans receive a permanent 10% discount on all work, no expiration, no application required – just let us know when you call. And if you have a written estimate from another company, we’ll give you a free second opinion on it before you sign anything.
Call (561) 782-7525 for a free on-site estimate. Upfront pricing, no surprises on the invoice.
Why Winslow Windows & Doors for Full Frame Work in Palm Beach
Ed Winslow started this company in 2011 with a straightforward idea: do the job right the first time, put your name on it, and stand behind it. The Done Right Promise is how we formalize that – if it’s not done right, we come back and make it right. No fine print, no warranty-voiding technicalities, no arguing about whether the problem was “pre-existing.” Ed’s name is on the business, and that means something concrete when you’re calling about a window that was installed three years ago.
We’re authorized installers for PGT, CGI, among others. We pull our own permits, we send background-checked, uniformed technicians to your home, and when you call at any hour, a live person picks up. Not a voicemail. Not a call center in another state. Someone who can actually schedule your job or answer your question.
For a full frame replacement in Palm Beach – whether it’s one window with a bad rot situation or a whole-home upgrade to impact glass – you want a company that will be around when the inspection happens and reachable if something comes up down the road. That’s what we’re built for.
Key Takeaways
- Full frame replacement removes the window down to the rough opening – the right call when the existing frame is rotted, warped, or structurally compromised.
- Palm Beach’s coastal climate accelerates wood frame deterioration; many homes in El Cid, the North End, and near the Intracoastal have hidden rot that only shows up during frame removal.
- Most full frame replacements with impact-rated units in Palm Beach require a building permit and county inspection – we handle both.
- Installed costs typically run $850 – $1,400 per standard opening for impact-rated units; whole-home projects range from $12,000 into the mid-to-high $20,000s depending on unit count and complexity.
- The Done Right Promise backs every job, and Ed Winslow answers for the work personally.
- Seniors and veterans receive a permanent 10% discount; free second opinions on written estimates from competitors.
FAQs – Full Frame Replacement in Palm Beach
What’s the difference between full frame replacement and insert (pocket) replacement?
Full frame replacement removes the entire window unit including the frame, sill, and surrounding structure down to the rough opening. Insert Window Replacement leaves the existing frame in place and fits a new window sash inside it. Insert replacement is faster and less expensive, but it only works when the existing frame is structurally sound and square. In Palm Beach homes with wood rot, flashing failures, or non-standard openings, insert replacement won’t solve the underlying problem – and can actually hide it until it becomes a much bigger issue. Call us at (561) 782-7525 for a free assessment; we’ll tell you which approach makes sense for your specific situation.
Do I need a permit for full frame window replacement in Palm Beach?
Yes, in nearly all cases. Palm Beach County requires a building permit for full frame window replacement, and impact-rated window installations are subject to inspection to verify they meet the current Florida Building Code. Skipping the permit creates real problems – title complications when you sell, insurance coverage gaps, and potential liability if a non-inspected window fails during a storm. We handle the permit application on your behalf and schedule work around the inspection. This is standard practice for us, not an add-on.
How long does full frame window replacement take in Palm Beach?
A single window typically takes four to six hours from start to finish, including frame removal, wood prep, new unit installation, and caulking. A whole-home project with ten to fifteen windows usually runs two to three days of on-site work, plus any time required for permit approval before we can begin. If we find unexpected rot or structural issues at the rough opening, we’ll show you what we found, give you a revised scope in writing, and discuss timing before we proceed. We won’t disappear for a week without communication.
Will full frame replacement improve my home’s energy efficiency in Palm Beach’s climate?
Yes, significantly – especially if you’re replacing older aluminum single-pane or jalousie units. New impact-rated windows like PGT WinGuard with Low-E glass reduce solar heat gain, which is the primary driver of cooling load in Palm Beach’s climate. Many homeowners in Palm Beach see meaningful reductions in air conditioning runtime after a full frame upgrade, particularly on west- and south-facing elevations, with proper Window Maintenance & Care helping preserve those gains. The energy savings don’t offset the cost of the project overnight, but they’re real and measurable – and impact glass also eliminates the need for hurricane shutters, which has its own practical value. Call (561) 782-7525 and we’ll walk you through the glass specifications that make the most sense for your home’s orientation and exposure.
Written by Ed Winslow, Owner at Winslow Windows & Doors, serving Palm Beach since 2011.
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.