Frequently Asked Questions - Windows & Doors in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Straight answers to the questions Fort Lauderdale homeowners ask us most. If you don't see your question here, call (754) 310-3589 and we'll walk you through it.
Pricing & Cost FAQs
Most Fort Lauderdale homeowners pay between $450 and $1,100 per window installed, depending on size, frame material, glass package, and whether the opening needs repair. Impact windows, which nearly every coastal homeowner asks about, run higher because of the laminated glass and reinforced frames. A typical three-bedroom house with ten openings usually lands in the $7,000 to $14,000 range. We quote line items on paper so you see exactly where the money goes, and the price we quote is the price you pay. Call (754) 310-3589 for a free written estimate specific to your house.
Impact windows in Fort Lauderdale typically run $700 to $1,600 per opening installed. The spread comes from size, whether you choose aluminum or vinyl frames, and the brand. PGT and CGI are the two lines we quote most often in Fort Lauderdale, and both carry the Miami-Dade NOA approvals that matter here. A mid-size ranch home with eight to twelve openings commonly falls between $9,000 and $17,000. The free estimate we give you itemizes each window separately, so you can see what's driving the number before you commit.
A new sliding glass door in Fort Lauderdale generally costs $1,500 to $4,500 installed. Impact-rated sliders sit at the higher end because the laminated glass and beefed-up track are heavier and harder to hang properly. If your existing opening is out of square, expect some framing work in the quote. We install sliders that seal tight against humidity and won't bind when the house settles. Get a firm number with a free estimate by calling (754) 310-3589.
Four things move the price: the size of the opening, the frame material, the glass package, and whether the existing frame is rotten or out of true. Homes in older Fort Lauderdale neighborhoods like Victoria Park and Sailboat Bend often have wood frames that need full replacement, which adds labor. Impact glazing costs more than standard annealed glass. And second-story work requires lifts or scaffolding. We measure every opening twice and show you the numbers side by side so nothing is a surprise on the bill.
Yes. We provide free written estimates for every window and door project in Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding cities. The estimate is itemized, so you'll see each opening, the material, the labor, and any trim or framing work listed separately. We don't do ballpark numbers over the phone and then change them later. What we quote, we honor. To schedule yours, call (754) 310-3589.
The difference usually comes down to three things: the brand of the window, the quality of the install, and whether permits are included. A low bid often means a builder-grade window with no impact rating, no permit pulled, and a crew that rushes the flashing. A higher bid should mean a named brand like PGT or ES Windows, a licensed installer, and permits filed with the City of Fort Lauderdale. We quote manufacturer lines side by side on paper so you can compare what you're actually getting, not just the bottom line.
No. We quote a fixed price before the job begins, and we don't send change orders unless you ask us to add scope. If we open a wall and find rotted framing that wasn't visible, we'll show you what we found, explain what needs doing, and get your approval in writing before any extra work happens. Dale Kessler's rule from the start has been no surprises on the bill. The Keystone Standard is what we call it: the number on the quote is the number on the invoice.
Service & Process FAQs
It starts with a free estimate where we measure every opening twice, check for rot and out-of-true frames, and show you brands and pricing on paper. Once you approve, we order your windows, pull permits with the City of Fort Lauderdale, and schedule the install. Our crew removes the old sash and frame, sets the new unit plumb and square, flashes it properly against South Florida rain, and seals both sides. We register the manufacturer warranty and our workmanship warranty before the truck leaves your driveway. Call (754) 310-3589 to start.
A standard single-story house with ten to twelve windows typically takes one to two days of install work after the windows arrive. The bigger variable is lead time from the manufacturer, which runs two to six weeks depending on the brand and whether the windows are impact-rated. Second-story work, full-frame tear-outs, and houses in Fort Lauderdale's historic districts can add time. We'll give you a clear schedule in writing before you sign anything.
Yes. Fort Lauderdale requires permits for window and door replacement, especially impact-rated work that must meet Florida Building Code and Miami-Dade standards. We pull the permits, schedule the inspections, and make sure everything passes before we call the job done. If someone tells you a permit isn't needed, walk away. Unpermitted work becomes a problem when you sell the house or file an insurance claim after a storm. We handle it properly from day one.
If your doors are the same age as your windows, doing both at once usually saves money on labor and permits. You'll pay one mobilization, one permit cycle, and one inspection round instead of two. Many Fort Lauderdale homes we see have original 1970s sliders and single-pane windows, and replacing them together gives the house a consistent look and a single warranty date. If your budget only covers windows now, that's fine too. We'll quote both ways so you can decide with real numbers in front of you.
We work throughout Broward County, including Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Coral Springs, Pompano Beach, Davie, Plantation, Sunrise, Deerfield Beach, Lauderhill, and Weston. Our crew knows the housing stock in each of these cities, from 1950s block homes in Hollywood to newer construction in Weston. Coastal exposure and HOAs vary by city, and we handle the specifics that come with each. Call (754) 310-3589 and tell us where you're located.
Brands & Parts FAQs
We quote PGT, CGI, CWS, and ES Windows most often. PGT and CGI are the workhorses of South Florida impact protection, with deep product lines and proven track records in hurricane country. ES Windows offers a more architectural look for mid-century and modern homes. We don't push one brand. We show you the options side by side, with prices, and let you choose what fits your house and your budget. The brand matters less than the install, and we stand behind both.
Both PGT and CGI make Miami-Dade approved impact windows, and both are built in Florida for Florida conditions. PGT tends to have broader availability and more price-point options, which is why many Fort Lauderdale homeowners choose them. CGI runs a heavier frame and is often specified by architects on high-end waterfront homes. Performance-wise, both will stand up to a CAT 5 window. We quote both lines regularly and will show you the differences on paper so you can choose honestly.
Sometimes. If the frame is solid and the problem is a failed seal, a worn roller, or hardware that's still made, repair may make sense. But South Florida humidity is hard on windows. What looks like a minor fogging issue is often water inside the glass unit, which can't be repaired, only replaced. In Fort Lauderdale, salt air and heat age aluminum and vinyl faster than inland. We'll tell you straight whether a repair is worth your money, and we won't sell you a replacement if a repair will hold.
Yes. We install entry doors, French doors, sliding glass doors, and impact-rated door systems throughout Fort Lauderdale. A door is just a big window that swings, and the same rules apply: the opening has to be true, the seal has to hold against humidity, and the hardware has to be set right. We hang doors that close square and lock tight, and we do it the same way we do windows: measured twice, installed plumb, sealed properly. Call (754) 310-3589 for a free estimate on any door project.
Licensing & Insurance FAQs
Every pro working under our name is required to hold the license and insurance the State of Florida requires for window and door installation. We carry general liability coverage, and we're happy to show you certificates before work begins. Fort Lauderdale is a market where unlicensed handymen do a lot of window work, and homeowners pay for it later when the inspector flags the job or the insurance company won't cover the claim. We do it by the book. Ask for our credentials when you call (754) 310-3589.
We know how to work with HOAs because we deal with them all over Broward County. Many communities in Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs, and Weston have architectural review boards that require specific window styles, colors, or brand approvals before you can replace anything. We'll help you gather the product spec sheets and drawings your HOA needs, submit them, and wait for approval before ordering. It adds a week or two, but it prevents a stop-work order and fines. It's part of doing the job right here.
TruePane started as a window crew inside a general contracting outfit and split off in 2008 because windows were the part of every job that got argued about later. The founder, second-generation glazier Dale Kessler, kept a level in his truck door and a rule on the whiteboard: if the pane is not true, the job is not done. That standard now applies to every window and door we install in Fort Lauderdale. A tradesman's word: an opening that is out of true binds, leaks, and fails early. Truing the pane is the craft, and it's the name on the truck.
Emergency & Response FAQs
Yes. After a hurricane or tropical storm, we help Fort Lauderdale homeowners board up, measure, and replace broken or blown-out windows and doors. The first step is securing the opening safely, then we get proper measurements and order replacements. Impact-rated replacements take time to manufacture, so we'll often install temporary plywood or a standard unit while your impact windows are built. Call us at (754) 310-3589 and our live coordinator will connect you with the local team. We're here Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM.
It depends on the window. If it's a standard size we can source locally, we can often get it replaced quickly. If it's an impact window or a custom size, the glass has to be ordered and that takes longer. Our hours are Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM. Call (754) 310-3589 early in the day and our coordinator will tell you honestly what's possible.
First, make the opening safe. Move furniture and people away from broken glass, and if the opening is exposed to weather or accessible from outside, cover it with plywood or heavy plastic secured from the inside. If there's water coming in, do what you can to divert it. Then call us the next morning during business hours. We're open Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM and weekends 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM. We'll get you on the schedule and give you a straight answer about timeline and cost.
Warranty & Guarantees FAQs
We apply the Keystone Standard to every job: both warranty layers in writing, durations stated, 90 days on our workmanship, no arguing. The manufacturer warranty covers the glass and frame against defects, and our workmanship warranty covers the install. We register both warranties before the truck leaves your driveway, so there's no paperwork for you to chase later. If something isn't right, we come back. That's the whole point of the name on the truck. Dale Kessler's rule: standing behind it, every time.
Manufacturer warranties on quality brands like PGT, CGI, and ES Windows typically cover the glass unit against seal failure and the frame against defects in materials and workmanship. The duration varies by product line, and we'll show you the exact terms on paper before you sign. The key is registration. Many homeowners lose warranty coverage because nobody filed the paperwork. We register both the manufacturer warranty and our workmanship warranty before we leave the job site, and you get copies for your records.
You call us. The Keystone Standard means 90 days on our workmanship with no arguing, and if we made a mistake, we fix it. If it's a manufacturer defect, we handle the claim with the manufacturer on your behalf. You won't be bounced between a window company that blames the factory and a factory that blames the installer. We're the ones who installed it, and we're the ones who make it right. That's what we mean when we say we stand behind it. Every time.
A quality impact window, properly installed, should give you 20 to 30 years in Fort Lauderdale's climate. The glass may last longer, but seals, hardware, and rollers wear out faster in salt air and humidity. The install quality matters as much as the product. A window set out of true will bind, leak, and wear its hardware years sooner than one set square and plumb. That's why we measure every opening twice and why the rule on the whiteboard has always been: if the pane is not true, the job is not done.
Many of our customers pay for their projects in stages as work progresses, and we're glad to walk you through payment structure when you get your estimate. For the exact terms available on your project, call (754) 310-3589 and ask our coordinator. The estimate is always free, and it gives you real numbers to work with before you make any decisions.
Written by Dale Kessler, Owner at TruePane Windows & Doors, serving Fort Lauderdale since 2008.
Still Have Questions?
We are happy to help. Call us - same-day and after-hours emergency service available.
(754) 310-3589