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AfterFull Frame Replacement in Palm Beach, FL
Full frame replacement means removing your existing window right down to the rough opening – frame, sill, and all – and installing an entirely new window unit from the studs out. In Palm Beach, this is the right call when the frame itself is compromised: rotted wood from salt air exposure, water-damaged sills, corroded aluminum from years of coastal humidity, or original single-pane frames that were never built to carry a modern impact-rated unit. Most homeowners discover they need it not because the glass broke, but because the structure holding the glass has quietly failed around it.
If you’ve noticed sticking sashes, daylight creeping through the frame corners, or a soft spongy feel when you press on the sill, those are the tells. A retrofit insert won’t fix underlying frame damage – it just hides it temporarily. Full frame replacement fixes the problem at its source.
At Winslow Windows & Doors, Ed Winslow has led every full frame job since we opened in 2011. We’re a locally owned company that serves Palm Beach homeowners directly – no subcontractors handed your job off to a crew you’ve never met, no national call center when you have a question. If you want to talk through what you’re seeing before we even schedule a visit, call us at (561) 831-7863 – a real person will answer, day or night.
This page covers everything under our broader Window Replacement in Palm Beach service, narrowed down to the specifics of full frame replacement: when you need it, how the process works, what it costs here in Palm Beach, and what to ask before you hire anyone.
When You Need Full Frame Replacement
There’s a straightforward way to think about it: if the problem is the glass or the hardware, a repair or insert retrofit might be enough. If the problem is the frame itself, full replacement is the only fix that holds. Here are the scenarios we see most often in Palm Beach:
- Rotted or softened wood frames. Palm Beach’s salt air and summer humidity are relentless on wood frames – especially on properties within a few blocks of the water. When the wood has absorbed enough moisture to feel soft or crumble at the corners, no sealant or patch will restore structural integrity. We see this frequently in homes built before the 1980s along South Ocean Boulevard and the north end of Palm Beach near the Lake Worth Lagoon.
- Corroded aluminum frames from coastal exposure. Older aluminum frames oxidize and pit over time in coastal environments. Once the aluminum has corroded through, the thermal break is gone and the frame can no longer hold a proper seal. This is one of the most common reasons Palm Beach homeowners call us after purchasing older homes.
- Water intrusion at the wall, not just the glass. If water is coming in at the corners of the window opening or tracking down the interior wall below the sill, the problem is almost always behind the frame – compromised flashing, failed sill pan, or siding damage. A full frame replacement lets us inspect and correct the rough opening before the new unit goes in.
- Upgrading to impact-rated windows on older frames. Florida Building Code requires that impact windows in Palm Beach County meet specific structural and wind-load standards. Many original frames in older Palm Beach homes aren’t built to transfer the load a modern PGT or CGI impact unit requires. Installing an impact window into a compromised frame defeats the purpose – and may not pass inspection.
- Visible gaps, daylight, or significant drafts at the frame perimeter. When you can feel outside air or see light around the frame edge – not just the sash – the frame itself has shifted or separated from the rough opening. This is especially common after significant storms, and Palm Beach took meaningful hits in recent hurricane seasons.
- Complete window configuration change. If you’re changing the size, shape, or style of a window – adding a picture window where a double-hung was, for example, or installing a large geometric unit in a remodel – full frame replacement is the only practical path forward.
Our Full Frame Replacement Process
We’re direct about how this works because homeowners who’ve been through a bad installation know the difference. Full frame replacement is more involved than a retrofit, and the steps matter. Here’s what happens when Winslow Windows & Doors does a full frame replacement in Palm Beach:
- On-site assessment and measurement. Ed or a member of our team comes out to your home and evaluates the existing frame, rough opening, surrounding wall, and any visible water or structural damage. We measure the rough opening precisely – not the old frame, the rough opening – because that’s what the new unit has to fit. We discuss product options based on your home’s exposure, your HOA requirements if you’re in one of Palm Beach’s historic or planned communities, and your goals for energy efficiency and impact protection. This visit is free, and we come with upfront pricing – no vague “we’ll get back to you with a quote.”
- Product selection and permit coordination. Palm Beach County requires permits for window replacements, and we handle that process. We’ll recommend units from our authorized brand lineup – PGT and CGI impact products are our most common choices for Palm Beach given the wind exposure and the county’s current building code requirements – and place the order once you’ve approved the scope and price. Nothing moves forward until the numbers are clear and you’ve signed off.
- Careful removal of the old frame. On installation day, our uniformed, background-checked technicians remove the existing window and frame completely, down to the rough opening framing. This step is where the real condition of the opening becomes visible. If we find rot in the structural members, damaged flashing, or a failed sill pan that wasn’t obvious during the assessment, we address it before anything else goes in. We won’t close up a wall over a problem.
- Rough opening prep and waterproofing. We install a proper sill pan, flash the opening according to Florida Building Code, and confirm the framing is square and structurally sound. This is the step most rushed installers skip – and it’s the reason windows leak three years after a supposedly good installation. In Palm Beach, where driving rain hits from the east during storm season, flashing integrity is non-negotiable.
- New window installation and sealing. The new frame goes in, is shimmed level and plumb, anchored to the structural framing, and sealed at the perimeter with appropriate materials for the Florida climate. For impact-rated units, the anchoring method has to meet the product’s NOA (Notice of Acceptance) specifications – we follow those requirements exactly, because that’s what stands up during an inspection and more importantly during an actual storm.
- Inspection, cleanup, and walkthrough. We call for the required inspection, clean up the work area, and walk you through the completed installation before we leave. You’ll know how to operate any new hardware, what the warranty covers, and who to call if anything needs attention later. That last part is easy: you call (561) 831-7863, and someone answers.
Full Frame Replacement Pricing in Palm Beach
Full frame window replacement in Palm Beach typically runs between $600 and $1,800 per window, all-in, depending on the factors below. That range is wider than retrofit pricing because the scope varies more – a straightforward single-hung replacement in a standard opening is a different job than a large impact picture window on a second-floor oceanside elevation.
| Window Type / Scenario | Typical Range (Per Window, Installed) |
|---|---|
| Standard single-hung, full frame replacement | $600 – $900 |
| Double-hung or casement, impact-rated, full frame | $800 – $1,200 |
| Large picture window, impact-rated, full frame | $1,000 – $1,600 |
| Sliding glass or specialty shape, full frame | $1,100 – $1,800 |
| Additional rough opening repairs (rot, framing, flashing) | $150 – $500 per opening, as needed |
What moves a job toward the higher end of those ranges:
- Second-story or difficult-access installations
- Structural damage discovered during removal that requires carpentry repair
- Larger window sizes or custom configurations
- High-velocity hurricane zone (HVHZ) products with higher product costs
- Historic district review requirements for certain Palm Beach properties
Multi-window projects usually come in at a better per-unit cost – if you’re replacing six or more windows at once, we build that into the estimate. And if you’re a senior or veteran, our permanent 10% discount applies automatically. We also take $40 off any repair over $200, and if you’ve already received a written estimate from another company, we’ll give you a free second opinion – no obligation.
There’s no trip charge for homes within our service area, and every estimate is upfront pricing: what we quote is what you pay. Call (561) 831-7863 to schedule your free on-site estimate.
Why Palm Beach Homeowners Choose Full Frame Over Retrofit
The short answer: a retrofit insert fits inside your existing frame – learn more about Vinyl Replacement Windows. That’s its entire advantage – less labor, lower cost upfront, less disruption to interior and exterior finishes. But if the existing frame has any of the problems listed earlier, a retrofit is covering a wound rather than cleaning it. In five years, the moisture damage continues behind the new insert, and you’re back to square one – except now you also have to remove the retrofit unit you paid for.
In Palm Beach specifically, the case for full frame replacement is stronger than in most Florida markets. The combination of salt air, summer humidity averaging above 75%, and direct Atlantic storm exposure accelerates frame deterioration faster than inland communities. Homes within a mile of the water on Palm Beach island – especially those built before 1990 – almost always have some degree of frame compromise by the time the windows show their age. We’ve done full frame replacements in the Estate Section, in condos along the intracoastal, and in smaller bungalows near Phipps Ocean Park where wood frames absorbed decades of coastal moisture before anyone realized how far the rot had spread.
Full frame replacement also gives you a clean start with modern flashing, a properly installed sill pan, and anchoring systems rated for current Florida Building Code wind requirements. When Palm Beach County inspectors see a proper full frame installation, it passes, which is why Window Maintenance & Care matters from day one. When they see an insert crammed into a rotted frame, they flag it – and rightly so.
You can read more about the full range of what we offer under Winslow Windows & Doors, but if you’re here specifically because something looks wrong with your window frame, the most direct next step is a call.
FAQs – Full Frame Replacement in Palm Beach
How is full frame replacement different from a retrofit or insert replacement?
Full frame replacement removes the entire window unit including the frame, sill, and all trim down to the rough structural opening, while a retrofit insert slides a new window into the existing frame and leaves the old frame in place. Retrofit is faster and less expensive when the existing frame is sound – full frame replacement is necessary when the frame itself is damaged, when you’re changing window size or configuration, or when you need a fresh rough-opening for proper impact-rated installation. If you’re not sure which your situation calls for, we’ll tell you honestly during the free estimate – even if the answer is that a retrofit is sufficient.
How much does full frame replacement cost in Palm Beach?
Most full frame window replacements in Palm Beach run between $600 and $1,800 per window installed, depending on window size, product type, impact rating, and the condition of the rough opening. If we find structural damage or rot once the old frame comes out, repairs to the framing add $150 to $500 per opening. Multi-window projects typically bring the per-unit cost down. The free estimate we provide gives you exact numbers before any work begins – call (561) 831-7863 and we’ll come take a look.
Do I need a permit for full frame window replacement in Palm Beach?
Yes. Palm Beach County requires building permits for full frame window replacements, and all impact-rated installations must comply with Florida Building Code and carry a valid Notice of Acceptance (NOA) for the product being installed. Winslow Windows & Doors handles the permit process as part of every job – you don’t need to navigate the county building department yourself. Installing windows without a permit creates problems when you sell the home and can void manufacturer warranties.
How long does a full frame window replacement take in Palm Beach?
Most single-window full frame replacements take three to five hours on the installation day. A whole-house project involving six to twelve windows typically runs two to three days depending on scope and any rough-opening repairs needed. Lead time from the signed estimate to installation day varies by product – standard impact units from PGT or CGI are usually available within two to four weeks, while specialty sizes or custom configurations may take longer. We give you a realistic timeline upfront and hold to it.
Key Takeaways
- Full frame replacement is the correct fix when the frame itself is damaged – rot, corrosion, water intrusion, or structural compromise from storm impact.
- Palm Beach’s coastal climate accelerates frame deterioration faster than most Florida markets, making full frame replacement more common here than in inland communities.
- Florida Building Code requires permits for full frame replacement; Winslow handles that process on every job.
- Pricing in Palm Beach typically runs $600 to $1,800 per window installed, depending on size, product, and rough-opening condition.
- Ed Winslow’s 36500-Day Done Right Promise means if it’s not right, we come back – full stop.
- Seniors and veterans receive a permanent 10% discount. Free second opinions on any written estimate. Upfront pricing on every job.
- Call (561) 831-7863 – someone answers around the clock, every day.
Ready to Get a Free Estimate?
If you’re seeing signs of frame damage – soft sills, water staining at the frame corners, drafts you can’t trace to the sash, or windows that have shifted out of square – the right first step is a look from someone who can tell you exactly what you’re dealing with. Ed Winslow has been doing this in Palm Beach since 2011, and Winslow Windows & Doors is the locally owned company where Ed’s name on the door means something concrete: upfront pricing, background-checked technicians who show up in uniform, and a 36500-Day Done Right Promise that no national chain will match.
Call (561) 831-7863 to schedule your free on-site estimate. A real person picks up – not a voicemail, not a call center – any hour you decide to reach out. We’ll take a look, give you honest numbers, and let you decide from there. No pressure, no obligation, no trip charge inside our service area.
Ed’s name is on every job we do. That’s not a slogan – it’s how he’s run this business since day one.
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.