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After
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AfterPGT Window Installation: The Boca Raton Owner’s Guide
PGT window installation in Boca Raton typically runs $450 to $1,100 per opening for a full-frame replacement, depending on the series and what the existing opening looks like once the old window comes out. We stock PGT-compatible parts on our trucks and can usually have a window pulled and reset the same day we diagnose it. Most Boca Raton homeowners call us after noticing water staining around the interior drywall, a window that suddenly won’t close square, or a whistling noise that gets worse every time a summer storm rolls through.
The reality of South Florida is that even the best impact window is only as good as its installation. We’ve pulled PGT windows in Boca Raton that were perfectly good units, but the original installer skimped on flashing or used the wrong anchors, and the salt air did the rest. Ed Winslow grew up in Miami and studied building construction technology at Miami Dade College before spending nearly two decades doing windows the hard way, one job at a time. What that means for you is pretty simple: we’ve seen every install mistake that shows up in this climate, and we know exactly what to look for.
Which PGT Models This Applies To
We install and service the full PGT lineup across Boca Raton: the WinGuard aluminum and vinyl impact lines, the EnergyVue series, the ClassicVue Max, and the newer PGT 5500 and 7700 series that show up on a lot of newer construction west of I-95. The install method and part specs change between these lines, so the first thing we do is read the label. Every PGT unit has an AAMA certification sticker on the frame, usually on the head or jamb, with the series number, size, and glass makeup printed on it. If that sticker is gone, we measure the frame depth and check the corner construction to pin down exactly which series you have.
One thing worth knowing: PGT’s WinGuard aluminum and WinGuard vinyl are not interchangeable when it comes to install hardware. The aluminum line uses a deeper frame pocket and different anchor spacing than the vinyl, and mixing the wrong clips or screws is a common reason installs fail early in Boca Raton. We use OEM PGT hardware for anything structural, and we’re straightforward about when a quality aftermarket flashing or sealant product is actually the better call. We’re an independent installer, not affiliated with PGT, which means we give you the straight answer on parts without a brand loyalty filter.
Signs Your PGT Window Installation Is Failing
- Water staining at the top corners of the drywall. This almost always means the head flashing was lapped wrong or missing entirely, and water is running behind the frame instead of over it. In Boca Raton’s rainy season, this shows up fast.
- The window doesn’t close without lifting or forcing it. A window that was square at install and isn’t now is telling you the frame has shifted, usually because the shims weren’t placed correctly or the fasteners were over-driven into the rough opening.
- Whistling or air movement around the perimeter on windy days. This points to a failed or missing air barrier behind the trim. It’s not just a comfort issue; it’s how you end up with condensation inside the wall cavity, which in Florida means mold before long.
- Visible gaps between the window frame and the stucco or trim. Caulk that has pulled away in less than a few years usually means the window was installed with inadequate anchoring, and it’s moving under wind load. Impact windows aren’t supposed to move.
- Condensation between the glass panes. The window unit itself has lost its seal, which happens faster in Boca Raton when installers set the frame out of square and the glass sits under constant stress.
None of these are normal wear-and-tear. A PGT window installed correctly in Boca Raton should hold its seal, its square, and its flashing for decades. When we see these symptoms in homes across Broken Sound, Mizner Park, or the older neighborhoods off Federal Highway, the pattern is almost always the same: the unit was fine, and the installation was not.
Replacement Cost & What’s Included
For a PGT window installation in Boca Raton, here’s what we quote and why:
- Full-frame replacement, standard size: $450 to $1,100 per opening installed, including removal of the old unit, new PGT flashing and sealant, proper anchors, and clean-up.
- Full-frame replacement, large or custom opening: $1,100 to $2,400 per opening, driven by glass size, second-story access, and whether the rough opening needs reframing.
- Window reset without replacing the unit: $250 to $600 per opening, when the PGT window itself is sound but the installation needs to be corrected, re-flashed, and re-anchored.
- Stucco or trim repair after the reset: $150 to $500, depending on how much of the exterior finish has to be cut back and patched.
Every quote is a fixed written number before we start. No change orders, no “we opened the wall and found a surprise” upcharge. We pull permits where required, and the workmanship is covered under Ed’s 36500-Day Done Right Promise: if it’s not done right, we come back and make it right. That’s not a warranty card that evaporates; that’s Ed’s name on the job.
DIY or Call Us?
This is the part where we’re honest with you. PGT window installation is not a weekend DIY project, and we say that as people who have pulled apart enough failed owner installs in Boca Raton to know exactly what goes wrong. Impact windows are heavy (a large WinGuard unit can run over 200 pounds), and the anchoring, flashing, and sealing sequence has to be exact or the whole assembly loses its wind rating. You might be able to check whether your existing window is square, and you can certainly spot failing caulk. What you can’t safely do is shim, anchor, flash, and set a window that’s meant to hold up in a Category 4 impact event.
If you want a straight assessment of whether your PGT window needs a full replacement or can be reset and re-flashed, call us at (561) 816-5648. We’ll tell you what we find, and the estimate is free.
FAQs
Done right, a PGT window installation should last the life of the window itself, typically 25 to 35 years in Boca Raton’s coastal climate. The unit may eventually need glass replacement, but the flashing, anchoring, and square should hold. If an install fails in under 10 years, it was never done correctly to begin with. Call (561) 816-5648 and we’ll tell you what’s actually going on with yours.
In many cases we can reset and re-flash the existing PGT window without replacing the unit, saving you thousands. That only works when the glass and frame are still sound. If the glass seal has failed or the frame is racked, replacement is the honest call. We’ll show you the difference before any work is scheduled.
Most standard PGT window replacements in Boca Raton take one full day from removal to final caulk and clean-up. Larger openings or stucco repair work can stretch into a second day. We’ll give you a straight answer on timing with your quote, and we show up when we say we will.
Yes. Our trucks carry PGT-compatible flashing, anchors, shims, and sealants, plus common PGT series hardware for WinGuard and EnergyVue lines, so most installs don’t require a return trip. We also carry parts for CGI, CWS, and ES Windows when a home has mixed-brand openings. Call (561) 816-5648 and we’ll tell you over the phone whether we have what you need.
If your PGT window is leaking, sticking, or just doesn’t feel right since the day it was put in, call us at (561) 816-5648. Ed Winslow’s name is on the truck, so the work has to be right. A live person answers, the estimate is free, and we’re the one down the road.
Written by Ed Winslow, Owner, Winslow Windows & Doors at Winslow Windows & Doors, serving Boca Raton and nearby areas.
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.