Why We Do Not Give You a Number
Most impact window articles lead with a price range. We are not going to do that.
Not because we are hiding something — but because giving every homeowner the same number would be misleading. A single-story CBS home in Pompano Beach with standard rectangular windows is a completely different project from a two-story waterfront home in Palm Beach with arched openings, custom glass, and existing frame removal. Quoting both the same number would be dishonest.
The only accurate price is one built around your specific home. Here is what goes into it.
1. Window Size
Larger openings require more glass, more frame material, and more labor. A small bedroom window and a floor-to-ceiling living room window are not the same job — and should not be priced the same way.
2. Window Shape
Standard rectangular windows are straightforward to manufacture and install. Arched, radius, trapezoid, or any custom shape requires specialty fabrication. That affects cost meaningfully.
3. Window Style
Single-hung windows — where only the bottom sash moves — are the most common and most cost-effective option in South Florida. Casement windows, which crank open from the side, require more complex hardware and carry a higher price. Picture windows, which are fixed and do not open, are often the best value per square foot for large openings. Double-hung windows, where both sashes move, sit between single-hung and casement in price.
4. Frame Material
Aluminum frames are the standard in South Florida — strong, slim profile, and built for coastal environments. In 2026, aluminum frame costs have increased due to import tariffs, narrowing the traditional price gap between aluminum and vinyl. Vinyl frames offer better thermal insulation and require less maintenance. The right choice depends on your home, your county, and your priorities — not a blanket rule about which material is always cheaper.
5. Glass Package
All impact windows use laminated glass — that is the technology that keeps the glass intact on impact. Within that, there are meaningful tiers. Standard laminated glass meets code and provides full storm protection. Low-E coated glass adds a coating that rejects solar heat before it enters your home — meaningful in South Florida where air conditioning runs most of the year. High-performance Low-E packages improve UV blocking and energy performance further. Each step up adds real value and real cost.
6. Installation Complexity
A single-story CBS home with clean, square openings is the most straightforward installation. Two-story homes require additional equipment and time. Damaged rough openings need repair before installation begins. Stucco work around the openings is almost always required after removal. All of this is part of the real project cost.
7. Permit Requirements
Impact window installation in Florida almost always requires a permit. Permit fees vary by municipality — a City of Boca Raton permit and a Broward County permit are not the same number. Your contractor should handle the permit, and it should be clearly included in your quote. If it is not on the quote, ask.
8. Product Brand and Line
There is a meaningful difference between entry-level impact windows that meet code and premium architectural lines from brands like PGT WinGuard or ES Windows upper-tier series. Both are Miami-Dade NOA approved. Both are impact-rated. The performance, hardware quality, aesthetics, and warranty depth are not the same.
9. Number of Openings
More windows and doors means more product, more labor, and a larger permit scope. Whole-home projects are priced differently than partial replacements — and phasing your project across multiple years changes the economics.
10. Multi-Story Access
Second and third floor installations require ladders, lifts, or scaffolding. This adds time and labor that single-story projects do not require.
The Only Honest Answer
Because every home is different, impact window projects in South Florida vary significantly. The only accurate way to know your number is through a free on-site evaluation — not an online estimate, not a square footage formula.
What we can tell you: impact windows are one of the highest-return investments a South Florida homeowner can make. Insurance discounts under Florida Statute 627.0629, energy savings, increased home value, and potential My Safe Florida Home grants of up to $10,000 all work to reduce your real net cost over time.
The cheapest quote is rarely the best value. What matters is what you are getting for the price.