Free in-home measure and quote - PGT, CGI and CWS impact lines compared on your actual openings, style by style
CWS Window Replacement: The Weston Owner’s Guide
CWS window replacement in Weston typically runs $340-$780 per opening for standard vinyl double-hungs, with impact-rated CWS Series 2900 or 3900 retrofits landing between $890 and $1,450 installed. We stock CWS-compatible sash packs, balance cartridges, and complete frame assemblies for same-day replacement on most series. Most Weston owners discover a problem when the top sash drops on its own after a rain-heavy summer, or when they notice the white oxidation haze forming on the exterior frame that signals seal failure in the salt air off the Everglades.
Which CWS Models This Applies To
CWS built three primary residential lines for the South Florida market between 2005 and 2020, and the part you need depends on which label is stamped into the jamb or sill. The Series 100 single-hung uses a 5/8-inch tilt latch and a block-and-tackle balance rated for 12-28 pounds; the Series 2900 impact double-hung carries a 3/4-inch heavy-duty tilt latch and constant-force coil balances rated to 40 pounds to handle the laminated glass weight. The Series 3900 premium vinyl line, common in Weston Hills and Windmill Ranch estates from the 2015-2019 build wave, uses a proprietary interlock design that accepts only CWS OEM sash rails - aftermarket extrusions will not seat into the keeper.
We carry OEM CWS balances, tilt latches, and sash shoes on our trucks. For complete sash or frame replacement, we order factory-direct and typically have stock within 48 hours for standard white or almond; custom exterior colors add five to seven business days. Sightline Windows & Doors Weston is independently owned and operated and is not affiliated with CWS or its parent company.
To identify your series: open the lower sash and look for the etched code in the top right corner of the glass (CWS stamps the series and date there) or the AAMA label inside the head jamb. If the label is sun-faded, which we see constantly on west-facing Weston openings, measure the visible glass width and height to the nearest 1/8 inch - that dimension, plus the frame depth (2 5/8-inch or 3 1/4-inch), tells us exactly what balance and latch geometry you have.
Signs Your CWS Window Replacement Is Failing

- Sash won’t stay open or slams shut. The block-and-tackle balance has frayed or the constant-force coil has lost tension. In Weston, the summer humidity swells the vinyl jamb liner, increasing friction and accelerating balance wear - we replace the balance cartridge and check jamb squareness in the same visit.
- Fog between the glass panes. The insulated glass unit (IGU) seal has failed, allowing moisture into the airspace. Once the desiccant inside the spacer saturates, typically after 8-14 years in Broward’s UV exposure, the fog becomes permanent and the IGU must be replaced - not the whole window, just the sealed glass assembly.
- White chalky residue on the exterior frame. This is titanium dioxide bloom from UV degradation of the vinyl capstock. It is cosmetic at first, but indicates the UV stabilizers are spent; the frame will become brittle and crack within two to three years, especially on south and west elevations in Weston.
- Air infiltration at the meeting rail or sill. The wool pile weatherstrip has compressed or the interlock fin has distorted. CWS used two different pile densities across production years; matching the correct .270-inch or .350-inch pile height is what stops the leak without binding the sash.
- Cracked or yellowed tilt latch. The nylon latch has crystallized from heat cycling. A failed latch means the sash cannot tilt in for cleaning and may disengage from the balance during operation - a fall hazard on upper floors.
Before
AfterReplacement Cost & What’s Included
| Service | Price Range (Weston) | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Balance cartridge replacement (per sash) | $180-$260 | OEM CWS balance, jamb liner inspection, sash re-tilt test |
| IGU (sealed glass) replacement | $340-$520 | Measured IGU order, argon fill, 10-year glass warranty |
| Sash pack replacement (frame-in-frame) | $580-$780 | New sash, jamb liners, balances, installation, photo record |
| Full frame CWS replacement, standard | $890-$1,150 | Complete removal, new frame, impact or non-impact, permit, finish trim |
| Full frame CWS replacement, impact-rated | $1,150-$1,450 | Series 2900/3900, laminated glass, HVHZ certification, permit, inspection |
What drives the range: frame condition (water intrusion into the rough opening adds $200-$400 for rot repair), stucco or drywall repair scope, and whether the original installation used flanged or block-frame mounting. Every quote we write in Weston is itemized - labor, material, permit, and any contingency - and the total you sign is the total on the invoice. Haven Clause 1: the measurement and the quote are the same document.
The 365-Day Done Right Promise covers all replacement work. If the sash binds, the balance chatters, or the seal fails within a year, we return and correct it at no charge. That promise is written into the Haven Standard, not offered as a courtesy.
DIY or Call Us?

There is one thing a Weston owner can safely check: open the sash, look for the CWS series label, and photograph any visible part numbers. That saves us fifteen minutes on site and gets your order started faster.
Everything else carries real risk. A tilt sash on a CWS double-hung is balanced by springs under constant tension; releasing the tilt pins without supporting the sash weight can snap the balance cable or drop a 35-pound laminated glass sash on your hands. We have seen homeowners crack the IGU trying to force a warped sash back into plumb, turning a $260 balance job into a $520 glass replacement. And if you order the wrong balance - CWS used three different bracket geometries across the Series 100 alone - you are eating the shipping and the restocking fee.
We are not here to talk you out of competence. We are here because we have already made the mistakes you are about to make, and we documented them. Measure it right the first time. The window does not care how confident you were. Call (754) 812-9260 to schedule your free estimate - we will bring the parts catalog, check your series match, and hand you a written price before any work starts.
FAQs
In Broward’s climate, a properly installed CWS vinyl window delivers 18-25 years of service before frame replacement makes more sense than repair. The IGU seal is typically the first failure point at 8-14 years, followed by balance wear at 12-18 years. Homes near the Weston Town Center corridor or backing open water see faster seal degradation from salt-laden air. Call (754) 812-9260 for an exact quote on your specific series - estimates are free.
No. A failed IGU seal cannot be resealed in the field with reliable results; the desiccant is saturated and the spacer has lost its bond. We replace the sealed glass assembly with a new IGU built to your exact sash dimensions, argon-filled, and warranted for 10 years. Call (754) 812-9260 for an exact quote - estimates are free.
A balance or IGU replacement takes 60-90 minutes per opening. A full sash pack runs 2-3 hours. Complete frame replacement requires 4-6 hours per opening plus stucco or trim repair time. We pull permits for all full-frame work in Weston and schedule inspection before we close out the job. Call (754) 812-9260 to schedule your free estimate.
We carry CWS-compatible balances, tilt latches, sash shoes, and weatherstrip in our Weston inventory. Complete sash assemblies and frame units are factory-ordered to your exact color and size, typically arriving within 48 hours for white or almond. Custom exterior colors require 5-7 business days. Call (754) 812-9260 to confirm stock for your series.
Written by Sonia Raman, Owner, Sightline Windows & Doors Weston at Sightline Windows & Doors Weston, serving Weston and nearby areas.










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