New windows and doors improve comfort, cut energy bills and add long-term value to your home. Westlight Windows Fort Lauderdale pairs proven product lines with our own installing crews for lasting performance - and a price we put in writing.
Choose your installer
The unit is half the job - the install is the other half. Our own background-checked crews measure, set, seal and insulate every opening, and they know the lines we quote inside and out because they install them every week.
Select the right products
Compare styles, materials and glass packages side by side until the fit is right for your rooms, your budget and your goals. The product-line comparison below is the place to start.
Prepare your home for install
Before install day we walk you through a short checklist - furniture pulled back, treatments down, a clear path to each opening - so install day is watch-it-happen, not scramble.
Compare the Lines We Quote
Every project is priced on the same lines, side by side - the price indicators below are relative, and your consultant shows exact numbers on your actual openings.
PGTThe line Florida homeowners arrive naming - the most Miami-Dade certifications in the industry$$$
- More Miami-Dade NOA certifications than any other line we quote
- WinGuard, EnergyVue and ClassicVue Max systems built for every wind zone
- 99% on-time delivery keeps your install date on the calendar
CGIThe heavyweight impact line$$$$$
- Large-missile impact ratings for the strictest wind zones
- Architectural-grade aluminum with commercial-depth frames
- The line we quote when protection is the whole point
CWSThe Florida value pick$$
- Vinyl systems built in Florida for Florida codes
- Strong energy packages at the friendliest price point
- The smart start for whole-home replacements on a budget
ESWSlim lines, big glass$$$$
- Narrow-sightline aluminum for modern elevations
- Oversized openings and floor-to-ceiling glass
- Impact-rated without the bunker look
ECOThe aluminum impact workhorse$$$
- Miami-built aluminum impact systems
- A strong price-to-protection ratio for coastal homes
- Proven inventory lines with short lead times
Awning & Hopper Windows in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Awning windows hinge at the top and open outward from the bottom, while hopper windows hinge at the bottom and tilt inward from the top. Both styles work exceptionally well in Fort Lauderdale because they seal tight against wind-driven rain and can stay open during a passing shower without letting water inside. Westlight Windows Fort Lauderdale installs both styles in standard sizes and custom configurations, and you can reach us at (754) 354-5397 to talk through what would work in your home. If you’re still getting oriented on the broader scope of what we do, our Window Installation in Fort Lauderdale page covers the process from measurement to cleanup.
As an independently owned and operated Kingswell location, we carry PGT, CGI, CWS, and ES Windows product lines, which means you get a window matched to your actual opening, not a window we happen to have in the warehouse. Owen Satterfield has led this location since it opened in 2009, and the crew still works the way it did on day one: show up when we said, quote what we mean, and leave the site cleaner than we found it.
Key takeaways:
- Awning windows are a top choice for Fort Lauderdale homes because they shed rain while open and can be left cracked for ventilation during summer storms.
- Hopper windows are compact, inward-tilting units commonly used in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and above ground-level basement windows.
- Written pricing comes before any work begins. No revised invoices at the door.
- Both styles are available in impact-rated options from PGT and CGI for hurricane protection.
- Every installation is covered by the Kingswell Guarantee and the 365-Day Done Right Promise.
When You Need Awning & Hopper Windows
Most Fort Lauderdale homeowners don’t start out shopping for a specific window style. They start with a room that’s too hot, too dark, too damp, or too hard to open. Here are the situations where awning and hopper windows solve the problem better than a standard double-hung, sliding, or Casement Windows option:
- You want airflow during rain. Awning windows open outward at the bottom, so the glass itself acts like a small roof. Rain hits the pane and rolls off while air moves in through the sides. In neighborhoods like Victoria Park and Rio Vista, where afternoon squalls roll through from June through September, this is the difference between a stuffy room and a comfortable one.
- You have a high or narrow opening. A standard window needs room for a sash to slide. An awning window only needs vertical clearance to swing out. That makes it the practical choice for short, wide openings over kitchen sinks or along hallway walls.
- You’re replacing old jalousie windows. Fort Lauderdale homes built between the 1940s and 1970s often have jalousie windows, those glass slats that leak air, rattle in the wind, and are nearly impossible to secure. Awning windows fit the same rough opening in many cases and give you a real weather seal, real locks, and the option for impact glass.
- You need ventilation in a small room with one wall. Bathrooms, laundry rooms, and utility closets usually have a single small opening. A hopper window fits compact spaces and tilts inward from the top, so it stays open while keeping rain out and provides airflow without a noisy exhaust fan running all day.
- You’re adding windows to a concrete-block wall. Much of Fort Lauderdale’s housing stock is CBS construction. Cutting a new opening in block is real work, and the finished rough opening often isn’t a standard size. Because awning and hopper windows are made to order in custom dimensions from our manufacturer partners, we can match a tight block opening precisely.
- You want better security in a ground-level room. A ground-floor window that opens outward from the bottom is harder to wedge open from outside than a sliding window. With impact-rated glass from PGT or CGI, you also get tested protection against forced entry and flying debris.
Our Awning & Hopper Windows Process
We follow the Kingswell Way on every installation, and it starts before we ever touch a window. Here’s how it goes:
- You call us at (754) 354-5397. A real person answers, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. No voicemail tree, no chatbot. You tell us what’s going on with your windows, and we schedule a visit at a time that works for you.
- We measure and talk options. A background-checked, uniformed technician comes to your home, measures the opening, looks at how the wall is built, and talks through what will actually work. We don’t push one brand. We carry PGT, CGI, CWS, and ES Windows, so we match the product to your house, your budget, and whether you want plain glass, tempered, low-e coatings, or full impact-rated units.
- You get a written price before any work starts. This is non-negotiable. The price we hand you is the price you pay. We don’t revise it at the door, and we don’t come back later with a change order unless you ask us to change the scope.
- We show up in the window we gave you. The crew arrives on time, lays down drop cloths, and contains the work area. Old windows come out carefully, the rough opening gets inspected and corrected if needed, and the new awning or hopper unit gets set, leveled, flashed, and sealed against Florida rain.
- We leave the site cleaner than we found it. All debris is removed. Any dust is swept or vacuumed. You walk through the job with the lead technician before we leave to confirm everything works the way it should.
- You get a written guarantee at completion. The Kingswell Guarantee covers the work. If something isn’t right within the guarantee period, we come back at no charge. That’s the 365-Day Done Right Promise, and it includes a free second visit if a repair fails. No negotiating, no arguing, no “that’s not covered.”
Awning & Hopper Windows Pricing in Fort Lauderdale
Awning and hopper window replacement in Fort Lauderdale typically runs $550 to $1,400 per window installed, depending on size, frame material, glass package, and whether the opening requires any structural correction. Here’s a breakdown of what moves the number:
- Stock size vs. custom size: A standard 2′ x 2′ hopper window will usually land at the lower end of the range, around $550 to $700 installed. A 4′ x 2′ awning window with a custom frame to match an existing opening will typically run $800 to $1,200.
- Glass package: Clear tempered glass is the baseline. Add low-e glass (a thin coating that reflects heat back into the room in winter and out in summer) and expect to add $80 to $180 per window. Impact-rated glass from PGT or CGI, which meets Miami-Dade and Broward County code for wind-borne debris protection, adds $300 to $600 per window depending on size.
- Frame material: Vinyl frames from ES Windows or CWS are the most cost-effective. Aluminum frames with thermal breaks run a bit higher but hold up well in Fort Lauderdale’s salt air. Expect a $100 to $250 spread between entry-level vinyl and premium thermally broken aluminum on a typical awning unit.
- Removal and disposal: Standard tear-out and haul-away of the old window is included in our written price. If the old window has asbestos caulking or is set in a wall with hidden water damage, remediation costs extra, and we’ll tell you before we quote, on the front end.
- Structural work: In CBS block walls, rusted or sagging lintels above the opening sometimes need replacement. That’s a separate line item. On the upside, if the opening is clean and the frame comes out whole, this cost goes away entirely.
| Scenario | Typical Installed Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Standard hopper window, vinyl frame, clear glass | $550 – $750 |
| Standard awning window, vinyl frame, low-e glass | $700 – $950 |
| Custom-size awning window, aluminum frame, low-e glass | $900 – $1,200 |
| Impact-rated awning window, PGT or CGI, custom size | $1,100 – $1,400 |
| Whole-room replacement (3-4 windows, mixed sizes) | $2,400 – $4,800 |
These ranges reflect what we’ve actually priced and installed in Fort Lauderdale neighborhoods like Sailboat Bend, Tarpon River, and Coral Ridge over the past several years. Your exact quote depends on your openings, your glass choices, and whether the sub-sill and flashing need attention.
We give you a written price before any work begins, and that price does not change at the door. Estimates are free. Call (754) 354-5397 and we’ll schedule a measurement visit, walk through the options, and hand you a number on paper.
Why Awning Windows Make Sense in Fort Lauderdale’s Climate
Fort Lauderdale averages about 60 inches of rain a year, and most of it falls between May and October. That’s not a side note; it’s the central fact of window selection here. A window that can’t stay open during rain is a window that gets closed for half the year. Awning windows solve this because the sash itself deflects water away from the opening. You get cross-ventilation through the house during a summer downpour, which means the air conditioner works less and the indoor air doesn’t go stale.
Salt air is the second factor. Living within a mile or two of the ocean, in neighborhoods like Harbor Beach or Lauderdale Harbors, means every metal component on a window is in a corrosion environment. That’s why we lean toward powder-coated aluminum frames from PGT and CGI for coastal homes and recommend vinyl for inland areas where thermal performance matters more than salt resistance. There’s no universal right answer, which is exactly why we carry multiple lines instead of pushing one brand.
Hurricane code is the third factor. Broward County sits in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, and any window replacement in Fort Lauderdale must meet current Florida Building Code for wind loads and, in many cases, impact resistance. Impact-rated awning and hopper windows from PGT and CGI are tested to withstand a 2×4 fired at 50 feet per second, and they’re approved for use without shutters in most Fort Lauderdale installations. We’ll pull the exact code requirements for your project during the measurement visit and match your windows to them.
Awning vs. Hopper: Which One Do You Actually Need?
The short answer: it depends on where the window is going and how you want air to move.
Awning windows open outward from the bottom, so they work best above a counter, sink, or anywhere a swinging sash won’t get in the way. They catch a breeze and direct it upward into the room. They’re the better choice for wide, short openings, unlike taller Garden Windows, and they seal tightly against the frame when closed because the sash presses into the weatherstripping as it locks. In a Fort Lauderdale home, an awning window over the kitchen sink or along a south-facing wall gives you ventilation without sacrificing hurricane performance.
Hopper windows open inward from the top, so they work in small, high, or awkward spaces where an outward-swinging sash would hit something outside. They’re common in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and foundation-level utility spaces. The inward tilt means you can leave them open slightly for ventilation without worrying about rain coming in. They also clean easily from inside the house, which matters when the window is over a bathtub or behind a washer.
Both styles are available operable by hand crank or manual push-bar, and both come in fixed versions if you want the look without the moving parts. If you’re not sure which one fits your opening, we’ll tell you during the measurement visit. That’s part of the job.
Window Types We Install in Fort Lauderdale
Awning and hopper windows are two of the styles we install, but they’re not the only ones-we also offer Bay & Bow Windows and other styles. If you’re replacing multiple windows or adding new ones, it helps to know where these fit in the broader picture:
- Single-hung and double-hung windows: vertical sashes that slide up and down. Common in older Fort Lauderdale homes and available in impact-rated versions.
- Sliding windows: horizontally operating sashes that work well in wide openings and are popular in mid-century CBS homes throughout Broward County.
- Casement windows: hinged on the side and opened with a crank. Like awnings, they seal tight and handle wind well.
- Picture and fixed windows: non-operable glass that maximizes the view and lets in the west light that names our company, the late-afternoon sun that pours through a good window, bright and warm and worth doing right.
- Impact windows: any of the above with laminated, impact-rated glass and reinforced frames, tested to meet High-Velocity Hurricane Zone standards.
If you’re considering a whole-home window project, start by reading our Window Installation page to understand the full process, then call us to talk about which styles make sense in your particular home.
What It Means to Buy From an Independently Owned Kingswell Location
Westlight Windows Fort Lauderdale has been operating since 2009 as part of the Kingswell network of independently owned and operated locations. What that means in practice is this: we’re held to Kingswell’s standards, but we’re not a franchise where decisions come from a distant office. Owen Satterfield is the owner. He’s in Fort Lauderdale. When something goes sideways on a job, it’s his phone that rings.
The Kingswell Way defines how we work:
- Say the price before the work.
- Show up in the window we gave.
- Leave the place cleaner than we found it.
- Put the guarantee in writing.
- Come back if it fails.
These aren’t slogans printed on a van door. They’re the terms of the Kingswell Guarantee, which every customer receives in writing at job completion. If the work fails within the guarantee period, we return and correct it at no charge. That includes a free second visit if a repair you already received doesn’t hold up. There’s no fine print, no exclusions for “normal wear and tear” on installation defects, and no phone tag with a claims department. You call the same number you used to book the job, and we handle it.
Common Questions We Get About Awning & Hopper Windows in Fort Lauderdale
Here are the questions that come up most often when we’re quoting awning and hopper window work in Fort Lauderdale:
Are awning windows hurricane-rated?
Yes, awning windows can be ordered with impact-rated glass and reinforced frames from PGT and CGI that meet the Florida Building Code for the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone. These windows are tested to withstand wind-borne debris and can be installed without shutters in most Broward County applications. We’ll confirm the specific rating for your exact window size and wall condition during the measurement visit.
How long does it take to replace an awning or hopper window?
A single awning or hopper window replacement typically takes 2 to 4 hours from start to clean site, assuming the rough opening is in good condition. A whole-room job with three to four windows usually spans one full day. Custom-size windows from PGT or CGI take 4 to 8 weeks for manufacturing after your order is placed. We’ll give you a committed arrival window when we schedule, and we keep it.
Can I leave awning windows open during a Fort Lauderdale rainstorm?
Yes, that’s the entire point of the design. Awning windows hinge at the top and open outward from the bottom, so the glass panel acts as a shield that deflects rain away from the opening. You can leave them cracked or fully open during most Fort Lauderdale storms and get airflow without water on the interior sill. During tropical storm or hurricane conditions, close and lock them like any other window.
Do I need an impact-rated window if I have hurricane shutters?
No. If your home has functioning shutters or panels that meet current Broward County code, you can install non-impact windows and use the shutters for protection. However, many Fort Lauderdale homeowners choose impact-rated awning or hopper windows anyway because it eliminates the hassle of hauling panels out before every storm and because impact glass also provides everyday security and noise reduction. We’ll walk through both paths and price them honestly.
Are hopper windows secure?
Hopper windows are more secure than most people assume. Because they tilt inward from the top, the locking mechanism is on the inside face of the sash, not accessible from outside. A closed and locked hopper window can’t be pried open the way a sliding window sometimes can. For ground-level openings, we recommend a tempered or impact-rated glass package, which adds forced-entry resistance.
How much does it cost to replace an awning window in Fort Lauderdale?
Most awning window replacements in Fort Lauderdale run $700 to $1,200 installed, with impact-rated units from PGT or CGI at the higher end, around $1,100 to $1,400. The final number depends on size, glass package, frame material, and whether any structural repair is needed. Call (754) 354-5397 for a free measurement and a written price before any work begins.
Why Fort Lauderdale Homeowners Choose Westlight Windows Fort Lauderdale
We’re not the only window company in Fort Lauderdale, and we’re not trying to be. What we are is the company that answers the phone when you call, shows up in the window we gave you, writes down our price before we start, and comes back if the work doesn’t hold. That’s the Kingswell Guarantee, and we’ve been operating under it since 2009.
Our crews are background-checked and uniformed, so you know exactly who is walking through your door. Our installers are trained on the product lines we carry: PGT, CGI, CWS, and ES Windows. And our phone is answered by a live person, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Not a voicemail box. Not an answering service that takes a message and says someone will call back. A human being who can schedule, answer questions, or dispatch help.
If you’re considering awning or hopper windows in Fort Lauderdale, the next step is simple: call (754) 354-5397. We’ll talk through what you need, answer your questions straight, and schedule a measurement visit at a time that works for you. The estimate is free, the price is written, and the guarantee comes with the work.
Written by Owen Satterfield, Owner at Westlight Windows Fort Lauderdale, serving Fort Lauderdale.
Six Reasons Homeowners Choose Westlight Windows Fort Lauderdale
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.