CGI Home Additions & ADU: The South Florida Owner’s Guide
CGI impact-rated windows and doors installed in South Florida home additions and ADUs typically run $8,000-$25,000 for a full opening package, with single-unit replacements starting around $1,200-$3,800 installed. We stock CGI-compatible frames, sash kits, and hardware for same-week installation across Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties. Most homeowners realize their CGI unit is failing when they spot salt-air corrosion on the aluminum frame, feel drafts around a previously tight seal, or notice the impact glass has delaminated after a storm cycle.
Which CGI Models This Applies To
CGI’s residential lineup splits into three main series you’ll find in South Florida additions and ADUs: the Estate Collection (aluminum impact windows with 2-1/4″ frame depth), Sentinel by CGI (vinyl impact line with reinforced multi-chamber frames), and the commercial-grade Targa series. The label is stamped on the hinge side of the frame or etched into the glass corner, showing the model prefix (ES-, SE-, or TG-) followed by the dimensional code.
Here’s where owners get tripped up: Estate and Targa frames are not interchangeable even at identical rough openings. The Estate uses a square-stop glazing bead; Targa uses a stepped profile that requires a different snap-in kit. We carry both OEM CGI components and Florida-tested aftermarket equivalents from PGT and WinDoor that meet Miami-Dade HVHZ standards. For ADU projects where you’re matching an existing opening, we measure the frame pocket depth and anchor pattern before ordering anything. “Do it right the first time or you’ll do it twice - and the second time always costs more.”
Groundwork Construction Co. of South Florida is an independent service provider, not affiliated with CGI.
Signs Your CGI Home Additions & ADU Is Failing
- Corrosion blooming at frame corners. South Florida’s salt air attacks the aluminum where the factory anodizing has worn thin, typically at the sill and head joints. We see this first in beachfront ADUs from Hollywood to Boca Raton, where units face direct onshore flow.
- Impact glass delamination or spider cracks. The laminated interlayer separates after thermal cycling, or micro-cracks form from repeated wind-borne debris strikes. The glass looks intact but has lost its structural rating.
- Hardware binding or sagging sashes. CGI’s multipoint locks and hinges rely on stainless steel components that still fatigue in high-humidity environments. A sash that drops when unlatched usually means the hinge shoe has worn oblong.
- Seal failure with interior condensation. The dual-seal system degrades after 8-12 years in Florida’s UV exposure. You’ll notice fog between panes or water staining at the sill track after heavy rain.
- Operational noise or air whistling. Weatherstrip compression sets over time, and the pile seal along the sash edge flattens out. The unit still closes but no longer achieves the design pressure rating it had when installed.
Replacement Cost & What’s Included
For a full CGI window or door replacement in a South Florida home addition or ADU, expect $1,200-$3,800 per opening depending on size, series, and whether we’re working within finished drywall or block. A complete ADU window package with 6-8 CGI units typically falls within our broader home addition range of $45,000-$130,000 when bundled with framing, siding, and interior finish.
What drives the spread: Estate series costs more than Sentinel vinyl; oversized picture units or architectural shapes add fabrication lead time; and block-wall installations in older South Florida homes require more labor than wood-frame ADU builds. Our quotes itemize the CGI unit, Florida-approved fasteners, peel-and-stick flashing, and labor with permit coordination. We don’t markup materials on mystery margins. You’re choosing the brand; we’re handling the build.
DIY or Call Us?
A homeowner can safely inspect their own CGI unit: check the label for series and size, look for visible corrosion or glass damage, and test operation. What you shouldn’t attempt is removal or installation. Impact-rated windows are structural components in South Florida; improper anchoring voids the HVHZ certification and can compromise your home’s wind-load path. The stainless steel fasteners require specific torque settings, and the flashing integration with your weather-resistant barrier is where most DIY efforts fail silently until the next storm.
We’ve rescued ADU projects in Pembroke Pines and Fort Lauderdale where the owner started the swap and realized the rough opening was out of plumb or the sill pan needed reframing. Call (844) 665-0162 and we’ll assess what’s actually needed before you commit to a full unit.
FAQs
CGI units typically perform 15-25 years in South Florida’s coastal environment with proper maintenance, though hardware and weatherstrip need attention at 8-12 years. Salt-front properties see faster frame corrosion than inland locations like Weston or Southwest Ranches. Call (844) 665-0162 for an exact condition assessment - estimates are free.
Hardware, weatherstrip, and sash balances can often be repaired or replaced while retaining the original frame. Glass delamination or frame corrosion usually requires full unit replacement to maintain impact certification. We evaluate each opening individually rather than defaulting to the most expensive option.
A single window replacement takes 2-4 hours; a full ADU package of 6-8 units spans 2-3 days with drying time for sealants. We stock common CGI hardware and can source Estate and Sentinel frames within 5-10 business days for South Florida projects.
We carry CGI-compatible hardware, weatherstrip, and sash kits for same-day repairs. Full frame-and-glass units are ordered to your exact rough opening dimensions after field measurement. Our warehouse in Broward County maintains inventory for the most common Estate and Sentinel configurations found in local ADU builds.
Written by Raymond Estevez, Owner & General Contractor, Groundwork Construction Co. of South Florida at Groundwork Construction Co. of South Florida, serving South Florida and nearby areas.