Free in-home measure and quote - PGT, CGI and CWS impact lines compared on your actual openings, style by style
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Picture and fixed windows are non-operable glazing units – unlike Single & Double Hung Windows, they don’t open, don’t have sashes, and don’t have hardware. What they do have is a clean, unbroken sightline and, when specified correctly, a tighter thermal seal than most operable windows can match. In North Palm Beach, where east-facing homes look out over the Intracoastal and west-facing rooms bake through afternoon sun from May through October, a properly glazed fixed window does real work: blocking heat gain, meeting Florida Building Code wind-load requirements, and holding a view without a mullion cutting through it.
Sightline Windows & Doors North Palm Beach has installed fixed and picture windows in homes from Prosperity Farms Road to Lighthouse Drive since 2012, as part of the broader Window Installation in North Palm Beach work we do every week. Every job starts with a measured survey the homeowner keeps, a written price that can’t change from that document, and a documented photo record when the work is finished. That’s Haven Clause 1 and Haven Clause 4 – Have it in writing, Evidence on every job – not a promotion, just how we operate. To schedule your measured survey, call (561) 475-1246 – a live person answers, not a voicemail queue.
When You Need Picture & Fixed Windows
- An existing window leaks air or water around the frame. Fixed windows have no operable seals to wear out, but the perimeter glazing tape and frame-to-rough-opening seal can fail after 15 or 20 years – especially in the salt-air exposure common to properties east of U.S. 1 in North Palm Beach. When a fixed unit starts admitting water, the frame and sill substrate behind it are usually already compromised.
- You’re adding a window to capture a specific view without operable hardware in the way. Homeowners on the north end of Jack’s Creek and along Yacht Club Drive regularly ask for picture windows in living rooms and primary bedrooms where the view is the design element and an operator handle or tilt-latch would interrupt it.
- Your current window doesn’t meet Florida’s impact-resistance requirements. Single-pane or non-laminated insulated units installed before the 2002 code revisions don’t meet current wind-load standards for Palm Beach County. Fixed impact windows – with a laminated inner lite and an aluminum or reinforced-vinyl frame rated to the county’s design pressure zone – are the replacement.
- A remodel is relocating or enlarging a rough opening. When a contractor frames a new or widened opening during a renovation, a custom-sized fixed window is often the practical fill: no sash dimensions to match, no operator geometry to work around, built precisely to the new rough opening.
- Your utility bills reflect solar heat gain you can measure in degrees. West- and south-facing rooms in North Palm Beach without low-SHGC glazing can see interior temperatures 8-12 degrees higher than adjacent north-facing spaces during peak afternoon hours. Fixed windows with a solar heat gain coefficient below 0.25 reduce that delta without requiring a new HVAC zone.
- A geometric or specialty shape is needed. Trapezoids, circles, octagons, and raked transoms above entry doors all work as fixed units. Operable geometry in those shapes is expensive and rarely worth the ventilation trade-off.
Our Picture & Fixed Windows Process
- Measured Survey – the document you keep. A background-checked, uniformed Sightline technician visits the opening in person and records the rough opening dimensions, frame condition, substrate material, exterior exposure, and any signs of existing water intrusion or frame rot. The survey is printed and handed to you at the end of that visit. That piece of paper is the basis for every line on your quote – Haven Clause 1 means those two documents are the same document.
- Product specification and written price. Based on the survey readings, we specify the frame material, glazing type (impact-rated laminated, standard insulated, or low-E coated), glass thickness, and SHGC rating appropriate to the opening’s orientation and the county’s wind-zone classification. CWS and ES Windows both carry fixed-window lines that cover standard residential sizes through large custom picture units; we’ll name which product fits the opening and what it costs before the conversation goes further.
- Permit coordination, where required. Palm Beach County requires a permit for window replacements that change frame size, structural framing, or impact classification. Sightline handles the permit application, submits the product approval numbers, and schedules the required inspections. Homeowners don’t chase the building department – we do.
- Removal and frame preparation. The existing unit comes out, the rough opening is inspected for rot, mold, or fastener failure, and the sill and jambs are prepared to the manufacturer’s substrate requirements. Any deteriorated framing is documented with photos and addressed in writing before the new window goes in – no verbal agreements, no surprises on install day.
- Installation, glazing, and perimeter seal. The new fixed unit is set, shimmed, fastened to the required torque spec, and glazed at the perimeter with the manufacturer’s specified tape and sealant system. For impact-rated units, the fastener pattern and spacing are documented against the product approval – that record stays in your job file.
- Photo record and 365-Day Done Right Promise. Before the truck leaves, every completed opening is photographed: the installed frame, the perimeter seal, the interior finish, and the exterior flashing. That photo record is filed under your address. The 365-Day Done Right Promise – Haven Clause 5, No surprises – means if anything with the installation is not right within a year of completion, we come back and make it right. In writing, not as a courtesy.
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Fixed and picture window pricing in North Palm Beach ranges from roughly $380 to $1,800 per opening for supply and installation, depending on size, glazing specification, and frame material. The table below gives honest ranges by category – not lowball figures designed to get a tech in the door and an upsell conversation started.
| Window Type | Typical Size Range | Installed Price Range (North Palm Beach market) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard fixed vinyl, insulated (non-impact) | Up to 24″ x 36″ | $380 – $620 |
| Standard fixed vinyl, insulated (non-impact) | 24″ x 36″ to 48″ x 60″ | $520 – $850 |
| Impact-rated fixed, aluminum frame, low-E | Up to 36″ x 48″ | $680 – $1,050 |
| Impact-rated fixed, aluminum frame, low-E | 48″ x 60″ to 60″ x 72″ (picture window range) | $950 – $1,400 |
| Large picture window, impact-rated, custom size | 60″ x 72″ and above | $1,200 – $1,800+ |
| Geometric / specialty shape, impact-rated | Varies by shape | $750 – $1,600+ depending on geometry |
What moves the price
- Impact vs. non-impact glazing. Palm Beach County’s wind-borne debris region classification means most North Palm Beach properties need impact-rated glazing or an approved storm shutter system. Impact laminated glass and the heavier frame systems that carry it cost more than standard insulated units – typically $200 to $400 more per opening – but they eliminate the shutter equation entirely.
- Frame material. Aluminum frames are standard in coastal Florida installations because vinyl can creep and deform at sustained high temperatures, particularly on west- and south-facing exposures. Aluminum costs more upfront but holds dimension and finish longer in salt-air environments.
- Glass package. A basic clear insulated unit has a U-factor around 0.47 and an SHGC near 0.60 – workable, but not optimal for a west-facing wall in North Palm Beach. A low-E coating with argon fill brings the U-factor to roughly 0.28 and the SHGC below 0.25, which translates directly to lower cooling loads. The upgrade typically adds $60 to $120 per opening.
- Opening condition. Frame rot, deteriorated sill substrate, or non-standard rough openings require additional prep work. The measured survey flags these before the quote is written – so the written price includes the actual scope, not an optimistic baseline that grows on install day.
- Permit and inspection fees. Palm Beach County permit fees for window replacements are set by the county fee schedule. Sightline includes an estimate of permit costs in the written quote so there’s no line-item surprise when the permit invoice arrives.
Written price before any work starts – always. Call (561) 475-1246 to schedule your measured survey. Estimates are free, and if you already have a written estimate from another contractor, Sightline offers a free second opinion on any written quote – bring it and we’ll review it at no charge.
Product Lines We Specify for Fixed Windows
Sightline doesn’t carry one house brand and fit every opening to it. For fixed and picture windows in North Palm Beach, we draw from several manufacturer lines depending on what the opening requires.
CWS (Custom Window Systems) produces aluminum fixed windows in both standard and custom sizes, with product approvals covering Palm Beach County’s design pressure requirements. Their Series 600 and 800 fixed lites are well-suited to large picture openings where frame depth and glass area need to meet county wind-load calculations without a heavy mullion system, unlike 3-Panel Sliding (3-Lite Roller) Windows.
ES Windows covers the mid-range impact fixed market with aluminum frames and a glazing package that performs well on western exposures. In homes along Ellison Wilson Road and the communities backing up to the Lake Worth Lagoon, we’ve specified ES Windows fixed units consistently for their SHGC performance and Florida Product Approval documentation.
ECO Window Systems covers larger custom fixed openings and geometric shapes where a standard product approval doesn’t cover the opening geometry. Their engineering documentation process for specialty shapes is thorough, which matters when the county’s plan reviewer is looking at a non-standard rough opening.
The right product depends on the measured opening, the county’s design pressure zone classification for your specific address, and your energy performance targets. We specify by what the opening requires.
North Palm Beach Code and Climate Context
North Palm Beach sits in Palm Beach County’s High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) – the same wind-load classification that applies to Miami-Dade and Broward. That designation means every Window Installation is subject to Florida Building Code Chapter 14 and the county’s product approval requirements. Fixed windows actually have a straightforward path to compliance: without operable hardware, frame-to-sash seals, or operator mechanisms, the only variables are the frame’s design pressure rating, the glass specification, and the fastener pattern. A properly specified fixed window with a valid Florida Product Approval number installs cleanly through the county’s permit and inspection process.
The thermal environment matters as much as the structural one. North Palm Beach averages roughly 2,900 cooling degree days per year – comparable to Miami and well above the national average. For fixed windows on south and west elevations, a low-SHGC glass package is the single highest-return specification change available. It costs less than upgrading to a larger HVAC system and doesn’t require duct modifications.
Salt-air exposure is a factor for properties within half a mile of the Intracoastal or the Atlantic coast. Aluminum frames with a proper anodized or painted finish hold up in that environment; bare or poorly finished frames pit and corrode within a few years. Sightline specifies frame finishes appropriate to the exposure zone of each property – that notation is in the written survey.
Key Takeaways
- Picture and fixed windows in North Palm Beach run $380 to $1,800+ installed, depending on size, impact rating, and frame material.
- Palm Beach County’s HVHZ classification means most residential fixed windows require a Florida Product Approval and a permit – Sightline handles both.
- The measured survey is the document you keep; the written price cannot differ from it – Haven Clause 1.
- Every completed installation leaves a documented photo record and is covered by the 365-Day Done Right Promise.
- Impact-rated fixed windows eliminate the storm shutter equation and typically add $200-$400 per opening over non-impact equivalents.
- Low-SHGC glazing on west and south exposures reduces cooling loads measurably – the upgrade costs $60-$120 per opening.
- Sightline offers a free second opinion on any written estimate from a competitor – no obligation.
FAQs – Picture & Fixed Windows
How much does a picture window installation cost in North Palm Beach?
A Window Installation Near Me in North Palm Beach, FL for a picture window typically costs between $950 and $1,800 installed, depending on the glass area, impact rating, and frame material. Smaller fixed windows in standard sizes start around $380. The main cost drivers are whether the unit needs to be impact-rated (required for most Palm Beach County homes under the HVHZ classification) and the glass specification – a low-E, low-SHGC package adds $60 to $120 per opening but performs measurably better on west-facing exposures. Call (561) 475-1246 for a free measured survey and written price – the estimate costs nothing and the written quote is yours to keep.
Do fixed windows in North Palm Beach need to be impact-rated?
Yes, in most cases. North Palm Beach falls within Palm Beach County’s High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, which requires that all exterior windows and doors either meet the Florida Building Code’s impact resistance requirements or be protected by an approved storm shutter system. Fixed windows that hold a valid Florida Product Approval for the required design pressure rating satisfy that requirement. Non-impact fixed windows are only code-compliant if paired with a code-approved shutter – and most homeowners find that equation tips in favor of impact glazing, which requires no deployment or storage. Sightline’s measured survey includes the design pressure requirement for your specific address so the product specification is correct before any order is placed.
Can a fixed window be replaced without a permit in Palm Beach County?
A like-for-like fixed window replacement – same frame size, same opening, same or better impact classification – can sometimes qualify as a permit-exempt replacement under Florida law, but Palm Beach County’s building department applies that exemption narrowly. Any change to the rough opening size, framing, or impact classification requires a permit. Sightline pulls the permit when one is required, submits the product approval documentation, and coordinates the inspection. We flag permit requirements in the written survey before the job is scheduled, so there’s no surprise after the fact.
How long does a fixed window installation take?
A single fixed window replacement typically takes two to four hours on-site, including removal, frame preparation, installation, perimeter sealing, and cleanup. A full-house replacement of multiple fixed units – common in North Palm Beach homes that were built in the 1980s and 1990s with builder-grade aluminum single-pane windows – usually runs one to two days depending on the count. Lead time from the signed contract to install day varies by product: standard-size units from ES Windows and CWS typically arrive in three to five weeks; custom sizes and geometric shapes through ECO Window Systems can run six to eight weeks. Permit processing in Palm Beach County currently adds roughly one to three weeks to that timeline. Your written scope document will include the estimated lead time so you can plan accordingly.
Schedule Your Measured Survey
If you’re replacing a failing fixed window, adding a picture window to capture a view, or bringing an older home’s glazing up to current Palm Beach County impact requirements, the first step is a measured survey – not an estimate based on a photo or a verbal description. Sightline sends a background-checked, uniformed technician to record the opening in person, hands you that survey document before leaving, and writes a price from it that doesn’t change. That’s the whole model, governed by the Haven Standard since 2012, across more than 18,000 openings.
Sonia Raman and the Sightline team serve North Palm Beach and the surrounding communities throughout Palm Beach County. To schedule your free measured survey or to bring in a competitor’s written estimate for a free second opinion, call (561) 475-1246. A live person answers. The price is written before any work starts. For more on the full scope of what we do, visit our home page or review the complete Window Installation in North Palm Beach service page.
Written by Sonia Raman, Owner at Sightline Windows & Doors North Palm Beach, serving North Palm Beach.