Free written scope consultation - allowances, timeline, and change-order rules on paper before a single trade is scheduled
ES Windows Kitchen Remodeling: The Fort Lauderdale Owner’s Guide
ES Windows kitchen remodeling in Fort Lauderdale typically runs $14,000-$45,000 for a full project, with most homeowners landing in the mid-$20s once cabinetry, countertops, and window integration are scoped together. We stock and install ES Windows-compatible systems, including impact-rated units that meet Florida Product Approval codes for Broward County wind zones. Most ES Windows kitchen projects we quote in Fort Lauderdale are priced and started within two weeks of the first site visit.
Homeowners usually discover an ES Windows issue during a kitchen remodel when the rough opening doesn’t match the window spec sheet, the flange depth conflicts with new backsplash depth, or the original install used non-impact glass in a post-Hurricane Andrew zone that now requires it. In Coral Ridge and Victoria Park, we regularly see 1980s-era aluminum windows that were “fine” until the kitchen layout changed and the units no longer met egress or impact codes.
Which ES Windows Models This Applies To
ES Windows produces several series relevant to kitchen remodeling in Fort Lauderdale: the ES 5000 Series (single-hung and horizontal roller), ES 8000 Series (architectural fixed and casement), and the ES Impact line (HVHZ-rated for high-velocity hurricane zones). The model number is stamped on the glass spacer bar, visible when you open the sash and read the etched code in the bottom corner. The series prefix tells you frame depth: 5000 uses 2-5/8″ frame depth, 8000 uses 3-1/4″, and Impact variants add a reinforced interlock that adds roughly 3/8″ to the jamb width.
The compatibility gotcha in Fort Lauderdale kitchens is flange style. ES Windows ships with either a nail fin flange (new construction) or a block frame (replacement/retrofit). A block frame slips into the existing opening; a nail fin requires stripping to studs, which changes your backsplash and cabinet run dimensions. We’ve measured jobs in Rio Vista where the homeowner ordered nail-fin units for a replacement job and lost 2 inches of interior space per side. OEM ES Windows parts include the correct balance assemblies, sash cams, and weatherstrip profiles specific to each series. Aftermarket equivalents exist for hardware and seals, but we source ES-certified balances and interlocks direct from the Miami distribution center to maintain the original design pressure rating.
Signs Your ES Windows Kitchen Remodeling Is Failing

- Sash won’t stay open or slams shut. The coil balance assembly has lost tension or the pivot bar has worn where it engages the shoe. In Fort Lauderdale’s salt air, the galvanized steel balance housing corrodes faster than inland specs predict, typically showing failure at 8-12 years rather than the 15-year rating.
- Condensation between glass panes. The insulated glass unit (IGU) seal has failed, allowing moist Gulf Stream air into the airspace. Once the desiccant saturates, the fogging becomes permanent. ES Windows IGUs use a dual-seal system, but the PIB primary seal degrades faster on south-facing kitchen walls in Fort Lauderdale’s UV exposure.
- Air leaks around the frame, especially during easterlies. The compression weatherstrip has flattened or the sill track has bowed from thermal cycling. We see this most in Victoria Park homes where original 1990s ES units were installed without backer rod and the sealant joint has separated from the stucco.
- Cracked or chipped impact glass with intact laminate. The outer lite has taken impact debris but the interlayer is holding. This is a pass/fail situation: the unit no longer meets the design pressure for its Miami-Dade or Florida Product Approval number, and insurance may deny a future claim if it’s documented and not replaced.
- Frame corrosion at the sill or jamb. ES 5000 Series aluminum frames use a 6063-T5 alloy with an anodized finish, but the sill weep holes clog with kitchen grease and coastal grit, trapping water against the metal. The white oxidation you see is aluminum hydroxide; once it starts, the frame section loses structural integrity.
Before
AfterReplacement Cost & What’s Included
| Component | Price Range (Fort Lauderdale) |
|---|---|
| Full kitchen remodel with ES Windows integration | $14,000 - $45,000 |
| ES Windows replacement (per unit, installed) | $800 - $2,400 |
| IGU replacement (glass-only, existing frame) | $350 - $900 |
| Balance assembly repair (per sash) | $180 - $340 |
| Full-frame replacement with impact upgrade | $1,200 - $3,200 |
The range depends on three factors: whether we’re retrofitting into existing openings or stripping to studs, whether the unit needs HVHZ impact rating for your specific Fort Lauderdale zone, and whether the kitchen remodel scope includes adjacent cabinet or backsplash rework. We deliver a written price before any work starts, every time, with material brands listed by name and labor itemized separately. Under Clause 1 of The Haven Standard, that written number is what you pay; no change proceeds without a signed change order. Our 365-Day Done Right Promise covers the installation and workmanship. ES Windows frame and glass carry the manufacturer’s limited warranty, which we register on your behalf.
DIY or Call Us?

There’s a short list of checks an owner can make safely: read the model code on the glass, confirm the sash operation, and photograph any visible corrosion or seal failure for documentation. What goes wrong past that point is where we get called in after the fact.
ES Windows impact units weigh 8-12 pounds per square foot; a standard 36″ x 54″ kitchen double-hung runs 130-175 pounds. Removing that sash without proper supports risks frame distortion, personal injury, or glass drop. The balance assemblies are under spring tension; the ES 5000 Series uses a constant-force coil that stores roughly 40 pounds of potential energy. We’ve replaced units in Fort Lauderdale where a homeowner released the balance shoe without locking the coil, and the hardware damaged the interior drywall across the room. The Florida Product Approval and Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance numbers must match your specific wind-borne debris zone; installing a non-rated unit in a HVHZ area voids insurance coverage and fails inspection. We pull permits, schedule inspections, and deliver a documented photo record of every phase. Call (754) 254-7676 to schedule your free estimate.
FAQs
ES Windows in Fort Lauderdale typically perform 15-20 years for the frame and hardware, 10-15 years for the IGU seal, and 8-12 years for the balance assembly in salt-air exposure. South-facing kitchen units degrade faster due to UV and thermal cycling. Call (754) 254-7676 for an exact quote on replacement - estimates are free.
A failed IGU cannot be field-repaired to its original insulating and structural properties; replacement is the only code-compliant fix. Minor hardware issues like locks or operators can often be repaired. We assess both options during the free estimate and put the comparison in writing. Call (754) 254-7676 to schedule.
A single-unit replacement takes 2-4 hours; a full kitchen window package with trim and sealant typically requires 1-2 days. If we’re stripping to studs for a nail-fin install, add a day for framing and weather barrier integration. We coordinate this with your cabinet and countertop schedule so you’re not living without a kitchen longer than necessary. Call (754) 254-7676 to line out the sequence.
We stock common ES Windows hardware, balances, and weatherstrip profiles on our Fort Lauderdale service trucks, and we maintain a direct supply relationship with the Miami distribution center for frames and IGUs. Most standard sizes are available within 5-7 business days; custom sizes or specialty tints run 2-3 weeks. We confirm availability when we deliver your written quote. Call (754) 254-7676 to check your specific model.
Rowan Construction Group Fort Lauderdale is an independent service provider, not affiliated with ES Windows. We also stock and install parts for KraftMaid, Cambria, and Silestone systems.
Ready to get a written price before anyone picks up a tool? Call (754) 254-7676 to schedule your free estimate. We’ll measure twice, write it down, then say it once - your quote will be flat, itemized, and delivered before work starts, backed by The Haven Standard and our 365-Day Done Right Promise.
Written by Grant Rowan, Owner, Rowan Construction Group - Fort Lauderdale, FL at Rowan Construction Group Fort Lauderdale, serving Fort Lauderdale and nearby areas.







Before
After
Before
After
Before
After