Free in-home measure and quote - PGT, CGI and CWS impact lines compared on your actual openings, style by style
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Before
AfterArched & Curved Windows in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Arched and curved windows are custom-fabricated openings built to a specific radius or compound curve – no two are exactly alike, which means standard off-the-shelf replacements simply don’t exist for them. In Fort Lauderdale, where Mediterranean Revival, Spanish Colonial, and coastal contemporary homes are common across neighborhoods like Victoria Park, Rio Vista, and Las Olas Isles, these windows are a defining architectural feature worth protecting properly. At Winslow Windows & Doors, we’ve been measuring, sourcing, and installing our Custom & Geometric Windows services since 2011, and Ed Winslow oversees every project personally.
If you’re dealing with a failing seal in a half-round above your front door, fogged glass in an eyebrow window along the roofline, or simply want to upgrade an existing arch to impact-rated glass before the next storm season, we can help. Call us at (904) 747-8989 – a live person answers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, no voicemail loops. This page is part of our broader work with Custom & Geometric Windows in Fort Lauderdale, which covers the full range of specialty shapes we handle.
Fort Lauderdale’s building code requires Custom Impact Windows with impact-rated glazing in new and replacement windows throughout most of Broward County. Arched and curved units are no exception. Getting the radius wrong, using non-compliant glass, or skipping the permit process on a structural opening can create real problems at resale inspection. We handle the measurements, the product sourcing from authorized brands, and the permit coordination so you don’t have to chase down three separate contractors to get one window done right.
When You Need Arched & Curved Windows
- Your existing arch has fogged or failed glass. Thermal seal failure in curved insulated glass units is more common than in flat glass because the curved substrate puts additional stress on the seal perimeter. In Fort Lauderdale’s humidity, once moisture gets in, the fog doesn’t clear – the unit needs replacing.
- Your home was built before impact standards and the arch is single-pane. Homes in older Fort Lauderdale neighborhoods like Colee Hammock and Tarpon River frequently have decorative arched windows that were never upgraded to impact glass. If a storm advisory has you boarding up that arch every season, it’s time to replace it with a compliant unit.
- You’re renovating and the existing shape doesn’t match the new look. A remodel that changes roofline pitch or facade detailing sometimes requires a new or resized arch. We can fabricate to a new radius and match the profile to your updated design.
- Water is tracking in around the frame after heavy rain. Fort Lauderdale gets concentrated rainfall – the city averages around 62 inches per year, often in short, high-intensity bursts. A curved frame that’s shifted slightly or has deteriorated weatherstripping can let water pool along the bottom of the arch, leading to wood rot or drywall damage inside.
- You’re adding a new opening and want an arch to match existing windows. New construction additions in Flagler Village or Harbor Beach often need a custom-shaped window to complement what’s already on the house. We fabricate to your architect’s specs and match the existing sight lines.
- Your current arch is aluminum single-hung with no Low-E coating. Older aluminum arched windows transfer heat directly into your home. In Fort Lauderdale’s sun exposure, replacing them with a thermally broken, Low-E curved unit can measurably reduce cooling load in the rooms that face south or west.
Our Arched & Curved Windows Process
- On-site measurement and radius documentation. Arched windows are not measured like rectangular ones. We use a trammel or flexible radius gauge to capture the exact curve – top chord height, spring-point width, and the precise radius of the arc. For elliptical or compound curves, we take multiple reference points. Getting this wrong by even a quarter inch means the unit won’t seat properly, so we never estimate from a photo or a homeowner’s tape measurement.
- Product selection and fabrication order. Based on your opening, your home’s wind-load zone under the Florida Building Code, and your aesthetic preferences, we specify the right unit from our authorized brand lineup. For curved impact windows in Fort Lauderdale, CGI and CWS both offer custom radius fabrication in impact-rated laminated glass. We’ll walk you through glass options – clear, Low-E, bronze tint – and frame finishes before placing the order. Lead times on custom fabrication typically run three to six weeks depending on complexity and the manufacturer’s current queue.
- Permit pulling and inspection scheduling. Broward County requires a permit for window replacement on structural openings, and that includes arched units. We pull the permit, submit the product approval numbers (NOA documentation), and schedule the inspection. You don’t need to call the county building department or track down paperwork – we manage it.
- Removal of the existing unit. On the day of installation, our background-checked, uniformed technicians remove the old window carefully. With arched frames, the head of the rough opening is often a curved or compound header, and we inspect it for moisture intrusion or structural compromise before setting the new unit. If we find rot or deterioration, we’ll show you what we found and explain your options before proceeding – upfront pricing means no surprise line items on the invoice.
- Installation, flashing, and sealing. The new arched unit is set, shimmed, and fastened to the rough opening per the product’s approved installation instructions. Flashing tape is applied to the exterior perimeter, and the unit is caulked with a high-performance sealant rated for Florida’s UV exposure and thermal cycling. We pay particular attention to the crown of the arch, where water tends to collect if the sealant isn’t fully continuous.
- Final inspection and cleanup. We walk through the finished installation with you, confirm the unit operates correctly (for operable arched units), check the seal visually from both interior and exterior, and clean the glass before we leave. The 36500-Day Done Right Promise covers the installation: if something isn’t right, we come back and fix it – no debates, no service call fees.
Arched & Curved Windows Pricing in Fort Lauderdale
Arched and curved windows cost more than standard rectangular replacements because they’re fabricated to order, require more precise field measurement, and involve additional labor to install correctly. In Fort Lauderdale’s current market, here’s a realistic range of what homeowners typically pay:
| Unit Type | Estimated Installed Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Fixed half-round, impact glass (small – up to 36″ wide) | $850 – $1,400 |
| Fixed half-round, impact glass (medium – 37″ to 60″ wide) | $1,300 – $2,200 |
| Fixed elliptical or custom-radius arch, impact glass | $1,500 – $3,000+ |
| Operable curved unit (awning or casement with arched top) | $1,800 – $3,500+ |
| Compound or multi-lite curved configuration | $2,500 – $5,000+ |
Several factors move the final number up or down:
- Radius complexity: A true half-round is simpler to fabricate than an ellipse or a segmental arch with a shallow rise. More complex geometry means more fabrication time and tighter tolerances.
- Glass type and performance rating: Clear impact laminate is the baseline. Low-E coatings, bronze or gray tints, and higher SHGC (solar heat gain coefficient) ratings for Fort Lauderdale’s south- and west-facing exposures all add cost – but they also affect your FPL bill over time.
- Frame material: Aluminum frames are standard in South Florida for their corrosion resistance in salt air. Fiberglass profiles are available from some manufacturers at a premium and offer slightly better thermal performance.
- Accessibility and height: A second-story arch over a staircase in a Las Olas Isles home adds scaffold or lift time to the labor cost. Ground-floor installations in open areas are straightforward.
- Condition of the rough opening: If the header or sill plate shows rot or moisture damage, that needs to be addressed before the new unit goes in. We quote any carpentry separately, after you’ve seen what’s there.
These are honest market ranges, not teaser numbers. Estimates are free, and if you have a written quote from another company, we’ll give you a free second opinion on it. Seniors and veterans receive a permanent 10% discount. Call (904) 747-8989 to schedule your no-obligation measurement appointment.
FAQs – Arched & Curved Windows
Can arched windows be impact-rated in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes, impact-rated arched and curved windows are available and are required for most replacement projects in Broward County under the Florida Building Code. Manufacturers like CGI and CWS produce Geometric & Shaped Windows as custom radius units in laminated impact glass with valid Miami-Dade or Florida product approvals (NOAs). The key is that the unit must be fabricated to the specific radius of your opening – there are no standard-size impact arches. We verify the product approval numbers before ordering and submit them with the permit application. Call (904) 747-8989 for a free estimate on your specific opening.
How long does it take to get a custom arched window made and installed?
From signed contract to completed installation, most Oversized Openings and custom arched window projects in Fort Lauderdale take six to ten weeks. About three to six weeks of that is fabrication lead time at the manufacturer – custom radius units aren’t stocked. Permit processing in Broward County typically adds one to two weeks. The installation itself usually runs one to three hours per unit depending on size and access. We’ll give you a realistic timeline upfront so you can plan accordingly. If your timeline is tight because of a real estate transaction or a storm event, call us and we’ll tell you honestly what’s achievable.
Do I need a permit to replace an arched window in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes, Broward County requires a permit for window replacement on structural openings, including arched and curved units. The permit process involves submitting the product’s Florida Product Approval (NOA) number, a site plan indicating the window location, and a signed contract. We handle all of this on your behalf – pulling the permit, coordinating the inspection, and closing it out when the work passes. Skipping the permit on a window replacement can create title issues when you sell the home, so this step matters. We don’t cut corners on it.
Will a new arched window match the profile of my existing windows?
In most cases, yes – but it depends on what you currently have. If your existing rectangular windows are aluminum single-hung, we can typically match the frame finish (white, bronze, or custom color anodizing) and depth profile on the arched unit. If you’re mixing manufacturers because your current windows are a brand we don’t carry, we’ll be upfront about any visible differences in frame thickness or profile. In practice, most Fort Lauderdale homeowners replacing just the arched transom above a door or window find that a matched-finish aluminum frame from CGI or ES Windows reads as cohesive from the street. We can bring samples to your home so you can see the comparison before we order.
Why Fort Lauderdale Homeowners Choose Winslow for Arched Windows
Ed Winslow started this business in 2011 because he saw too many South Florida homeowners get handed off to subcontractors they’d never met, given vague estimates that ballooned after demo, and left holding warranties that nobody stood behind. His name is on the business – and on every job we do.
That accountability takes a specific form. The 36500-Day Done Right Promise means that if an installation we did isn’t right, we come back and make it right – no arguing about whose fault it is, no service fees for a callback. It’s a 100-year standard of accountability that no national chain can credibly make. We also answer the phone ourselves, 24 hours a day. If you’re standing at your window at 11 p.m. after a storm and something isn’t right, you’ll reach a person – not a recording.
For arched and curved windows specifically, the difference between a company that does these regularly and one that doesn’t shows up in the measurement. A radius that’s off by a quarter inch can cause the frame to rack during installation, stress the glass at the edges, or leave gaps in the seal at the crown of the arch. We’ve replaced arched windows across Fort Lauderdale – in Coral Ridge, Poinsettia Heights, and Edgewood – and the calls we get most often are from homeowners fixing someone else’s imprecise work.
We’re authorized installers for CGI, CWS, ES Windows, and ECO Window Systems, among others. We don’t upsell brands based on margin – we spec the right product for your opening, your wind zone, and your budget. If you qualify for our senior or veteran discount (a permanent 10% off), we apply it without you having to ask twice.
Winslow Windows & Doors is locally owned with a published address and license number – full transparency, no shell companies. We’re not a franchise that mails work to whoever’s available. When you call, you’re reaching the same company that will show up to your home, pull your permit, and install your window. That’s the short version of who we are. If you want the longer version, visit our home page or just call us.
Key Takeaways
- Arched and curved windows in Fort Lauderdale are custom-fabricated to order – precise field measurement is the most important step in the process.
- Broward County requires permits and Florida Product Approval (NOA) documentation for all replacement window openings, including arched units.
- Impact-rated arched glass is available from several manufacturers and is required in most Fort Lauderdale replacement projects.
- Installed costs typically range from $850 to $5,000+ depending on size, glass type, shape complexity, and access conditions.
- Custom fabrication lead times run three to six weeks; total project timelines are typically six to ten weeks from signed contract to passed inspection.
- Winslow Windows & Doors has been handling specialty window shapes in Fort Lauderdale since 2011, backed by the 36500-Day Done Right Promise and live 24/7 phone access.
Get a Free Estimate on Your Arched Window Project
If you have an arched or curved window that needs replacing, upgrading, or matching in Fort Lauderdale, we’ll come out, take the measurements, and give you a clear, upfront price before any work begins. No trip charge for homes in our service area. No pressure. If you already have a written estimate from another company, we’ll give you a free second opinion on it.
Call (904) 747-8989 – someone answers every call, at any hour. Or if you’re still exploring your options, take a look at our full Custom & Geometric Windows in Fort Lauderdale page for information on the other specialty shapes we work with. Either way, Ed’s word is behind the work.
Written by Ed Winslow, Owner at Winslow Windows & Doors, serving Fort Lauderdale since 2011.
Six Reasons Homeowners Choose Winslow Windows & Doors
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.