New windows and doors improve comfort, cut energy bills and add long-term value to your home. Meridian Windows and Doors Houston 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
CGI Window Installation: The Houston Owner’s Guide
CGI window installation in Houston typically runs $850 to $2,400 per window installed, depending on the series, size, and whether the frame needs replacement or just the sash. We stock CGI-compatible components on our trucks and can usually complete most single-unit swaps in a single visit. Most homeowners call us after a storm blows a seal, a latch snaps, or a frame starts binding after years of Houston humidity and heat cycles.
You found this page because something failed. Here’s the straight version: we know CGI windows, we know what fails on them in this climate, and we’ll match your part to your model so you’re not paying for a guess.
Key Takeaways:
- CGI parts are model-specific. A Sentry hinge does not fit a Targa frame. We verify the sticker before ordering.
- Installed replacement pricing is written down before we start. No change orders at the door.
- Every install carries our 365-Day Done Right Promise in writing.
- We are an independent Houston installer, not a CGI dealership. We work on their products daily.
Which CGI Models This Applies To
CGI’s window lines break into two families: the hurricane-rated impact series like Sentry and Targa, and the architectural lines like Estate and Estate Series 8500. Each uses different sash balances, hinge systems, and glass packages. The model name lives on a silver sticker on the inside frame rail, usually top corner on the hinge side. If the sticker is gone, we still have options: measure the visible glass width, the frame depth, and the hinge spacing, and we can cross-reference against CGI’s spec charts within a day.
One gotcha we see regularly: CGI’s stainless steel hinges were updated around 2015. Older Sentry units use a narrower leaf pattern that does not accept the current hinge. If you order the new hinge for an older frame, the screw holes will not line up and you’ll end up with stripped threads. We carry both patterns on the truck so the swap happens in one visit.
On the OEM-versus-aftermarket question: for latches, rollers, and weatherstripping, quality American-made aftermarket parts often match OEM spec and cost 30 to 40 percent less. For impact-rated glass and structural sash components, we use CGI factory parts only. Impact glass is engineered to stay in the frame during a Category 4 wind event. An aftermarket pane without identical lamination specs compromises that rating, and in a city that gets hit by Gulf storms, that’s not a corner we’re willing to cut.
Signs Your CGI Window Installation Is Failing
- Sash drops when you lift it: The spiral balance or block-and-tackle balance inside the side jamb has lost tension. This starts as a slow drift and ends with a sash that will not stay up at all. Houston’s heat accelerates the grease drying inside the balance tube.
- Hinge side sags and the corner scrapes: The friction hinge is worn, often from years of coastal wind pressure flexing the arm. You will see a diagonal wear mark on the bottom corner and hear metal scraping when you close the window.
- You can push the window outward from the inside without releasing the latch: The multipoint locking bar is stuck or the striker plates have shifted out of alignment. On impact windows, this means the pressure seal is no longer engaged correctly.
- Condensation between the panes: The edge seal on the insulated glass unit has failed. This never clears up. The argon or krypton fill is gone, and what you are seeing is outside humidity trapped inside the glass pack, a very Houston problem.
- Water stains inside the frame after rain: The weep system in the sill track is clogged or the outer seal has pulled away. Either way, the frame drains are not doing their job and water is finding the path of least resistance, which is usually into your wall.
Replacement Cost & What’s Included
Here’s what we write on estimates for Houston CGI window work:
| Scope of Work | Typical Installed Price |
|---|---|
| Replace friction hinges (set of two) | $180 – $340 per window |
| Replace sash balance system | $140 – $280 per window |
| Replace multipoint lock and keepers | $160 – $310 per window |
| Replace weatherstripping and re-seal frame | $120 – $260 per window |
| Full window replacement (CGI Sentinel or Targa) | $850 – $2,400 per window installed |
The range depends on window size, which series you own, access (second-story work costs more), and whether the frame itself is still structurally sound. If the frame can be salvaged, we replace the failed component and you keep your existing glass. If the frame is rotted or racked out of square, a full replacement is cheaper long-term than band-aid fixes.
Every price goes on paper before we start. Included: labor, disposal of the old part, sealant, and a 365-Day Done Right Promise. If the part fails within a year, we come back at no charge. No labor exclusions. No fine print about “acts of God.”
DIY or Call Us?
Some CGI window issues are safe to address on your own. You can clean and clear the sill weep holes with a bottle brush and warm water. You can tighten visible screw heads on the hinge plates using the correct Phillips bit. You can replace torn weatherstripping by pulling the old strip out of the kerf and pressing in a new one.
Here’s where we d raw the line: sash balances are under spring tension. If you release the wrong tab without the retaining tool, the spring unloads fast enough to take off a finger. Multipoint lock systems have tight tolerances; forcing them with a screwdriver usually destroys the gear mechanism inside. And impact glass? Never attempt to remove or re-glaze impact-rated glass yourself. A mishandled CGI lite weighs more than you expect and the lamination does not forgive a drop.
If your problem is in the balance, the lock, or the glass, call (432) 278-2282. We’ll give you a straight answer, not a scare pitch.
FAQs
CGI window frames and glass typically give you 20 to 30 years of service in Houston, but the moving hardware, hinges, balances, locks, and seals, usually needs attention every 8 to 12 years because of our heat, humidity, and salt air near the coast. A well-maintained CGI window can outlast two or three sets of hardware. Call (432) 278-2282 if you want us to assess which parts on your windows are nearing end of life. Estimates are free.
Weatherstripping, weep systems, and loose hardware can usually be repaired in place. Once a hinge is bent, a balance is uncoiled, a lock gear is stripped, or a glass seal is blown, replacement is the only fix that holds. We’ll show you the failed component before we swap it so you know exactly what you are paying for. Call (432) 278-2282 and we will give you a written answer.
Most single-window hardware replacements take 60 to 90 minutes once we are on site. A full window replacement usually runs 3 to 5 hours including frame prep, installation, trim-out, and clean-up. We do not leave a job until the window operates correctly and the sill is clean. Call (432) 278-2282 to schedule a time that works for you.
We stock common CGI hardware on the truck: Sentry and Targa hinges, spiral balances for the Estate line, multipoint lock sets, handle sets, and weatherstripping profiles. Impact glass and full sashes are ordered per window from our supplier network and typically arrive within 5 to 10 business days. Call (432) 278-2282 and we will confirm what we have on the truck before we even schedule the visit.
Here’s one more thing, and it matters more in Houston than almost anywhere else: the seal is everything. Gulf Coast humidity will find a gap faster than direct rain ever will. A window that is plumb, square, and sealed correctly holds up for decades. One that was rushed with cheap sealant and a misaligned frame failing in under five years. Measure twice, seal it right, and the window does the rest of the talking.
Get a Written Estimate for Your CGI Window
If your CGI window is binding, sagging, fogging, or leaking, call us at (432) 278-2282. We’ll ask which model you have, what you’re seeing, and we’ll give you a price range when you’re on the phone. The exact number goes on paper before we touch a screw. We also work on PGT, CWS, and ES Windows for Houston homeowners who have mixed brands in their homes. We’re not a CGI dealership. We’re the crew that fixes and installs them the right way. Let us know what part you’re dealing with and we’ll take it from there.
Written by Elliot Vance, Owner & Lead Installer, Meridian Windows and Doors Houston at Meridian Windows and Doors Houston, serving Houston and nearby areas.
Six Reasons Homeowners Choose Meridian Windows and Doors Houston
Laminated glass and reinforced frames hold up to wind-driven rain, hail and flying debris, so your openings stay sealed when the weather turns.
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.
Tighter seals and insulated glass even out hot and cold rooms and stop the drafts at the frame.
A full impact package upgrades curb appeal, buyer confidence and appraised value in one project.