If you have spent any time shopping for hurricane protection in Broward or Miami-Dade, you have probably come across CGI Windows & Doors. Based in Miami, CGI has been manufacturing impact-rated aluminum windows for decades, and their Sentinel series is one of the more recognizable names in the South Florida market. Homeowners ask us about them constantly, and they deserve a straight answer.
This CGI impact windows review is written from the perspective of an installing contractor, not a salesperson. We pull permits in Broward and Miami-Dade every week, we read the Notice of Acceptance documents, and we install impact windows from multiple manufacturers. We will walk you through the CGI Sentinel and Sentinel Plus aluminum lines, the Estate vinyl line, available styles, Design Pressure ratings, and realistic pricing. We will also compare CGI directly to ES Windows, the South Florida manufacturer we install most often, so you can make an informed decision.
Whether you live in a coastal Hollywood condo, a Pinecrest single-family, or a Doral townhouse, the goal is the same: hurricane-rated openings that pass inspection, lower your insurance premium, and last 25 plus years in our salt-air climate. Here is how CGI stacks up.
Who Is CGI Windows & Doors?
CGI Windows & Doors is a Miami-based manufacturer founded in 1992 and headquartered in Hialeah. They are part of the PGT Innovations family of brands, which also owns PGT, WinDoor, and Eze-Breeze. CGI builds aluminum and vinyl impact-rated windows and doors specifically for the High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ), meaning every product they sell in Miami-Dade and Broward carries a current Miami-Dade County Notice of Acceptance.
Their three main residential product families are:
- Sentinel — entry-level aluminum impact windows and doors
- Sentinel Plus / Targa — mid-tier aluminum with upgraded performance
- Estate — vinyl impact windows for non-coastal applications
For South Florida, the aluminum Sentinel and Sentinel Plus lines are what most homeowners are quoted. Vinyl is rare in Broward and Miami-Dade because aluminum holds up better against UV exposure and salt air, and most local installers (us included) recommend aluminum for any home within a few miles of the coast.
CGI Sentinel Series: The Workhorse Aluminum Line
The Sentinel series is CGI’s bread-and-butter aluminum impact line. It uses extruded aluminum frames with laminated impact glass — typically 7/16 inch overall thickness with a 0.090 PVB interlayer for the standard configuration. Heavier glass packages are available where higher Design Pressures are required, such as upper floors of high-rises or homes directly on the water.
Available Styles in the Sentinel Line
- Single hung (SH)
- Horizontal roller (HR), 2-lite and 3-lite configurations
- Fixed picture window
- Casement
- Awning
- Architectural shapes (radius tops, eyebrows)
- Sliding glass doors (SGD), 2-panel through 4-panel
- French swing doors
Sentinel DP Ratings and NOA Coverage
Design Pressure ratings vary by size and configuration, but Sentinel single hungs typically test in the DP +60 / -70 range, with horizontal rollers slightly lower and fixed lites considerably higher. All sizes carry Large Missile Impact (LMI) approval, which is mandatory for HVHZ installations below 30 feet of grade. Current NOA numbers are available on the Miami-Dade County product approval database, and your installer should pull the specific NOA that matches your sizes before ordering.
Sentinel Plus and Targa
Sentinel Plus and the Targa fixed-window line use heavier aluminum extrusions and thicker glass laminates, pushing DP ratings into the +80 / -100 range on common sizes. These are appropriate for high-rise condos, oceanfront homes, and any opening where the wind load calculation demands more than the base Sentinel can deliver. Expect to pay 15 to 25 percent more than standard Sentinel for the upgrade.
CGI Colonial and Architectural Options
CGI does not sell a separate “Colonial” series, but they do offer simulated divided lite (SDL) grids and true colonial-style muntin patterns across the Sentinel line. If you own a Mediterranean Revival in Coral Gables or a traditional home in Plantation and you need 6-over-6 or 9-over-9 grid patterns to satisfy an HOA or historic district, CGI can build them. Grid options include flat internal grids, contoured internal grids, and SDL with spacer bars between the laminated panes.
Frame finishes typically include white, bronze, and clear anodized as standard, with custom colors and architectural Kynar finishes available for an upcharge and a longer lead time.
CGI Impact Windows Price: What to Expect in 2024-2025
Pricing is the question every homeowner asks first, and it depends on size, style, glass package, and finish. That said, here are realistic installed price ranges we see in Broward and Miami-Dade for CGI windows, including permit, installation, stucco patch, and interior trim:
| Window Type | Typical Size | Installed Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Sentinel single hung | 36 x 60 | $950 – $1,350 |
| Sentinel horizontal roller (2-lite) | 72 x 48 | $1,400 – $1,850 |
| Sentinel fixed picture | 48 x 60 | $1,100 – $1,500 |
| Sentinel casement | 30 x 48 | $1,250 – $1,700 |
| Sentinel sliding glass door (8 ft, 2-panel) | 96 x 80 | $4,800 – $6,800 |
| Sentinel Plus upgrade | any size | add 15 – 25% |
For a typical 1,800 square foot Broward home with 12 to 15 openings, a full CGI Sentinel package runs roughly $22,000 to $35,000 installed. Coastal high-rise condos or homes requiring Sentinel Plus glass can push that higher. These are mid-market numbers — cheaper than Andersen or Marvin, comparable to ES Windows, and slightly above some lesser-known import brands.
CGI Windows Florida Performance: The Honest Pros and Cons
What CGI Does Well
- Strong NOA library. CGI keeps their Miami-Dade product approvals current and broad, which means permitting through Broward and Miami-Dade rarely hits snags.
- Made in Florida. Manufactured in Hialeah, so lead times are reasonable — typically 6 to 10 weeks depending on season.
- Wide style selection. Single hung, casement, awning, architectural shapes, and SGDs all under one product family.
- Insurance acceptance. Citizens, Universal, and most Florida carriers issue full wind mitigation credits on the OIR-B1-1802 form for properly installed CGI impact units.
Where CGI Falls Short
- Lead times spike during hurricane season. When storms are forecast, CGI lead times can stretch to 14 to 18 weeks. This is industry-wide, but worth knowing.
- Mid-tier hardware. Sentinel locks and rollers are functional but not best-in-class. Plan to lubricate rollers annually in coastal homes.
- Pricing has climbed. Since the PGT Innovations consolidation, CGI pricing is no longer the bargain it once was. Comparable performance is often available for less from ES Windows.
CGI vs ES Windows: Side-by-Side Comparison
ES Windows is the line we install most often, and for good reason. Manufactured in Medley, Florida, ES Windows offers comparable Miami-Dade NOA coverage, similar DP ratings, and typically better pricing. Here is how the two stack up on the products homeowners actually buy:
| Feature | CGI Sentinel | ES Windows (Series 100-500) |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing location | Hialeah, FL | Medley, FL |
| Frame material | Extruded aluminum | Extruded aluminum |
| Miami-Dade NOA / HVHZ | Yes | Yes |
| Typical DP rating (single hung) | +60 / -70 | +65 / -75 |
| Glass thickness (standard) | 7/16 inch laminated | 7/16 inch laminated |
| Available styles | SH, HR, casement, awning, fixed, SGD | SH (100), HR (200), casement (300), fixed (400), awning (500), SGD |
| Typical lead time (off-season) | 6 – 10 weeks | 4 – 8 weeks |
| Installed price (mid-size SH) | $950 – $1,350 | $850 – $1,200 |
| Insurance credit eligibility | Full | Full |
For most Broward and Miami-Dade homeowners, ES Windows delivers the same code compliance, the same insurance discount, and the same hurricane protection at a lower cost and a shorter lead time. CGI is a perfectly respectable product — we are not knocking it — but when you can get equivalent or better performance from ES Windows for less money, the math is hard to argue with.
Permitting and Installation in Broward and Miami-Dade
Regardless of whether you choose CGI or ES Windows, the installation process in our two counties looks the same. A licensed contractor pulls a permit citing the specific NOA number for each product. The permit application includes a window schedule, a wind load calculation per the current Florida Building Code, and elevation drawings. Inspectors will check rough opening prep, fastening schedule (typically 1/4 inch Tapcons at 6 to 8 inches on center for masonry), flashing, sealant, and final operation.
Miami-Dade requires both a rough buck inspection and a final, while Broward typically combines them. Either way, do not let any installer skip the permit — unpermitted impact windows will not earn you the OIR-B1-1802 wind mitigation credit, which is the entire reason most homeowners make this investment in the first place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are CGI impact windows good quality?
Yes. CGI Sentinel and Sentinel Plus are code-compliant, NOA-approved, and built to perform in the HVHZ. They are a solid mid-tier product. They are not the cheapest option and they are not the highest-performing option, but they sit comfortably in the middle and have a long track record in South Florida.
How much do CGI impact windows cost in South Florida?
Installed pricing for CGI Sentinel windows runs roughly $950 to $1,350 for a typical single hung and $4,800 to $6,800 for an 8-foot sliding glass door. A full home of 12 to 15 windows typically falls between $22,000 and $35,000 installed, including permitting and stucco patching.
Do CGI windows have Miami-Dade NOA approval?
Yes. Every CGI Sentinel and Sentinel Plus product sold in Miami-Dade and Broward carries a current Miami-Dade County Notice of Acceptance. Your installer should provide the specific NOA number for each product on your permit application.
Are CGI windows better than ES Windows?
They are comparable in performance and code compliance. ES Windows is also manufactured in South Florida (Medley), carries full Miami-Dade NOAs, and typically prices 8 to 15 percent below CGI for equivalent products with shorter lead times. For most homeowners, ES Windows offers better value at the same quality level.
What is the difference between CGI Sentinel and Sentinel Plus?
Sentinel is the entry-level aluminum line with DP ratings around +60 / -70 on common sizes. Sentinel Plus uses heavier aluminum extrusions and thicker glass to reach DP +80 / -100 or higher, making it suitable for high-rises, oceanfront properties, and any opening with elevated wind load requirements.
Will CGI impact windows lower my homeowners insurance?
Yes, when properly permitted and installed. Your installer will provide documentation for the OIR-B1-1802 wind mitigation form, which most Florida carriers (Citizens, Universal, Tower Hill, and others) use to apply impact opening protection credits. Discounts vary but typically range from 15 to 45 percent on the wind portion of your premium.
How long do CGI aluminum impact windows last?
Properly installed and maintained, expect 25 to 30 plus years of service life. Aluminum frames hold up well in coastal South Florida environments. Annual cleaning, weep hole maintenance, and roller lubrication will extend the life of any impact window, regardless of brand.
Get a Free Quote Comparing CGI and ES Windows
CGI makes a respectable impact window, and if you have your heart set on the Sentinel or Sentinel Plus line we can install it for you. But before you sign a contract, let us show you a side-by-side quote comparing CGI to ES Windows on the exact openings in your home. In nine out of ten cases, ES Windows delivers the same code compliance, the same insurance discount, and the same hurricane protection at a meaningfully lower price — with a faster lead time to boot.
A Plus Impact Windows & Doors is a licensed and insured Florida contractor serving homeowners across Broward and Miami-Dade, with commercial work statewide. Visit APIWD.com or call us today for a free in-home estimate. We will measure every opening, run the wind load calculations, pull the right NOAs, and give you an honest, line-by-line comparison so you can make the right call for your home and your budget.