CWS Home Additions & ADU Nationwide

CWS Home Additions & ADU: The West Palm Beach Owner’s Guide

We stock and install CWS-compatible components for home additions and ADU projects in West Palm Beach, with typical installed pricing from $45,000 to $130,000 for full additions and $90,000 to $220,000 for ADU construction. Most CWS part replacements and system upgrades are quoted with a written price before any work starts, and we carry common CWS structural hardware, window systems, and door assemblies on our trucks. Homeowners usually discover a CWS component has failed when they notice sticking sliding doors in a converted garage, water intrusion around window frames in a new addition, or sagging header beams above expanded openings - all signs that the original CWS specification is no longer performing in South Florida’s salt-air, high-humidity environment.

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Which CWS Models This Applies To

CWS, or Custom Window Systems, manufactures impact-rated windows, sliding glass doors, and entry systems commonly specified in Florida home additions and ADU builds. The product lines we see most often in West Palm Beach are the CWS 3110 and CWS 5400 series impact windows, the CWS WindPact Plus sliding door systems, and the CWS ThermaShield entry door assemblies. To identify your exact model, check the etched marking in the glass corner or the label on the door jamb - the series number, impact rating (HVHZ or non-HVHZ), and manufacture date are all relevant to parts compatibility.

The OEM-versus-aftermarket decision for CWS hardware is straightforward in most cases: sash balances, rollers, and weatherstripping are available through CWS distribution, but we also source equivalent-grade hardware from Truth Hardware and AmesburyTruth that meets the same AAMA 1304 testing standards. The critical compatibility gotcha is the impact-laminated glass thickness - CWS 3110 uses 7/16-inch laminated glass, while the 5400 series steps up to 9/16-inch. Installing standard hardware meant for non-impact windows will bind, fail prematurely, and void any remaining warranty. We verify glass thickness with a digital caliper before ordering replacement parts, because guessing in West Palm Beach humidity is how you get a second callback.

Signs Your CWS Home Additions & ADU Is Failing

• Sliding doors that jump the track or require two hands to move. The CWS tandem roller assemblies use sealed stainless-steel bearings that corrode faster in coastal West Palm Beach air than inland Florida installations. Once the bearing race pits, the door drops slightly and the nylon wheels grind against the aluminum track.
• Water staining on interior drywall below window corners. CWS windows rely on a continuous sill pan and end-dam flashing that seals with butyl tape. In our experience on Flagler Drive projects, the butyl degrades after 8-12 years of UV and thermal cycling, allowing wind-driven rain to bypass the primary seal.
• Condensation between panes of impact glass. The insulated glass unit (IGU) seal has failed, breaking the argon fill and allowing moist coastal air inside. This is not a wipe-it-clean problem - the IGU must be fabricated to the exact CWS sash dimensions, which vary by series year.
• Daylight visible around the door jamb or header gap. The CWS compression seal has lost elasticity, or the installation shims have compressed or shifted. In West Palm Beach’s sandy soil, minor foundation settlement is common and exaggerates any original installation tolerance.
• Cracking or chalking of exterior vinyl or aluminum cladding. South Florida’s UV index is among the highest in the continental U.S. CWS factory finishes hold up well, but aftermarket replacement sashes with inferior powder coating will chalk within three years - we see this mismatch frequently on ADU conversions where the original contractor substituted non-OEM material.

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Replacement Cost & What’s Included

For CWS component replacement within an existing home addition or ADU in West Palm Beach, installed pricing typically falls within these ranges:

• CWS impact window sash replacement (single unit): $800-$2,400
• CWS sliding door roller and track rebuild: $650-$1,800
• CWS entry door hardware and seal replacement: $450-$1,200
• Full CWS sliding door assembly replacement: $3,500-$8,500
• Structural header reinforcement above expanded opening: $2,200-$5,500

What drives the range is three factors: the CWS series year (older 3110 hardware is harder to source), whether the original installation included proper sill pan flashing (absence means we open the wall to correct it), and the finish level of interior trim repair. Our quote is a flat price with written scope - parts, labor, disposal, and documentation - with no change order unless you request additional work and sign for it. Under Clause 1 of the Haven Standard, that written price is delivered before anyone picks up a tool. Every CWS replacement carries our 365-Day Done Right Promise, and you receive a documented photo record of the condition we found and the work we performed.

DIY or Call Us?

There is safe homeowner inspection and there is work that belongs to a crew with proper tools and liability coverage. You can safely check: the CWS etched marking for model identification, visible seal condition without disassembly, and whether the door or window operates smoothly when clean and lubricated. Do not attempt to remove impact-rated glass units yourself - the laminated glass weighs 6-8 pounds per square foot, and a 36-by-72-inch CWS sliding door sash can exceed 120 pounds. Improper handling risks personal injury and, almost as expensive, glass breakage that requires custom fabrication with a two-week lead time.

Structural header work above expanded openings is never DIY. The loads involved - roof, ceiling, and any second-story bearing - require temporary shoring, engineered lumber sizing, and permit inspection in Palm Beach County. We pull the permit, coordinate the inspection, and deliver the passed inspection card with your project binder. Call (561) 475-3903 to schedule your free estimate - we’ll identify your CWS series, photograph the condition, and put the replacement scope and price in writing before any work starts.

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