Free written scope consultation - allowances, timeline, and change-order rules on paper before a single trade is scheduled
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Before
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Before
AfterCGI Home Additions & ADU: The Palo Alto Owner’s Guide
We stock and install CGI-compatible components for home additions and ADU projects across Palo Alto, with typical installed pricing for addition work running $45,000-$130,000 and ADU construction from $90,000-$220,000 depending on foundation type and utility tie-ins. Most CGI window and door systems specified for Palo Alto additions are available with line-item pricing confirmed before work begins, and we carry common CGI sash, frame, and hardware assemblies for same-day replacement on existing installations. Homeowners usually discover a CGI component has failed when they notice drafts around a previously tight unit, operation stiffness that lubrication won’t fix, or visible frame separation at the weep screed - the narrow horizontal slot that drains water to the exterior, which can clog with Palo Alto’s fine silt dust and back moisture into the wall cavity.
Which CGI Models This Applies To
CGI manufactures impact-resistant aluminum windows and doors under several series lines, and the parts we install most often in Palo Alto additions are from the Estate Collection, Sentinel by CGI, and Targa series - all aluminum-framed systems with laminated impact glass originally engineered for hurricane zones but specified here for their structural rating and clean sightlines. To identify your exact unit, check the etched mark in the glass corner for the laminated layer thickness (typically .090 or .100 inch interlayer) and the frame label inside the track or header, which lists the series, date code, and nominal size.
The OEM-versus-aftermarket decision for CGI specifically hinges on the thermal break configuration. Estate Collection units use a polyamide strut thermal break that degrades differently than the poured-and-debridged breaks on older Targa frames; substituting a generic replacement sash into an Estate frame without matching the break geometry creates a cold bridge that shows up as interior condensation during Palo Alto’s January fog season. We source factory-spec CGI parts through authorized distribution for warranty-traceable repairs, and stock select compatible hardware from Truth and Hoppe for latch and hinge assemblies where the original CGI component is back-ordered. Measure twice, write it down, then we talk - that’s how we confirm the part before anyone drives to the site.
Signs Your CGI Home Additions & ADU Is Failing
- Stiff or grinding operation in the sash track. The nylon roller trucks in CGI sliding units collect aluminum oxide from track wear, and Palo Alto’s dry summers accelerate the grit buildup. Left unaddressed, the roller flange cracks and the sash drops out of square, stressing the frame corners.
- Visible moisture or mineral staining at the sill. CGI’s weep screed design relies on a clear drainage path; when Palo Alto’s fine dust mixes with winter condensation, the screed plugs and water pools in the subsill. The mineral bloom you see is calcium leaching from the aluminum, indicating chronic wetting.
- Draft despite closed and locked sash. The bulb seal in CGI units compresses permanently after roughly 8-12 years of California UV exposure. A failed seal doesn’t just leak air; it allows wind-driven rain to reach the interior stop during our winter storm windows.
- Laminated glass delamination at the edge. The interlayer separates from the lite, visible as a milky border that expands inward. In Palo Alto’s microclimate with wide daily temperature swings near the foothills, edge delamination accelerates if the unit faces west and absorbs late-afternoon heat.
- Frame corner separation or visible gap at the miter. CGI frames are mechanically joined with corner keys and epoxy; thermal cycling loosens the key in units installed without proper expansion clearance. The gap widens until the weatherstrip can’t compensate, and water intrusion follows.
Before
AfterReplacement Cost & What’s Included
| Service | Palo Alto Price Range | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| CGI sash replacement (single unit) | $800-$2,200 | Factory-spec sash, seal kit, disposal, 1-year workmanship |
| CGI frame section repair (localized) | $1,400-$3,500 | Section cut-in, thermal break continuity, sealant, photo record |
| Hardware/latch assembly replacement | $180-$450 | OEM or equivalent, adjustment, operation test |
| Full CGI unit replacement (standard size) | $2,800-$6,500 | Unit, install, trim integration, disposal, 365-Day Done Right Promise |
| Home Addition (CGI-specified package) | $45,000-$130,000 | Flat written price, signed scope, permit coordination, photo documentation |
| ADU Construction (CGI window/door package) | $90,000-$220,000 | Full build, utility tie-ins, inspection pass, Haven Standard documentation |
The range within each category reflects unit size, floor-level access (second-story carries ladder and staging time), and whether the original installation left adequate rough opening clearance for clean removal. Under Clause 1 of the Haven Standard, the price is written before anyone starts - every quote is flat, line-itemed, and includes the documented photo record as standard, not an upgrade. Our 365-Day Done Right Promise covers the installation; factory defects in the CGI unit itself are handled through the manufacturer’s warranty channel, which we facilitate.
DIY or Call Us?
An owner can safely inspect a CGI unit for the symptoms above - open the sash, check the weep screed with a flashlight for blockage, and look for the etched glass mark. What goes wrong fast is forcing a seized sash out of its track; the aluminum frame walls are thin and deform under pry-bar pressure, turning a $200 roller replacement into a full frame section repair. The laminated glass in CGI units weighs roughly 6-8 pounds per square foot, so a standard 36-by-72-inch slider sash tops 100 pounds - awkward solo, dangerous on a ladder, and the broken edges are razor-sharp if the laminate fails in handling.
We don’t recommend DIY removal for anything beyond lubrication and debris clearing. Call (650) 446-9092 and we’ll confirm the part number from your frame label, quote the installed price in writing, and schedule the work. Estimates are free, and we offer a Free Second Opinion on any written estimate you’ve already received - we’ll review it line by line at no charge.
FAQs
CGI aluminum units typically perform 20-25 years in Palo Alto before major component replacement, though the bulb seal and roller trucks need attention at 8-12 years due to UV and dust exposure. The laminated glass itself is indefinite barring impact damage, but the edge seal on the insulating glass option (where specified) degrades faster in west-facing installations with afternoon thermal load. Call (650) 446-9092 for an exact quote on your unit condition - estimates are free.
Yes, if the frame is structurally sound and the failure is isolated to the sash, hardware, or seal - we replace components rather than units whenever the math favors it. Frame corner separation or thermal break failure in the extrusion usually warrants full replacement, as field repair of the break compromises the unit’s structural and thermal performance. Under the Haven Standard, we’ll show you both paths in the written quote with the price for each.
A single sash or hardware replacement on a ground-floor unit runs 2-3 hours including removal, installation, and operation testing. Full unit replacement with trim integration takes a day; multi-unit jobs on an addition or ADU are sequenced to maintain enclosure. We don’t promise same-day dispatch on planned construction work - that’s not honest for jobs requiring permits and material orders - but we stock common CGI components for repair calls and confirm availability when you schedule.
We carry common roller trucks, latch sets, bulb seal, and select sash sizes for Estate and Sentinel series on our Palo Alto service vehicles. Full unit replacements and less common Targa configurations are ordered from CGI distribution with tracking - typically 5-10 business days depending on the specification. We’ll tell you exactly what’s in stock and what’s ordered when we deliver the written quote, so there’s no ambiguity about timeline or cost.
Written by Grant Rowan, Owner, Rowan Construction Group Palo Alto at Rowan Construction Group Palo Alto, serving Palo Alto and nearby areas.