Free in-home measure and quote - PGT, CGI and CWS impact lines compared on your actual openings, style by style
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After
Before
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Before
AfterWindows & Doors in Santa Cruz, CA
Window installation in Santa Cruz is shaped by one fact more than any other: the Monterey Bay marine layer. We replace fogged double-pane units, seized aluminum sliders, and rotted wood sashes in Live Oak bungalows and Seabright cottages where salt air cuts the life of standard hardware by half. A written price before any work starts is how we do every job here. Call (509) 265-6387 for a measured survey you keep.
Why Santa Cruz Homes Are Different
Santa Cruz’s housing stock splits into two worlds. The 1940s through 1960s beach bungalows that fill Live Oak and the Westside were built fast, framed with single-pane wood windows that have now spent six or seven decades in fog and salt spray. Many sills are soft, many sashes are painted shut, and many IGUs that were installed in the 1990s and early 2000s have failed seals that show as permanent interior fog. The second world is the late-Victorian and Craftsman-era stock near downtown and Beach Flats, where original window openings are often non-standard sizes, and any replacement needs custom geometry rather than an off-the-shelf unit. The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake also left its mark: a large cluster of early-1990s rebuilds downtown now has glazing systems at or past the thirty-year replacement threshold. Add the near-daily salt fog that oxidizes aluminum frames and corrodes door hardware, and the practical result is that a window or door that would last 25 years in Campbell will often struggle to reach 15 years in Seabright or along East Cliff Drive.
Our Main Santa Cruz Services
Most Santa Cruz homeowners call us about two jobs: full-frame window replacement in older housing stock, and exterior door replacement where fog-drip and salt corrosion have taken their toll. Both get the same treatment: a measured survey, a written scope, and a final invoice that matches the first document.
Door Installation in Santa Cruz
Exterior doors in Santa Cruz take a beating that interior doors never see. Fog drip collects on thresholds, salt air seizes hinges and locksets, and wood frames in Beach Flats and the Westside swell and rot where paint has failed. We replace entry doors, patio doors, and the framing around them, spec’ing marine-grade stainless hardware when the property sits within a half-mile of the shore. See Door Installation in Santa Cruz for the full breakdown.
Window Replacement in Santa Cruz
Window replacement in Santa Cruz usually means full-frame work rather than pocket inserts. Most of the 1940s-1960s bungalows in Live Oak and along East Cliff Drive were built with single-pane wood windows whose frames are no longer square or structurally sound. We remove the old frame to the rough opening, repair or replace the sill as needed, and install a new unit that’s spec’d for coastal air. Read Window Replacement in Santa Cruz for what the job covers and what it costs.
What happens when you call
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A real person answersNo phone trees - you reach a local pro.
- 2
You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched.
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A background-checked tech heads outLicensed & insured, dispatched right away.
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You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
BeforeAfterWindow Installation in Santa Cruz
Window installation in Santa Cruz is full-frame work more often than not. The 1940s-1960s bungalows in Live Oak, the Westside, and Seabright were built with single-pane wood windows whose frames have spent decades absorbing fog drip and salt air, and by the time we see them the sills are rotted and the rough openings need re-squaring before any new unit goes in. That changes the job from a simple insert to a proper reframe, which is why we survey every opening before we write a price. The Window Installation work we do here falls into a few common patterns.
Single & Double Hung Windows
Signs you need it
Sash cords are broken, weights are missing, the window won’t stay up, or the sills are soft enough to push a screwdriver into.
What it costs in Santa Cruz
Single and double hung replacement windows in Santa Cruz typically run $600-$1,400 per opening, depending on size, frame material, and whether the rough opening needs re-framing.
How we do it
We remove the old sashes and frame to the rough opening, square and level the opening, install the new unit with new flashing and insulation, and finish the interior and exterior trim.
Casement Windows
Signs you need it
Crank mechanisms are seized from salt corrosion, the sash won’t seal tight, or the single-pane glass is dripping condensation every morning.
What it costs in Santa Cruz
Casement replacement in Santa Cruz typically runs $700-$1,600 per opening, with fiberglass frames on the upper end and needed when the home is within a half-mile of the shore.
How we do it
We pull the old frame, check the rough opening for rot, install the new casement with marine-grade hardware, and seal it so the sash opens clean and locks tight.
Awning & Hopper Windows
Signs you need it
These short, wide windows won’t stay open, the hinge hardware has rusted through, or the glazing is a failed single-pane unit fogging over from the marine layer.
What it costs in Santa Cruz
Awning and hopper windows in Santa Cruz typically run $450-$1,100 per unit, with smaller bath and basement openings at the lower end and larger kitchen and stairwell units at the higher end.
How we do it
We measure the existing opening, order the unit to fit rather than forcing a stock size, remove the old window, and install the new one with fresh flashing and sealant rated for coastal exposure.
What Window Installation Costs in Santa Cruz
| Item | Typical range in Santa Cruz |
|---|---|
| Single & double hung window | $600-$1,400 per opening |
| Casement window | $700-$1,600 per opening |
| Awning & hopper window | $450-$1,100 per unit |
Do I need a permit to replace windows in Santa Cruz?
Most like-for-like window replacements don’t require a permit, but if you’re enlarging an opening or altering framing, the City of Santa Cruz will want plans. We can tell you during the survey, and we handle permitting when it’s needed. Call (509) 265-6387 and we’ll check your specific case.
How long does window installation take in Santa Cruz?
Most full-frame replacements take one day per two or three openings, including trim and cleanup. A whole 1940s bungalow with eight to ten windows usually runs three to four working days. We’ll write the schedule into your quote before you sign anything.
Impact Windows & Doors in Santa Cruz
Impact windows and doors in Santa Cruz aren’t just for hurricane country. The same laminated-glass construction that meets Miami-Dade wind-load standards also stands up to the salt-laden marine layer that eats standard glazing and hardware within a decade on properties along East Cliff Drive and east of the Boardwalk. We spec impact-rated units from manufacturers like CGI and CWS for homes that need a heavier glazing package. See Impact Windows & Doors for the full product range and testing standards.
Impact-Resistant Windows
Signs you need it
You live within a half-mile of the shore, your aluminum frames are oxidizing, or you’re replacing windows a second time because the first replacements failed early from salt exposure.
What it costs in Santa Cruz
Impact-resistant windows in Santa Cruz typically run $900-$2,200 per opening, with laminated glass and marine-grade hardware included in that range.
How we do it
We specify the glazing package for your exposure level, order the unit with the correct structural rating, and install it with stainless fasteners and sealants rated for continuous salt air.
Horizontal Roller & Sliding Impact Windows
Signs you need it
Your sliding windows have corroded tracks, the rollers have seized, or you want an opening window that won’t degrade the way standard aluminum sliders do in fog zones.
What it costs in Santa Cruz
Horizontal impact sliders in Santa Cruz typically run $800-$1,900 per unit, depending on width and whether the frame is aluminum or fiberglass.
How we do it
We measure the track width and opening, order the impact-rated slider to fit, and install it with new rollers and stainless track hardware that won’t seize in the marine air.
What Impact Windows & Doors Costs in Santa Cruz
| Item | Typical range in Santa Cruz |
|---|---|
| Impact-resistant window | $900-$2,200 per opening |
| Horizontal impact slider | $800-$1,900 per unit |
| Impact door (entry or patio) | $1,800-$4,500 per opening |
Are impact windows required in Santa Cruz?
No, Santa Cruz doesn’t require impact glazing by code. But many homes within a half-mile of the shore spec them because standard aluminum hardware seizes and standard glazing fails early in that environment. Call (509) 265-6387 to see if your property warrants the upgrade.
Do impact windows block UV fading?
Yes. The laminated interlayer in impact-rated glass blocks a significant portion of UV, which protects furniture and flooring in sun-exposed rooms on Live Oak and Westside homes. We’ll show you the SHGC and UV transmission specs in writing before you choose a product.
Energy-Efficient Windows in Santa Cruz
Energy-efficient windows in Santa Cruz have to solve a specific problem: interior condensation on single-pane glass driven by low overnight temperatures and high humidity, not just heat gain. Homes in Live Oak and on the Westside with original 1940s-1960s windows see water running down the glass most winter mornings, and that moisture eventually rots sills and invites mold. We specify Low-E, argon-filled, and laminated glazing packages that dry out the glass and hold indoor temperature steady. See Energy-Efficient Windows for the full spec breakdown.
Low-E & Argon Gas Glass
Signs you need it
Your single-pane windows sweat every morning, your heating bill climbs through the winter, or rooms facing the fog line stay cold and damp.
What it costs in Santa Cruz
Low-E argon-filled replacement windows in Santa Cruz typically run $650-$1,500 per opening, with the gas fill adding roughly $40-$80 over standard double-pane pricing.
How we do it
We measure the opening, specify the Low-E coating and argon fill for your exposure, and install the unit with proper sealing so the thermal performance lasts the life of the window.
Insulated Laminated Glass
Signs you need it
You want both impact resistance and thermal performance, or you’re replacing a failed IGU in a high-exposure spot and don’t want to do it again in ten years.
What it costs in Santa Cruz
Insulated laminated glass in Santa Cruz typically adds $200-$400 per window over standard dual-pane, putting most openings in the $900-$1,900 range.
How we do it
We build the glazing stack to your requirements: two panes, an interlayer for impact or UV, argon fill, and Low-E coating, all specified in the written quote before we order anything.
What Energy-Efficient Windows Costs in Santa Cruz
| Item | Typical range in Santa Cruz |
|---|---|
| Low-E argon window | $650-$1,500 per opening |
| Insulated laminated glass | $900-$1,900 per opening |
| ENERGY STAR rated retrofit | $600-$1,400 per opening |
Will new windows actually lower my heating bill in Santa Cruz?
Yes, but the bigger gain is comfort. Single-pane windows in a 1950s Live Oak bungalow lose far more heat than walls do, so replacing them changes how the room feels within days. We can give you a written estimate of the U-factor improvement before you commit. Call (509) 265-6387 for a survey.
Do energy-efficient windows qualify for rebates in Santa Cruz?
Some ENERGY STAR-rated replacements qualify for federal tax credits, and PG&E occasionally runs window-related incentive programs. We’ll point you to the current options during the quote, but we won’t promise a rebate we can’t put in writing.
Sliding & Patio Doors in Santa Cruz
Sliding and patio doors in Santa Cruz fail in a predictable way: the bottom track fills with fog drip and salt residue, the rollers corrode, and the door starts dragging or refusing to move at all. Homes in Seabright and along East Cliff Drive see this every two to three years with standard aluminum hardware, which is why we spec stainless rollers and marine-grade tracks for anything within a half-mile of the water. Read Sliding & Patio Doors for the full product line, including impact-rated options.
Sliding Glass Door Replacement
Signs you need it
The door drags or sticks, the track is pitted with corrosion, the glass is fogged between the panes, or the door doesn’t seal against the frame anymore.
What it costs in Santa Cruz
Sliding glass door replacement in Santa Cruz typically runs $1,500-$3,500 for a standard 6-foot opening, with larger 8-foot and 12-foot doors running higher.
How we do it
We pull the old door and track, inspect the rough opening for rot, install the new door with stainless rollers and a new threshold, and seal everything against fog drip and salt air.
Impact Sliding Glass Doors
Signs you need it
Your patio door faces the water or is within a half-mile of the shore, and you want a laminated-glass door that won’t degrade the way standard units do in salt air.
What it costs in Santa Cruz
Impact sliding glass doors in Santa Cruz typically run $2,000-$5,000 per opening, with the laminated glazing package and stainless hardware included.
How we do it
We specify the impact glazing and structural frame rating for your exposure, order the door to your opening dimensions, and install it with new flashing and a marine-grade track.
What Sliding & Patio Doors Costs in Santa Cruz
| Item | Typical range in Santa Cruz |
|---|---|
| Sliding glass door replacement | $1,500-$3,500 per opening |
| Impact sliding glass door | $2,000-$5,000 per opening |
| Screen door installation | $250-$600 per door |
Can you replace just the track and rollers on my sliding door?
Sometimes. If the frame and glass are sound, replacing the track and rollers is a $300-$700 repair. If the frame is corroded or the glass is fogged, a full door replacement makes more sense. Call (509) 265-6387 and we’ll tell you straight.
Do patio doors in Santa Cruz need special hardware?
Within a half-mile of the shore, yes. Standard galvanized rollers and tracks will seize within a few years. We spec stainless hardware as the baseline for coastal properties, not an upgrade, and that’s written into your quote.
Impact Garage Doors in Santa Cruz
Impact garage doors in Santa Cruz serve two purposes for most homeowners: they hold up to the marine environment and they protect the garage opening from wind-driven rain that standard doors let through. Homes on the Westside and along East Cliff Drive with west-facing garage doors catch the worst of the weather, and we see rusted tracks, warped panels, and failed seals on doors that are only five or six years old. See Impact Garage Doors for the full spec and rating details.
Hurricane-Rated Garage Doors
Signs you need it
Your garage door faces the ocean, the panels are dented or rusting, or the door flexes inward during winter storms and lets water under the bottom seal.
What it costs in Santa Cruz
Hurricane-rated garage doors in Santa Cruz typically run $2,500-$6,000 for a single-car door and $4,000-$9,000 for a double, depending on the wind-load rating and material.
How we do it
We measure the opening, verify the wind-load requirements for your exact location, order the rated door, and install it with new tracks, springs, and marine-grade hardware.
Garage Door Replacement
Signs you need it
The door is rusted through at the bottom rails, panels are warped from moisture, the tracks are pitted, or the door no longer balances properly.
What it costs in Santa Cruz
Standard garage door replacement in Santa Cruz typically runs $1,800-$4,500, with impact-rated and insulated doors at the higher end of that range and above.
How we do it
We remove the old door and hardware, inspect the jambs for rot, install the new door with new springs and tracks, and adjust it so it opens and closes without strain.
What Impact Garage Doors Costs in Santa Cruz
| Item | Typical range in Santa Cruz |
|---|---|
| Hurricane-rated garage door (single) | $2,500-$6,000 per door |
| Hurricane-rated garage door (double) | $4,000-$9,000 per door |
| Standard garage door replacement | $1,800-$4,500 per door |
Does my garage door need to be impact-rated in Santa Cruz?
No local code requires it, but a west-facing garage door near the water is better off rated. Standard doors corrode and flex in marine conditions, and the cost difference is less than replacing a standard door twice. Call (509) 265-6387 for a written recommendation.
How long does garage door replacement take?
Most single-door replacements are done in a day, including removing the old door, installing the new one, and hauling away the debris. A double door with impact rating may run into a second day. We’ll put the schedule in your written quote.
Custom & Geometric Windows in Santa Cruz
Custom and geometric windows in Santa Cruz are common not because of architectural ambition but because of the housing stock. The late-Victorian and Craftsman homes near downtown and Beach Flats have original openings that don’t match any standard size, and many early-1990s rebuilds from the Loma Prieta era included angled glass, corner windows, or oversized picture walls that no off-the-shelf unit will fit. We measure, template, and order each unit to the opening. See Custom & Geometric Windows for the full fabrication process.
Arched & Curved Windows
Signs you need it
You have an arched or radius opening that a rectangular stock unit won’t fill, or the existing arched glazing is a failed single-pane unit that’s fogged or cracked.
What it costs in Santa Cruz
Arched and curved windows in Santa Cruz typically run $1,100-$3,000 per unit, with the curve template and custom frame adding most of the difference over standard rectangular pricing.
How we do it
We template the exact curve of the existing opening, order the glass and frame to match that radius, and install the unit with the same flashing and sealing standards as any other job.
Oversized Openings
Signs you need it
You have a picture window or glass wall wider than six feet, a corner window with two glass planes meeting at an angle, or a custom opening that standard framing won’t support.
What it costs in Santa Cruz
Oversized custom windows in Santa Cruz typically run $1,500-$4,500 per opening, with the structural header requirements and heavier glazing driving much of the cost.
How we do it
We measure the rough opening and sightlines, engineer any needed header or support changes, order the custom unit, and install it with a crew that specializes in large glazing.
What Custom & Geometric Windows Costs in Santa Cruz
| Item | Typical range in Santa Cruz |
|---|---|
| Arched or curved window | $1,100-$3,000 per unit |
| Oversized opening | $1,500-$4,500 per opening |
| Custom impact window | $1,200-$3,800 per unit |
How long does a custom window take to build?
Most custom and geometric windows take four to eight weeks from template to delivery, depending on the manufacturer and the glass package. We’ll give you a firm lead time in writing when you approve the order. Call (509) 265-6387 to start the survey.
Can you match the existing window style in my Victorian home?
Yes. We can match divided-lite patterns, muntin profiles, and frame dimensions so the replacement reads as original to the house. The written quote will include a drawing of exactly what you’re getting before any glass is cut.
Brands We Service in Santa Cruz
We install and service windows and doors from CGI, CWS, ES Windows, and ECO Window Systems, among our eight manufacturer lines. Common replacement parts are stocked in our Bay Area warehouse, and Santa Cruz jobs with standard components usually turn around in under two weeks. See our brands for the full performance-tier breakdown.
Pricing for Windows & Doors in Santa Cruz, CA
| Service | Typical range in Santa Cruz |
|---|---|
| Single & double hung window | $600-$1,400 per opening |
| Casement window | $700-$1,600 per opening |
| Awning & hopper window | $450-$1,100 per unit |
| Impact-resistant window | $900-$2,200 per opening |
| Low-E argon window | $650-$1,500 per opening |
| Sliding glass door replacement | $1,500-$3,500 per opening |
| Impact sliding glass door | $2,000-$5,000 per opening |
| Hurricane-rated garage door (single) | $2,500-$6,000 per door |
| Arched or curved window | $1,100-$3,000 per unit |
| Oversized opening | $1,500-$4,500 per opening |
What pushes a Santa Cruz price to the upper end of these ranges is usually one of three things: proximity to the water and the marine-grade hardware that requires, a rough opening that needs re-framing, or a custom size that has to be fabricated rather than pulled from stock. Every price we give is written before any work starts, and the measured survey you receive is the same document the final invoice is built from.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Santa Cruz
We work in every Santa Cruz neighborhood, from the coastal flats to the hills. Response time across the area is typically one to two business days for a measured survey, and we schedule around fog and weather the way a local crew should.
- Live Oak
- Seabright
- The Westside
- Beach Flats
- Downtown Santa Cruz
Service Area - Cities Near Santa Cruz
Our crews also cover the neighboring communities along Highway 17 and the East Bay side of the mountains. We regularly work in Los Gatos, CA, Saratoga, CA, Campbell, CA, and Cupertino, CA, where the housing stock and climate conditions differ meaningfully from the coast but the same written-price standard applies.
Serving Santa Cruz, CA - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Santa Cruz area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage - if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
FAQs About Windows & Doors in Santa Cruz
Most surveys are scheduled within one to two business days anywhere in Santa Cruz. Replacement work is booked after the survey and written quote are approved, and we’ll put the install date in the quote so there’s no scheduling surprise.
Yes. When a job in Santa Cruz needs a permit, we pull it and schedule the inspection. If you’re in an HOA, we’ll review the window and door sections of your CC&Rs and adjust the product spec so your approval goes through cleanly.
We cover all of Santa Cruz, plus Live Oak, Seabright, the Westside, Beach Flats, and nearby cities including Los Gatos, Saratoga, Campbell, and Cupertino. If you’re not sure whether you’re in our area, call (509) 265-6387 and we’ll confirm on the spot.
Ready to get a written price for your Santa Cruz window or door job? Call (509) 265-6387 to schedule your free measured survey. You’ll keep the survey, the quote will match it, and the price won’t change once work starts. That’s the Haven Standard, and it’s how every one of the 18,000+ openings we’ve done since 2012 has been handled.
What happens when you call
- 1A real person answersNo phone trees - talk to a local windows & doors pro.
- 2You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched. No surprises.
- 3We come out and measureLicensed & insured, at a time that suits you - the visit and the quote are both free.
- 4You get the price in writingLine-itemed, yours to keep, and nothing starts until you say go.
What Santa Cruz Customers Say
"Replaced eight windows. They showed me the U-factor on the units they were actually fitting rather than the brochure numbers."
- Kofi B."They photographed the rotten sill they found under the old frame before replacing it, and the extra cost was agreed in writing before they carried on."
- Rosalind C."Front door install went smoothly. Written warranty, clear price, no pressure to upgrade anything."
- Nils H.