Old Unit Removal
We remove the sash, frame, and exterior trim down to the rough opening. Drop cloths go down first and debris goes out with us. No dumpster sitting in your driveway for a week unless the job calls for it.
Licensed
Licensed & Bonded
Fully Insured
Insured & Bonded
24/7 Emergency
Same-Day Response
Warranty Backed
16+ Years Trusted in Los Angeles
What Our Full Frame Window Replacement Includes
Every full frame job we do includes the same core scope: removal of the old unit, framing inspection and repair, new window set and flashed, insulation, caulking, and trim. Permits and inspection are handled by us. What varies is glass package, frame material, and how much finish work you want inside.
Framing Inspection and Repair
We check the rough opening for rot, termites, and out-of-square framing. Damaged wood gets cut out and replaced. This is the step that separates a real full frame job from an insert, and it is included, not billed as an extra.
New Window Set and Flashed
New frame set on setting blocks, shimmed plumb and level, fastened to framing, then flashed at the sill and jambs with flashing tape. We insulate the gaps with an insulation gun and seal with silicone caulk. Glass and weatherstripping are checked before close-up.
Interior and Exterior Trim
We reinstall or replace trim inside and out and finish it as agreed in the quote. Stucco and siding get patched where the old unit came out. You get a finished wall, not an open gap waiting for a second contractor.
Permits and Inspection
We pull the required city permits and meet the inspector on site. You do not chase paperwork or schedule the visit. If the inspector flags anything, we correct it and get the sign-off before we call the job done.
Walkthrough and Warranty
We walk every window with you, testing open, close, lock, and latch. You get care instructions and our workmanship warranty in writing, plus the manufacturer warranty on the product. Final payment is due after you sign off.
What Full Frame Window Replacement Los Angeles CA Actually Involves
Full frame window replacement removes the entire window assembly, including the jamb, sill, and exterior trim, then installs a brand-new frame and sash into the rough opening. It is not a cover-up job. We pull the old unit, inspect the framing for rot or termite damage, shim and level the new frame, seal it with flashing tape and silicone caulk, and finish the interior and exterior trim. That is why it solves problems insert windows cannot: water leakage, rotted window frames, and out-of-square openings.
Los Angeles homes need this more often than people think. A 1926 Spanish bungalow in Sherman Oaks still has its original wood frames, and after decades of dry summers and wet winters that wood is soft. A 1962 ranch house in Northridge may have single-pane aluminum that radiates heat all afternoon. If you have been searching for Full Frame Window Replacement in Los Angeles CA near me and every quote you get is for an insert, ask specifically for a full frame job. It costs more up front and it is the only way to fix the opening itself.
How Our Full Frame Installation Works
Five steps, start to finish. Most single-window jobs take one day; a whole-house project runs two to four days depending on count and trim work.
01
Schedule
Call or book online — a real human picks up and confirms a 2-hour arrival window.
02
Diagnose
Licensed tech inspects on-site, then walks you through the cause and your options.
03
Fix
The job is completed to code and done right the first time — no shortcuts, no surprises.
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Guarantee
Every job backed by a written workmanship warranty — and we stand behind it.
Tools and Methods We Use
Tools & Equipment
Tape measure and 4-foot level
Used at the measure and again at install to check the rough opening for square and plumb. An out-of-square opening is the number one cause of sticking sashes, so we check it before we order.
Pry bar and utility knife
For clean removal of the old sash, frame, and trim without damaging the surrounding stucco or drywall. Sharp blades and the right bar save the wall and speed the tear-out.
Caulking gun and silicone caulk
For sealing the frame perimeter at the sill, jambs, and head. We use silicone at the exterior because it holds up to sun and rain better than latex in the Los Angeles climate.
Insulation gun
For filling the gaps between the new frame and the rough opening with low-expansion foam. This is where drafts and noise get in if it is skipped, and it is a step insert jobs often leave out.
Window setting blocks and shims
For setting the frame plumb and level and holding it there while we fasten. Correct shimming is what keeps the sash operating smoothly for the life of the window.
Flashing tape
For rebuilding the weather barrier at the sill and jambs. This is the layer that keeps water out of the wall, and it is the reason a full frame job stops leaks an insert cannot.
Drill and screwdriver set
For fastening the frame to the framing and installing hardware. We use the manufacturer's specified fasteners so the product warranty stays intact.
Methods & Standards
Full frame tear-out and rebuild
We remove the entire window assembly to the rough opening, inspect and repair the framing, then set a new frame with new flashing and insulation. This is the method that fixes rotted frames, failed sills, and out-of-square openings. It is more labor than an insert, and it is the only way to correct the opening itself.
Flashing and weather barrier detailing
We flash the sill and jambs with flashing tape and seal with silicone caulk, then insulate the perimeter gaps. This sequence is what keeps water out of the wall and air out of the room. It follows the same principle as the AAMA and WDMA installation standards for exterior windows.
NFRC-rated glass specification
We spec low-E glass with argon gas and check the NFRC ratings for the climate zone. That tells you the U-factor and solar heat gain numbers before you buy, so the window performs in Los Angeles heat instead of just looking good on the showroom floor.
Permit and inspection coordination
We pull the city permit and meet the inspector on site. The work is done to current California code, and the final sign-off is handled before we call the job complete. You do not manage the paperwork.
When Full Frame Replacement Is the Right Call
01
A 1926 Spanish bungalow in Sherman Oaks with original wood windows that leak at the sill every winter.
What we do: We pull the units, inspect and repair the framing, and install new wood or composite windows with the right trim profile. Flashing is rebuilt at the sill and jambs, and the exterior stucco is patched to match.
→ The house keeps its character, the leaks stop, and the windows open and latch for the first time in years. No more buckets on the floor in January.
02
A 1962 ranch house in Reseda with single-pane aluminum sliders that make the back rooms 10 degrees hotter than the front.
What we do: Full frame replacement with low-E glass, argon gas, and thermally broken frames. We level the sills, set new rollers, and seal the openings so the heat gain drops and the AC stops running all afternoon.
→ Cooler rooms, lower summer bills, and sliders that glide instead of grinding. The back bedroom becomes usable in August.
03
A 1980s condo in North Hollywood near the 101 where traffic noise keeps the bedrooms awake at night.
What we do: We install full frame windows with laminated or dual-pane glass and insulate the gaps around the frame. The old air leaks that carried sound are sealed with caulk and insulation.
→ Traffic noise drops noticeably. Bedrooms go back to being bedrooms, and the windows seal tight against both sound and drafts.
04
A hillside home in Woodland Hills with stucco walls and windows that have leaked into the drywall for two winters.
What we do: We open the wall, replace the failed flashing, repair any rot, and set new full frame windows with a proper weather barrier. Stucco is patched and sealed at the perimeter.
→ Two rainy seasons later, no staining, no drips, and no mold. The wall is dry and the windows are warrantied.
How Full Frame Window Replacement Runs in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a patchwork of building stock, and that shapes every full frame job. A 1920s bungalow in Pasadena has old-growth framing that is usually solid but often out of square. A 1950s house in Van Nuys may have stucco over a wood frame with a sill that has been wet for years. A 1980s condo in North Hollywood has aluminum sliders at the end of their life. We measure each opening, check the framing, and spec the window to the exposure. West-facing windows in the Valley get low-E glass and argon gas to cut solar heat gain. Coastal homes near Santa Monica get a glass package tuned for marine air and salt. Winter rain here can be intense when it comes, so we flash heavy at the sill and jambs, and we use silicone caulk at the exterior because it holds up to UV. If you have been looking for full frame window replacement 24/7 Los Angeles service after a storm leak, call us and we will get you on the schedule. Permits are pulled for the work, and we meet the inspector on site. Most single-window jobs take one day; a whole-house project runs two to four days depending on count and trim.
Neighborhoods We Serve
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Sherman Oaks
Lots of 1940s and 1950s homes with original wood windows and stucco exteriors. Rot at the sill is common, and full frame replacement lets us repair the framing and match the stucco patch.
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Woodland Hills
Hillside homes take more wind and sun exposure. We spec low-E glass and flash heavy at the sill, because water intrusion on a slope shows up fast inside the wall.
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North Hollywood
Mid-century homes and condos near the 101 and 170. Traffic noise is a common complaint, so laminated or dual-pane glass and a tight full frame seal make a real difference.
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Santa Monica
Marine air and salt exposure. We use corrosion-resistant hardware and silicone caulk at the exterior, and we check the flashing detail carefully on older stucco homes near the coast.
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Pasadena
Craftsman and Spanish revival homes with character trim. Full frame replacement lets us match the original profile in wood or composite while correcting out-of-square openings.
Local Conditions We Plan For
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Summer heat and west-facing exposure
Single-pane windows radiate heat into the room all afternoon. We spec low-E glass with argon gas and NFRC-rated frames to cut solar heat gain and reduce AC runtime.
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Winter rain and occasional atmospheric river events
Water finds failed flashing fast. We rebuild the sill and jamb flashing and seal with silicone caulk, which is the detail that keeps the wall dry through a wet season.
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Santa Ana wind events
High winds drive dust and pressure-test every seal. A properly shimmed, insulated, and caulked full frame window holds up where an insert with old air gaps will not.
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Aging stucco and original wood framing
Stucco cracks and old framing moves. We inspect the rough opening, repair rot, and set the new frame plumb so the window operates correctly for years.
Leaking Sill Fixed in Sherman Oaks
Problems Full Frame Replacement Solves for Good
Most window complaints trace back to the opening, not the glass. Here are the four we see most in Los Angeles, and what a full frame job does about each one.
Problem
Water leaking into the wall under the window
Drywall stains, peeling paint, and eventually mold inside the wall cavity. Left alone, it rots the sill and the framing around the opening.
Our Fix
We pull the window, replace any rotted wood, and rebuild the weather barrier with flashing tape and silicone caulk. The new frame is set plumb and sealed at the sill, jambs, and head. That is the fix an insert cannot deliver.
Problem
Condensation between the panes and foggy glass
A failed seal means the insulating gas is gone and the glass is no longer doing its job. You lose efficiency and you cannot clean the fog out.
Our Fix
Full frame replacement means new insulated glass units with low-E coating and argon gas, NFRC-rated for the climate zone. The fog is gone and the window performs like new, not like a 30-year-old unit with a cosmetic patch.
Problem
Windows that stick, jam, or will not latch
An out-of-square opening binds the sash. You force it, the hardware wears, and eventually the window will not close all the way, which means drafts and noise.
Our Fix
When we set a new frame, we shim and level it in the rough opening. That corrects the square. New hardware and weatherstripping go in with it, so the sash glides and latches the way it should from day one.
Problem
Rotted wood frames on older Los Angeles homes
Soft wood spreads, invites termites, and will not hold a seal or a screw. Paint over it and it comes back within a season or two.
Our Fix
We cut out the rot, sister in new framing, and set a new frame that will not flex or decay. For a 1920s bungalow in Pasadena or a 1940s house in Van Nuys, this is often the only way to keep the original look and get a window that performs.
Why Homeowners Choose Full Frame Replacement
A full frame job fixes the opening, not just the glass. Here is what that buys you in a Los Angeles house, in plain numbers.
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Stops Water Leakage
Most leaks we open up trace back to failed flashing and a rotted sill, not the glass. Full frame replacement lets us rebuild the weather barrier correctly with flashing tape and silicone caulk. One Woodland Hills homeowner had water staining the drywall under three windows for two winters. After a full frame install, two rainy seasons, zero drips.
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Cuts Cooling Bills
Single-pane aluminum windows in a west-facing Reseda bedroom can push that room 8 to 12 degrees hotter than the rest of the house. We install low-E glass with argon gas and NFRC-rated frames, which cuts solar heat gain and holds the cool air your AC is paying for. Customers routinely report a noticeable drop in summer runtime.
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Fixes Rotted Frames
Rotted window frames do not get better. They spread, soften the surrounding framing, and invite termites. Complete window replacement in Los Angeles lets us cut out the damaged wood, sister in new framing, and set a fresh frame that will not flex. We check every opening for rot before we quote, so there are no surprises mid-job.
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Quiets the Street
If you live near the 101, the 405, or a busy boulevard in North Hollywood, you know the noise. A properly shimmed, insulated, and sealed full frame window with laminated or dual-pane glass knocks down traffic noise far better than a retrofit insert, because the air gaps around the old frame are gone. Bedrooms become bedrooms again.
Licensed, Insured, and Local
Licensed & Certified
- California Contractor License — issued by California State License Board (CSLB)
- ENERGY STAR Partner — issued by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- NFRC Certified Products — issued by National Fenestration Rating Council
- AAMA and WDMA Standards — issued by American Architectural Manufacturers Association and Window and Door Manufacturers Association
- OSHA Jobsite Compliance — issued by Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Verified Reviews
Google ★★★★★4.9
Full frame replacement on 12 windows in our Sherman Oaks house. They found rot in two openings, showed us photos, and repaired it before installing. Permits and inspection handled. Clean crew, on time, and the trim looks original. Two winters later, no leaks.
Yelp ★★★★★4.8
We got three quotes for our Northridge home and this was the only one that included pulling the frames. The difference shows. The back bedrooms are cooler and the sliders actually work. Price was fair and there were no surprise charges at the end.
BBB A+
Installed full frame wood windows in our 1912 Pasadena Craftsman. They matched the trim profile and handled the city permit. The sashes open and latch now, which they had not done in years. Professional from the measure to the final walkthrough.
Google ★★★★★5.0
Storm leak in Woodland Hills and they got us on the schedule fast. Pulled the window, replaced the failed flashing, repaired the framing, and set a new unit. Dry wall ever since. Straight answers and a written price the same day they measured.
16 Years Installing Windows in Los Angeles
American Reliable Windows & Doors has been installing windows and doors across Los Angeles County since 2010. That is 16 years of stucco, plaster, and old-growth framing. We hold a California Contractor License through the CSLB, carry insurance, and install products that meet ENERGY STAR, NFRC, AAMA, and WDMA standards. Our crews work to OSHA jobsite rules on every job. We have replaced everything from 1910 Craftsman double hungs in Pasadena to 1980s aluminum sliders in Canoga Park, and we know what is behind the wall before we open it.
- 16 years serving Los Angeles County, founded in 2010
- California Contractor License held through the CSLB, fully insured
- Installers trained on Andersen, Pella, Marvin, Milgard, and Simonton systems
- Every job permitted and inspected to current California code
- Workmanship warranty on labor, plus full manufacturer warranty on product
What Los Angeles Homeowners Say
Real experiences from customers who chose our Full Frame Window Replacement services.
“Our 1948 house had the original wood windows and two of them leaked into the wall every winter. American Reliable pulled the frames, found rot in the sill on one, and repaired it before installing. They flashed everything and finished the trim to match. Two rainy seasons later, no water, no drafts, and the street noise from Moorpark is way down.”
M
Marisol R.
Homeowner, Sherman Oaks
“We had aluminum sliders from the 60s that made the back bedrooms unbearable in summer. Got three quotes, all inserts except this one. They did full frame with low-E glass and argon. The rooms are noticeably cooler and the AC runs less. Crew was clean, on time, and walked me through every window before they left.”
D
Danny K.
Homeowner, Northridge
“Craftsman house, 1912, and I wanted to keep the look. They installed wood full frame windows with the right trim profile and handled the permit and inspection. The sashes actually open and latch now, which they had not done in years. Price was fair for the work and there were no surprise charges.”
P
Priya S.
Homeowner, Pasadena
Frequently Asked Questions
Real answers to the questions we hear most often from local homeowners and property managers.
How much does Full Frame Window Replacement cost in Los Angeles?
Typical 2026 pricing runs $850 to $2,200 per window installed, depending on size, frame material, glass package, and how much trim and stucco repair is needed. A whole-house job of 10 windows often lands between $9,000 and $20,000. Insert windows cost less, but they cannot fix rot or a failed sill. We give you a written number the day we measure.
What is complete window replacement in Los Angeles CA?
Complete window replacement means the whole unit comes out, frame and all, and a new frame and sash go into the rough opening. It is different from an insert or retrofit, where the new window sits inside the old frame. Complete replacement is the right call when frames are rotted, leaking, or out of square, and it is the only option that lets us rebuild the flashing and weather barrier.
Who offers Full Frame Window Replacement near me in Los Angeles?
American Reliable Windows & Doors installs full frame windows across Los Angeles County, from Sherman Oaks and Woodland Hills to Santa Monica, Pasadena, and Beverly Hills. We have been doing it since 2010. Call +1 (747) 298-4287 and we will schedule a free measure and quote at your address, usually within a few days.
Is Full Frame Window Replacement worth it in Los Angeles?
Yes, when your frames are rotted, leaking, or drafty. A full frame job costs roughly 30 to 50 percent more than an insert, but it fixes the opening, not just the glass, and it lasts decades. If your frames are sound and you just want new glass, an insert may be enough. We will tell you honestly which one your house needs.
Related Services
Retrofit Window Replacement
Retrofit replacement fits a new window into your existing frame without tearing out the jamb. It is faster and cheaper than full frame work, and it is a good fit when your frames are solid and square. If we find rot during the measure, we will tell you and quote full frame instead.
View Retrofit Window ReplacementInsert Window Replacement
Insert windows drop into the old frame and leave the trim and sill untouched. Great for a quick upgrade on a sound opening. They cannot fix a rotted sill or a leaking corner, which is exactly when Los Angeles homeowners should step up to full frame replacement instead.
View Insert Window ReplacementWindow Sash Replacement
Sash replacement swaps just the moving part of the window, keeping the existing frame. It is the least invasive option and works well on older double hungs with good jambs. When the frame itself is soft or out of square, full frame replacement is the durable answer.
View Window Sash ReplacementDouble Hung Window Replacement
Double hung windows open from top and bottom, which suits the older homes across Los Angeles. We install them in vinyl, fiberglass, wood, and composite. On a full frame job we can also correct an out-of-square opening so the sashes glide and latch the way they should.
View Double Hung Window ReplacementSingle Hung Window Replacement
Single hung windows have a fixed upper sash and a sliding lower one. They cost less than double hungs and seal well, which helps with energy efficiency. We install them full frame with new flashing and insulation so the opening is as tight as the glass.
View Single Hung Window ReplacementCasement Window Replacement
Casement windows crank open outward and catch the afternoon breeze, a real plus in Valley heat. They seal tighter than sliders when closed. Full frame installation lets us set the hinge side and crank hardware correctly so the sash pulls flush against the weatherstripping.
View Casement Window ReplacementContact American Reliable Windows & Doors
Call +1 (747) 298-4287 or email us and we will get you on the schedule. We answer the phone seven days a week and can usually book a same-day estimate if you reach us before noon. Tell us how many windows, what material you are leaning toward, and whether anything is broken or leaking.
American Reliable Windows & Doors
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Phone
+1 (747) 298-4287 -
Address
6161 Van Nuys Blvd Van Nuys, CA 91401, Los Angeles, California
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Hours
Mon–Fri: 7AM – 7PM
Sat: 8AM – 4PM
Sun: Emergency Only
24/7 Emergency Available