Full-frame replacement takes the window out to the rough opening — frame, sill, trim — and starts over: inspect and repair the framing, install a new sill pan and flashing, set the new unit, air-seal, and re-trim inside and out. It costs more than an insert and it is the only honest fix when the sill has rotted, the frame has racked out of square, water has been getting into the wall, or you want a larger opening. We tell you which openings need it; most houses need it on a few windows, not all of them.
When it’s the right call
- Soft or rotted sill or jamb — common on the weather side of 1960s–80s wood-window houses in Tulsa and Broken Arrow.
- A frame racked out of square so an insert can’t seal.
- Water staining below the window on the drywall: the old flashing failed, and an insert would leave it failed.
- Aluminum sliders from the 1970s with no thermal break — the frame itself is the problem.
- Changing the size, shape or type of the window, which also changes the permit answer: a same-size replacement needs no City of Tulsa permit, an altered opening does (City of Tulsa plans review).
What’s different from an insert
| Insert | Full-frame | |
|---|---|---|
| Existing frame | Stays | Removed to the rough opening |
| Glass area | Slightly smaller | Same or larger |
| Flashing and sill pan | Not touched | New — the main reason to do it |
| Interior and exterior trim | Usually untouched | Replaced or re-set; stated in the quote |
| Cost per window (national) | +$100–$300 labor | +$180–$1,500 labor (Angi, Aug 2026) |
The insert-vs-full-frame guide has the diagram.
What we do in the opening
Framing checked and repaired (priced as its own line if we find rot), a sloped sill pan, flashing lapped to shed water out, foam and sealant per the manufacturer’s instructions, the unit set plumb and square, and the exterior finished with trim or capping that matches the house. Lead-safe practices on pre-1978 homes (EPA RRP); Preservation Commission review on HP-zoned houses. Water management →
What it costs
The unit is the unit (vinyl $100–$900, fiberglass $500–$1,500 nationally); full-frame installation adds $180–$1,500 per window depending on the repair and trim (Angi, August 3, 2026). Fixed written price after we measure, with repair contingencies named. Instant estimate →
Who does the work. Windows are manufactured and installed by our Tulsa-based partner — a window manufacturer and installer making windows here since 1979, BBB A+ rated. Those are the partner’s credentials; the warranty, license and insurance for your job are written into your proposal before you sign.
Get a quote
Send a photo of the worst window inside and out, your city, and how many you’re thinking about. Get a quote → — or start with the complete guide.