One more lesson I'd share: if you have any sliding glass doors and they're as old as your windows, consider including them in the project or plan to do them soon after. We replaced all 10 of our windows but kept our two old sliders due to budget. We thought they were "okay" and would do them later.
Well, after getting new windows, those old sliders stuck out like a sore thumb – both visually and performance-wise. They were drafty, had foggy glass, and became the weak link for storms (we still had to put heavy shutters on them). A year later we ended up replacing both sliders too, which cost us about $7,000 more and another round of permitting.
In hindsight, I wish I'd rolled them into the original job. We might have gotten a package deal and saved some hassle. So, if you can swing it financially, do include doors (patio sliders, French doors, etc.) that need upgrade at the same time. It makes the whole house complete, and you only go through this process once.
I have to say, this thread has been incredibly informative. I'm fairly new here and was lurking, but I feel compelled to thank everyone. As a homeowner in Hillsborough about to start this window replacement journey, I now have a clear idea of what to expect, what to watch out for, and even little tips like saving stickers for inspection and covering furniture.
I feel much more confident going into it. The pricing info alone gave me a realistic budget range, and the stories about different companies will help me vet whoever I end up using.
So, thank you all for sharing your experiences. This kind of peer insight is invaluable!
Jumping in late to echo a couple points on documentation: once your project is done and passed inspection, keep copies of all the important paperwork. That includes the permit and inspection approval, the contract and final invoice, and if you get a wind mitigation inspection report (for insurance), keep that too.
I scanned mine into my computer and also filed the hard copies. A year after our install, our home insurance actually asked for proof of the new impact windows to apply the discount – I was able to email them the signed permit card and the wind mit report, and that did the trick.
Also, when you sell the house (someday), having that documentation to show buyers (or their inspectors) that the windows were permitted and installed properly can only help. It shows the work was legit and gives them confidence.
So yeah, don't misplace those papers in the excitement of having new windows. File them safely!
@pauls51 Good call on keeping records. I even took photos of each window's sticker (with the approval code) before removing them, just to have a digital record of the product installed.
And I agree with everyone above – replacing our windows was expensive, but absolutely worth it for the comfort, energy savings, and hurricane peace of mind. It's one of those investments you appreciate every day. 👍
Keeping photos of the stickers is smart—bet that saved you some headaches down the line. Did you happen to snap any pics during installation too, like how they sealed the windows or flashed around them? Sometimes those little details can really help if you ever need warranty service or repairs later on.
And yeah, I totally get what you mean about appreciating the investment daily. I hear this a lot from folks who've upgraded their windows—especially in hurricane areas. Did you notice a big drop in your energy bills right away, or did it take a couple billing cycles to really see the difference? I've talked to homeowners who've experienced both scenarios, so I'm always curious about that.
Also wondering, did you guys go for impact-rated windows or just standard replacements with storm shutters added separately? I've seen people go either way depending on budget and preference. Personally, I lean towards impact-rated if possible, just because dealing with shutters every storm season can get old fast... but hey, everyone has their own priorities.
Funny side note: I once had a homeowner who was super meticulous about record-keeping like you—he had this massive spreadsheet tracking every single detail, down to the exact model numbers and install dates. He joked that his spreadsheet was his "window diary." A bit much maybe, but hey, whatever helps you sleep at night during storm season, right?
Speaking of comfort improvements, did you immediately notice less outside noise after replacing your windows? People tend to underestimate the soundproofing benefits until after installation, then suddenly it's like "wow, was our neighborhood always this quiet?"
Anyway, glad to hear you're happy with your decision. It's always reassuring seeing others confirm that it's worth the expense—especially when you're facing down that initial sticker shock.
We went with impact-rated windows too, mainly because I got tired of wrestling shutters every hurricane season—felt like prepping for battle each time. Honestly, the soundproofing was the biggest surprise for us. Didn't even realize how loud our street was until it suddenly wasn't. Energy bills took a couple months to show a noticeable dip, but once they did, it felt pretty validating... sticker shock and all.
We did impact windows about three years ago—totally agree on the shutters hassle. Couple quick thoughts from my experience:
- Soundproofing was a nice bonus, but for us, the biggest win was less heat transfer. Our west-facing rooms used to bake in the afternoon sun, now they're noticeably cooler.
- Sticker shock is real, but DIY'ing the trim and finishing touches saved us a decent chunk.
- Energy savings took a bit longer than expected to show up clearly, but once they did, it felt worth it.
Overall, zero regrets here.
"Energy savings took a bit longer than expected to show up clearly, but once they did, it felt worth it."
Interesting you say that—I've been tracking our energy bills closely since we swapped out our windows about two years ago. Honestly, I haven't seen enough savings yet to justify the cost. The house definitely feels more comfortable, especially in the summer afternoons, but I'm starting to wonder if upgrading insulation or even attic ventilation would've given us better bang-for-the-buck... jury's still out for me.
"Honestly, I haven't seen enough savings yet to justify the cost."
Totally get where you're coming from—window upgrades can be a slow burn for sure. If you're still looking to boost those savings, I'd definitely recommend checking your attic insulation next. We did ours last year (nothing fancy, just added some blown-in stuff), and it made a surprising difference. Windows help with comfort, but insulation seals the deal... literally. Hang in there, you're on the right track!