Tampa Bay First-Time Window Replacement

Welcome to Tampa Bay, and congrats on the new home! 😊 I went through a full window replacement last year in Clearwater. First tip: absolutely consider impact-rated windows or storm shutters because we're in a high wind zone (most of Tampa Bay is a wind-borne debris region). The Florida Building Code basically requires either impact-resistant windows or some kind of hurricane protection for any window replacement near the coast. So if you're investing now, you might as well get impact windows—they can protect your home during storms and may get you an insurance discount.
As for permits, yes, you'll need them unless you're doing like one window at a time super slowly. Here in FL, technically if you replace more than 25% of your windows in a year, you need a permit (and honestly, I'd get one anyway for peace of mind). A good licensed contractor will handle the permitting and inspection for you. So make sure whoever you hire is properly licensed and pulls the permit. It protects you if anything goes wrong, and ensures the install meets code.

Vinyl vs Aluminum: This is a big debate here. Vinyl windows are super common in Florida now because they're more energy efficient (metal conducts heat, vinyl insulates better). They also hold up well to humidity and salt if they're high quality. But aluminum frames are stronger for large openings (like big sliders or picture windows) and some folks prefer the slimmer frame look. I personally went with vinyl impact windows with Low-E glass (low-emissivity coating) to cut down on heat. They've been great for keeping my house cooler and my energy bills down. I'll let others chime in on that debate though!

I also live in the area (St. Pete) and replaced my windows two years ago. I'd emphasize what @frodochef said: get a reputable local contractor. Florida is strict on window installs due to hurricanes. I used a company called Károly Windows & Doors (they're one of the sponsors of this forum, I think) and had a really smooth experience. They walked me through the permit process, and their crew was in-house (not random subcontractors), which is a big plus.
One thing I learned: lead times can be long. Impact windows are often custom ordered to fit your home and current codes. Mine took about 12 weeks to arrive. So don't expect this to be a quick weekend project if you’re doing the whole house—it’s not like swapping out a light fixture. Plan ahead, especially if you want it done before hurricane season ramps up (peak is around August-September).

Also, budget appropriately. Impact windows aren’t cheap. Depending on the size and options, it could be like $1,000 to $2,000+ per window installed. I had 8 windows and a sliding door done, and it came out to roughly $14k total. There are less expensive options (non-impact + hurricane shutters, or doing only certain windows), but I wanted the full upgrade. Totally worth it, though, for the peace of mind and energy efficiency.

Jumping in as a DIY enthusiast here. 😎 I've done window replacements myself (non-impact), though not in Florida. If you're handy and it's not an impact window, you can technically DIY a window replacement. Home Depot and Lowe's sell standard-size windows, and there are YouTube tutorials. However, in Tampa I'd caution against DIY for a few reasons:
Impact windows are HEAVY. The glass is thicker, often double-paned and laminated. A large impact window can weigh hundreds of pounds. Handling that safely is tough without a crew.

Permitting and code: As others said, if you do more than a couple windows, you need a permit and inspections. A DIY job might save money upfront, but if it's not to code or leaks and you have water damage later, it becomes a nightmare. Plus, unpermitted work can bite you when you sell the house.

Warranty: Many manufacturers (and insurance companies) require professional installation for the warranty or coverage to be valid, especially for impact windows.

I ended up hiring pros for my Florida home windows. I still did some DIY finish work (interior trim painting, etc.) to save a bit, but I let the pros do the heavy lifting (literally and figuratively) on the window install.

Good evening neighbors! I'm in South Tampa in a block home from the 70s. I replaced all my windows in 2023. My two cents:
Energy Savings: The difference was immediate. With the old single-pane jalousie windows, my A/C ran constantly. After installing new double-pane Low-E windows, the house stays way cooler. Rooms that were hot spots before are now comfortable. My electric bill dropped by about 15-20% in the summer. It's a long-term investment that pays you back.

Noise Reduction: If you live near a busy road or have noisy neighbors, new windows can really help. The impact glass and double panes cut a lot of outside noise. My home is noticeably quieter inside now.

Insurance & Safety: Let me tell you, my home insurance actually gave me a credit for having impact-resistant openings (windows and doors). Not huge, but every bit helps given FL insurance costs. Also, impact windows are a good security boost – they're much harder to break through than regular glass. (Though, pro-tip: nothing is "hurricane proof" or burglar-proof, but impact glass is akin to car windshields – it can shatter but stays in place.)

Appearance: New windows gave my old home a facelift. I didn't realize how crappy my old frames looked until I saw the shiny new vinyl ones installed. It really updated the curb appeal, which is a nice bonus.

In short, I'm super happy with the upgrade. Just wish I'd done it sooner, maybe could've saved on some of those outrageous summer power bills earlier!

That's awesome @reader27. I have a similar house and I'm thinking of going the same route. Quick question though: did you do all impact windows or some other configuration? I've heard some people do like front and sides of house as impact (for storms and security where an intruder might try to break in), but maybe do non-impact on small bathroom windows or something and just have shutters for those. Trying to see if there's a cost-effective mix or if that's not worth the hassle.

@robotics445 – Good question. In my case, I did all impact windows. I figured if I'm doing it, I'm doing it right and once. That way I don't have to mess with shutters or plywood at all, since every opening is impact-rated. It's simpler and one-and-done.
Some neighbors did what you described: for example, they put impact windows on the front and sides of the house, but in the back (where it's harder for wind to hit directly or a burglar to access due to a fenced yard), they did non-impact windows and have detachable clear storm panels stored in the garage for those. It saved them some money.

Personally, I didn't want the hassle of putting up panels, plus being in South Tampa, we can get wind from all directions in a bad storm. But if budget is a concern, doing a mix is an option. Just remember if you do any non-impact windows, you'll need to have code-approved shutters or panels for those openings to pass final inspection with your permit (because the building code says every window must be protected one way or another, either impact glass or shutters).

I'm in north Pinellas (Palm Harbor area). I replaced half my windows last year and doing the rest in a few months (had to split for budget reasons). A few lessons from my first phase:
Choosing a Contractor: I got 4 quotes. Prices were all over the place! The highest was nearly double the lowest. The cheapest was a smaller local guy, the highest was one of those big companies with flashy TV ads (I won’t name names, but you probably can guess). I went mid-range with a well-reviewed local company (rhymes with "Pro Tech Windows & Doors" – also a forum sponsor here I believe). They weren't the cheapest, but I felt most confident in their product and reputation. Turned out great.

Contractor Red Flags: Be wary of any contractor who says you should pull the permit (in Florida, the contractor should do it). Also, anyone requiring a huge deposit upfront – Florida law caps it unless they order product. I paid 10% to sign, then 50% when windows arrived at their warehouse, 40% after installation was done and approved by the inspector.

Timeline: As @politics906 mentioned, expect a wait. Mine was about 10-12 weeks from order to install scheduling. Then installation for 6 windows took 1 full day (they had a large crew). The inspection by the city was the next day, and all good.

Quality Check: After install, do a thorough walkthrough. Open and close every window, check the locks, look for any scratches or cracks. My crew actually missed sealing one small section of caulking (found it during my walk-through). They fixed it on the spot. Better to catch these before they leave and before the inspector comes.

I'm excited to do phase 2 and finally have a fully upgraded house. Good luck with your project!

Jumping in here as someone who works in the building department (I'll stay anon 😉). Just to echo: PERMIT your windows! We see so many homeowners try to skip it and it's not worth it. With a proper permit, you get an inspection which ensures your windows are anchored correctly (essential for hurricanes). If you ever go to sell the house, unpermitted work can derail the sale or force you to open up walls to prove it was done right.
Also, regarding that 25% rule mentioned: it's a bit of a myth or misinterpretation. Some counties had guidelines about doing one window at a time to avoid permits, but the Florida Building Code is pretty clear that any structural change like a window replacement should be permitted. The 25% thing might be referencing something else (maybe a flood plain or fire code thing?), but don't rely on that.

All that said, we rarely chase down a homeowner for doing their own single window here or there. But for a full replacement, just do it right and get it permitted. It protects you and ensures you get proper impact-rated stuff installed if you're in that wind zone.

To the DIY vs contractor discussion, I have to share my personal saga: I tried to DIY one window at my vacation cottage in central Florida (not coastal, so I didn't do impact glass there). It was a small bathroom window and I figured "how hard can it be?" Well... it wasn't easy. Removing the old frame was messy (stucco exterior chipped, I had to patch it). Fitting the new window was tricky – the opening wasn't perfectly square anymore after years of settling, so I had to shim like crazy to get it level and plumb. I ended up with some gaps that I filled with spray foam and caulk. It's in and it doesn't leak, but let's just say I learned a lot and decided not to DIY the remaining windows.
In Tampa Bay, with our stucco exteriors, if the original windows were installed before stucco, you often have to cut back stucco to get the old windows out (unless you're doing insert replacements). Professionals have the right tools to do this cleanly and to then stucco patch or wrap the exterior so it looks good as new. I did a pretty amateur patch job on mine that I still need to sand and paint... one day. So for most homeowners, I'd recommend hiring pros unless you're extremely confident in your skills and have the right tools.