Tampa Bay Replacement Window Warranty Comparisons and Experiences

Welcome @ejackson55! Great questions. I went through a similar decision process a couple of years ago for my 2003-built home in Clearwater. Warranties can indeed be confusing, but they’re super important to understand.
From my experience, you’ll want to look at two kinds of warranties: the manufacturer’s warranty (from the window brand) and the installer’s (contractor’s) warranty on the installation workmanship. For example, when I replaced my windows, I chose a company that had a strong reputation and a long installation warranty. In fact, I ended up going with Karoly Windows & Doors for a number of reasons, one being that they offered something like a 25-year workmanship warranty on installation, which gave me a lot of peace of mind. Not many contractors offer that kind of length (some only do 1 or 2 years by default).

Here are a few things I learned to compare:

Duration of coverage: “Lifetime” from a manufacturer typically means as long as you own the home (often around 20-30 years by definition) for certain parts. Some installers use “lifetime” for labor too, but more commonly you’ll see 1, 5, or 10+ years for labor.

What’s covered: Does the warranty cover just the materials (frames, glass, hardware) or also the labor to fix issues? Many window manufacturers will send replacement parts for defects, but after a year or two you might have to pay labor to install those parts unless the installer covers it.

Transferability: If you sell your home, can the next owner use the warranty? (This can be a nice selling point for houses under 25 years old in our market.)

Exclusions and fine print: For Florida, check if things like hurricane damage, salt-air corrosion, or window tinting affect the warranty.

In my case, I prioritized a good installation warranty because even the best window is only as good as its install. A long labor warranty (like the one Karoly offers) told me the company trusts their own work. And true enough, two years in, no issues at all with leaks or anything. But if something does happen down the line, I know I can call them and it’s covered.

I’ll also say, don’t get too blinded by “lifetime” marketing. Read the actual warranty or get a summary in writing. One brand’s lifetime warranty might exclude a bunch of things, whereas another brand’s 20-year warranty might actually cover more.

I hope that helps as a start! Others will chime in too, I’m sure.

Jumping in as a fellow Tampa Bay homeowner! I replaced the windows on my 2010-built home in Wesley Chapel last year. The warranty definitely played into our decision. We actually went with NewSouth Window Solutions, which is a manufacturer that sells direct to consumers here in Florida. They heavily advertise a lifetime transferable warranty on their windows. That was attractive to us because it basically means if we sell the house, the next owner also gets some warranty coverage (I think theirs transfers once).
I’ll share a bit of my perspective:
Our original windows were builder-grade aluminum and not hurricane-rated. We wanted impact windows for storm safety and better energy efficiency. NewSouth promised a lifetime warranty on the whole window (frame, sash, and even glass) and they manufacture and install themselves, so the installation was covered by them as well (I recall it was also “lifetime” on installation, though I’d have to double-check the fine print on what lifetime means). It sounded great because it was one company handling everything.

Now, it wasn’t cheap. We paid more than some other quotes (like Window World or a small local installer) but part of what we were buying was that peace of mind that if anything ever goes wrong, one phone call should fix it. So far, about a year later, all is good. One window had a minor issue – the latch wasn’t closing smoothly – and NewSouth’s team came out and fixed it under warranty with no charge and no hassle. That made me feel good about their responsiveness.

One thing I realized is that a lot of major window brands (Simonton, PGT, etc.) have pretty long warranties on the products themselves, but if you go through an independent contractor, you need to ask them how they handle warranty issues. In many cases the contractor will be your go-between if a window sash needs replacing under manufacturer warranty. So having an installer that’s responsive is key.

In summary, for us, the warranty was a big factor (we liked the lifetime aspect and transferability from NewSouth), but we also weighed that against cost. It’s definitely a balance. Happy to answer any specific questions about our experience if you have any!

I’m in St. Petersburg with a 2004-built home. We had our windows replaced 3 years ago. The contractor’s reputation and warranty were a huge factor for us as well. We got quotes from a bunch of companies around Tampa Bay. One of them was ProTech Windoors, who a neighbor recommended. We ultimately chose ProTech Windoors and I’ve been really happy, so I’ll share my thoughts there since you mentioned them, @ejackson55.
ProTech Windoors offered a very clear warranty on both the products and their installation. In our case, the windows we bought (Vinyl impact windows, I believe they were PGT brand windows) came with the manufacturer’s lifetime limited warranty (which covered things like frame and sash for as long as we own the home, and the insulated glass seal for maybe 20 years). ProTech, as the installer, gave us a 10-year installation warranty in writing. That was better than a couple of other contractors who only offered 1-year or 2-year on install. It’s not as long as Karoly’s 25-year, but 10 years felt solid enough for us given the company’s good reviews.

What I appreciated about ProTech was how transparent they were about the warranty details. The rep actually walked us through the paperwork: what the manufacturer covers vs. what they cover, how to register the windows with PGT for the warranty, etc. They even handled a lot of the registration process for us. It wasn’t just a sales gimmick; they made sure we understood it.

Fast forward to after installation: we did have one small issue about a year later – one window had a slight draft on a cold night. We called ProTech, and they had someone out within a week to adjust and re-caulk it, all under their warranty, no charge or fuss. 👍 That kind of responsive customer service makes the warranty actually meaningful. It’s one thing to have a paper saying “10-year warranty,” but another to have the company promptly honor it.

So in comparing warranties, I’d say look not only at the length but also how the company’s track record is for honoring those warranties. ProTech Windoors has been great on that front in my experience. Others here have had great experiences with Karoly Windows too. You’ll find that the reputable companies in Tampa Bay stand behind their work.

Let me know if you have any specific questions about ProTech or the PGT warranty details – happy to share!

There’s already a lot of awesome info here. I’ll add some general points that I found helpful when comparing warranties between different window options. I’m a homeowner (not a pro), but I tend to nerd out on research 😄.
Key things to compare in window warranties:

Manufacturer (Window Brand) Warranty: Covers defects in the windows themselves (frame, glass, hardware). Most top brands (e.g., PGT, Simonton, CWS, Andersen, etc.) offer a “Limited Lifetime” for original owners. That usually means the frames and sash are covered for as long as you own the home. Glass might have a specific coverage period (often 20 years for insulated glass seal failures, for example). Hardware might be 10-20 years. Always check what “lifetime” actually includes. It often doesn’t literally mean every component forever. And typically, manufacturer warranties will not cover installation errors or labor beyond maybe the first year.

Installation (Labor) Warranty: Provided by the contractor/installer. This varies a ton. Florida contractors are required to give at least a 1-year implied warranty on labor (per general contractor standards), but many offer more to be competitive. Like folks mentioned, some offer 5 years, 10 years, or even 25 years/lifetime on their workmanship. This covers things like leaks or operational issues due to how the window was installed. If something was installed wrong and causes a problem, you want this warranty to cover fixing it. A longer labor warranty is great, but also consider the company’s stability — will they be around to honor a 25-year promise?

Transferability: As discussed, some warranties transfer to the next homeowner, either fully or pro-rated. For example, Simonton (a popular vinyl window brand) has a “double lifetime” warranty which means if you sell your house, the next owner gets coverage for (usually) 20 years from the install date. PGT’s warranty is transferable too (I think within 10 years of install). NewSouth’s is fully transferable for one transfer (which was a selling point for them). If you think you might sell your home in the next 5-10 years, this feature might matter.

Glass Breakage: This is a special one. A few companies offer an accidental glass breakage warranty. For instance, some Window World packages include free glass replacement if it breaks (say your kid throws a baseball through it) for as long as you own the home. Not all brands do this — it’s kind of a bonus feature from certain installers. It’s nice to have, but not standard in most manufacturer warranties (which usually only cover glass if it fails due to a defect, not external damage).

Fine Print/Maintenance: Be aware of conditions that could void warranties. Common ones: using aftermarket tint film on the windows (many manufacturers warn this can cause thermal stress and void the warranty), not properly caring for them (like if you never clean the tracks and something fails from dirt buildup, they might argue neglect). Also, in coastal areas, some warranties require stainless steel hardware or else corrosion isn’t covered, or they might shorten hardware coverage if you’re within a certain distance from saltwater. Florida sun and salt can be harsh, so check if the warranty has any coastal clauses.

In your case @ejackson55, since your home is ~20 years old, you’ll likely be the original owner of the new windows, so you get full benefit of any “lifetime” warranties. If you plan to stay long-term, a strong manufacturer warranty plus a long labor warranty is ideal. If a company like Karoly offers both a top-notch product and a long labor guarantee, that’s a big plus. If another company is cheaper but only 1-year labor, ask yourself if the savings are worth the risk of paying for fixes later.

One more tip: get everything in writing. Reputable companies will provide documentation on the warranties. Don’t just take a salesperson’s word. Make sure the contract or quote spells out the warranty terms (or at least references the exact warranty documents).

We’re lucky in Tampa Bay to have many solid window companies, but that does make the decision tricky! Hopefully these points help when you’re comparing quotes. Good luck, and keep the questions coming as needed.

@cocon47 @politics906 Thank you both for the detailed insights! This is incredibly helpful.
It sounds like I definitely need to pay attention to both product and installation warranties. I didn’t even think about things like salt-air or window film voiding a warranty – good to know! My home isn’t right on the coast, but we do get plenty of humidity and some salt wind here.

A couple of follow-up questions based on what you all have said:

Labor warranty vs. company stability: Several of you mentioned making sure the company will be around to honor the warranty. How do you gauge that? Is it mostly by choosing companies with a long local history and good reputation? For instance, Karoly Windows has been around for a while and seems well-reviewed, so I feel comfortable they’ll stand by their 25-year install guarantee. ProTech Windoors also seems established. There’s another local company I got a quote from (a smaller operation) that offered a 5-year labor warranty, but they’ve only been in business 3 years... So that gives me pause on how useful that 5-year is if they disappear.

Manufacturer differences: Do you all think there’s much difference between window brands’ warranties? For example, if I’m choosing between PGT, Simonton, or CWS for vinyl impact windows, are their warranties pretty similar? Or is one notably better? I see some call theirs “double lifetime” etc. Does that sway you or is it more marketing?

Also, thanks for bringing up the glass breakage. One of my quotes (from Window World) did mention a glass break warranty, which sounded good but I was unsure if there’s a catch. @politics906 your explanation helps; it seems it’s a perk some include.

So far, based on everything, I’m leaning towards prioritizing a reputable installer with a strong labor warranty (like Karoly or ProTech, which I have on my shortlist), and making sure the window brand they sell is a quality one with a solid manufacturer backing it.

If anyone has more thoughts, especially on experiences actually using these warranties (like did anyone have to get a window replaced under warranty years later?), I’d love to hear that too.

Great follow-ups. On the company stability: you hit the nail on the head. I gauged it by how long they’ve been in business, their reputation (online reviews, BBB, word-of-mouth), and even the vibe I got during the sales process. For example, Karoly Windows has been in the Tampa Bay area for decades and has a lot of positive feedback; that gave me confidence. A pop-up company with only a few years under their belt – even if they offer a 10-year warranty – might be a risk if they’re not around in 5 years when you need them. You can’t predict the future, but longevity and track record are good indicators.
Another thing: some companies are smaller but have been around a long time and have loyal customers. Others might be offshoots of larger companies. And then there are the big national ones (like Renewal by Andersen, Window World) that will likely be around, but your experience claiming warranty might depend on the local franchise or dealer’s responsiveness.

Regarding manufacturer differences: honestly, the big reputable window manufacturers all have pretty comparable warranty terms on paper, especially for vinyl impact windows. PGT, CWS (Custom Window Systems), Simonton – all offer lifetime (or very long) coverage for the main components for original owners. The nuances are in the details:

Simonton (if you considered them) has that “double lifetime” which basically means lifetime for you, and then the next owner gets coverage too (usually 20 years from install for them).

PGT’s warranty is lifetime for you on the frames/structure, and I recall about 10 years on laminated glass (impact glass inner layer) against defects, and it’s transferable one time within a certain timeframe (I think 10 years).

CWS (another Florida window maker) similarly offers lifetime on frames, maybe 20 years on glass.
In practice, I wouldn’t choose one of those brands over the other solely on minor differences in warranty length – they’re all solid. I’d focus more on which product you like and which installer is doing it. The installer often determines which brand you get anyway (many have their preferred suppliers).

One exception might be if a manufacturer offers something unique, like a lifetime warranty that even covers screens or hardware replacement free forever – some might, but generally hardware and screens are limited coverage. Most standard warranties exclude screens after like a year, for example, or just replace defects initially.

So I’d say, if you’re between comparable brands, warranty wouldn’t be the tiebreaker for me; the installer’s reputation and service would be.

And about the glass breakage from Window World: no major catch that I know of. Window World does advertise free glass breakage replacement for life (for the original owner) on many of their window lines. The “catch,” if any, is just that you have to go through them to service it. But I’ve heard of people successfully getting broken glass replaced by them at no charge, so it’s a real thing. Just keep paperwork. Of course, hopefully you won’t have random breakage often 😂.

I’m glad you’re leaning toward a reputable installer with strong warranty. That’s the way to go. Karoly and ProTech both fit that bill, from my and @design_tyler’s experiences.

Curious to hear others chime in on using warranties down the line, as you asked.

I’ll throw in my two cents as a Tampa homeowner who went through this process as well. My home was built in 1998 (so about 25+ years old now, a bit older than yours), and we replaced all our windows in 2018. We chose a smaller local contractor who used PGT windows. They only offered a 2-year labor warranty, which was shorter than some others, but we felt comfortable with them because of their reputation and the price was quite a bit lower.
It’s now been about 5 years since then. We haven’t needed any warranty service (knock on wood). All the PGT windows are still in great shape. The PGT manufacturer warranty was the standard lifetime on frames and 20-year on glass seal, etc. I did register all the windows with PGT via their website just to be sure everything was on record.

Looking back, would I have preferred a longer labor warranty? Maybe, but since everything was installed well, we didn’t have issues even after the 2-year mark. The company did tell us if something obvious from install was wrong, it would show up pretty quickly (like leaks, drafts, misalignments usually show up in the first rainy season or first few months of use). After that, any problems are more likely due to product defects or wear, which would fall under the manufacturer warranty.

So I guess my point is: a shorter labor warranty isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker if you really trust the installer’s quality and you’re saving a lot. But it is a bit of a gamble. I did have some sleepless nights during big storms that first year wondering “please no leaks, please no leaks” 😅. The peace of mind a longer install warranty gives is definitely worth something.

No regrets with our choice, but if I hadn’t felt strongly about that contractor’s skill, I would have gone with someone offering more years. It’s a personal risk tolerance thing.

Hi all, late to the thread but I see some great advice here. I actually compiled a little comparison of some warranty info when I was shopping around, and I figured I’d share some of it since @ejackson55 is comparing brands and such. (Keep in mind this is just what I found when researching a year or so ago, always double-check current terms!)
Here’s a quick rundown of warranty offerings I found for a few popular window brands/companies in Tampa Bay:

PGT: Limited Lifetime warranty for original homeowner. Covers frame/structure for life (original owner), glass seal failures for 10 years (some info said up to 20 on non-impact, but for impact windows the laminated glass might have 10-year coverage for defects/stress cracks). Hardware around 10 years. Transferable one time within (10 years) to new owner (the new owner gets the balance up to that time, I believe). They include labor coverage for repairs only for the first year; after that, parts are covered but you pay labor (unless your installer covers it as @politics906 explained).

Simonton: Double-Lifetime warranty. Frame/glass to original owner lifetime, and transferable to one subsequent owner (the second owner typically gets 20 years from original install date). They often tout that as a selling point. Glass breakage is not standard, but I think some dealers can offer it as an add-on. Hardware usually lifetime for original owner too on many Simonton lines. Labor not included from manufacturer (as usual).

Custom Window Systems (CWS): Also offers lifetime limited warranty for original owner on vinyl frames/ sash, 20 year on insulated glass, transferable (I recall the wording was something like 10 years for second owner from install). Again, labor not included, must go through dealer for service.

Renewal by Andersen: This is a big one some consider. Their warranty (since they’re the installer and manufacturer for their product) was something like 20 years on glass, 10 years on other components, and 2 years on installation labor. It’s transferable within that period (20/10 from install date to new owner if you sell). They pride themselves on warranty, but as noted, they are pricey.

Window World: They offer a Limited Lifetime on their windows as well (since they use various manufacturers depending on region, but generally lifetime on frame & sash, etc.). The noteworthy part is the Glass Breakage warranty for life (for original owner). Also, I believe they have a labor warranty of 1 year (could vary by franchise). Transferable to next owner usually as a 20-year from install on materials (and no glass breakage for second owner). They are a national company (locally franchised), so claims go through the local office.

NewSouth: As @ashleyc30 said, lifetime warranty on their products and installation, and it’s transferable (I recall it was a true selling point that the next owner gets it for the life of the product as well, effectively similar to Simonton’s approach). Since they make and install their own windows, it’s all in-house.

Those were the main ones I had info on. In general, all the “lifetime limited” warranties cover manufacturing defects, not damage from outside forces (like a hurricane throwing debris through your window – that’s what insurance is for, as others have pointed out).

So how to use this info? If you’re comparing two bids and one is offering, say, Simonton windows and the other PGT, the manufacturer warranties are both strong and not dramatically different. Then look at the installer: is one giving you 25-year labor vs the other 5-year? That could be a tipping point.

I agree with everyone above that a great installer with a somewhat shorter warranty is still better than a bad installer with a long warranty they won’t honor. But ideally, you find a great installer with a great warranty. 😀

Hope this comparison helps a bit!

I have a specific concern – I live very close to the bay (Salt air all day!). My house is only 15 years old, but the salt has eaten away at some metal fixtures over time. For windows, do these warranties cover corrosion on hardware or anything? I’m worried that even stainless steel might rust eventually here. One company mentioned something about needing to rinse the windows/hardware periodically to keep the warranty. Anyone dealt with that?
Also, side question: does it make sense to pay extra for stainless hardware upgrades? One quote gave that option, claiming the standard hardware might not be fully covered if it corrodes due to salt.