This thread convinced me – I just scheduled two quotes for next week (one with Karoly, one with ProTech). Excited and feeling much more prepared to handle those meetings with all this knowledge. I'll report back with how it goes. Thank you guys!
Quick follow-up: got my quotes back. Karoly quoted me $12,500 for 8 windows (all impact, Simonton brand). ProTech came in at $13,200 for the same (using PGT). Pretty close! Both reps were professional and spent over an hour measuring and explaining options. I'm now deciding based on small differences (Karoly’s timeline is 2 weeks shorter; ProTech’s windows have a slightly higher design pressure rating). Honestly, I don’t think I can go wrong with either. I might see if Karoly can price-match a little – I noticed on their site they have a price match guarantee if you show a competitor quote. Will sleep on it and decide. Feeling good knowing they’re both solid options recommended here. 🙂
One more thing about timelines: I ordered my windows in August and they didn’t get installed until December. So yeah, sometimes it's a long wait. The factory (I had CWS windows) was apparently backed up. Just keep that in mind when planning, especially if you have a deadline (like coordinating with other renovations or hurricane season).
If your home is older, also consider if you need to bring anything else up to code. My house needed tempered glass for a big window by the bathtub (building code requirement for safety). The estimator caught that and we made sure the order included tempered glass for that one. Little things like that – a good contractor will point out. Just thought I'd mention it since it’s something I learned along the way.
I’m late to the party, but I’d emphasize the importance of energy efficiency in our hot climate. Look for windows with a low U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC). Most quality windows will meet Florida’s energy code, but if you have options, the lower the SHGC the better for keeping heat out. My windows have an SHGC of 0.25 (with LoE3 glass), and I feel the difference in reduced heat coming through. If you get quotes, ask about the energy ratings – if they say “ENERGY STAR rated for the South/Florida,” that’s a good sign. My electric bill actually dropped a bit after the window upgrade, which is a nice bonus over time.
Great point @georgewhiskers959. I got the Low-E glass as well, and I noticed my A/C doesn’t run as nonstop as it used to. Over a year those savings add up (and help justify the cost to my spouse! 😄).
On the flip side, if you love natural light, just be aware the Low-E glass can have a slight tint. As @nancyshadow574 mentioned, they chose a grey tint; even standard Low-E has a very subtle greenish tint if you look at it from outside. It’s not very noticeable, but I can see it at certain angles. Totally worth it for the comfort, but something to know.
For anyone considering partial vs full replacement: I did the front half of my house a year before the back half. It was mostly a budget thing. It’s doable, but in that year gap the difference was obvious – the back still had old single-pane windows and got so hot compared to the front with new windows. If you can swing it, do all at once. If not, do the most critical ones (maybe the largest or the ones on the side of the house that gets storms) first. Just try not to wait too long between phases. In my case, I saved up and did the rest a year later. Once the whole house was done, the comfort and peace of mind were way better. Just don’t want someone to replace half and then forget the rest, because you’ll have mixed levels of protection and efficiency.
Fantastic thread! I work in construction (not specifically windows) and I have to say everyone here gave top-notch advice. Reading through this, I can't think of anything major that's missing. Perhaps one minor tip: when the windows are out, it’s a good opportunity to clean the window openings (vacuum out any decades-old dust in the sill, maybe even paint the exposed wood/frame if needed). My installers were fine with me doing a quick vacuum of the openings once the old windows were out (I’m a bit OCD 😅). Probably overkill, but hey, clean slate for the new windows.
Anyway, thanks for all the insights. I'm sure this thread will help many homeowners in the future.
One thing I wish I knew earlier is just how transformative new windows are for your home. After my windows were replaced, the house felt newer and more comfortable instantly. Curb appeal went up too. I was nervous spending the money, but now I tell everyone it was totally worth it. So for anyone on the fence, if you can afford it, go for it. Just make sure to follow all the great advice above and you’ll be fine. 👍
This has been an incredible read. As someone just starting to gather quotes, I feel like I have a cheat sheet for the whole process. I’ve already prepared a list of questions for my first contractor meeting, basically cribbed from @zshadow38’s and others’ posts. 😁 Wish me luck!