Quick pointer about the installation day itself: don't forget about your pets (and kids, if you have them). When my windows were being done, I realized my dog was absolutely terrified by the noise of old windows being pried out and the nail guns, etc. He was shaking and trying to hide 😢. I ended up putting him in a quiet room on the other side of the house and turning on a TV to drown out the noise. In hindsight, I might have had a friend pet-sit him during the installation.
For those with kids, keep them away from the work area. Not just for safety (exposed window openings and tools everywhere), but also because contractors are coming in and out. I sent my two little ones to grandma's for the day. It made things less stressful for everyone.
So yeah, the mistake to avoid here is not having a plan for your pets and kids on install day. It can get chaotic and loud. Make arrangements to keep them safe and calm – whether that's in a separate room, or out of the house completely for the day.
This thread is amazing. I have a slightly different situation/question: I can't afford to replace all my windows at once. Is it a bad idea to do the project in phases? Like maybe do the downstairs windows now and upstairs next year, or some this year, some later. Have any of you done that? I worry I might be making a mistake by splitting it up (maybe costs more in the long run or issues matching styles).
@elizabethhill590 I've actually seen people do it in phases, and it's not necessarily a mistake if you plan it well. We replaced our windows in two batches (front of the house first, then a year later the back). A few things to consider:
Economy of scale: Doing all at once might get you a better total price because the crew is already there and it's one trip for everything. When I split mine, I think I paid a bit more per window the second round because it was a smaller job.
Product consistency: Make sure you can get the same window model next year. Manufacturers sometimes discontinue styles or colors. I made sure to use a popular model that I knew would be around (and I told my installer upfront I'd do more the next year).
Aesthetics: If you split, your house will temporarily have a mix of old and new windows. In my case, the back of the house (old windows) wasn't visible from the street, so I didn't care. But if, say, one side of your house ends up half old/half new for a while, it might look odd or irk an HOA.
Permit/inspection: Check if doing in phases means separate permits each time (likely yes). Just something to factor in: you'll pay permit fees twice instead of once.
It worked out fine for me because of budget constraints, and I don't regret it. Just choose your phases thoughtfully (like do all the front street-facing ones together for curb appeal, etc).
@elizabethhill590 I’m in the same boat budget-wise. I'm doing mine in two phases as well, and as @alexsnowboarder said, it's manageable. I did all the bedrooms last year and will do the living areas this year. One more thing to add: possible slight variations between batches. Even if you use the same brand and model, there could be minor differences if they're made a year apart (like a subtle change in tint or frame texture). It's rare, but I noticed the second batch of windows I got had a slightly updated locking mechanism design. Not a big deal, but just something to be aware of.
Also, if you live in a place with an HOA and you plan a multi-year approach, maybe inform them of your plan, so they know you'll be replacing the rest later and won't bug you about mismatched windows in the interim. Mine was understanding when I explained the budget issue and timeline.
Overall, doing it in phases is okay if that's what you need to do. The "mistake" would just be not planning it out (like mismatched look or product issues). But sounds like you're already thinking about those, so you should be fine.
@alexsnowboarder and @maggiebuilder Thank you both! That makes me feel better. I'll double-check that the window style I pick now will still be available next year. And I'll brace for possibly paying a bit extra. But at least I can get started on the most critical ones now. Appreciate the advice!
Reading all this, I just realized another mistake I made with my windows: choosing style over practicality. I insisted on getting those colonial grids inside the glass on every window because I love the look. But now I kinda regret it in some rooms. The grids block part of our view, especially on our big living room window facing the backyard. My husband had suggested maybe only doing grids on the front-facing windows for curb appeal and leaving them off the back for a clearer view, and in hindsight, that would have been smart.
So I'd say think about where you truly want grids or certain styles. If I could redo it, I'd do a mix for looks and function. Not a disastrous mistake, but something to consider so you don't have "grid remorse" like I did, haha.
@sgamer48 I hear you on that. We went back-and-forth on grids too. We ended up doing exactly what you said: grids on the front of the house (street side) to keep the traditional look, but no grids on the back so we have an unobstructed view of our yard. That balance worked for us.
Also, on the topic of practicality, one thing we did consider is ventilation during power outages (which happen during storms). We made sure every room had at least one window that can open. Sounds obvious, but I've seen remodels where someone puts all fixed (picture) windows in a room for the look, and then realize later they have no way to get a breeze if the A/C is out. So, definitely think about how you'll use the windows, not just how they look.
I'm late to this thread, but wow, I'm so glad I found it. 🤩 I recently moved to Clearwater and will need new windows next year. You all have basically created a checklist of what NOT to do. I wish I had seen something like this before when I helped my parents with their window replacements!
For example, I had no idea about the permitting stuff until reading here. And the tips about comparing quotes and dealing with HOAs... super valuable. I don't have much to add since I'm still in the learning phase, but just wanted to thank everyone for sharing these insights. This thread is gold for newbies like me!
One thing I don't think was mentioned yet regarding HOAs (since @streamer44 brought them up) – some HOAs also have rules about window tint and reflective coatings. In my friend's community in Tampa, the HOA would not allow very reflective mirrored tint on windows because it changed the look of the house from the street (they had some issue with a house blinding drivers with the reflection or something, lol).
Also, if you live in a historical district or condo building, there might be additional rules. So definitely double-check any design or material restrictions your community might have. It's easier to get approval first than beg for forgiveness later with HOAs (they have no mercy with fines, trust me).
Hi all, checking in from Pasco County here. Just wanted to say a lot of the advice here applies just the same up in Pasco. We might have slightly different permit processes or fees, but essentially it's the same deal: you need permits, HOA rules still apply if you have one, and our hurricane risks are the same. I actually delayed my window project after seeing my neighbor struggle by doing it the wrong way (he skipped the permit and got caught, ouch).
After reading all this, I'm feeling confident about doing mine the right way. Big thanks to everyone – I'm taking notes like crazy. I'll be sharing this thread with a couple of neighbors who are also thinking about new windows.