Haha, I’m glad someone brought up pets earlier. Let me underscore that with my little saga: on installation day, our indoor cat escaped through a giant window opening! 🐈😱
We thought we had him closed in a back bedroom, but during the chaos he slipped out. At one point I walked by the living room and saw no cat – next thing I know, I spot him in the front yard sniffing around (probably thought we installed a big new cat door just for him). I had to calmly approach so I wouldn’t spook him into running, and luckily I scooped him up and back inside quickly. But it gave me a heart attack. From then on I actually put a big note on the door of the room he was in: “DO NOT OPEN – CAT INSIDE” for the workers, and I kept him in there for real.
Also, consider the noise impact on pets. My dog was trembling from the strange noises and commotion. In retrospect, I should have taken both the cat and dog to a friend’s or a boarding for the day. It would have been less stressful for everyone.
For families with kids: my toddler was fascinated by the workers and wanted to “help.” Definitely had to keep a close eye – we ended up having grandma take him out for a “special day” so we could focus on the project. Best decision ever.
So secure your pets and kiddos – double-check those closed doors and maybe put them in a part of the house that isn’t going to be accessed, or better yet, have someone watch them elsewhere. Even the most chill pet can bolt when their familiar home suddenly turns into a construction zone.
In the end, all humans and animals were safe and sound, and my cat is back to gazing out of closed windows only. But I learned my lesson!
Reading the hurricane timing discussion, I wanted to share our little nightmare-turned-okay story: We scheduled our window install for late August (yeah, height of season, but it was when we could do it). Sure enough, halfway through the project, a tropical storm decided to swing by the Gulf. It wasn’t a direct hit on Tampa, but we were getting feeder bands with heavy rain and wind.
Picture this: three windows out, just open holes, and the sky turning dark. The install crew watched the radar like hawks. The moment it looked nasty, they paused installation and did an emergency board-up. They had plywood ready (thank goodness) and secured those openings in no time. We rode out an afternoon of howling wind with plywood in place of windows. Not going to lie, it was nerve-wracking seeing rain slam against those makeshift covers, but they held.
The next day, the weather cleared and the crew got back to work, replacing the plywood with the new windows. No water got in, and everything ended up fine. But lesson learned: avoid that scenario if you can! It was more stress than I’d like during an already stressful project. Our installers were awesome for being prepared and acting fast.
So, if you have to install in summer, maybe have a conversation with the installer: “What’s your plan if a sudden storm pops up?” A good company will have a procedure. Ours said they always keep boards or plastic sheeting handy for each opening until the new window is in.
Now we joke that our windows got an early hurricane test (even before final caulking). They passed with flying colors, but I’ll plan for a winter install next time, thank you very much. 😅
On the topic of hurricane tests – I can vouch that impact windows really do their job. We had our new impact windows for about a year when Hurricane Irma (2017) grazed Tampa. During the storm, a tree limb from my neighbor’s oak slammed into one of our big front windows. I heard it bang and honestly thought the branch came through. Ran out after the worst passed and saw the outer pane of our double-pane impact window had a huge crack across it, but the inner pane was intact and no water inside. The branch was on the ground.
It was a mess to get that window pane replaced (took a few weeks due to everyone having post-hurricane repairs), but nothing – and I mean nothing – got past that window during the storm. If we had our old original windows, I’m pretty sure that branch would have been in my living room.
So for those wondering if impact glass is just hype: it may still crack under force, but it won’t shatter into your home. It’s like a car windshield: broken but held in place. We had to board it up after the storm until the glass company swapped out the cracked pane, but insurance helped cover it since it was storm damage and we had the proper hurricane-rated windows (no claim issues at all).
After that experience, I’m a huge believer in impact windows. It’s not just about pressure and wind, but flying debris. That peace of mind is real.
Something I didn’t fully appreciate beforehand was the cosmetic boost new windows would give our home. We focused so much on the functional benefits that it was almost a surprise how much better the house looked afterward!
Our old windows had aluminum frames that were faded and a bit chalky-looking, with some foggy glass in places from failed seals. Replacing them with new crisp white vinyl windows made the whole house exterior look cleaner and more modern. Even our neighbors commented that it’s like the house got a facelift. If I had known the curb appeal would improve this much, I would have been excited about that aspect too (instead of just dreading the project hassles).
Inside, the views are nicer too. We opted for a slightly larger window in our kitchen (turned a 3ft window into a 4ft one) and having that extra glass area brings in more light and a better view of our garden. It’s such a joy now to open the blinds in the morning.
I guess the lesson is: not only will your house feel better, it will likely look better, inside and out. For anyone on the fence, consider the aesthetic upgrade you’re giving your home, not just the practical upgrades. It helped us justify the cost in a way, knowing it wasn’t just an invisible improvement but a visible one too.
Plus, new windows can increase your home’s value. Several realtors have told me that replacement windows are a great selling point (energy efficient, wind-rated, etc.). Not that we’re selling anytime soon, but it’s nice to know we likely recouped a good chunk of the cost in added home value.
Haha, @elizabethhill590 I felt that on the stickers! I spent a solid two hours scraping off those darn factory stickers from each window. Pro tip for anyone yet to do this: use a razor blade scraper and some soapy water or Goo Gone. The soapy water trick worked well for me – wet the sticker and slowly scrape, it comes off in slivers but at least it doesn’t stick as bad.
One window’s label had baked on in the sun and was super stubborn. I joked that it had better ratings so maybe I should leave it for visitors to see our fancy energy-efficient windows. 😆 But no, those stickers had to go.
Minor issue in the grand scheme, but it’s one of those little “chores” after the installers leave that I didn’t anticipate. I assumed they’d remove them, but apparently not always. If I were doing it again, I might ask the crew, “Hey, will you take the stickers off the glass before you go?” It’s such a small thing but saves an annoying task later.
Anyway, I’m sticker-free now and enjoying the clear view. Just another tiny lesson: those finishing touches are usually on the homeowner. At least I got a mini arm workout scraping them, haha!
I want to emphasize a point about caulking and sealing with a quick story: A week after our windows were installed, we had a typical Florida torrential downpour. I did my usual inspection of all windows (still in honeymoon phase with new windows, checking them constantly). To my dismay, I found a small puddle on the inside sill of one bedroom window. 😧
My heart sank – leaking new window?! I called the installer in a panic. They came out pretty quickly. Turns out, it wasn’t the window failing; it was a missed caulking spot on the exterior. Basically, there was a tiny 1-inch section along the top that hadn’t been caulked at all (the installer either forgot or the caulk didn’t squeeze in properly). In normal rain it might not matter, but in a wind-driven rain, water found that little gap and made its way in.
They recaulked that area and a few others around that window for good measure. Next rain, no leak at all – dry as a bone.
Lesson learned: after installation, do a thorough check of the caulking around each window. It can be hard to spot gaps unless you look closely. I walked around the house, running my hand along the edges of all windows to feel for voids. That one window was the only issue, thankfully.
The installer was very apologetic and fixed it, but it reminded me even pros can miss a spot. And Florida rain will exploit any weakness! So give all your windows a good once-over from the outside. If you’re not comfortable getting up on a ladder to check second-story windows, use binoculars from the ground – seriously. It sounds extra, but a 5-minute scan could save you a water stain on your drywall later.
Since a few people have mentioned insurance, I’ll add on with my experience on how to maximize your homeowner’s insurance benefits after window replacement:
Definitely get a Wind Mitigation Inspection done once your new impact windows (or shutters) are in place. This is a special inspection in Florida where a certified inspector checks your home’s hurricane resistance features – doors, windows, roof tie-downs, etc. They’ll produce a report that insurance companies use to apply discounts.
Before we got new windows, our wind mit report showed “unprotected openings” because we had old standard windows with no shutters. After installing impact windows, I hired an inspector (cost was about $85) to do an updated wind mitigation inspection. He confirmed all openings are now protected. I sent that report to my insurance company and our premium went down by about $600 per year! It was a significant drop, basically the insurance company saying “okay, your house is less likely to suffer catastrophic damage in a hurricane now.” Over the life of the windows, that insurance savings will add up.
Important: Insurance won’t automatically give you the discount just because you got permits or whatever. You need that report. So budget an extra hundred bucks or so for the inspection as part of your project cost – it’s totally worth it. And do it soon after the install, so you start saving ASAP.
Also, some insurance carriers give credit for “opening protection” only if all openings are protected. So if you, say, still have an old garage side door or something that isn’t impact-rated or covered, they might not give the full credit. We had to also replace our outdated garage side door or put a shutter on it to qualify as fully protected. Just something to be aware of – to get maximum discounts, every window, skylight, exterior door, etc., needs to be impact or have a rated shutter. We went the extra mile and did an impact-rated front door at the same time as windows, partly for this reason (and partly because the old door was ugly, haha).
In summary: don’t forget the paperwork after the hard work. Wind mit inspection = insurance savings = money back in your pocket.
Interesting bonus I noticed post-window-install: my allergies got better. I usually get a lot of dust/pollen allergies, and I realized after we put in our new tight-fitting windows, I had fewer sneezing fits when the pollen count was high.
Our old windows were so drafty I think they were letting in allergens even when closed. I used to find fine dust on the windowsill every week. Now, hardly any dust accumulates there. The new seals keep out not just air and water, but the dust and pollen too.
I also used to wake up with a stuffy nose often, which I suspect was due to who-knows-what coming in from outside overnight. With the new windows, that’s improved. It’s not something I expected or even thought about – but for fellow allergy sufferers, it’s a nice fringe benefit.
So, what I wish I knew: new windows can improve your indoor air quality. Less draft, less outdoor crud entering the home. I still run an AC and filters for allergies, but every little bit helps. If anything, it reinforced that the old windows were not just an energy liability but maybe a health one for me.
Now if only it also stopped my neighbor’s BBQ smoke from wafting in when I open them for fresh air… but hey, can’t have everything! 😅
After you get through the install and initial excitement, don’t forget that windows need a bit of care over the years to keep them performing their best. A few maintenance tips I’ve gathered (some mentioned already, but here’s a little checklist style):
Keep Weep Holes Clear: Most windows (especially sliders and single-hungs) have small drain holes on the exterior bottom of the frame. These allow rainwater to exit the track area so it doesn’t overflow inside. Here in Tampa Bay with our heavy rains, those weep holes are critical. Check them occasionally and poke them clean with a piece of wire or a toothpick if you see dirt or insect nests clogging them. I check mine every few months, and after a big storm.
Lubricate Tracks and Hardware: As some have noted, windows can be stiff at first. A spray of silicone lubricant in the tracks works wonders. Avoid oily lubricants that attract dirt. Also a tiny drop of lubricant on moving parts of locks or cranks (if you have crank-out casement windows) keeps them operating smoothly. I do this annually or if I notice any sticking.
Inspect Caulking and Paint: Florida sun can bake caulk and paint. Every year, do a quick visual of the caulk lines around your windows. If you see any cracks or separation, touch it up with a good exterior caulk to prevent water intrusion. Same for any paint on trim or stucco around windows – a quick touch-up can seal hairline cracks. It’s preventative care that will help your windows last without leaks.
Clean Glass and Frames Properly: When cleaning your new windows, don’t use anything too abrasive. Warm soapy water and a soft cloth for frames (especially vinyl – no harsh solvents on vinyl or you could dull it). For glass, standard glass cleaner is fine, or vinegar water for a streak-free shine. Avoid pressure-washing directly on windows at close range – it can damage seals and force water where it shouldn’t go (learned that one the hard way on a neighbor’s window – blew a seal).
These are small chores, but a little TLC will keep those expensive new windows looking and working like new. We invest in them, might as well maintain them!
One more hindsight insight: be prepared for minor cosmetic repairs around your windows after the replacement. Even with a great install crew, some touch-ups are pretty normal:
In my case, a couple of interior sills got nicked during removal of the old windows. The old sill was painted wood and one split when they pried out a stubborn window. The installers replaced the piece of wood, but left it primed white. I had to paint it to match the trim (small hassle, but I wasn’t expecting it, so add another item to the post-project to-do list).
On the exterior, our house is stucco. Taking out the old windows caused a few cracks and chips in the stucco around the openings. The window quote included basic patching – they did fill the gaps with stucco mix – but those patches were obvious gray spots against my cream house until I painted them. I spent a weekend on a ladder carefully painting around each window to blend the patches. Now you’d never know, but initially I was a bit concerned seeing chunks of stucco missing and then new concrete patches. The foreman told me it’s almost impossible to avoid when prying out windows set in stucco, especially if the old caulk was brittle. Knowing that upfront would have saved me some surprise. It’s all fixable stuff, just factor in time/effort to do those finishing touches (or negotiate it into your contract if you’re not up for DIY painting).
The good news: once the paint was touched up and the new caulk lines were neatly done, the windows looked like they’d always been there – natural part of the house.
So, don’t be alarmed if your surrounding drywall or stucco looks a bit rough immediately after. A little spackle, caulk, and paint, and it’ll be pristine. If you’re not a DIY person, you might want to hire a handyman or painter for a day after the window crew is done to get all the details perfect.