What about warranty and after-install support? For those who used Karoly or Pro Tech, did they mention any warranty on installation or the windows themselves? And have any of you had to call them back for service issues later on (months or years after install)?
I'm always curious about how companies treat you after they've been paid. The initial job can go great, but if something happens later, do they still care?
@bmoore98, yes, warranty was actually one of the factors I considered too. When we had Karoly Windows & Doors do our replacements, they provided a pretty solid warranty: it was something like a lifetime warranty on the installation/labor for as long as we own the home, plus the manufacturer's warranty on the windows (which in our case was 20 years on the glass and frames, I think).
I haven't had to call them back for any issues (it's been almost 3 years now), but knowing that they stand behind their work is reassuring. I did keep the folder of paperwork they gave us which has all the warranty info and permit documents, just in case.
I remember asking our salesperson about what happens if we notice any problems after install. He said if it's an installation issue (like a window not closing properly due to install), they'll fix it free. If it's a product defect, the manufacturer warranty covers parts and they'd help facilitate that. They also did a follow-up call a few weeks after installation to check if everything was okay.
I assume Pro Tech likely has similar warranties (most reputable window companies do). It’s a good thing to ask about when you get a quote. The shady contractors might only give you a 1-year warranty or something super short. Both Karoly and Pro Tech, in my research, had good long-term warranty commitments.
From the Pro Tech side, I can share my experience. We used Pro Tech Windows & Doors and they gave us all the warranty info in writing too. It included the manufacturer's warranty (which depends on the brand of window, usually 20 years on glass seal failures, etc.) and they had an installation warranty as well (I don't recall if it was lifetime or 25 years, but it was pretty lengthy).
Like @environment_jon, we thankfully haven't needed any fixes after the install. But it's nice that both of these companies seem to be confident enough in their work to offer long warranties. It also means they've likely been around a while (I think Karoly has been in business 20+ years; Pro Tech, not sure but they have a good local track record).
The only post-install service thing I did was call Pro Tech about a year later to ask about adding another window (one we didn't replace initially). They remembered me and pulled my file quickly, which was cool. So customer service is on point in my opinion.
Our home is in a designated historic district in Tampa, so I was nervous about how replacement windows would look and whether they'd be approved. We have an old 1920s bungalow. We wanted modern, impact-resistant windows but they needed to look like the original wood windows (our historic committee is picky).
We went with Karoly Windows & Doors for the project in early 2023, mainly because they had done projects in historic neighborhoods before. They actually helped us find a manufacturer that made custom windows with external grids and a wood-look finish that satisfied the historic preservation guidelines. It was a bit pricier than a standard window, but it was pretty much the only way to get impact windows approved for our house.
Karoly's team did a great job on installation day; they were careful removing the old windows (we saved one old leaded glass pane to frame as decor, which they kindly helped with). The new windows maintain the classic look, but now our home is secure and energy efficient. And yes, they passed the historic board and city inspections, no problem.
So, if anyone has an older home with special requirements, I'd recommend talking to these experienced companies like Karoly (and likely Pro Tech too). They can usually find solutions that satisfy both safety and aesthetic/historical requirements. We’re extremely happy we upgraded – the house is much more comfortable now, and we didn't upset the historic folks 🙂.
I live on the 10th floor of a high-rise condo in downtown St. Pete, and we had our windows replaced in 2022. In a condo building, the process can be a little different (had to coordinate with the building management and follow some structural guidelines). We actually got to vote on a contractor as a building - and interestingly, Pro Tech Windows & Doors was one of the finalists we considered. We ended up going with them due to their better pricing and familiarity with our building's design (they had done another high-rise down the road).
Pro Tech had to bring everything up via the service elevator and sometimes crane large pieces of glass up, which was nerve-wracking to watch, but they handled it very professionally. They worked floor by floor and unit by unit. In my unit, they did all windows in a day and a half.
One thing in condos is scheduling and noise rules (our building only allowed work between 9am-4pm). Pro Tech respected all that and cleaned up thoroughly each day because we still had to live there during the multi-day install.
All of our new windows are impact-rated (a must-have, even up high, because wind pressure is intense). We instantly noticed less wind whistle and drafts, and it even dampened the outside city noise a lot.
So if anyone here is in a condo or high-rise, know that these companies can handle that too. Just make sure to involve your condo association/management early. Pro Tech was willing to come to an HOA meeting to answer questions, which helped get everyone comfortable with the project.
One thing I'll mention is the difference in indoor comfort after getting modern windows. I'm in a 1970s block house in Seminole, and before, our single-pane aluminum windows would have condensation on the inside on humid days and they'd feel hot to the touch in summer. We got them all replaced with new vinyl-framed, double-pane impact windows in 2023 (with Karoly Windows & Doors handling the install).
Since then, no more condensation issues at all. The Low-E coating on the glass really cuts down the heat. I can stand by the window at noon and not feel that intense radiant heat that I used to. The AC also doesn't run as constantly as it did before. Our electric bill dropped a noticeable amount last summer, which was a nice bonus.
The humidity in the house is also easier to control now. Before, if it rained and was muggy, you'd sometimes see moisture around the window sills – that's gone. The new windows seal so much better.
I know a lot of the talk is about hurricane protection (which is super important), but the everyday comfort and energy savings shouldn't be overlooked either. It makes the investment that much more worth it. And of course, Karoly did a great job making sure everything was properly sealed and insulated.
Out of curiosity, did most of you go with vinyl or aluminum frame windows? Here in Florida, I know both are common for impact windows (vinyl is more energy efficient, aluminum might be stronger and have slimmer frames). I ended up with vinyl impact windows when I hired Pro Tech Windows & Doors. They recommended vinyl for my house (typical block construction) mainly for the energy efficiency and because newer vinyl windows are pretty sturdy these days.
I was worried about vinyl warping in our heat, but apparently the good brands are engineered for Florida climate. After two summers, mine look as good as new, no warping or discoloration at all.
My friend in Apollo Beach chose aluminum frame impact windows with a different contractor, and while those are super strong, he did mention they feel a bit more heat transfer (metal conducts heat). But it's not huge.
In any case, a reputable installer will explain the options. Pro Tech discussed both with me, and I felt better with vinyl for my needs. I'm curious what others went with, but either way, just get the hurricane-rated ones that meet code.
Just finished reading through all these great experiences and thought I'd add mine along with a couple of tips I picked up. We replaced windows in our house in Spring Hill (just north of Tampa Bay) in 2023. We actually did the project in two phases: we did the upstairs windows first with Karoly Windows & Doors, then six months later did the downstairs windows (we needed to spread out the cost, and they were fine with that arrangement).
Both phases went smoothly with Karoly. No surprise charges, and they kept all our info on file so that the second phase matched the first exactly in style and materials.
A few general tips for anyone shopping around for window replacements in our area:
Get multiple quotes. We got four quotes and it was very enlightening. Two of the companies were really high-pressure sales (one even tried the "sign today for a special price" tactic, ugh). Karoly was laid-back and informative in comparison.
Check permits and licenses. Make sure whichever contractor you choose is licensed and will pull permits. We used the Florida state license lookup to verify and to check if there were any complaints, just for peace of mind.
Ask about lead times. If you're on a tight schedule, let them know. Some window brands or custom colors can take longer to arrive. Ours took 12 weeks for white vinyl impact windows, which was exactly what they estimated.
Don’t skimp on quality. Even if you're tempted to save a little with a cut-rate installer, remember the potential costs if something goes wrong (leaks, failed inspections, having to redo it). In hurricane country, it's just not worth the risk.
By the end of our project, I was really glad we chose a reputable company. We have peace of mind and the house feels fantastic. Big shoutout to Karoly's team for their work on both rounds.
I'll add a quick story: I live in a suburb of Tampa, and just a few weeks after we had our new impact windows installed by Pro Tech Windows & Doors (this was mid-2022), we got one of those intense summer thunderstorms. It wasn't even a named storm, but the wind gusts were over 60 mph. Before, in storms like that, our old windows would literally rattle and you could feel air seeping in.
This time, the house was quiet and tight. It was such a relief. My wife and I looked at each other and said, "well, that was money well spent." 😄
Later that year when Hurricane Ian threatened, we didn't evacuate, but we prepared the house. It ended up veering south of us, but we still got tropical storm conditions. Again, the windows held up perfectly, no leaks or anything.
Honestly, just not having that anxiety about whether the plywood is gonna hold or the old glass is going to shatter is huge. So I'd say to anyone in Tampa Bay on the fence: do it, get the impact windows with a good installer. It's a quality-of-life and peace-of-mind upgrade. For us, Pro Tech delivered on that, and it sounds like Karoly does too based on everyone here.
For a brief moment, I considered a semi-DIY route (like buying windows myself and hiring a handyman to install) to save money. After a bit of research and seeing what's involved, I'm really glad I didn't go that way. There's so much that could go wrong if windows aren't installed exactly right, especially here with our climate and codes.
I ultimately hired Karoly Windows & Doors for the install, but I did source one specialty window myself (a small bathroom privacy window) thinking it would help speed things up. Karoly was cool with that; they inspected the window I bought to make sure it was up to code, and then they installed it along with the ones they provided. In hindsight, I should have just let them handle everything because coordinating that one window separately was a hassle on my end.
The lesson I learned is that window installation is not a place to cut corners or do piecemeal if you're not experienced. The professionals have the tools and knowledge (they shimmed and leveled every window so perfectly, I was impressed). I talked to the installer crew and they mentioned they've had to redo a bunch of DIY or handyman jobs around Tampa that ended badly.
So yeah, if anyone reading is thinking of DIY – unless it's maybe just a single window and you really know what you're doing, it's probably better to leave it to the pros like Karoly or Pro Tech. It will save you stress and probably money in the long run.