I just want to say this thread is gold. I'm still in the research phase for my windows, and I've already learned so much from all of you.
One quick question for the group: which companies would you recommend getting quotes from in the Tampa Bay area? I see a lot of love for Karoly Windows & Doors and Pro Tech Windows & Doors here (they’re on my list now!). Are there any other local installers you think are worth talking to? Or any I should steer clear of (without naming names, of course)? I just want to make sure I cover my bases and get 2-3 solid quotes from reputable folks.
Thanks in advance, and again, thank you all for sharing these insights. It's making this daunting project feel a lot more doable.
@jjones18 Welcome to the club! Definitely include Karoly Windows & Doors and Pro Tech Windows & Doors in your quote list – you really can’t go wrong reaching out to them, based on both my experience and what others have said here.
When I did my project, I got three quotes: one from Karoly, one from Pro Tech, and one from a different local outfit a friend recommended. The two you mentioned stood out by a mile in terms of professionalism and clarity. Karoly and Pro Tech both came in with detailed quotes, good prices (not the cheapest, but fair for the quality), and they were super knowledgeable about the local codes. The third quote I got was a bit higher and the rep wasn’t as responsive, so it made my choice easier.
I’d personally steer clear of going through big-box home improvement stores for window installs. I know Home Depot/Lowe’s offer window replacement services, but they subcontract the work out and you may not know who you're actually dealing with. A neighbor of mine went that route and ended up with a lot of scheduling hassles and no-show installers.
So yeah, stick with well-reviewed local specialists. Karoly and Pro Tech are frequently recommended for a reason. It wouldn't hurt to get a third quote for comparison, but make sure it’s a reputable company. Check reviews, BBB, and all that. If you hear any horror stories or pushy sales from a company, probably best to skip them.
Good luck with your quotes!
@jjones18 I'll echo what @stormwoodworker said. We got quotes from both Karoly and Pro Tech as well, and you can tell these guys know the Tampa Bay specifics inside out. We ultimately went with Karoly Windows & Doors and have zero regrets – but honestly, our choice was based on a slight schedule availability difference. Both companies were great in the quoting stage.
As for others, I'd definitely avoid any outfit that tries the hard sell or gives you an off-the-cuff quote without inspecting your windows thoroughly. One guy (from a no-name company) barely looked at my windows and just scribbled a number – no thanks. The good ones will take measurements, discuss options, and then give you a detailed proposal.
So yeah, stick to the trusted names you see here. And let us know how it goes!
One more thing to consider: if you also need to replace any exterior doors (like sliding glass doors or front doors), think about timing it with your window project. We ended up doing our windows first and then our patio slider door a year later. In hindsight, I wish we had bundled them together.
Our reasoning initially was budget – we figured we'd tackle the windows and worry about the old slider door later. But doing them separately meant going through the whole process twice (permits, scheduling crews, taking time off work, etc.). Also, we discovered that some companies give a better overall deal if you're doing multiple openings at once. For example, when we finally replaced our old aluminum sliding door (it was original from the 90s and heavy as lead to open), the quote might have been a bit lower if we had included it with the window contract upfront due to economy of scale.
In the Tampa climate, doors face the same issues (heat, storms) as windows. We went with an impact-rated sliding door with good seals, and it's improved energy efficiency and hurricane resilience just like the windows did. We actually used the same company (Pro Tech Windows & Doors) for the slider, since they did such a good job on our windows.
So, if you know your door is also on its last legs, it’s worth asking about adding it to the project. It could save some hassle and maybe a few bucks. If not, no biggie, but just something I wish I'd thought about initially.
I want to toss in a cautionary tale about vetting your contractor thoroughly (and this ties into many points already made). We made the mistake of going with a smaller, relatively unknown contractor because his quote undercut everyone else by a fair margin. It sounded like a great deal... until it wasn't.
Red flags started when the crew showed up over 3 hours late on day one with no heads-up. Then, instead of a professional team, it felt like two random guys who kept taking smoke breaks. They removed three of our old windows and installed two new ones by the end of the day – leaving one opening boarded up overnight. Okay, fine, they said they'd be back first thing in the morning. Next day, a no-show. Then excuses. This dragged on for a week with only partial work done and our house in disarray.
Eventually, I pulled the plug on them. Of course, that contractor had already taken a hefty deposit which became a pain to recover (we did, after threatening legal action, but it took time). In the meantime, I contacted Karoly Windows & Doors, explained the situation, and they were incredibly understanding. They sent out a team to assess the half-done work. Karoly's team ended up redoing the shoddy installations and finishing the rest of the windows properly. The contrast was night and day; their crew was efficient and fixed all the issues (they shook their heads at the poor job the first guys did).
The moral: if a quote seems too good to be true, it probably is. Check licenses, check references, and don’t be like me – avoid the headache and go with a reputable company from the start. I wish I'd paid a bit more upfront rather than dealing with the stress and double-work.
Here's a small thing that surprised me after getting new energy-efficient windows: morning condensation, but on the outside of the glass. The first week after install, I woke up to find the outside of my windows all fogged up with dew, and I was worried something was wrong – like maybe the seal failed or moisture got inside the double-pane.
After a bit of googling and a call to my installer, I learned it's actually a good sign. The new windows insulate so well that the outside glass stays cool, allowing dew to form on it on humid mornings. With my old single-pane windows, the inside cold AC would cool the glass and you'd sometimes see condensation inside the house. Now that doesn't happen; instead, it occasionally happens externally because the inside pane isn't cooling the outside pane as much (science!). It usually burns off quickly once the sun hits it.
So, if you see a little exterior condensation on cool humid mornings, don't panic. It means your windows are doing their job insulating. I wish I'd known about this ahead of time so I wouldn't have freaked out and thought something was defective.
In short: better insulation can lead to some funny dew patterns in our humid Tampa Bay weather. It's normal.
For the DIY-inclined folks out there: I consider myself pretty handy (I've done my own flooring, minor electrical, etc.), so I thought about trying to replace a couple of small windows myself to save money. After researching and almost getting started, I'm glad I decided not to DIY this one.
I actually removed one old window in our garage just to see what it would take. Getting the old window out was a workout – prying out old nails and cutting through layers of paint and caulk. Then I realized I’d have to properly shim the new window, spray foam insulate around it, and seal it perfectly to prevent leaks. The alignment had to be just right for it to open smoothly and lock. I quickly saw that one wrong move could result in water leaks during our heavy rains or a window that doesn't open properly.
In the end, I had the pros do it (I ended up hiring Pro Tech for the whole house after that little experiment). Watching them work confirmed to me that window installation is both art and science – they had all the right tools, knew how to handle surprises in the wall, and did it way faster and better than I could have.
So, I know some people might consider DIY to cut costs, but unless you're very experienced with window installs, it's probably worth hiring a professional in Tampa's climate. I certainly wished I had known how complex it was before I briefly entertained the DIY route.
A home security angle to window replacement: If you have a security system with window sensors, factor that into your project. I learned this the hard way when my alarm system started beeping the day after our windows were replaced 😅.
Our old windows had those wired sensors (little magnets) that detect if a window is opened. When the installers removed the old frames, those sensors got removed too. We hadn’t realized that would completely break the circuit for our alarm system. That first night, we actually couldn't arm our alarm because it thought all those windows were "open" (since the sensors were gone).
The fix was straightforward: I called our alarm company and they came out to install new sensors on the new windows. But I wish I'd coordinated it beforehand. It cost a bit extra and we had a few days without a functional system.
If I could do it again, I’d either schedule the alarm company to come right after the window install or ask if the window installers could put in replacement sensors (some full-service companies might handle it, but most leave it to the alarm folks). In any case, be aware of it so you’re not caught off guard.
On the plus side, our new windows have much sturdier locks and are impact-rated, which adds a layer of security by itself. But it was a "doh!" moment when I forgot about the alarm sensors. So, heads up to others: plan for your security system when doing window replacements.
Here's an angle on new windows I didn't anticipate: the boost to our home's value and appeal. We weren’t even planning to move, but life happens – we ended up selling our Tampa home about a year after installing new windows. During the sale process, we realized how much of a selling point those windows were.
Potential buyers walking through our house constantly commented on the beautiful impact windows and how they appreciated that the home was "hurricane ready" with recent upgrades. Our realtor actually highlighted the new windows in our listing, noting the energy efficiency and hurricane compliance (Florida buyers love to hear "new double-pane impact windows" in a description).
When the appraisal came in, it reflected the upgrades too. While it’s hard to quantify exactly, the appraiser made a note of the recent window and door replacements as part of the condition/value. We got top dollar for our neighborhood, and I'm sure the windows helped.
I wish I had known earlier just how much replacing old windows can enhance resale value. It might have made me pull the trigger on the project sooner. Even if you're not planning to sell right now, it's nice to know that the money you put into quality windows in Tampa Bay likely comes back to you in the form of higher home value and easier saleability. Plus, your home is more enjoyable to live in until that day comes.
Quick question for anyone who has insight: did you opt for any specific tint or glass color on your new windows? I'm considering a gray-tinted glass for my south-facing windows to cut down on glare and UV (I get brutal afternoon sun that fades my furniture).
I know standard Low-E has a slight tint by default, but some manufacturers offer options like gray or bronze tint in the glass. If anyone here chose those, did it make your house too dark or change the look a lot? I'm also wondering if HOAs ever have issues with tint (like if it looks reflective from the outside).
I'm asking because I wish I knew how big a difference tint vs no tint might make in the Florida sun. I don't want to end up with a cave, but I wouldn't mind a bit more shading.
Would love to hear if anyone has experience or wishes about this!