Wow, this thread is an amazing resource. Big thanks to @cooking518 for starting it and everyone else for contributing! This is exactly the kind of real-world feedback homeowners like me need. (Mods, this definitely deserves a sticky for Tampa Bay window recommendations. 😉)
Reading all the noise reduction comments – I have to laugh because when we got our new impact windows, even our dog was confused at first. He used to bark at every truck or lawnmower he heard outside, and after the window upgrade he barely notices them. 🐶 Now he actually relaxes during thunderstorms instead of freaking out. Just another unexpected benefit of good windows, haha!
Sidenote: For anyone getting new windows (especially energy-efficient ones), don't forget to check for any rebates or tax credits. We replaced ours last year and we qualified for a federal tax credit for energy-efficient improvements (I got about $600 back at tax time for the window upgrade). The rules can change, but it's worth looking into. Some utility companies in Florida also had rebates for energy-efficient windows a while back – not sure if those are still around, but it’s something to investigate.
Our contractor actually reminded us about the tax credit and gave us the manufacturer certification document to include with our taxes. So kudos to them for that. It's a small perk compared to the cost of the project, but hey, every bit helps! 🙂
One little tip for anyone getting this done: be prepared for a lot of banging and commotion during installation! I work from home and made the mistake of not relocating on install day – it was pretty noisy when they were pulling out the old windows and putting in new ones (makes sense, since they often have to saw through frames or hammer things in place). If you have pets or kids, you might want to have them stay somewhere else for the day or at least keep them in a quiet room.
My installation crew was great, but our poor cat hid under the bed the whole time from the noise. 😅 In the end it was worth it, of course, but just a heads-up: window install day is not a day for conference calls or napping if you’re in the house!
Hearing these timelines of 6-8 weeks makes me a bit jealous. We did our windows in late 2021, and back then supply chain issues were bad – it took almost 4 months from order to installation for us. (Apparently glass and frame materials were in short supply at the time.) We used a local company in St. Pete and they did warn us upfront, so it wasn’t a surprise, but still. It’s great that things seem to have sped up now in 2025.
So anyone who postponed their window project due to those long waits, it might be a good time to jump back in. The process seems much quicker these days. And yes, the wait is absolutely worth it in the end for the comfort and peace of mind new windows bring.
Random question: what did you all do with your old windows after replacement? Did the contractors haul them away, or were you left to dispose of them? I have visions of 10 old window frames sitting in my yard 😅. I'm hoping the company takes care of that.
Also, if anyone kept their old windows for any reason (maybe to sell for scrap or repurpose?), I'd be curious. I doubt they're worth much, but just wondering!
@inventor91 In my case, the contractors hauled away all the old windows and debris as part of the service. By the time they left, my yard was clear – they even swept up broken glass. I think most full-service companies include disposal. I remember our quote from ProTech explicitly stated "old window removal and disposal" was included.
I didn't keep any of the old ones. They were aluminum single-pane units from the 90s; not really worth repurposing except maybe for scrap metal value, but it wasn't enough for me to bother. I have heard of some people salvaging old wood windows for craft projects or selling vintage glass, but for typical modern windows, there’s usually not much reason to keep them. The crew took ours to a recycling facility (at least that’s what they said, which I hope is true). So you likely won’t have to worry about a pile of old windows on your lawn – just confirm with your contractor that disposal is included.
For those who got impact windows, did your home insurance go down at all? I'm about to call my insurance agent to re-inspect for wind mitigation credits. I'm curious what kind of savings to expect (if any). I've heard it can be around 10-15% off the windstorm portion if all openings are impact rated.
If anyone has actual numbers or experiences with insurance after window upgrades, I'd love to hear it. (I know, not directly about contractors, but it's a related perk!)
@leadership561 Yes! After we installed impact windows, we had a wind mitigation inspection done and sent it to our insurance. We saw a noticeable reduction in our premium. In our case, it was about a 15% savings on the hurricane windstorm portion of the policy. In dollars, that came to roughly $300 per year off our homeowners insurance. Not too shabby.
It will vary depending on your insurer and what you had before. We already had some credits for our roof straps and such, but adding impact windows (which meant every opening was protected) gave us the "full protection" credit. Definitely get that wind mitigation inspection done after your project – it costs a little (we paid $100 for the inspection report) but the savings are ongoing each year. So windows not only made us safer, they're actually helping pay back a bit via lower insurance.
I actually found this thread a bit late, but I wanted to share that it helped me too. I was lurking and saw all the positive feedback for ProTech, so I gave them a call for my project in Pinellas. Ended up hiring them and just got my windows installed this week. Everything you guys said was spot on – they were fantastic. So a big thanks from me as well!
Now I’m here paying it forward by confirming yet another happy outcome. Whether you go with ProTech, Karoly, or one of the other reputable locals, you’re likely going to be in good shape if this thread is any indication. Cheers!