Window Replacement Experiences in Older and Historic Tampa Bay Homes

I also have a 1930s home and we replaced our windows last year. Our place is in Gulfport (built 1925) and we wanted better energy efficiency but worried about ruining the old cottage look. It went smoother than expected – though we did run into an issue with termite damage in the sills once work began. We spent extra time fixing some wood rot we hadn’t known about behind the old frames.

The good news is the house is so much cooler in summer now and still looks authentic. We found new windows that matched the style (6-over-1 grid pattern in our case) pretty well. I'd say go for it, but plan for surprises behind the old trim (we uncovered some framing damage we didn't anticipate).

Once those were fixed and the windows were in, the difference in comfort was amazing.

This thread is timely! I'm in Dunedin with a 1948 bungalow that needs window replacements too. I'm especially worried about finding a contractor who will keep the classic look (my windows have unique grille patterns I don't want to lose). Also, my neighborhood has a strict HOA (even though the homes are old) that must approve changes.

Anyone have suggestions for companies that respect historic style? And what about cost ballpark per window for good quality replacements? I'm trying to budget and don't want to be blindsided.

I recently replaced all the windows on my 1962 ranch in Carrollwood, which has a neighborhood HOA with pretty specific rules on appearances. I was anxious, but the contractor we chose (Karoly Windows & Doors) knew exactly how to work with the HOA and even helped us pick a style that satisfied their guidelines and matched our home's mid-century look. They were incredibly punctual every day and took care of all the permit paperwork with the county, so it was a breeze for us.

Honestly, I was expecting delays or some historic code headaches, but it was straightforward. And Replying to @writer78, in terms of cost, our mid-range impact-rated windows came out to about $900 each including installation – not cheap, but worth it for the comfort and peace of mind.

I live in Hyde Park in a 1915 bungalow, and window replacement was a journey. Because it's a designated historic district, I had to apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness with the city before touching the windows. It was nerve-wracking – I had to show the Historic Preservation Commission the specs of the new windows, ensuring they looked just like the originals (wood, same grid pattern, etc.). The first contractor I spoke with didn't even know about this process, which was a red flag. I ended up finding someone experienced with historic homes to handle it.

The whole process took longer (about 3 months for approval and for the custom windows to be made), but it paid off. Now my new windows look almost identical to the old ones from the street, but they actually open, close, and insulate properly. If you're in a historic zone like me, definitely research the rules and find a contractor who's dealt with them before – it saves a lot of headaches.

We tackled window replacement in our 1948 masonry block house in St. Petersburg last summer. One surprise: the original steel casement frames were literally embedded in the concrete walls, so removing them was a dusty, noisy affair. We also discovered some wood rot and even minor termite damage around one window once everything was opened up. The crew had to rebuild some of the window framing from scratch before putting in the new vinyl windows. It added a bit to the cost and time, but I'm glad we addressed it.

If you're dealing with an older home, be prepared for those kinds of issues lurking behind the walls. On the bright side, once everything was installed, the difference was huge – no more drafts, and the soundproofing is so much better now. Our home is finally quiet even when the neighbor's lawnmower is running!

My two cents as someone in a 1955 house in Clearwater – don't skip the permit! A neighbor down the street replaced his windows DIY without pulling permits or HOA approval, and it turned into a big headache. The county eventually found out (rumor is an insurance inspector noticed) and he had to pay a fine and even remove a couple of windows that didn't meet code. Plus, our community HOA got on his case because the window style he chose didn't match the rest of the house.

I learned from his mistake. When I did my windows, I made sure my contractor pulled all the necessary permits and also got the green light from our HOA board on the window style and frame color. It delayed the start a bit, but everything passed inspection smoothly. So, definitely handle the red tape properly – you'll save yourself a lot of trouble!

I just went through this with my 1928 Spanish bungalow in West Tampa (not far from Seminole Heights!). We had a fantastic experience with a local company called Pro Tech Windows & Doors. They really understood the quirks of historic houses – even the city inspector commented that our contractor had done everything by the book. We needed windows that matched our home's original appearance (arched grids on the front windows), and Pro Tech found options that satisfied the historic district guidelines and our taste.

They were also sticklers for punctuality: every day the crew arrived right on time (I was amazed, given "Florida time" 😅). And Replying to @rwilson45, since you asked for experiences, in our case Pro Tech handled all the permitting and paperwork. They made sure our project sailed through the approval process, which was a huge relief. The result? Beautiful windows that look period-appropriate but are hurricane-rated and energy efficient. Couldn't be happier.

We own a 1950s mid-century home in Dunedin and have been replacing windows in phases over a few years due to budget. One tip: if you can't do them all at once, try to at least do all the front-facing ones together or your house may look odd with different styles/ages of windows. We learned this the hard way when we replaced the living room windows last year (white vinyl frames) but left the bedrooms with their old aluminum frames – the mismatch was pretty noticeable from the street.

We just recently saved up and finished replacing the remaining ones, and now everything matches and looks great. Also, if your home is mid-century, consider styles that fit that era. We chose awning windows to replace some jalousie windows on our porch, to keep a bit of the retro vibe but with modern tight seals. It's definitely possible to modernize yet honor the original style.

After replacing the windows in my 1968 ranch in Largo, the energy savings were immediately apparent. Our electric bill dropped by about 20% the next month, no joke. The old jalousie windows were basically like having holes in the walls when it came to A/C escaping. Also, the new windows (double-paned with Low-E coating) made the house so much more comfortable in July and August – no more hot spots near the windows.

We did worry the Low-E glass might look too reflective or tinted, but honestly you can hardly tell. They just look a tad less wavy than the old single panes. If you're on the fence because of cost, factor in the long-term savings on cooling bills here in Florida. It's been worth it for us.