As a family with young kids, living through window replacement was an adventure. We have a 1958 house in West Tampa and decided to stay home during the 3-day installation to keep an eye on things. With toddlers around, we had to be extra careful about the work zones. We ended up rotating which room we camped out in while the crew worked on the others, and we spent a lot of time playing in the backyard when they were working in the main living areas (thankfully the weather was nice then).
The crew was mindful and told us which rooms they'd do each day so we could plan. They also made sure not to leave any tools or debris where our kids could get into them each evening. If you have pets or kids, definitely have a plan: maybe have someone take them out for the day or keep them in a safe room. It worked out fine for us, but it was a bit stressful keeping curious kiddos away from the action!
I'm pretty handy, so I actually considered doing the windows myself to save money. Ultimately, I hired pros for my 1942 house in St. Petersburg – there were just too many windows and some tricky structural issues for one person. But I did take on the finishing work to save a bit. After the installers put in the new windows and did the rough interior trim, I did the final painting myself. I also helped remove the old windows beforehand (carefully prying out what I could) which the contractor didn't mind; it shaved a little time off their job.
If you're up for it, some companies will let homeowners do minor parts of the project (like painting or hauling away debris) to cut costs. Just be realistic – installing windows, especially in an old crooked house, is definitely not a simple DIY job. I'm glad I left the hard stuff to the experts because they ran into an issue with a header above one window and knew how to fix it properly.
My house in Seminole Heights had a weird situation – at some point, a previous owner enclosed the front porch and installed these aluminum jalousie windows there (very 1960s Florida-room style) while the rest of the house still had the 1920s wood windows. It looked pretty patchwork. During our window project, we decided to restore that porch to a more original look. We removed the clunky jalousies and put in windows that matched the style of the main house (we did three tall double-hungs across the porch front, with the same grid pattern as our originals).
It not only looks way better, we actually found an old photo of the house and it had similar windows back in the day! If your old house has some oddball "improvements" from past owners, consider using the window project as a chance to undo them and bring back some original character. It can really transform the curb appeal.
Don't forget to check for any incentives or rebates. When we did our 1966 home's windows in Largo, we qualified for a small federal tax credit because we used Energy Star rated windows (it was only a couple hundred bucks, but hey, better than nothing). Also, our power company had a rebate program for upgrading to energy-efficient windows. It wasn't huge either, but it knocked a bit off the cost.
If your home is historic and you go the restoration route instead of replacement, sometimes there are local grants available, but for replacement I mostly found energy-efficiency incentives. Definitely ask your window company if they know of any current rebates or credits – the good ones stay on top of that stuff. It helped us justify getting the better Low-E glass package knowing we'd get a little back later.
Another benefit I noticed: less sun damage inside. Our 1949 home in Clearwater has a big picture window in the living room. The old glass offered no UV protection and we were getting a lot of sun fade on our wood floors and couch. We even put a rug to cover a bleached spot on the floor 🙈. With the new windows (Low-E glass), the UV and infrared rays are greatly reduced. This past year, I haven't seen any new fading on the furniture or rugs. I only wish we'd done it sooner to protect our interior.
So beyond efficiency and looks, modern windows can help preserve your interior finishes, which is a nice plus if you have vintage hardwood or furniture in the sunlight.
If your home was built before 1978 (which most of ours here are), be aware of lead paint. Old window frames often have layers of lead paint, and removing them can release lead dust. A good contractor will follow lead-safe practices (sealing off the area, using HEPA vacuums, etc.). When we had our 1925 house in Sulphur Springs (Tampa) done, I specifically checked that the installer was EPA Lead-Safe Certified. They did find lead paint on the old window sashes. They handled it safely, but I've heard some contractors either won't work on very old homes because of this or, worse, do it improperly.
So it's something to ask about when getting quotes, especially for 1940s and older homes. We have young kids, so we actually stayed out of the house until the old windows were out and everything was cleaned up, just to be safe.
Reading what @ericrebel396 and @cars575 said about Pro Tech Windows & Doors – I wanted to chime in that I also had a good experience with them. They replaced the windows in my 1920 home in Historic Kenwood (St. Pete) in 2023. What stood out was their knowledge of the St. Pete permitting process and historic guidelines. Kenwood has a local historic designation, and they knew we needed to use wood-look windows on the front facade. They recommended a particular product that the city approved with no hassle.
The install was smooth and they were very punctual as well (we had a tight schedule before our baby was due, and they finished in time!). It's been almost two years and we've had zero issues. I usually don't gush about contractors, but credit where it's due.
Honestly, replacing the windows in my 1960 split-level in Brandon was the best home upgrade I've done. We did roof and A/C too, but the window upgrade is the one we FEEL every day. The house is comfortable in summer, and in winter it stays warmer instead of feeling drafty. Plus, it gave the home a facelift. The old jalousies and rusty sliders we had were such an eyesore; the new windows look crisp and really improved our curb appeal.
I also find myself enjoying looking out the windows more – the new glass is so clear (no more decades of haze and scratches) and we can actually open them on nice days. It's the kind of upgrade that enhances daily life, not just something you check off a list. So for anyone on the fence, I'd say it's worth it, especially when living in an older house.
For those curious about window brands, we ended up choosing PGT windows for our 1953 home in Gulfport. PGT is a Florida-based manufacturer known for hurricane-impact windows, and we liked that their products are designed for our climate. Our contractor offered a few options (Simonton, PGT, CWS, etc.), and we went with PGT because we wanted impact glass and a slim frame that resembled the old steel frames we had. They've been solid.
I think the brand matters less than the install quality, but do pay attention to the warranty and specs. We needed a certain DP (design pressure) rating because we're in a wind-borne debris zone near the coast. The PGT ones met that easily. If you're in Tampa Bay, you'll likely hear those same brand names come up. Most have options that can fit an older style home; just pick what suits your needs and budget.
When we refinanced our 1947 house in Spring Hill (north of Tampa Bay) after renovations, the appraiser actually noted the new windows as a value-add. He mentioned that so many older homes he sees still have single-pane windows, and updating them not only improves efficiency but also the home's marketability. It was nice to see that reflected in the appraisal.
More subjectively, we've noticed the house feels more secure now too. The old windows had flimsy locks and some didn't close right. The new ones have robust locks and thicker glass, so we feel safer, both from intruders and storms. It's those little intangible benefits I appreciate, beyond just looks and energy savings.