Something interesting happened during our permit inspection. We replaced windows in our 1928 home in Hyde Park. The inspector came to sign off and actually questioned the egress size of one bedroom window (the opening seemed a bit small by modern standards). Since we kept the original opening size (we didn’t alter the framing, just put a new window in), it was grandfathered in and not considered a violation. But I did have a moment of panic thinking we'd have to cut into our wall to enlarge a window for egress.
Just a heads-up: if you have really small bedroom windows in an old house, you might want to confirm with your contractor if any egress rules apply. Usually if you don't alter the opening, you're fine in an existing structure. Our situation ended up okay, but that was something I hadn't considered beforehand.
Our 1930 church-turned-home in Seminole Heights had some stained glass panels in a couple of the window openings. We were definitely not going to toss those! The solution was to have a glass specialist carefully remove the old stained glass sections before the window installers came. Then we had new double-pane windows installed, but left space to reinstall the stained glass as an interior accent. In one case, we framed the stained glass and hung it in front of the new window like a sun-catcher.
It keeps the character while still giving us the benefits of new windows behind it. So if your older home has any unique glass features (stained glass, etched glass, etc.), you don't have to lose them. You can often integrate or preserve them with a little creativity. Our contractor was actually excited to accommodate the stained glass, and it looks awesome now – best of both worlds.
In our two-story 1926 house in Old Northeast St. Pete, the window work meant dealing with the second floor. The crew had to use tall ladders and even set up some scaffolding to reach the upstairs windows safely. One window was above a lower roof, which made it tricky. If you have a multi-story older home, expect a bit of extra labor for those high windows. Our installers actually charged a little more for the second-story ones because of the added difficulty (they mentioned that upfront in the quote).
It all went fine, but it took them longer doing the ladder work. Also, after they were done, I walked around and found a few dropped screws and even a small glass shard in the flower beds below – gravity happens. Just be sure to thoroughly check around your house after installation, especially if you have kids or pets. The crew did a basic clean-up, but I did my own sweep to be safe.
When we replaced windows in our 1935 home on Davis Islands, we took the opportunity to do some other improvements too. We added new headers and jack studs where previous remodels had cut corners. In one opening, an old DIY job had removed some support and the window was sagging – our contractor beefed up the support inside the wall before putting in the new window. We also had them insulate around the window gaps (with low-expansion foam) which the old construction lacked. Now the frames aren't drafty at all.
So, window replacement can double as a structural tune-up for your home. If you suspect any weakness or past shoddy work, tell your installer – a good one will fix it as part of the job. It felt good knowing our walls are sturdier after the project, not just prettier.
Slightly tangential, but we turned a large window into a French door during our reno. Our 1969 home in Carrollwood had an old picture window in the dining room that we never opened (fixed glass). We figured while doing windows, we'd knock out a bit of wall and put in French doors to the patio for more light and access. It required a special permit for the structural change and a new header beam, which the contractor handled, but it did add complexity.
If you're thinking of changing window sizes or converting to doors, just know it's a different ballgame than a straight replacement. It can be done in old homes (and we love the result), but it cost a lot more per opening and needed an engineer's plans for city approval. For most folks, sticking to same-size replacements is simpler and cheaper. We did all the other windows one-for-one, and those were quick in comparison.
I'll admit, I had a moment of nostalgia after the new windows went in. Our home in Gulfport is from 1932, and we'd lived with its old wavy-glass windows for so long that the crystal-clear new glass almost looked too perfect at first 😅. It was like our house got new eyeglasses and everything was suddenly in HD. I actually kept one of the old sashes and turned it into a mirror frame as a keepsake.
Now, a year later, I don't miss the old drafty windows at all, but I do have that little piece of the past repurposed. If you're sentimental like me, maybe save one of your original windows and get creative with it. I've seen people make shadow boxes, greenhouse panels, or wall art out of old window sashes. It's a nice way to honor your home's history while still moving forward with improvements.
For those near the water or bay, consider the hardware and materials. My 1958 beach bungalow in Pass-a-Grille had corrosion on all the old window latches from the salt air. When getting new windows, we made sure to get stainless steel hardware and we chose aluminum frames because they tend to hold up to salt better than basic vinyl. We also rinse them down with fresh water now and then to avoid salt buildup. So far so good after 3 years.
My neighbor a few doors down didn't think about this and got a cheaper window with standard hardware; his locks and screws started rusting in under two years. In any Florida coastal area, spend a bit extra for corrosion-resistant materials. It will pay off in longevity.
Coming from up north originally, I didn't realize how even Florida winters could get chilly inside an old house with bad windows. Our 1940 house in Seminole Heights used to be freezing on the few cold nights (all those drafts and no insulation). After replacing windows, we actually stay comfortable without space heaters in winter. And in summer, as everyone has said, it's a game changer for the A/C.
Another upside: our old windows would fog up with condensation whenever it was cold out because warm indoor air hit the cold glass. Now, with double-pane, that doesn't happen, so the glass stays clear. It's a quality-of-life improvement, not just energy savings. My wife loves that she can put plants on the windowsill now without them getting scorched or chilled by drafty glass.
Make sure you understand the warranties. Most quality windows come with a solid manufacturer warranty (often lifetime on frames and around 20 years on glass seals), and installers might give a labor warranty too. For our window job on a 1962 house in Riverview, the contractor gave us a 1-year warranty on their work and the windows (Simonton brand) have a double-lifetime warranty that even transfers to the next owner. We actually had one small issue after a few months – a hinge on our kitchen awning window was a bit loose – and the company came out and fixed it free of charge.
It pays to keep all your paperwork and warranty info. In older homes, sometimes minor adjustments are needed after the fact (houses settle, etc.). Having that warranty service was a relief. Definitely choose a reputable installer who stands by their work.
Late to the thread, but I want to echo the love for Karoly Windows & Doors. They just finished installing new windows in our 1969 home in Palma Ceia, and we are thrilled. Yes, our house is barely "historic," but it had those original single panes and needed help. Karoly's team was excellent – super communicative, on time, and the craftsmanship was top-notch. They had to work with some custom sizes since our mid-century design included a huge picture window and a funky bathroom window, and everything came out perfect.
They even matched the obscure blue-tinted glass that was originally in our bathroom, so it still has that retro vibe but now it's tempered and safe. If you're in South Tampa, I'd definitely give them a call. They made what could have been a stressful project quite easy.