Quick one: for those who have had these jobs done, what window brands did your contractors install, and are you happy with them? I’m trying to make sure I get a good quality product as well as a good installer. I’ve had one quote from a company (not mentioned here) that was pushing a brand I never heard of. With Karoly or ProTech (or others you used), did you get to choose the window brand or model? Any preferences like PGT vs Simonton vs other brands? I'm in Clearwater if that matters (lots of sun and salt air). Thanks!
@rockysinger Good question. In our case with Karoly, they offered us a couple of brand options. We ended up going with Simonton windows (their StormBreaker Plus line) because we liked the warranty and the look of them. Karoly also had PGT available (which is another popular Florida-made brand). Honestly, both those brands are well-regarded for our climate. We chose Simonton because the specifics fit our needs (and maybe it was slightly less expensive than PGT for the same features, I can’t recall exactly).
The contractors will usually recommend something they trust. ProTech, as @sky_paws mentioned, also offered PGT and Simonton. Others might have different suppliers. If a company is pushing a brand you’ve never heard of, you should ask about its ratings and warranty. Sometimes smaller companies use lesser-known manufacturers that might be fine, but you want to be sure they meet Florida hurricane codes and are energy efficient. The big names in our area like PGT, Simonton, CWS, etc., all have good track records. If you go with Karoly or ProTech, you’ll likely end up with one of those solid brands. Just make sure to specify what you want in the contract. In salty air near Clearwater, the hardware and frames on the major brands hold up well (ours are vinyl with stainless steel hardware, no rust or issues so far).
@sailing891 Thank you! That’s reassuring to hear. I feel better knowing these top companies use reputable products like PGT or Simonton. I’ll definitely insist on a known brand window in my quote. Appreciate the insight!
I just want to say this thread has been extremely helpful. As a new homeowner in Florida (just moved to Apollo Beach last year), I had no clue where to start with finding a decent window contractor. Now I have a short list of names to reach out to (Karoly and ProTech are at the top of that list, thanks to all of you!).
It’s also helpful to know what to watch out for, like the tactics @fashion378 mentioned or checking licenses like @illustrator24 said. I feel way more prepared going into this. So thanks everyone for sharing your experiences – it’s really saving some of us a lot of trial and error!
Update: First, I want to thank everyone who contributed to this thread. The information here has been incredibly helpful (and has probably helped a lot of silent readers too!). I ended up getting quotes from both Karoly Windows and ProTech Windows & Doors, as well as one other local company for comparison. As many of you noted, the quotes from Karoly and ProTech were very close in price and scope. Both representatives were professional and spent a good amount of time assessing my home and answering my 101 questions.
After weighing everything, I’ve decided to go with Karoly Windows & Doors for my project. It was honestly a tough call because both companies seem excellent. In the end, it came down to a personal comfort level and scheduling. Karoly was able to slot me in slightly sooner for installation (I guess someone rescheduled and a spot opened up), and I felt very comfortable with the team. They also offered to handle a minor modification I need (widening one kitchen window into a pass-through) which gave them a slight edge for my particular needs.
So I have signed the contract with Karoly! 🎉 Our install is scheduled for about 6 weeks from now (mid-September). I’ll make sure to come back and update everyone on how the installation goes. I’m pretty excited (and a little nervous) to finally get this done, but hearing all your success stories definitely gives me confidence. Stay tuned, and thanks again!
@cooking518 That’s great news! Congrats on moving forward. I think you’ll be in very good hands with Karoly. 😊 Keep us posted on how the install goes. We’re here to cheer you on and answer any last-minute questions if they come up.
@cooking518 Sounds like a solid decision. Both choices were good, so you couldn’t really go wrong. Glad to hear Karoly could accommodate your schedule. Best of luck with the install – I’m sure it will go smoothly. Definitely update us once it’s done!
@cooking518 Congrats! I’m glad this thread helped you. You definitely did your homework – sounds like you made a great choice. I have a feeling your experience will be a lot smoother than mine was with the big guys. Looking forward to your update after install. Good luck!
All these reviews are awesome. Question about warranties: did your contractors give you any sort of workmanship warranty or just the manufacturer warranty on the windows? I’m assuming the window units themselves come with a factory warranty (like 20-year or lifetime on the glass/frame), but I wonder if the installation is guaranteed by the installer too.
I just worry about down the line, if there’s a leak or something due to install, will they come fix it? Those of you who have had your windows for a while (2-4 years or more), have you needed any follow-up service and was it covered?
@film495 Good question. In my case, ProTech gave us both the manufacturer’s warranty and their own installation warranty in writing. The windows (PGT brand) have a lifetime limited warranty on the frame/glass and I think 10 years on moving parts. ProTech’s contract also included a workmanship warranty (I recall it was something like 1 year or 2 years on the installation labor specifically). Basically that meant if anything caused by their install popped up, they’d fix it.
We actually did use the warranty once, as I mentioned earlier: a piece of trim warped after a couple of years. I wasn’t sure if that fell under manufacture or install, but I just called ProTech and they took care of it without charging me. They ordered the replacement part and installed it, so I didn’t have to get in the weeds of who was responsible – they just handled it. I believe Karoly and most reputable companies do something similar. A lot of times if you have an issue, you call the installer and they coordinate with the manufacturer if needed. So definitely ask about both types of warranties when you get a quote. The good companies stand behind their work even after the job is done.