@geo733 That’s awesome news! So happy for you. It sounds like you had a smooth experience and are already seeing (and feeling) the improvements. Simonton makes a great window, and it’s good to hear Karoly’s crew lived up to their reputation as well.
I know exactly what you mean about touching the glass and not feeling heat – I did the same thing after my install, like a kid with a new toy, haha. When August rolls around and it’s blazing outside, you’ll be extra glad for those Low-E3 windows keeping you cool 😎.
Thanks for sharing your outcome. It’s really satisfying to hear how it turned out, and I’m sure your story will help others reading this. Enjoy your upgraded home!
That’s wonderful @geo733! Reading your update gives me even more confidence to move forward with mine. I’m just about to finalize our plans (leaning PGT with ProTech for our home, as I mentioned). Knowing that your project went well and you’re happy really motivates me to get this done sooner rather than later.
I can’t wait to have that “cool to the touch glass” experience too. And not to mention, no more towels on the windowsills to catch condensation or dripping sweat from the frames (our old aluminum windows are so bad).
Thanks for the inspiration – and enjoy your new windows! I’ll share my own results in the coming months once we get ours installed.
So great to hear, @geo733! We all love a success story. And good luck @jennifer_river – you won’t regret it. Once you feel the difference new windows make, you’ll wish you’d done it sooner, trust me.
This thread really highlights how useful it is to exchange experiences. One person’s question leads to another’s answer, and we all learn something. I’m glad I could help a bit by sharing mine, and I’ve learned a few new tips here myself.
By the way, one more little maintenance tip for everyone: If you live near the coast or even just in Florida in general, keep an eye on your window’s weep holes (the tiny drain openings in the frame). With all our rain, humidity, and occasional salt, those can clog over time. I make it a habit to inspect and flush them with water every now and then so any rainwater drains out properly. I actually noticed a bit of salt/debris buildup in one of mine last week (thanks to the salt air blowing in), and a quick rinse cleared it. Doing stuff like that will help your windows last longer and prevent any moisture issues.
But beyond that, there’s not much to worry about – vinyl windows are pretty carefree.
Again, congrats to everyone who recently upgraded, and to those planning to – you’re making a wise investment in your home.
@geo733 Welcome to the Simonton club 😉! Happy to hear the install went well and you’re already feeling the benefits. My Simontons are a bit younger than yours (6 months in), and I continue to be impressed by how much more comfortable our home is. I suspect you’ll keep noticing little improvements (like maybe no more draftiness when it’s windy, etc.).
Don’t hesitate to drop back in down the road with a long-term report. We all love to hear how these hold up over time. But given what I’ve seen so far, I expect you’ll remain a happy camper. Enjoy the cooler, quieter home!
That’s a fantastic outcome @geo733, congrats! 🎉 Also, thank you @marketing_becky for the insights on fiberglass. After absorbing all this, I’m leaning towards going with a high-quality vinyl (likely Simonton or PGT) when I do my project next year. It seems like in practice, vinyl vs fiberglass vs composite – they all can work well here if made correctly, but vinyl gives more bang for the buck.
I’ll admit, this thread has saved me a ton of legwork. I was able to hear real feedback on exactly the brands and materials I was considering. Feeling much more confident now in choosing what’s best for our Florida home.
@zshadow38 No problem! Glad I could help. And I agree – you really can’t go wrong with a good vinyl window here, especially with the experiences folks like @geo733 and @sonicbaker889 have shared. The key is quality and good installation, and it sounds like you’re well-armed with knowledge now to ensure you get both.
Good luck with your remodel when the time comes. Keep us posted on what you end up choosing!
I’m late to the party, but I just want to say this thread is an absolute goldmine of information! @geo733, thanks for starting this and to everyone else for contributing your experiences. I’ve been researching window replacements for my house in Trinity, FL, and honestly, reading through this conversation answered questions I didn’t even know I had. It’s like a masterclass on Florida windows 😂.
I feel much more prepared to make decisions now. Big thanks to all the knowledgeable homeowners here!
@vr_bear Welcome! I’m so glad you found this helpful. When I first posted, I had no idea we’d get such a robust conversation going, but I couldn’t be happier with the wealth of information shared. This community is amazing.
Feel free to ask any specific questions you might have as you continue your research. There are plenty of folks here (far more expert than me) who can chime in. And good luck with your window project – keep us updated on how it goes!
I have to say, what I love about this forum (and thread) is hearing real experiences from fellow Tampa Bay homeowners. Manufacturer specs and sales pitches are one thing, but knowing how certain windows actually perform in our humid, sun-soaked climate over time is invaluable.
To any newcomers (and @vr_bear), feel free to keep the questions coming. We’ve covered a lot – brands, glass, frames, installation, costs – but there’s always more to learn or clarify. The beauty of a sticky thread like this is that we can continue to update it with new insights. 😊