Florida panhandle homeowner here (house built in 2001, so just after the 90s but similar issues). I replaced my windows this year and can add some post-installation reflections and a bit about the warranty side:
I chose a well-known brand (Custom Window Systems - CWS) for impact windows. 12 windows + 2 sliders = ~$25k. Not cheap, but CWS had a good rep in FL and lifetime warranty on frame & sash, 20 years on glass.
A month after install, I noticed condensation between the panes on one window (a sign of a bad seal). Called the installer, they checked it and agreed it was a defect. It took about 6 weeks to get the sash replaced under warranty, but it was all covered. The waiting was annoying but at least I wasn’t out of pocket.
That taught me: make sure whatever windows you get have a strong warranty and a local service presence. If you get a brand that’s not common in your area, you might struggle to get service.
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Another reflection: I didn’t realize how much I’d love having impact windows until I got them. We had a scare with Hurricane Ian (2022) and I was frantically putting up plywood on my old windows back then. This year, a smaller storm came by and I just watched TV calmly. 😌 The peace of mind is real.
As far as cost differences, I didn’t even bother quoting non-impact because of code (and my own preference). But talking to others in my neighborhood, those who did non-impact + shutters often spent nearly the same after adding good shutters. One neighbor spent $10k on windows and later $7k on electric roll-down shutters... Should have just gotten impact windows maybe.
Has anyone here mixed frame types? My house (built 1997, South Florida) currently has a mix of aluminum windows and one set of old wood French doors. I’m looking to replace everything. I got quotes for:
Vinyl impact windows (CGI Targa series) for all openings: ~$18k.
Aluminum impact windows (CGI Estate series) for all openings: ~$22k. The rep said aluminum is stronger and slimmer frames but costs more.
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I’m torn because I like the look of the aluminum frames (thinner, more glass area), especially for my large front picture window. But the vinyl is cheaper and has better energy efficiency ratings.
Also, what about doors? I have two doors with glass (front door has side lights, back French door). If I do impact windows but leave those doors non-impact (with shutters), does that ruin my insurance credits? Probably yes, as @nlopez32 mentioned all openings need protection.
So my project might expand to a new front door and back door...
$. The door quotes were like $4k for an impact front door with side lights and $5k for an impact French door or slider. I might delay doors until next year and just shutter them if needed for a storm.
If anyone has experience with mixing vinyl vs aluminum frames, I’d love input. And also if you did doors at the same time or later.
@josephfrost990 I faced a similar decision on vinyl vs aluminum frames. My house is concrete block construction (South FL). I originally thought aluminum impact windows were the way to go because of strength and they’re common in high-rises. But a couple of companies actually steered me toward vinyl impact windows. They said modern vinyl (uPVC) is very strong too, doesn’t corrode in salt air, and insulates better (thermal break).
I went with vinyl PGT WinGuard windows and an aluminum frame impact sliding door (because PGT only offered the big multi-slide door in aluminum). So yes, I mixed: all windows vinyl, slider aluminum.
Observations:
The vinyl window frames are thicker (chunkier look) than my old aluminum ones, but they look fine and actually match my white trim better now.
Aluminum slider is nice and rigid, but it does transmit heat a bit more when the sun hits it, compared to the vinyl frames.
No issues with mixing, aesthetics-wise everything was white frame and looks uniform enough.
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About the doors: For insurance credit, if those glass side lights by your front door aren’t impact, then that front door unit wouldn’t count as protected. Some people in my area actually put hurricane film or removable panels over side lights if they don’t want to replace the whole door. It’s a bit of a hack, but check your insurer’s requirements.
I bit the bullet and did an impact front door too eventually (mostly for security reasons). But I did my windows and slider first, then a year later did the doors. It spread out the cost.
So I’d say do windows first (impact) so at least all window openings are done. For the doors, you can use shutters or panels temporarily to satisfy protection if a storm comes, then upgrade the doors when budget allows.
Wow, lots of great details here. I’ll add my two cents from a home renovation contractor perspective (I work in construction in coastal NC, and yes, we do windows among other things):
Regional Pricing: It’s fascinating but not surprising to see Florida prices a bit higher (due to demand and stricter codes) and other regions a tad lower. Where I am, impact windows aren’t mandated, so not everyone sells them. Those who do sometimes charge a premium because it’s a specialty item here.
Quotes Variation: If you ever get quotes that are wildly different (like some folks mentioned one at $30k vs another at $15k for similar scope), ask for a breakdown. Sometimes the high quote might include extras like wrapping exterior trim, upgrading all hardware, or just pure markup. And the lowest quote might be cutting corners (maybe using less experienced installers or a lesser-known window brand).
Window Brands: Some brands frequently mentioned for impact: PGT, Simonton, CWS, CGI, WinDoor, etc. Non-impact you have dozens of brands. In late 90s homes, many had cheap aluminum or builder-grade wood windows, so any modern replacement is an upgrade. But if you go impact, stick with brands that have a proven track record for that tech. A regular window manufacturer that just started offering “impact” options might not have the kinks worked out yet.
Installation Methods: For full replacements, especially in older homes, there might be wood rot when they pull out the old windows. I always advise homeowners to budget an extra ~5-10% for any surprise repairs (like replacing rotten sills or framing). A good installer will fix that as they go, but it can add a bit to the final bill if issues are found.
Caulking and Seals: Impact windows are only as good as their install. Ensure they properly caulk and seal them. Water can infiltrate around a window even if the glass doesn’t break. During your final walkthrough, use a hose to spray around the window frame to test (I actually do a water test on all my window installs, impact or not, to make sure).
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Reading the homeowner experiences here is awesome. As a pro, I encourage clients to talk to people who’ve done it, just like this. Real-world feedback is gold.
Checking in from New Jersey (1995 house) again with an update. I know a lot of this thread is Florida-centric, but I wanted to report back in case it helps others outside of hurricane zones considering impact vs non-impact:
I went ahead and did all my windows with laminated (impact) glass after all! Initially I only did the front for noise as I posted earlier. But we had an incident where someone tried to break into a neighbor’s house via a window. That spooked us. So I called back my window guy and asked if I could upgrade the remaining windows (which were on order but not yet installed) to the laminated glass package. He said yes, for an upcharge of course.
So my total for 15 windows went from $9k to about $13k to have the laminated safety glass on all of them. We haven’t had them installed yet (they’re due next month), but I’m feeling good about the decision. Security + soundproofing in one go. My wife joked that we basically got hurricane windows in NJ – hey, maybe climate change will throw a hurricane our way someday too, who knows! 😅
I know not everyone in non-coastal areas would do this, but I wanted to share that the reasons can go beyond hurricanes. If you live in a noisy area or concerned about break-ins, it’s something to consider if budget allows.
I’ve been following this because I need to replace windows in a home I just bought (built 1998, in Miami). It’s interesting to see how folks in Florida basically consider impact windows a must, while others elsewhere are on the fence.
Down here, it’s almost assumed you’ll go impact. Out of curiosity, I asked one window company about non-impact + shutters just to compare cost and the rep said, “We honestly don’t do many of those anymore, nearly everyone goes impact now.”
They quoted me for 10 windows + 1 sliding door:
Impact (PGT): $18,000
Non-impact (PGT) + shutters: $15,500 (windows $10k + accordion shutters $5.5k)
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So yeah, about a $2.5k difference. The kicker is, if I did non-impact I’d have to also either keep my ugly old shutters (the house currently has outdated panel shutters) or invest in new ones. I’m inclined to just do impact and be done with it.
I will say though, I’ve seen some really nice modern accordion shutters and roll-down shutters that don’t look too bad. A friend of mine has these sleek roll-downs that he can deploy with a remote. But those can cost as much as impact windows anyway.
This thread has basically solidified my decision: I’m going to budget for the impact windows. Just got to make sure I choose a reliable installer. Learned that lesson from an unrelated project (cheap contractor = big headaches).
Thanks to everyone for sharing—super helpful for someone like me new to Florida home ownership.
Glad to see more people contributing. Let me add my post-install perspective as well:
Location: Central Florida (Orlando area), house built 1999, not on the coast but we get strong storms and occasional hurricane remnants.
Project: Replaced all 12 windows with non-impact double-pane windows initially (5 years ago). Then last year, replaced those again with impact windows after a freak hail storm cracked two and a close call with a tornado. So I’ve basically done windows twice (I know, costly mistake).
The first time (non-impact windows): cost ~$6,500 (it was a budget vinyl window, did the job for energy efficiency but not very strong).
Second time (impact upgrade): cost ~$10,000 (got a good deal because the window company felt bad for me and gave a returning customer discount).
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If I could turn back time, I’d have done impact from the get-go even in Orlando. We might not need them by law, but we do get random severe weather. My new windows are rated to 150mph winds and large missile impact (like a 2x4 plank) since they’re essentially hurricane windows. Gives me peace of mind for any scenario.
One more thing to note: impact windows are heavy. Make sure your installers properly shim and secure them. My installer told me an anecdote of a DIYer who tried to put in his own impact window and it actually slipped out and fell because he underestimated the weight and didn't anchor it correctly. So definitely use pros for this.
Anyway, expensive lesson learned on my part. If you’re on this thread and still deciding, learn from me – try to do it right the first time, even if it costs more. It might save you from doing it twice.
To build on what @marywolf990 (contractor) and others said about installation: I’d like to emphasize the importance of the install team. I had a not-so-great experience, which contrasts with many of the positive ones here.
I’m in South Florida and replaced 8 windows with impact ones through a company that had decent (but not amazing) reviews – I chose them because they had a shorter lead time. The price was middle-of-the-road.
Long story short:
The installation crew seemed in a hurry. They finished 8 windows in one day (which was fine) but left a mess of concrete dust and a couple of windows had cosmetic damage (scratches on the frame).
One window had a small water leak at the top during a rainstorm a month later. I suspect they didn’t caulk it thoroughly up in the header area.
It took multiple calls to get them back out. They eventually fixed the caulking and replaced one window sash that was scratched. But the hassle… ugh.
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So yeah, even if the windows themselves are great, a bad install can ruin the experience. If I could do it over, I’d probably have waited for a better-rated company (even if it meant waiting 10-12 weeks for windows).
I’m satisfied now, but that initial frustration was real. If you’re vetting companies, maybe ask how their install crews work, if they are in-house or subcontractors, and check reviews specifically about installation quality and service follow-up.
Here’s another consideration: resale value. I plan to sell my house (built 1996, South Florida) in a couple years. I replaced my windows last year and deliberately chose impact windows to make the home more attractive to buyers.
Before replacing, I actually asked my realtor friend what buyers prefer. She said in our area, a home with all impact windows and doors is a huge plus and can fetch a higher price or at least sell faster. Many buyers nowadays are actually looking for those upgrades so they don’t have to do it themselves.
I spent about $20k on the windows and a new impact front door. If I sell, I might not get all that back, but it definitely improves curb appeal and perceived maintenance level of the home. It’s like roof and AC – one of those big ticket items that buyers love seeing done.
For comparison, my neighbor sold his similar house with original windows (but he had shutters) and he got less offers. A lot of feedback was the windows needed updating. He eventually sold but the buyer used that to negotiate down.
So, for anyone thinking of selling in a hurricane-prone area, I’d say impact windows are a good investment to differentiate your home. If you’re staying long term, then it’s about what’s best for your life (safety, convenience, etc.), which many have covered here.
I noticed a few people mentioned noise reduction. Can confirm! We did impact windows in our 1994 home (So. Florida) two years ago, and one of the first things we noticed was how quiet it got inside. We live near a busy street and suddenly we didn’t hear the traffic nearly as much. We joke that our house became a library.
Interestingly, one window rep had pitched that aspect like “these will even help with the noise” and I thought it was just a sales pitch. But it’s true, laminated glass dampens sound. Our bedroom faces the street and our sleep improved because we don’t hear cars or the 5am garbage truck as loudly as before.
So if anyone reading is also annoyed by outside noise, that’s a bonus reason to go impact. Non-impact double panes can help with noise too, but the laminate layer in impact glass adds extra sound deadening.
Also worth noting: impact windows usually have two layers of glass with a plastic interlayer. Even if it cracks, it stays intact. We haven’t had any cracks, but a friend did (tree branch hit during a storm) and though the glass spiderwebbed, it didn’t fall out. He still had to replace that pane, but it kept the storm out in the meantime. Pretty cool tech if you ask me.