We had 13 windows replaced in Brandon (Hillsborough) earlier this year. One thing I'd emphasize is patience with the timeline. From the day we signed the contract to the day installation finished was about 4 months. Part of that was on us for scheduling (we asked to avoid a certain week we were out of town), but a lot was just manufacturing time.
Apparently, certain sizes of impact glass were in short supply for a bit, which delayed our order. Then, when the windows arrived to the installer, one had a crack (shipping mishap), so that had to be re-ordered. That added a few more weeks.
The installation itself, once everything was in hand, took 2 days for the 13 windows. The crew was efficient. But again, after install we waited another 2 days for the county inspector to come approve it (can't forget that step). We passed, they put a little sticker on the electrical panel indicating approval, and that was that.
So, if you’re planning this project, expect possibly a few months lead time, especially for custom impact windows. Non-impact might be a bit faster since sometimes they stock those standard sizes. And time of year matters too: if you order in spring, lots of people are preparing for hurricane season, so factories are busy. We intentionally did ours in winter, hoping for a quicker turnaround, but still hit some delays.
In the end, everything was done before the next storm season and we’re very happy. Just don’t plan a window project at the last minute thinking it can be done in a few weeks – it often can’t, due to factors outside the contractor’s control.
I'd like to share a cautionary tale about choosing contractors. I went with a somewhat lesser-known window installer because their quote undercut others by a decent margin (about 15% cheaper than the big guys). It turned into a bit of a headache.
They did get the job done (10 windows in my 2001 Tampa home), but the process was rocky. Communication was poor – after I paid the deposit, it was hard to get updates. The install crew showed up 2 weeks later than originally scheduled, with little notice. They worked fast (maybe too fast). After they left, I noticed a few problems: one window had a small crack in the glass corner, another window's caulking was sloppy, and they forgot to properly seal around one frame (I could see daylight in a top corner!).
I had to call and email multiple times to get them to come back. It took another month before they sent a guy to address the issues. He did replace the cracked sash and re-caulked where needed, but I was not a happy camper during that period.
The moral of the story: price isn't everything. I wish I had gone with a more reputable company, even if it meant paying more. The stress and time spent dealing with the problems negated any savings.
My windows are fine now, but if/when I do my doors or any future projects, I'll likely go with one of the trusted companies mentioned in this thread. I learned that lesson the hard way.
@coffee_pumpkin Sorry you went through that. Stories like yours are exactly why I leaned toward a well-reviewed company for my windows, even though their quote was a bit higher. I ended up using Karoly Windows & Doors for my full replacement (11 windows in Dunedin), and it was a night-and-day difference compared to what you described. From the get-go, their communication was excellent – the salesperson and project coordinator kept me in the loop every step, and I got regular updates during the 8-week manufacturing period.
When it came time for installation, they were punctual and methodical. The crew lead walked through each room with me to explain what they'd do, and they addressed any concerns I had (I was worried about my newly installed hardwood floors, so they put down extra protection there). After install, they had me inspect every window with them. Everything was perfect the first time around.
I realized that paying a bit more paid off in less stress. I think I spent maybe $1k more than the lowest quote, but I have zero regrets. No follow-ups needed, no chasing people down. So for anyone reading: strongly consider the company's reputation and reviews, not just the price tag. In Tampa Bay, we have a lot of options, but not all are equal. The ones that consistently get praise (like Karoly, etc.) get it for a reason.
On a slightly different note, let's talk about looks and aesthetics for a moment. My house got a facelift with these new windows. We went from old aluminum frames to new white vinyl frames and it really improved curb appeal. The lines are cleaner and the windows actually look a bit larger (maybe because the old ones had those thick aluminum mullions and grime, etc.).
One decision we had to make was whether to get grids (muntins) in the windows. Our old windows had no grids (clear glass), which is common in Florida. But our neighborhood has a sort of traditional look and some homes have grids on the front windows. We decided to add colonial-style grids to the upper half of our front-facing windows to match some others on our street. It added a small cost (like $50 per window extra), but it really looks sharp and the HOA appreciated it. For the side and back windows, we kept no grids for maximum view.
Also, a heads-up for those in HOA communities: check if you need approval for new windows. In our case, the HOA just wanted to ensure the grid pattern and frame color were in line with the community (white frames were fine, and any grid pattern or none was okay as long as it was consistent). We got a quick approval, no issue.
Now inside the house, the frames of the new windows are a bit thicker than our old aluminum ones, so you lose a tiny bit of glass area. Not a huge deal, but I notice it especially on smaller windows. Still, the trade-off for double-pane and better looking frames is worth it.
Overall, aesthetically we’re very pleased. Our neighbors keep commenting that the house looks refreshed but they can't always pinpoint why – the windows make a subtle but powerful difference.
We actually bundled a new front entry door with our window project and it worked out great. Our home (Trinity area in Pasco) had 10 windows and also an old fiberglass front door that had seen better days. The window company (it was a small local contractor) also did doors, and they gave us a slight discount for doing both together (mostly we saved on not having to pay a separate permit fee for the door, since they included it under the window permit).
So, 10 windows + 1 front door came to $13,500. The door itself (fiberglass, with impact glass insert) was about $3,000 of that. The windows (non-impact, vinyl, double-pane) were about $1,050 each average. We didn't go impact on the windows because our budget was stretched by adding the door, and we have shutters for the windows; but we did make the front door an impact-rated door (so we don't have to mess with covering the door).
Install was all done in 1.5 days. Crew size was 4 guys. They did the windows first, then the door. The only hiccup was the door came with the wrong style hinges originally, but the installer caught it and they swapped the hinges the next week (minor issue, but mentioning to show things can happen).
Doing it all together was convenient – one permit, one crew, one final inspection. The inspector checked the door install along with the windows. Passed without any problems.
Now our front facade looks new (the old door was really dragging it down). And since the windows and door frames are all white, everything matches nicely. So if you are also thinking about a door, ask your window installer if they can do it as a package. It saved us some hassle and probably a few bucks compared to doing it separately later.
Question for the group: Does anyone know if there's a cost difference between installing windows in a block house vs a wood-frame house? My early 2000s home is concrete block with stucco (first floor) and wood frame with siding (second floor). I was curious if one type of construction tends to be cheaper or easier for window installation.
I imagine block/stucco might need more masonry cutting and patching, whereas wood frame you can just pop the window in and nail to studs, then patch trim or siding. Did anyone with wood frame notice if their install was smoother or anything? Just wondering if I should expect any extra costs because half my house is block.
@tim_carpenter My house is a 1998 two-story in Palm Harbor. First floor is block with stucco, second floor is wood frame with siding – just like yours. We replaced all windows (17 total). The cost was basically the same per window regardless of location in the house, but I did observe differences in how they installed them:
For the block/stucco openings, the crew used an angle grinder to cut the stucco back around the window and had to use concrete screws to secure the new windows. After installation, they did stucco patching around each window. That part of the job was messy (lots of dust from cutting) but they did a good job patching – you can't tell around most windows, except I need to paint the fresh stucco still.
For the wood frame/siding parts, they were able to remove some exterior siding pieces and take out the old window with less grinding. They then nailed the new window fins into the wood frame and put the siding back, sealing around. They also added some new exterior trim around a couple of windows upstairs. The interior trim work was similar for both – a bit of caulk and paint touch-up.
The installers didn't charge extra for one vs the other; it was all included. But if you had a house that was all block vs all wood, I wonder if times differ. From what I saw, block homes might take a tad longer per window due to the stucco cutting and masonry anchoring. Wood frame might be a little faster per window.
Either way, a good installer is experienced with both. Just make sure if you have stucco that the quote includes patching it up, and if you have siding, that they will replace/patch any siding removed. Mine explicitly said they would do stucco and exterior wood trim as needed. We had one small hairline crack in the stucco a few feet from a window after (from the vibration of cutting maybe), but I just filled that on my own.
TL;DR: Both types are fine, just different install methods. No big cost difference in my case, it was wrapped into the overall price.
Apart from all the cost and install talk, I want to echo what some others touched on: the energy efficiency and comfort improvement. Our early 2000s house in Carrollwood had the original aluminum single-pane windows until last year. Summers were brutal - you could feel the heat radiating off the windows and the rooms near them were always warmer. After we put in new double-pane vinyl windows (we opted for non-impact with a good Low-E coating), the difference was immediately noticeable.
This past summer, our electric bill was on average about 10-15% lower than the previous year, even though we kept the AC at the same setting. The house just doesn't heat up as much during the day. Also, the AC doesn't kick on as frequently because the house holds its temperature better. It's hard to attribute exact dollars to windows alone (we also added some attic insulation), but windows were a big part of it.
And as others have said, the noise reduction is a huge plus. We live near a busy road, and with the old windows, I could hear cars and sirens a lot. Now, it's significantly quieter – not silent, but much better. We can sleep through noises that used to wake us up.
So, while it's a hefty investment, remember you're upgrading the quality of your home environment too. It's not all about hurricane protection and looks; it's also about comfort and potentially lower utility bills. For us, that adds to the "worth it" factor of doing this project.
@rachelh71 I second everything you said. We noticed the same at our house in Pasco. One thing that stood out for us was condensation (or the lack thereof) after replacing windows. Our old single-pane aluminum windows would sweat like crazy on humid days, to the point of puddling water inside during winter mornings. After we got the new double-pane vinyl windows, we have zero condensation. The interior glass stays at room temperature basically, so no more water issues.
This was important because that condensation was causing mold and damage to our sills. Now it's a non-issue.
Also funny enough, my wife commented this winter (a couple cool nights in the 30s) that the house felt less "drafty". The heat ran less and we didn't get that cold draft feeling near the windows that we used to. So, summer or winter, the climate inside is more stable.
To your point on noise: same here too. We live under a bit of a flight path for TPA (Tampa Airport). It's not super loud, but planes occasionally would be heard faintly. Now, with impact glass (which has a laminate layer), it's even quieter. Impact glass acts like a built-in sound dampening layer.
So yeah, beyond the dollars and codes, the lifestyle improvement is real.
Are there any particular window brands or series you all recommend (or conversely, any to avoid)? Or is it mostly about the installer? For example, I hear a lot about PGT and Simonton in Florida. The quotes I've gotten mention those, and one company uses a brand called CWS (Custom Window Systems). Then there are ones like Renewal by Andersen which use their own thing (Fibrex), and NewSouth that makes their own.
Does brand matter a ton if the specs are similar (impact, double-pane, Low-E, etc.)? I'm inclined to trust my contractor's recommended brand, but just checking if anyone had strong opinions on brand quality.