Full Home Window Replacement Quotes in Tampa Bay (11-year-old home)

Hey @natemusician233, welcome to the window replacement club! I’m in Pinellas County and went through this last year for my 15-year-old home. My builder-grade windows were failing too (foggy glass and drafty). I’ll share my experience:
We got 3 quotes from local companies. We ended up going with Karoly Windows for our project, and I’ve been really happy with them. They weren’t the absolute cheapest, but their reputation and quality of work won us over. Here’s a quick rundown of what we found:

Pricing: For us, we had 10 windows replaced (mix of sizes, all impact glass since we wanted the hurricane protection). The quotes ranged from about $12,000 up to $18,000. Karoly’s quote was around $14K, which was mid-range. Not cheap, but the value was there. Non-impact would have been roughly 30-40% cheaper if we had gone that route, but we chose impact for reasons below.

Impact vs Non-Impact: We decided on impact windows even though they cost more. It’s just nice not having to put up those metal shutters when a storm is coming. Plus, impact glass gives you an insurance discount on your homeowners policy. After we installed, we got a wind mitigation inspection done and our insurance premium went down a few hundred bucks a year. 💰 The other benefit: impact windows are great for noise reduction. It’s noticeably quieter inside now.

Vinyl vs Aluminum Frames: We chose vinyl frames. Our old ones were aluminum. The vinyl has a cleaner look and better insulation (no more hot frames in the summer). I was a bit worried about vinyl in Florida heat, but the ones we got are high quality and UV-resistant. The Karoly rep said they use vinyl windows designed for Florida (reinforced where needed). Aluminum is definitely strong, though, and some people prefer it especially for very large windows or a specific look. In our case, vinyl was fine for all standard window sizes.

Installation & Permitting: Karoly Windows took care of everything: they pulled the permit with the county and arranged the inspection after install. The permit process was smooth and passed on first inspection. 👍 The installers were professional (they even laid down drop cloths to protect my floors) and finished in two days. We did have to wait about 6 weeks from order to installation because the windows were made-to-order (common lead time).

Warranty: We got a lifetime warranty on the windows (manufacturer) and Karoly offers a separate warranty on their installation/labor (I think it’s also lifetime or 20-year). Make sure whatever company you choose explains their warranties. Some only cover installation issues for a year or so, but Karoly’s was longer which gave us peace of mind.

Overall, it was a great experience and I’d highly recommend Karoly Windows to Tampa Bay homeowners. A couple of my neighbors also used them and are happy. It sounds like you’re considering them, so you’re on the right track in my opinion.

I haven’t personally used ProTech Windoors, but I’ve heard of them. When we were researching, they were on our list to get a quote from (a coworker mentioned ProTech had done his windows and he was satisfied). In the end we didn’t get to them only because we already felt good about Karoly’s offer. If you end up getting a quote from ProTech, let us know how it compares!

If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask. Good luck with the process!

This thread is super useful. Thanks for starting it, @natemusician233. I’m in Pasco County (Wesley Chapel area) with a 9-year-old home, and I’m starting to see the windows failing too (a couple won’t stay open, and I suspect the seals are going bad). I’ll probably be doing what you are in a year or two, so I’m following along.
Quick question for anyone: vinyl vs aluminum frames – I’m really torn on this. 🤔 I see a lot of companies pushing vinyl these days. Is aluminum outdated for Florida homes? Or is there a reason to choose aluminum? I worry about vinyl warping, but also heard new vinyl windows are much improved. Any thoughts?

Jumping in as another Tampa Bay homeowner who went through window replacement. I’m in St. Petersburg, and I replaced all my windows 3 years ago. My situation might shed some light on the vinyl vs aluminum debate. My house is older (built in 1990s) and had old aluminum single-pane windows. When upgrading, I considered vinyl vs aluminum. I actually chose aluminum-frame impact windows for a couple of reasons: Color & Style: We wanted dark bronze frames to match our home’s aesthetic. At the time, many vinyl window brands only came in white or light colors, whereas aluminum could be ordered in bronze. This made the decision for us style-wise. New vinyl windows do have more color options than before, but dark colors can sometimes absorb more heat, which was a concern. Strength for Large Openings: We have a large 3-panel sliding glass door (like a big 12-foot opening) and a couple of oversized picture windows. Our contractor recommended aluminum for those larger openings because it’s structurally very strong and rigid. Vinyl can be reinforced, but for very wide spans, aluminum has an edge to prevent sagging. Florida Heat: Aluminum frames can conduct heat, yes, but the ones we got have a thermal break (insulation built in) so they don’t get as hot inside. We haven’t had issues with heat or condensation. On the flip side, vinyl inherently doesn’t conduct heat as much, so it’s better insulation. It’s a trade-off. Honestly, good windows in either material will be designed for Florida climate. Both will perform well if they’re Florida-rated products. Most new homes around here now use vinyl windows because of the energy efficiency requirements. Aluminum is still used, but I see it more in high-end custom builds or where the homeowner wants a specific look. If you’re okay with white frames, vinyl is probably the way to go for an 11-year-old home upgrade – it will improve your insulation and is usually a bit cheaper than aluminum options. For context, we got quotes from a few companies as well, including Karoly (they actually quoted us vinyl PGT windows) and a local company called StormGuard (they offered an aluminum product). We ended up going with the smaller local company (StormGuard) that provided the aluminum windows since we wanted that bronze aluminum product. Our cost for 8 windows and 1 large slider (all impact, aluminum frame) was about $16k. It was more expensive than the vinyl quotes we got (those were around 12k− 12k− 13k for impact). So yes, aluminum frames can cost a bit more in some cases. Everything turned out great, and the windows are solid. But again, if we didn’t have that specific color/size need, we would have happily gone with vinyl. Vinyl tech has come a long way – no warping or melting issues as long as you get a decent brand. Many neighbors have gone vinyl and are pleased. Hope that helps @marketing983! And @natemusician233, sounds like you’re doing the right thing getting multiple quotes. Feel free to ask if you have more questions on install or anything.

Thank you @nancyanderson915, @marketing983, @dobbyskier for the detailed input! This is incredibly helpful. 🙏
So an update from my side: I’ve gotten two quotes so far and awaiting a third.

Quote 1: from a small local contractor (not a big name company). For 12 windows, they quoted $9,500 for non-impact, vinyl double-pane windows. If I wanted impact glass, it would bump up to about $14,000. This included the permit and installation, but they only offer a 1-year labor warranty (windows themselves had a manufacturer lifetime warranty on parts). This was our first quote and gave us a baseline. The non-impact price seemed tempting budget-wise, but I wasn’t 100% confident because the company is kind of a one-man show and even suggested I could pull the permit myself to save money (which I’m not comfortable doing).

Quote 2: from Karoly Windows (they came out yesterday!). Their quote was $10,000 for non-impact vinyl or about $14,500 for impact vinyl for the 12 windows. Pretty much in line with the first one’s pricing for impact. The difference is, this includes everything (permit, installation, and they handle any stucco repair/finish on the outside). They use PGT windows (Vinyl frame, double-pane, Low-E, argon gas, etc. – very good specs). The rep from Karoly was fantastic – very thorough and no hard sell. He spent a lot of time inspecting each window, pointing out how the builder-grade ones were failing. For example, he showed me one window’s seal had a slight leak causing that fogging between panes. He also noted our window frames were installed with minimal insulation (common in new builds), which they would address during install.

What impressed me was the warranty: Karoly offers a lifetime warranty on installation (if anything leaks or has issues due to install, they fix it) plus the manufacturer warranty (lifetime on frames & sash, 20 years on glass seal, etc.). And it’s transferable once if we sell the house. That’s a big plus.

We haven’t gotten the Karoly written quote yet (they’ll email it), but the numbers were given verbally. Impact being ~40-45% more cost than non-impact, which matches what a lot of you said (and what @apolloparker907 mentioned earlier). It’s a stretch for our budget, but we’re leaning towards impact for the peace of mind and other benefits discussed.

Quote 3: scheduled with ProTech Windoors later this week. I’m eager to see how they compare. After hearing @nancyanderson915 and others, I feel Karoly set a strong bar. But I’ve heard ProTech Windoors is also very good – I saw a few positive posts about them on NextDoor and here on the forum (and thanks @nancyanderson915 for mentioning your coworker’s experience). The ProTech rep on the phone said they also offer impact and non-impact options, and mentioned something about using CWS (Custom Window Systems) as their main product line. I’ll report back once I have their quote.

To answer a couple of the questions that came up:

HOA: Our community does have an HOA, and I checked with them. In our case, as long as the window style and appearance is similar (grids or no grids, exterior color, etc.), they just require an application with details for approval. I’m submitting the forms this week. It’s mostly a formality here – they want to make sure we don’t install something weird. I’d advise checking your HOA rules. Some might require you stick with a certain look (e.g., white frames, same grid pattern). Both companies I’ve talked to (Karoly and the small contractor) said they’d provide whatever spec sheets or photos I need for HOA approval. So it hasn’t been a big deal so far.

Permit: Huge thanks on the permitting advice, everyone. Hearing @film_jack and others emphasize it, I will definitely ensure the company pulls the permit (and I’ll verify it’s been issued before work starts). The fact that one guy suggested I do it myself was a red flag as suspected. Karoly explicitly said they handle permits and schedule the inspection with the county. That makes me feel better that it’ll be done right and documented.

At this point, I’m pretty impressed with Karoly Windows from the quote. If ProTech Windoors comes in around the same range and also has a strong warranty, I might have a tough decision on my hands. It might come down to who can install sooner or little things like that.

Impact vs Non-impact: My wife and I talked more about this after getting the quotes and reading your replies. We’re leaning impact. We do have hurricane shutters currently, but deploying those is such a hassle every time. As @nancyanderson915 said, the insurance savings over time will help offset some cost. We plan to be in this house a long time, so it’s an investment. And yes @nancyanderson915, the noise reduction with impact glass is appealing (our street isn’t super loud, but we do get garbage trucks and lawn mowers, so any noise cut is welcome).

I’ll update again after the ProTech quote comes in! And if anyone else has insight on ProTech or other local installers (or any other tips), I’m all ears. This thread is already making me feel more confident. Thank you all!

Hi all, late to the party but I wanted to chime in since we just went through this in Tampa (Westchase area). We actually used ProTech Windoors for our window replacements last year, and it was a great experience.
Our home is about 13 years old and had the typical builder windows (double-pane but cheap aluminum frames). We replaced 8 windows, all with impact-rated vinyl windows (CWS brand that @natemusician233 mentioned). We got quotes from a couple of companies and ProTech wasn’t the lowest price, but we felt comfortable with them and they had solid references.

Some highlights from my experience with ProTech Windoors:

Professional & Personable: The owner (or maybe lead guy) at ProTech was very involved. He came out for the initial quote and was super patient with my million questions. No high-pressure sales; just answered questions and gave honest recommendations. It felt like a smaller, family-run business vibe, which I liked (as opposed to a corporate feel).

Quote & Price: For our 8 windows, all impact glass, vinyl frame, we paid just under $10k. Other quotes we got (including one from a well-known company in Clearwater) were around $9k (non-impact) and $12k (impact) for similar scope. So ProTech was in the middle. We chose them because they included a couple of nice extras: for example, they upgraded us to laminated insulated glass (basically the impact glass) with Low-E at no extra charge because they were running a promo. They also handled a slight modification we needed (enlarging one bathroom window a bit) and took care of the additional paperwork for that.

Installation: The install crew were ProTech’s own employees (not random subcontractors). They did a very clean job. One thing I appreciated is that the crew lead walked me around after each window was installed to check I was happy. They found a hairline crack in one of the new panes themselves during install and already had a replacement on order before I even saw it. That window was swapped out the following week. So they were on the ball with quality control.

Permitting & Inspection: Just like others have said, they did the permit. Inspector came the day after install and everything passed. ProTech actually had all the documentation (like the stickers showing the window ratings, etc.) ready for the inspector. No issues at all.

After-Sales: We haven’t had any problems, but they did remind us that if we need anything we can call. The windows have a lifetime warranty (CWS product warranty), and ProTech gave us something like 5 years warranty on labor. Not as long as Karoly’s from what @natemusician233 described, but hopefully we won’t need it. They did call a month later to follow up, which was nice.

Overall, I’d definitely recommend ProTech Windoors. They delivered on what they promised, and our new windows look and perform great.

It sounds like you have two good options on your plate, @natemusician233 (Karoly vs ProTech). You probably can’t go wrong either way. It might come down to small differences like timeline or warranty length. Keep us posted on what you end up doing!

As someone who’s done a ton of homework on this (and will be doing my windows soon too), here are a few tips and observations I’ve gathered, which might help you @natemusician233 and others:
Get 3-4 Quotes: You’re already doing this, but for anyone reading, always get multiple quotes. Window pricing can vary a lot. Make sure each quote is for the same scope (same number of windows, same type of glass, etc.) so you can compare apples to apples. It’s not always best to go with the lowest bid – consider the company’s reputation and your comfort level with them.

Impact vs Non-Impact Cost Difference: From what I’ve seen around Tampa Bay, adding impact glass raises the cost roughly 40-50%. Like you noted, @natemusician233, $10k non-impact vs $14.5k impact in your case. If budget allows, impact is worth it for most people here because of hurricanes and insurance credits. But if you absolutely can’t swing it, at least get good quality double-pane windows and have hurricane shutters or panels ready. Some protection is required by code anyway if you’re pulling a permit (they’ll ask if you have existing shutters if you choose non-impact windows).

Vinyl vs Aluminum Frames: Lots of great points made by others. I’ll summarize:

Vinyl is more energy efficient (doesn’t conduct heat, so better insulation). Modern vinyl windows are reinforced and do fine in Florida as long as they’re from a reputable manufacturer. Most common for residential replacements now.

Aluminum is very sturdy and can have slimmer profiles (frames) which some people like aesthetically. Good for large spans or if you want a color other than white. They might conduct heat more, but many have thermal breaks. They can also oxidize over time near salt air (coastal) but if you’re inland Tampa, not as big an issue.

Both can meet hurricane codes. It often comes down to personal preference and specific product lines offered by your installer.

Warranties & Service: As mentioned, look for strong warranties. Lifetime on the product (frame/glass) is common with good brands (often “limited lifetime” which might prorate after 20 years). Installation warranty can vary by installer – some do 1 year, some do lifetime. Obviously longer is better. And ask how service calls are handled if something goes wrong.

Permitting & Insurance: Always ensure the company will handle permitting. After installation, get a wind mitigation inspection done (costs like $100) if you installed impact windows or doors. The inspector will update the report to show your openings are protected, and you submit that to your insurance for a discount. If you keep non-impact + shutters, make sure your shutters cover all openings to get the credit. Also, keep the permit documentation and closed permit info; it’s good for your records (and future resale of the home).

Signs of Window Failure in 10-15 year homes: You mentioned some, @natemusician233. Common ones I’ve seen (and had): condensation between panes (means the seal is shot), difficulty opening/closing (frame warping or balance springs failing), drafty leaks during wind/rain, and high heat transfer (you feel the heat when you stand near the window). Builder-grade windows often start failing around the 10-year mark in FL. Upgrading will solve these and improve energy efficiency. I noticed immediately my A/C ran a bit less after replacing windows.

Brands: You’ll hear names like PGT, CWS (Windpact Plus), Simonton, etc. These are window manufacturers. In our area, PGT is very popular and generally well-regarded (especially their WinGuard line for impact). CWS is also a Florida-based manufacturer known for solid windows. Simonton is a national brand, decent as well. Ultimately, a good installer is just as important as the window brand. Both Karoly and ProTech, for instance, use good products (PGT and CWS respectively, from what I gather above).

Hopefully this summary is helpful. It sounds like many of us have had similar considerations. Good luck @natemusician233 with your final quotes – you have two strong contenders there. Keep us updated, and feel free to ask if any more questions come up.

Following this thread with great interest! I’m in Lutz (north Tampa) with a 10-year-old home, and while my windows are okay right now, I know the day is coming. I’ve already seen a bit of moisture on the edge of one frame.
I just wanted to say thanks to everyone sharing info. I’ve learned so much (didn’t even know about the wind mitigation report thing until now!). When the time comes, I’ll definitely be getting quotes from some of the companies mentioned here. Karoly Windows was already on my radar, and hearing these experiences reinforces that. ProTech Windoors sounds like another good one to consider. 🙂

For now I’m just taking notes. Keep the insights coming! This is super helpful.

I’ll throw in a different perspective regarding cost vs. quality, based on a lesson learned. A couple of years ago, we decided to go with a big franchise window company (Window World) for our home in Clearwater. We only needed to replace 6 windows at the time (they were single-pane and original to the old house). Window World was definitely cheaper than other quotes - we paid about $4,000 total (around $667 per window) for non-impact, vinyl double-pane windows. That price included basic installation.
Now, the install went fine and the windows looked good initially. But fast forward two years: one of those new windows already had the seal fail (fogging up between the glass), and another one doesn’t slide as smoothly anymore. To their credit, Window World did honor the warranty and replaced the foggy window pane. However, scheduling that repair took a while, and it made me question the long-term durability. I suspect the quality of the product was on the lower end to hit that price.

From this experience, I learned you get what you pay for. If I could do it again, I might have spent more upfront for a higher-grade product from a company like Karoly or ProTech or even others mentioned here. The savings we got initially aren’t as big when you consider potential future headaches.

Not bashing Window World entirely – they serve a budget niche – but for a forever home in Tampa Bay where we have harsh sun and storms, it’s worth investing in the best windows you can afford. The difference in build quality and even things like the thickness of the vinyl or the hardware can be significant.

So, for those reading: don’t just jump at the lowest quote. Evaluate the reputation of the company and the quality of the windows they’re installing. Like @coffee_pumpkin said earlier, stick with known brands and installers. In hindsight, I’d rather pay a bit more once than pay again to fix things later.

I want to echo the permitting and add a bit about inspections, as someone who’s pretty meticulous (okay, paranoid 😅) about these things. I’m in Pinellas and replaced windows in 2021.
Make sure the installer pulls a permit with the county/city, which most reputable ones will. When the work is done, an inspector will come out to ensure everything was done to code. For my project, the inspector checked that the windows had the appropriate Florida approval stickers and that they were anchored properly. It was a quick visit but important for safety and legality.

Why does this matter? Two reasons:

If you go to sell your house, unpermitted window replacements can cause you headaches. A home inspector or title company might flag it, and you’d have to scramble to get it permitted after the fact (sometimes involving opening walls up again—yikes).

If, say, a hurricane damages your home and you try to file an insurance claim, and it comes out work was done without permits, insurance might give you trouble.

I had a neighbor who went with an unlicensed handyman to replace a couple of windows cheap, no permit. It seemed fine until they had a small fire unrelated to the windows. The fire inspector noted the new windows, couldn’t find a permit record, and the homeowner had to get them certified after the fact. What a mess.

So, moral of the story: always insist on permitting. The cost of a permit in our area can be around
100−
100−
200 and is usually included in quotes as you’ve seen. It’s worth every penny for the protection it provides.

Glad to hear your contractors, @natemusician233, are on top of that. Sounds like you’re in good hands with the companies you’re considering.