Hillsborough/Tampa Bay Window Replacement - Seeking Costs, Tips & Recommendations

Welcome to the forums and congrats on the new home, @sports_mary! I went through a full window replacement on my home in the Tampa area last year, so I can share some of my experience.
Impact vs. Non-Impact: In Florida, especially here in Tampa Bay, impact-rated windows are a big consideration. They cost more (maybe 30-50% more per window in my case), but they give you hurricane protection and potentially some insurance discounts. If you go non-impact, you’ll need hurricane shutters or panels to cover those windows when a storm comes. Some folks choose non-impact + shutters to save money. I personally went with impact glass for peace of mind (tired of putting up shutters every storm season).

Vinyl vs. Aluminum Frames: Both are common here. My original windows were aluminum (common in Florida homes), and I replaced them with vinyl. Vinyl technology has improved a lot, and good quality vinyl windows can handle our heat and humidity no problem. Vinyl is more energy efficient (better insulators) while aluminum is very strong but can conduct heat. Aluminum frames might be a bit thinner profile (more glass area) but they can corrode near salt air. Unless you’re right on the coast, vinyl should hold up well and often is a bit cheaper. I chose vinyl and have no regrets – no warping issues at all.

Manufacturers (PGT, CWS, Simonton, etc.): All those brands you mentioned are well-known. PGT is very popular in Florida (they make the WinGuard impact windows among others) and have a great reputation for quality. CWS (Custom Window Systems) is another Florida-based maker; they also make solid impact windows (I think their line is called WindPact). Simonton is a national brand – their StormBreaker Plus line is impact-rated. Honestly, all three are good. PGT might have a slight edge in hurricane-heavy regions, but Simonton and CWS are comparable if installed correctly. One thing to compare is the warranty: Simonton often offers a longer or lifetime warranty on frames and maybe glass, whereas PGT’s warranty is also good but read the fine print (some have limited lifetime for original owner). I’d say focus more on the installer’s quality and less on splitting hairs between those brands, unless someone here had a negative experience with one. I went with PGT and they look great.

Cost & Quotes: Definitely get multiple quotes (I’d say at least 3). Pricing can vary wildly. For example, my project was 10 windows and 2 sliders; I got quotes ranging from $15k up to $24k for the same number of openings! 😮 The higher ones were from big well-advertised companies (with high overhead or commission sales reps). The more reasonable quote I went with ended up around $16k for everything (that was for high-quality vinyl, impact glass windows). On average here, I've seen people mention roughly $1000 per window for impact vinyl windows, give or take, depending on size and options. Non-impact might be a few hundred less per window. Sliders (sliding glass doors) are expensive – mine were about $4k each (impact, 8-foot wide doors).

Permitting: Make sure whichever installer you choose pulls the permit with Hillsborough County (or the city if you’re in city limits). It’s required. The permit and inspection process adds some cost (maybe a few hundred dollars usually baked into the quote). The installer should handle the paperwork and scheduling the inspections. Don’t skip this – you want everything up to code, especially for something as important as windows in hurricane country.

Lead Times: Right now, lead times can be anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks after you order before the windows are ready, especially for impact windows (manufacturers still have backlogs sometimes). Mine took about 10 weeks from signing contract to installation. So just plan that it won't be overnight.

Installation/Labor: This is super important – a good window is only as good as its install. Look for a company with their own experienced crew or very reliable subcontractors. Read reviews about installation quality. You want proper waterproofing, sealing, etc. I’ve heard horror stories of poor installs causing leaks. In my case, the crew was great – they even adjusted a couple of sticky windows on the spot and cleaned up everything.

As for recommendations: I was happy with the local company I used (I’ll let others chime in with their favorites too). There are a lot of window companies around Tampa, from smaller local businesses to big brands like Window World or Renewal by Andersen (Andersen is great but $$$!). Be cautious of any sales rep that does a long high-pressure presentation or “sign today for a huge discount” gimmick. Those are common with some of the bigger outfits.

Hope this helps as a start! Feel free to ask anything specific. Good luck with the quotes!

Hey @sports_mary, fellow Hillsborough homeowner here. I went through this two years ago. In my case, I actually chose to go with non-impact windows and keep using my existing hurricane shutters. For us, the cost difference was significant – the impact upgrade would have added about 40% more to the price. Since we already had accordion shutters installed on all our openings (previous owner put them in), we figured we'd save some money. It does mean we still have to put up or close the shutters when a storm comes, which is a hassle, but it saved us a few thousand dollars overall. So that’s one way to go if budget is tight: non-impact windows + shutters can still get you hurricane protection (and insurance discounts) without the premium price of impact glass.
I will say, impact glass has other benefits though – my neighbor got impact windows and he says his house is much quieter now (street noise dropped a lot) and obviously no more shutter fuss. So if you can swing the cost, impact is nice.

As for frames, I have vinyl as well. Most replacement windows here for residential are vinyl these days unless you have a specific reason to go aluminum. Our original windows were the cheap aluminum single-pane ones from when the house was built in 2006, and they were so drafty. The new vinyl double-pane windows (even though mine are not impact, they are still double-pane tempered glass) made a huge difference in energy efficiency – my electric bill went down a bit last summer because the AC wasn’t leaking out the windows.

Brands: I ended up with Simonton windows, actually. The installer I used was a Simonton dealer and pitched the lifetime warranty pretty hard. So far so good – no issues, and they also offered lifetime glass breakage on the ones I got, which is some peace of mind (though it might not cover hurricane breakage unless you have impact glass, obviously). I was initially interested in PGT too, but the quotes for PGT came in higher for similar specs. Probably can’t go wrong with either. I don’t have firsthand experience with CWS but I know they’re used by some local companies too.

On cost, to give you another data point: my house is a bit smaller (10 windows, 1 slider). We paid about $11k for non-impact vinyl windows (that includes one big 3-panel slider door which alone was like $3k). If we had gone impact, it would have been around $15k for the same from that company. We also got quotes higher than that though – one quote was $18k for non-impact from a big name company (needless to say we didn’t go with them). So yeah, shop around for sure.

One tip: check if your insurance gives a discount for just having opening protection via shutters vs having actual impact windows. In our case, since we have shutters on all windows, we got the wind mitigation credit already. If you don’t have shutters currently, going impact might help you get that discount without installing shutters separately.

Anyway, good luck! Lots of good options out there. Just make sure whoever you hire is properly licensed and has good reviews (and as @charliebaker said, avoid those high-pressure sales guys who camp in your living room for 3 hours 😅).

I’ll add a bit from my experience comparing quotes. One thing I noticed when I was getting window quotes here in Tampa: not all quotes are apples-to-apples. Pay attention to what each company is including.
For example, some quotes I got included the cost of any necessary stucco repair and repainting around the windows (since when they remove old windows, there can be a little damage to the exterior finish that needs patching). Other quotes did not include that, meaning if stucco got cracked, it would be an extra charge or I’d have to fix it myself. Same with interior trim or sill work – my house has drywall returns (no wood trim around windows), and one company mentioned if drywall got damaged they would repair and paint a small border, while another said cosmetic repairs were not included. So ask about that to avoid surprises.

Also check if the quote includes permit fees and inspection. Most do, but it should be stated. I think I paid around $200 in permit fees (rolled into my total price). And as others said, absolutely get that permit - my inspector actually came the day after install and checked every window’s attachment and the paperwork for the window ratings. You don’t want to skip that, especially for insurance and resale reasons.

Another thing: ask about who does the installation. If it’s a smaller company, often the owner has their own crew (which can be good). Bigger companies sometimes sub-contract the labor. Subcontract crews can be hit or miss. I made sure to go with a company that used an in-house install team with lots of experience. The install day is noisy and a bit chaotic (they basically took out all my old windows in one day and popped in the new ones, then the next day did finishing and inspections). We had a minor issue where one window wasn’t closing smoothly, but the crew fixed it on the spot and all passed inspection.

Someone mentioned the HOA – yes, if you’re in a neighborhood with an HOA, check if you need approval. My HOA required an application with the window style and even the grid pattern to make sure it looked okay from the street. That added a couple of weeks of waiting for HOA sign-off before I could even order. Just a heads up if that applies to you.

So, in summary: when you get your quotes, ask about: permit included? stucco/trim repairs included? who does the labor and any labor warranty? (Many give you like a 1-year or 2-year install warranty in addition to manufacturer warranty). It’s not always just about the bottom line price; it’s what you’re getting for that price.

Good luck! It’s great you’re doing the research upfront. It’ll pay off when you have smooth new windows. 🙂

Jumping in here – we just went through a full window replacement on our home in Clearwater (Pinellas, close enough to Tampa) a couple of months ago. We got a few quotes as everyone suggests. The ones we got were from Window World, Karoly Windows, and a smaller local contractor.
Out of those, we ended up going with Karoly Windows. Their quote wasn’t the absolute lowest (Window World was a bit cheaper by maybe 5-10%), but we felt more comfortable with what we were getting. Karoly’s team was very professional from start to finish. The owner actually came out to do some of the measurements, and they didn’t do any heavy sales pitch – just gave us the options and prices straight.

They offered us a choice of PGT or Simonton windows. We chose Simonton because of the warranty and also the slightly lower cost. So far, we’re really happy with them. All our windows (13 windows and 2 sliders) are now impact-rated Simonton StormBreaker Plus, and the total came to about $19k. That included everything (permits, tax, install, even some plaster touch-ups inside where they had to remove some old window buck).

One thing I liked about Karoly Windows – and why I recommend them – is they have their own install crews who’ve worked for them for a long time. The install was smooth and done in two days for our whole house. They passed inspection first try and we’ve had no issues. They also have a lifetime warranty on installation workmanship (I think that’s what the contract said) in addition to the window manufacturer warranty, which gave us peace of mind.

So, definitely consider giving Karoly Windows a call for a quote. I know a couple of neighbors who used them too and had good experiences. At the very least, it’s good to have their quote to compare with others.

Window World (the other quote we got) was okay, but they use their own brand of windows (I think relabeled from another manufacturer). Their price was a bit lower but we heard mixed reviews about their service and the quality of the windows, so we decided not to go with them. And the last quote we got was from a one-man contractor who was actually higher than Karoly (surprisingly), likely because he was pricing PGT only and possibly had higher labor cost per window.

Anyway, hope that perspective helps. It pays to evaluate on more than just price. Sometimes the mid-range quote with a solid company is the best value. Good luck!

Following this thread with great interest! I'm also in the Tampa Bay area (Pasco County) looking to do my windows next year. Really appreciate all the detailed info everyone’s sharing.
Just to toss in my 2 cents on cost: I had Renewal by Andersen come out for a quote just out of curiosity (they have those ads on the radio all the time). The presentation was super slick but the price was astronomical 😧. For 15 windows, they quoted me something like $45,000! Granted, those were fancy fiberglass composite frames and all, but still, that was way out of my budget. I think they cater to a higher-end market or folks who absolutely want the Andersen brand. So, not really relevant to most of us just looking for good vinyl or aluminum replacements, but I figured I’d mention it as a reference point of how high some quotes can go.

Anyway, I’ll mostly be lurking and learning. Thanks for all who contributed their experiences. @sports_mary you asked just the right questions! This thread is gold for Tampa homeowners. 🙂

Wow, thank you so much for all the detailed responses, everyone! This is incredibly helpful. I’m taking notes from each of your posts. 😀
Quick update from my side: I’ve started getting some quotes. So far, I have two in hand and a couple more scheduled.

Quote 1: From a local company I found (let’s call them Sunshine Windows Co. for now). They quoted about $20,500 for 12 windows + 1 slider, all impact, using PGT WinGuard vinyl windows. This includes permit, installation, everything. They were very professional, but this was my first quote so I don’t have much to compare it to yet.

Quote 2: From ProTech Windoors. They came out yesterday. Their quote for the same scope (all 12 windows + slider, impact-rated) came in at $18,400. The rep was friendly and not pushy at all. They offer CWS (Custom Window Systems) vinyl windows. He said CWS is comparable to PGT in quality (just a different manufacturer). The quote also includes everything (permit, installation, etc). ProTech’s lead time was quoted at around 8-10 weeks for installation after signing.

I have Karoly Windows coming for an estimate next week (thanks to those who recommended them!). And I’m also trying to get one from another company a coworker suggested.

Does ~$18-20k sound like a reasonable range for 13 openings (12 windows + 1 door) all impact? I expected it to be somewhere in that ballpark based on what I’ve read here and elsewhere, but of course I love the idea of saving a couple thousand if I can do it without compromising quality.

Also, has anyone here used ProTech Windoors or heard anything about them? This is the first I’ve heard of them (I just found them via Google). Their quote and approach seem promising, but I'd feel better with some firsthand feedback. And any thoughts on CWS windows vs PGT/Simonton? The ProTech guy made them sound on par with PGT.

Thanks again! This thread has been amazing so far. I’ll keep you all posted as I gather the remaining quotes.

Hi @sports_mary, I actually used ProTech Windoors for my window project last year! My experience with them was very positive.
They installed 10 impact windows and 2 impact sliding doors for me. In my case, I opted for PGT windows (I specifically wanted PGT WinGuard, and ProTech was able to get them even though I think they often use CWS too). Their quote was one of the better ones I got - not the absolute lowest, but much lower than some big companies. I think my total was around $17k for those 12 openings (mostly windows and those two big sliders).

The installation with ProTech Windoors went smoothly. They scheduled me about 9 weeks out from contract signing (seems like 8-10 weeks is normal, as they told you). The crew that came was very professional and seemed to know what they were doing. They actually finished all the windows in a single day, then the next morning they did the two sliders because those took more time and an extra pair of hands. Everything passed inspection without a hitch. The county inspector even commented that the install looked solid.

I also liked that ProTech’s folks were easy to reach whenever I had a question. The office staff was responsive on the phone and email. They handled the permit and HOA letter for me too.

As for CWS vs PGT: I haven’t personally had CWS windows, but from what I gathered, CWS (Custom Window Systems) makes good impact windows as well. They’re a Florida company like PGT. PGT has a bigger name recognition, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the quality is comparable. Sometimes smaller companies (like CWS) might have a slightly longer lead time or different warranty terms, so you could compare that. Maybe ask ProTech for some references or to see a sample if you’re unsure.

In any case, I felt comfortable with ProTech Windoors and would use them again. If their quote is coming in a couple thousand less than another for basically the same specs, that’s a strong consideration.

Good luck with the rest of your quotes! Sounds like you’re doing all the right things.

Those quotes you got ($18-20k for 13 impact openings) sound pretty much in line with what I’d expect, @sports_mary. The going rate around Tampa Bay for impact vinyl windows does seem to hover around $1000-$1500 per window, depending on size and options, and sliders can be $3-5k depending on size. So yeah, $18.4k from ProTech versus $20.5k from Sunshine Co. is a difference but not an insane gap. It could be due to the window brand (CWS might be a bit less costly than PGT) or just their pricing structure.
One thing to make sure when comparing: are the window styles the same in both quotes? Like, are they both quoting, say, single-hung windows (where only the bottom sash moves) or double-hung (both sashes move)? And same number of sliding doors, etc. Sometimes one quote might include a different style of window that can affect price. For example, double-hung windows usually cost a bit more than single-hung. In my case, I had the option between the two and I chose single-hung replacements for all my windows to save some money (and honestly, I never opened the top sash on my old double-hungs anyway). If one company quoted double-hung and another single, that could explain a price difference. So just double-check that.

CWS vs PGT vs Simonton – there are minor differences (frame thickness, hardware, etc.), but as @rcarpenter21 said, all are reputable. If you’re really curious, you can ask each company if they have a sample window or a showroom. Seeing and feeling a sample window might help you judge build quality and how the locks and mechanisms work. I did that at a local showroom: I could tell the difference between some cheap no-name window vs a PGT or Simonton; but between PGT and Simonton, for example, it was not huge – both felt solid.

From what you described, both quotes seem to cover all bases (permits, installation, etc.) which is great. Now it’s just about deciding on the best value and which company you trust more, as well as any differences in product.

Keep us posted on what Karoly quotes you too. It’ll be interesting to see how they compare since a few of us had good experiences with them.

Thanks for the update, @sports_mary! Those quotes actually sound pretty reasonable for what you’re getting. Honestly, $18k for all that work (impact windows + slider) from ProTech is on the lower side of average, which is good for you. Sunshine’s quote with PGT is a bit higher but PGT products sometimes carry a premium.
As others said, make sure you’re comparing apples to apples in terms of window types and features. It sounds like you are. I suspect the difference might just be brand and maybe a little of company pricing strategy. CWS vs PGT – both should serve you well in a storm, both are Florida Product Approved, etc. So if you feel comfortable with the folks at ProTech and their track record (and you’ve got @rcarpenter21’s firsthand positive review which is a great sign), then they remain a strong option.

It’ll be great to hear what Karoly Windows quotes you next week. I wouldn’t be surprised if Karoly’s quote comes in somewhere around there too. As @tech905 mentioned, Karoly often sells Simonton (though they can get PGT too, I believe). Simonton’s pricing might be around what CWS is. If you end up with quotes with three different window brands – PGT, CWS, Simonton – it might actually be a perfect comparison of all the top options. 😄

One thing you can consider when you have all the quotes: don’t be afraid to (politely) let your preferred choice know if someone else gave you a lower price for a comparable scope. Some companies might price-match or at least come down a little. For example, if you really like Company A but Company B is a few thousand cheaper for a similar product, it’s worth showing that to Company A to see if they can do something. Worst they can say is no, but sometimes they’ll shave off a bit or throw in an upgrade (like better hardware or an extra warranty) to win your business.

Anyway, it sounds like you’re doing great gathering info. Can’t wait to hear the Karoly results. And definitely ask if any other questions pop up. We’ve got a good crew here. 😊

Jumping back in here. Great to see your quotes @sports_mary – those numbers look pretty decent. One thing I'd add: take a look at the warranty details for each option you're considering. Since it looks like you might have PGT (Quote 1), CWS (Quote 2), and possibly Simonton (if Karoly offers that) on the table, it’s worth comparing.
For example, Simonton (which I have) offers a double-lifetime warranty on many of their windows – that means it’s lifetime for the original owner and transferable (often as a 20-year or so warranty for the next owner). They also included glass breakage in mine (though again, not for hurricane damage, but for things like accidental breakage or break-ins, etc). PGT has a good warranty too, but I recall it's a limited lifetime for original owner and I’m not sure if it’s transferable. Still solid, just maybe not as long for second owners. Not sure about CWS warranty terms – that would be a good question for ProTech to clarify. It might be similar to PGT’s, or maybe 10 years on certain components, etc.

Now, warranty is one of those things you hope to never need, and if you stay in the house forever, transferable may not matter. But I always think it’s a nice bonus if one product has a better warranty, all else being equal.

It sounds like all three companies you’re dealing with have good reputations (especially since folks here vouch for Karoly and ProTech, and Sunshine Windows Co. sounded professional too). So you probably won’t go wrong with any of them. It might come down to the final numbers and your personal comfort level with the product and people.

Keep us updated! I’m excited for you to get new windows – it’ll make a huge difference in your comfort and peace of mind.

I’ll throw in another perspective: I actually went with aluminum frame impact windows on my house. My situation was a bit unique though – I have a couple of very large window openings (picture windows) and a huge 4-panel sliding glass door, and the contractor recommended aluminum frames for the added structural strength on those big spans.
Aluminum frames these days (at least the ones I got, which are PGT’s aluminum impact series) have thermal breaks in them to reduce heat transfer, but they’re still not quite as insulating as vinyl. I did notice maybe a slight difference in heat coming through on a hot afternoon compared to my neighbor’s vinyl windows, but honestly it’s not major with the double-pane and Low-E glass doing most of the work. The frames are slimmer though, which is nice because we preserved more glass area. In Florida, a lot of older homes had aluminum windows, so aesthetically it didn’t change much for us.

Cost-wise, the aluminum option was actually pretty comparable to vinyl for us. We paid a bit more for the really large custom sizes, but per window it wasn’t drastically different. One thing to note is aluminum impact windows are HEAVY – I was chatting with the installers and they said handling the big aluminum frame sliders was a beast. Thankfully they did a great job.

If your windows are standard size, vinyl is probably perfectly fine (and most common for residential). But if you or anyone reading this has a case where your openings are huge or you prefer the look, aluminum is a viable option. Just make sure it’s the newer thermal-break type for energy efficiency. And of course, aluminum or vinyl, get the ones rated for our wind zone (which all these brands are).

So yeah, a bit of a niche case, but just wanted to share that not everyone goes vinyl. It depends on the house. 🙂

Reading all these great experiences – I'll add a lesson from a hiccup I had. I had my windows done 3 years ago by a local company (I’ll refrain from naming because overall they were okay, but not the best).
In my case, after installation, I noticed one of the large fixed windows had a small crack in the corner of the glass a day later. It was like a stress crack, possibly from installation or a defect. I was super worried I’d have to fight to get it fixed. The company did come back and replace that pane, but it took about 4 more weeks for the new glass to arrive. So for a while I had a cracked brand-new window, which was frustrating. It all ended fine, but the lesson is: inspect all your windows thoroughly right after installation. If you see anything off – scratches, cracks, the window not operating smoothly, etc. – notify the installer immediately so it’s on record and they can address it under warranty.

Also, on timing – we were told 8 weeks lead time but it turned into nearly 14 weeks because of some supply issues. We signed contract in May but didn’t get installation until mid-August. So sometimes delays happen. It sounds like 8-10 weeks is more realistic now, but just keep in mind if there’s an unexpected delay, you might have to be a little patient. Try not to schedule it too close to hurricane season peak if you can, just in case. We were sweating getting ours in before September that year.

Overall, I’m happy with my windows now, but I definitely learned to stay on top of the contractor for updates and double-check the work when it’s done. This thread has you well prepared, though – you know what to look for!

I’m late to this thread, but just wanted to share the post-install perspective. We replaced all our windows (and two patio doors) with impact windows in 2023, and the difference has been amazing. A few things we noticed immediately:
Noise Reduction: It’s so much quieter inside! We live on a fairly busy street in South Tampa, and with the old single-pane windows we heard everything. Now, with the new impact glass (laminated), a lot of the traffic noise is gone. We actually had to get used to how quiet it is – we don’t hear the garbage truck until it’s right in front of the house 😄.

Energy Efficiency: Our electric bill went down by about 10-15% in the summer. The new windows have Low-E coatings and are double-paned, so they keep the heat out way better than the old ones. The house is more comfortable overall; no more hot spots near the windows and the A/C doesn’t run as much. We also got a small rebate from TECO (our electric company) for installing energy-efficient windows – it was about $100, if I recall correctly. Not huge, but hey every bit helps.

Insurance Savings: Big one for Florida – once we had all impact windows and doors, we got a wind mitigation inspection update and our homeowners insurance premium went down roughly 20%. In dollars, that was like $400/year of savings for us. It will vary for everyone, but insurers definitely give discounts if your openings are protected. That was a nice bonus to help recoup some cost.

Peace of Mind: Now during storm season, we don’t stress as much. We used to have to scramble to put up shutter panels for every tropical storm watch. Now we just watch the weather and stay inside. The windows are rated for something like 140-150 mph winds; hopefully we never test that fully, but it’s reassuring.

It is a big expense for sure (ours was around $25k for a two-story house, 16 windows and 2 sets of sliders). But considering the benefits and the value it adds to the home, we felt it was worth it.

So for anyone on the fence, I’d say: once you get it done, you’ll likely wish you had done it sooner. It really changes the game in terms of home comfort and safety.

Update: Got my quote from Karoly Windows and made a decision!
Karoly’s quote came in at $19,200 for the 12 windows + slider, using Simonton StormBreaker Plus (vinyl, impact) windows. The quote was very detailed and the rep was great (no surprise, based on what you all said). This was slightly higher than ProTech’s $18,400 quote with CWS, but not by a huge margin.

After a lot of thought, we decided to go with ProTech Windoors. It was honestly a tough call because I feel both companies would do a good job. In the end, the slightly lower price and the fact that a couple of you had direct positive experiences with ProTech tipped us in that direction. I also liked the window brand they offered (CWS) after researching it a bit more – seems like a solid product.

I want to give a big THANK YOU to everyone here for all the help. This thread has been an amazing resource and made me so much more confident in evaluating these quotes. I signed the contract with ProTech yesterday! They’re ordering the windows now and estimated about 8 weeks until installation. I’ll update again once they’re installed and share how it went.

Couldn’t have done this so smoothly without all of your input – truly appreciate it!

Congrats @sports_mary on deciding! You’ve inspired me to start getting my own quotes now 😁. I’m in Riverview (also Hillsborough) and need to do 8 windows soon.
Quick question to the group: how did you all pay for your window projects? Did you finance (like through the window company or a loan), or pay cash/savings? I ask because these projects are obviously not cheap, and I might need to finance part of it. The sales guys often mention “easy financing options” but I’m not sure if it’s better to go through them or get a home improvement loan or something from my bank.

I’ve also heard about the PACE program (Property Assessed Clean Energy) in Florida where you can finance and pay it back on your property taxes. Has anyone used that for windows? Pros/cons?

Any advice on financing would be appreciated!

Great question on financing. I didn't use PACE myself, but I did look into it. Here’s what I found and decided:
PACE Program: It’s tempting because they often advertise “no money down, no credit check, pay through your property tax.” However, be careful. PACE loans typically have pretty high interest rates (I've seen 6.5-8% or more) and fees. Plus, it puts a lien on your property that you have to pay off if you sell the house. Some mortgage lenders also don’t like PACE liens, which can complicate refinancing or selling. I personally steered clear of PACE after reading some horror stories online about people having issues. It’s an option if you have no other way to finance, but I'd consider it a last resort.

Other Financing: Many window companies offer financing deals. Some partner with banks to offer 0% interest for 12 months or low interest for a certain period. For example, one quote I got (from a company I didn’t end up using) offered 0% if paid in 18 months. If you can pay it off in that promo period, that’s essentially free financing. Just watch out for any fine print (like if it's deferred interest that hits you if you don't pay in time).

Home Improvement Loans / HELOC: I ended up using a home equity line of credit (HELOC) from my credit union to pay for my windows. The rate was about 4% and I liked that I could draw exactly what I needed. Some people take out a personal loan or a home improvement loan as well. Rates for those will depend on your credit, but often can be lower than PACE.

Cash/Savings: Obviously if you can pay outright, that’s simplest. But not everyone has that amount liquid. In our case, we did a mix – paid some cash and the rest from the HELOC which we’re paying back over time.

TL;DR – If the window company offers a true 0% financing deal and you can manage the payments, that’s a great option. Otherwise, a bank loan or HELOC with a decent interest rate could be better than PACE. I’d be cautious about PACE unless you absolutely need to use it.

Others might chime in if they financed differently. Good luck with your project!

If you’re looking for ways to offset cost, also look into any incentive programs. Not exactly financing, but Florida at one point had the “My Safe Florida Home” program that @michelle_diver hinted at in terms of state stuff. Last year, a coworker of mine applied and got approved for matching grants up to $10k for hurricane hardening improvements (impact windows qualify). Basically, the state would match dollar-for-dollar what you spend, up to 10k. She replaced her doors and some windows and got a few thousand reimbursed. I’m not sure if that program is still open or funded for this year, but definitely worth researching.
Also, local utility companies sometimes have rebates for energy efficient windows (like @richardsnorkeler got $100 from TECO). It’s not huge money but check with TECO or Duke or whoever your electric provider is.

As for paying: I did a standard 50% deposit and 50% on completion deal with my contractor (paid from savings, in my case). Most will require some deposit to order the windows (because they’re custom-made usually). Just make sure the payment schedule is fair – e.g., not full payment until the job is done to your satisfaction. 10-50% upfront is common, then the rest after install and final inspection. Never pay it all upfront, obviously.

I’ll chime in on the financing topic too. I ended up using the financing offered by the window company. It was through a third-party lender (GreenSky, I think). They had a promotion for 0% interest for 12 months, same-as-cash. I normally am wary of financing with contractors, but I read the terms carefully and it truly was 0% as long as I paid it off in 12 months. There was a $39 processing fee or something, but no biggie. We treated it like a short-term loan – paid it off before the 12 months were up using some savings and a year-end bonus. Worked out great and saved us from pulling money out of investments.
If you do go that route, just set up a plan to pay it within the no-interest period. Those deals are great, but if you miss the payoff date, they can hit you with all the back interest at a high rate. So, discipline is key.

Otherwise, @michelle_diver and @tea_steven covered the main points: PACE = careful, HELOC = good if you have equity and ok with a lien, and definitely check for any free money (grants/rebates).

Hello folks, I'm glad I found this thread. I'm also in Tampa Bay (Pinellas County). My house is a 1-story built in 1998, and I’m planning to replace 8 windows (no doors). All quotes are for vinyl windows.
I got two quotes so far:

One for non-impact double-pane windows at $5,800 total.

Another for impact-rated windows at $9,200 total.

The non-impact quote is obviously quite a bit cheaper. I do have hurricane shutters for all my windows currently (the aluminum panel kind that you have to put up manually). My question is: in your opinion, is it worth spending the extra ~$3,400 to get impact windows, given I have shutters already? Money is a bit tight, but I could swing it if the benefits are really big.

Also, the cheaper quote is from a smaller company I hadn’t heard of until now (found them on Facebook), and the pricier one is from a more established local company. Could the big price difference be just impact vs non-impact, or should I be wary of the cheaper one? It almost seems too low?

Any thoughts appreciated!