My house (built 2010) already had decent double-pane windows but we upgraded to impact for hurricane peace of mind. 12 windows cost us $12k (so roughly $1k each for impact retrofits). We probably could have left the originals in for a while since they were in okay shape, but our goal was the insurance credits and storm protection. It feels good knowing everything is up to current code now.
Anyone opt for any fancy upgrades like tinted glass or internal blinds or anything? One of the companies tried to upsell me on gray tint glass for more heat reduction and also offered internal blinds between the glass on the slider (which was super expensive so I declined). I just stuck with standard Low-E glass, which is fine. Just curious if others went for any bells and whistles beyond the basic options.
@breezec63 I considered the gray tint for a west-facing window but ended up just getting a slightly darker Low-E (there are different levels of Low-E coatings). The standard Low-E is already doing well. Internal blinds between glass sound cool but everyone says they can malfunction and they're pricey. I kept it simple too. One thing I did upgrade was the window hardware color to bronze to match my interior decor (versus standard white locks). That was like $10 more per window. But yeah, I think for most, the basic configuration is sufficient.
I went the budget route initially (non-impact windows last year), but after seeing this thread and re-thinking, I’m already planning to add some protective film or maybe eventually upgrade to impact glass panels. Kinda wish I’d stretched for impact upfront. I saved money but still worry each hurricane season 😬. So for anyone on the fence and can afford it, I'd lean impact if you plan to stay in the home long term.
On installation day, pro tip: it’s noisy! If you work from home or have pets/kids, plan accordingly. I took the day off and took my toddler to grandma’s because the hammering and drilling would have driven him nuts (and nap time would’ve been impossible). Also, there will be dust – the installers put up plastic sheets but some dust still spread, so cover your furniture or electronics near windows. The crew cleaned up mostly, but I did a bit of extra vacuuming and dusting afterwards. Minor inconveniences for a big upgrade.
I haven’t chimed in yet, but I used Karoly Windows & Doors for my project last year (in Palm Harbor). I can echo the positive experiences – Karoly’s team was top-notch and the Simonton windows they installed are performing beautifully. Our cost for 15 windows (all vinyl, impact) was around $17k. No regrets at all. Highly recommend them if you’re in their service area.
Glad to hear all the good things about ProTech Windoors too. They gave us a quote earlier this year. We only didn’t use them because we decided to hold off on the project, but when we do go forward, they’ll be at the top of our list. Their rep was low-pressure and educational, which was refreshing compared to some others. It's nice to know others here had great results with them.
I have a somewhat random question: do I need to be present during the entire window installation? I have work and can’t take many days off. Would it be unwise to leave the installers alone at home? (I don’t have pets or anything, but just concerned about supervision).
@kevint70 – If possible, it's best to be around during installation, at least for a good portion of it. Not that you can't trust the crew, but it's your home and you may need to answer questions or make small decisions (like how you want trim finished, etc.). Also, you probably want to do a walkthrough with the lead installer when they finish to ensure you're satisfied. If you absolutely can’t be there, maybe have a friend or family member oversee. I took two days off for mine; it was worth the peace of mind. Plus, as @dennis_rogue mentioned, there's a lot of noise and commotion – you probably don't want neighbors calling you at work saying your windows are being removed if they didn’t know, haha.
One more thing: if you have a security system with sensors on your windows, let your alarm company know before the install. I had wired sensors on all my old windows that had to be disconnected and later replaced with new wireless sensors. I scheduled my alarm tech to come the day after window install to set up the new contacts. Just something to plan for so your alarm isn’t going off or left inoperable unexpectedly. Some window companies mention this, but others don't. So coordinate it yourself if needed.