My Tampa Bay Window Replacement Experience (15 Impact Windows) - Costs, Details & Installer Review

poet45 · 2025-05-05T12:43:45Z

Hi everyone! I wanted to share my experience now that I’ve completed a full home window replacement in my Tampa Bay area home. Our house was built in 2013 (so it’s about 12 years old now) and had the original builder-grade windows (non-impact, double-pane). After years of debating, we finally replaced all 15 windows in the house with new ones. Costs & Quotes: We gathered multiple quotes from different companies to compare pricing and value. We live in Hillsborough County, so we looked at well-known local installers. We got quotes from Karoly Windows, ProTech Windoors, and a couple of others (including a big-brand company that advertises on TV). The quotes varied quite a bit: The highest quote we got was about $28,000 (from the heavily-advertised company, for a mix of Pella and their own brand windows – definitely out of our budget). Karoly Windows quoted us about $21,500 for the full job using CWS (Custom Window Systems) vinyl impact windows. ProTech Windoors came in around $23,000 using PGT Winguard vinyl impact windows. Another local contractor offered Simonton StormBreaker (impact) windows for roughly $19,000, but we didn’t have prior experience with them and had some reservations about their reviews. In the end, we decided to go with Karoly Windows. Their quote wasn’t the absolute lowest, but it was very competitive, and we felt comfortable with their reputation and the quality of CWS windows. They also offered a strong warranty and had plenty of positive feedback from other Tampa Bay homeowners. Impact vs Non-Impact: One big decision for us was whether to get impact-resistant (hurricane) windows or non-impact windows. Since our existing windows were non-impact and we had hurricane shutters from the builder, we considered sticking with non-impact replacements to save money. Non-impact windows would have been around 20-25% cheaper according to the quotes (one company quoted ~$16k if we went non-impact). However, after weighing pros and cons, we chose impact windows for the whole house. The reasons were peace of mind during storms, potential insurance discounts, and not having to put up shutters every time a hurricane threatens. With impact windows, our home’s openings are always protected. Given we plan to stay in this house long-term, the extra cost seemed worth it for safety and convenience. Installer Experience: The installation with Karoly Windows went really well. It took about 3 days for their crew to remove our old windows and install the new ones. The installers were professional, arrived on time each day, and they were careful about minimizing dust and debris – they put down drop cloths and even helped move some furniture away from the windows. The quality of work looks excellent: all windows are plumb and square, and the caulking around the frames is neat. After installation, they even cleaned all the new windows and vacuumed. We only had a minor issue with one window (a small scratch on the glass, likely from manufacturing), and Karoly’s team handled it by ordering a replacement sash immediately under warranty. Brands/Products: As mentioned, we ended up with CWS windows (specifically their WindPact Plus series vinyl impact windows) through Karoly. We liked that they’re a Florida-based manufacturer designed for our climate. We also liked PGT (another top brand here) – in fact, the ProTech Windoors quote with PGT was tempting since PGT has a stellar reputation. Ultimately, the cost difference and our comfort level with the installer swayed us. From what I learned, PGT, Simonton, and CWS are all solid options for replacement windows in Florida. PGT might have a slight edge in brand recognition (and possibly a bit higher price). Simonton is a well-known national brand (their StormBreaker Plus impact line), and CWS is more regional but built tough for hurricanes. We felt any of those would perform well if installed correctly. Permitting & Inspection: Our installer pulled the necessary permit from the county. After the installation was done, we had to have a county inspector come out. The inspection was scheduled for the next week and it went smoothly – the inspector checked that the windows were the correct impact-rated models (each window has a Florida approval code sticker) and that they were installed properly (he looked at the screw spacing and attachments). We passed on the first try. It was a relief once we got that green tag of approval. Karoly Windows took care of coordinating the inspection, which was great. Also worth noting: don’t remove the window stickers before the inspection; the inspector needs to see them. Warranty & Paperwork: We received a copy of the warranty for the CWS windows – it’s a lifetime limited warranty on the frames and glass for as long as we own the home, and it’s transferable one time to a new owner (with some prorating, I think). Karoly also provided a workmanship warranty (2 years on installation labor). They told us to call if we have any issues like...

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