Something else to keep in mind if you're aiming for that full hurricane protection (for insurance discounts and peace of mind) – don't forget about other openings in the house. When we did our windows, we also ended up upgrading our front door and garage door to hurricane-rated models. This was a separate project from the windows, but since we're talking about protecting the home, it’s worth mentioning.
In Florida, to get the maximum wind mitigation credit for opening protection, all openings need to be protected. That means windows, exterior doors with glass, garage doors, skylights, etc. In our case, we had a half-moon decorative window above our front door and an older garage door that wasn't wind-rated. After doing the windows, we realized those were now the weak spots. We eventually installed an impact-rated front door (with impact glass in it) and a hurricane-rated garage door.
It certainly added to the overall cost (I think the front door was about $3k and the garage door another $2k or so), but now everything is impact-rated and our wind mitigation inspection reflects that. Our insurance agent actually pointed out that the garage door is a big factor – if that blows in, the pressure can lift your roof off. Many newer homes (last 15 years or so) might already have a decent garage door, but if not, it’s worth considering down the line.
Anyway, not trying to get off-topic from windows, but since a lot of us are doing this primarily for storm readiness, thought I'd mention the holistic approach. Windows are a big part of it, but just double-check if you have any other openings that need attention too. One step at a time though (my wallet could only handle windows first, doors later 😂).
I'll second what a few have hinted at – the noise reduction is real. One unexpected benefit after we got our new windows (we did all impact windows) was how much quieter the house got. We're in a busy area of South Tampa (house built 2009 near a main road). With our old windows, we could hear cars, loud mufflers, leaf blowers, you name it, pretty clearly inside. After installing the impact windows, it's like night and day. We still hear loud noises, but it's greatly muffled. Normal traffic noise is almost gone from inside the house.
It's actually been one of our favorite parts of the upgrade. We knew we were getting hurricane protection and better efficiency, but we didn't realize how much the laminated glass and better seals would dampen the outside sound. If you live near an airport, highway, or just have noisy neighbors, new windows (especially impact ones) can make your home feel like more of a sanctuary.
I even sleep better now not being woken up by early morning lawn crews or garbage trucks as much. So yeah, just wanted to emphasize that perk!
On a practical note, something I was happy about with my replacement windows: the ease of cleaning. Our old windows were single-hung and did not tilt in, so cleaning the outside was a pain (had to go outside with a ladder for the second-story ones). The new windows we got (also single-hung style, but modern) have a tilt-in feature for the sash. This means I can tilt the window inward and clean the outside glass from inside the house. Huge improvement!
So when you're looking at window options, if you have a two-story house or just hate ladder gymnastics, ask about tilt-in sashes for cleaning. Double-hungs typically do this (both sashes move and tilt), but even many single-hungs now have a tilt-in lower sash. All of our new single-hungs do, and it’s been great.
Also, minor thing: the Low-E glass on our windows has a slight tint (kind of a very light greenish or grayish tint when the sun hits it). It’s not really noticeable until you pay attention to it, but I actually like it because it cuts glare. Just mentioning in case anyone is super particular about window tint – look at a sample in person. Some brands have different Low-E coatings, some more neutral than others. We looked at one that was a bit more reflective (mirrored look from outside) vs another that was more clear. We chose the clearer one. From the street, you can tell our windows have a slight reflective quality, but it’s not too different from the old ones that had aftermarket tint film.
Maintenance-wise, not much to do: I just wash the glass and occasionally vacuum out the tracks so dirt doesn’t build up. The installer advised me to put a little silicone spray on the tracks once a year to keep windows sliding well, especially for heavy impact sashes.
Just some real-life usage stuff to consider after all the big decisions are made.
This thread has been awesome. As someone who will eventually need to do windows, I'm bookmarking all this. 👍 Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences – it's pure gold for Tampa Bay homeowners.
My quotes ended up in the same ballpark as many mentioned here. It's crazy how1k−
1k−
1.5k per window adds up, but at least I know I'm not being ripped off compared to others in Tampa. Definitely find a good local company and it’s worth it.
@sky_paws I'm glad you brought up the HOA stuff. I have an HOA too and totally forgot I need their approval. You probably saved me from a potential violation. Sending in my request to the board now, phew.
Has anyone attempted a DIY window installation to save money? Or is that just crazy in Florida? I'm fairly handy and have done smaller reno projects, but I'm guessing with the permits and the importance of proper install (especially for impact windows), it's probably best to leave it to the pros. Just thought I'd ask if any brave souls tried it themselves.
@apilot14 I'd strongly advise against DIY for windows here, especially impact windows. Not because you're not handy, but Florida has strict installation requirements, and a licensed installer usually needs to sign off for the permit (or at least it's highly recommended for warranty and insurance reasons). Impact windows are heavy and need proper anchoring and sealing to perform in a storm. If something goes wrong (leaks, or worst case a window blows out in a hurricane because it wasn't installed exactly right), it could be disastrous.
Also, many manufacturers' warranties require professional installation. If you install yourself and something fails, they might not honor the warranty. And as you mentioned, the permitting process would be a pain as a DIY. You'd have to pull an owner-builder permit and get it all inspected.
I consider myself pretty handy too, but for this job I wrote the check and watched the pros do it. After seeing how much shimming, leveling, foam, and fastening they did (and they did it quick, like they've done it a thousand times), I was glad I didn't try to DIY. Save your DIY energy for trim work or painting 😅.
Another +1 for Karoly Windows & Doors. They replaced all the windows in our house in Dunedin in 2020 and we're very happy customers. Quality work, fair price, and no issues to date. I’d hire them again.
One thing I learned: window pricing can go up year to year. I got a quote in late 2020 for my house but ended up postponing the project. When I re-quoted in 2023, the cost for the same scope had gone up by around 20%. Ouch. Part of that was supply chain issues and material costs rising (thanks, pandemic). So if you get a decent quote, it might not pay to wait too long thinking it'll drop. In my case, waiting actually cost me more. 🤦♂️