Seeking Realistic Window Quotes in Largo (2010 Home) - Impact Costs vs. Keeping Shutters?

I'll note that if this was a year or two ago (2021-ish), wait times were worse. My neighbor signed for windows in mid-2021 and it took 6 months for them to get everything in and installed because of supply chain delays. It seems much better now though. When I did mine in 2024, it was about 10 weeks wait as others said. So timing has improved thankfully.

It's funny, after getting new windows I kept walking outside during rain to check if any leaks - none so far but old habits from the leaky old windows die hard.

All this talk has convinced me... now I just need to start saving up for my own window project 😅. At least I know what to expect now.

One thing to be aware of, especially if you or family members have limited strength: impact windows can be heavier to open. My mom lives with us and she noticed the new windows (single-hungs) take a bit more effort to slide up compared to the old ones. It's not too bad (and they have counterbalances), but the laminated glass adds weight. Just something to note – it's a slight trade-off for all the other benefits. We just make sure to keep the tracks clean and occasionally lube them as someone mentioned, which helps.

I nearly signed with Window World for the low price, but a friend warned me about their quality and service issues. After doing more research (including threads like this), I decided to go with a slightly pricier but more reputable company. No regrets there.

We had Morgan Exteriors do our windows. They were a bit pricier, but we were happy with the end result. They handled everything turnkey. Just adding another name to the hat for Tampa Bay folks.

Because of this thread, I've reached out to Karoly Windows for a quote as well. Fingers crossed their pricing fits my budget. Loving the community recommendations here.

Marking this for future reference. Not quite ready to replace mine yet, but it's on the horizon.

I'm up in Pasco (Trinity area) and these insights all apply here too. We might not have the same wind zone as the coast, but I still went impact for peace of mind. Great advice in this thread.

By the way, check if your new windows qualify for any tax credits. I know the federal government has had energy efficiency tax credits (the rules changed in 2023) where you can get like 30% of the cost back as a tax credit up to a certain limit for new Energy Star windows. I kept my receipts and manufacturer cert just in case. It's not huge, but something is better than nothing! My CPA said I could get a few hundred bucks credit for the windows since they meet the efficiency criteria.

Funny enough, when the inspector came for our windows, he was in and out in like 5 minutes. Checked a couple windows stickers, opened and closed one, and that was it. Easiest inspection ever. I guess these guys see thousands of window installs.

I'm so glad I read this thread before signing anything. It saved me from almost going with the first quote I got, which in hindsight was not great. Now I'm getting a few more quotes and asking the right questions. Thanks to all who contributed!

Minor thing: the caulk/sealant smell was a bit strong for a day or two after install, but it went away. We just kept the house ventilated. Small price to pay for new windows 😊.

I've got nothing to add except to echo the love for impact windows. Totally worth it.

Following all this, I'm actually excited to tackle my window project now. Knowledge is power!

Props to everyone who contributed. This thread just saved me from making a few newbie mistakes.

Can’t believe how much I learned about windows... Never thought I'd be this interested in them until I became a homeowner in hurricane alley.

To anyone reading this in the future: don't be shy to ask a ton of questions when you get quotes. An informed homeowner gets a better result. I annoyed my window guy with so many questions (thanks to what I learned here), but in the end he said he appreciated that I knew what I wanted. 😉

Haha, @spirituality_rain same here! I probably overwhelmed my contractors with detailed questions and comparisons. Better that than going in blind.

I second the note on tax credits mentioned by @hollysnowboarder. I claimed mine on my taxes this year and it was a nice little bonus.