Seeking Window Replacement Experiences & Advice - Tampa Bay Area Homeowner

Hi @crypto728, welcome! I went through a similar project recently, so I can share my experience. I’m in Pasco County (just north of you) and my house was built in 2004. I decided to go with non-impact vinyl double-pane windows since I already have hurricane shutters for all my windows. Ended up replacing 10 windows in a single-story home.
Cost: The total was about $6,200 for all 10 windows (roughly $620 per window on average). If I had chosen impact-rated glass, the quote was about 30% higher, so non-impact saved a good chunk of money for us.

Reasoning: We chose non-impact mainly to save on cost. Our home is a bit inland and we figured we could rely on the metal shutters we keep in the garage when a storm comes.

Permitting: Code-wise, here (and likely in Pinellas too) you either need to install impact windows or have proper hurricane shutters to cover non-impact windows. For the permit, the contractor noted on the application that we have existing shutters for all openings. The county inspector actually asked to see our shutters during final inspection to verify we can protect those new windows. We showed him, and it passed without issue.

Results: The new vinyl windows (with Low-E glass) are such an upgrade from the old aluminum single-pane ones. The old ones would get condensation and were drafty; now there’s no draft at all and the house stays cooler. We didn’t get any additional insurance discount for these windows because they’re non-impact (we already were getting a discount for having shutters anyway). If budget wasn’t tight, I might have gone impact just for the convenience of not putting shutters up every time, but I’m still happy we saved money. At least the house is far more comfortable and energy-efficient now.

So, non-impact + shutters is a viable path if you want to save money, as long as you don’t mind deploying shutters when needed. Just make sure to let the permitting folks know you have them. Good luck with your quotes!

Congrats on starting the window replacement journey, @crypto728. We just completed a full replacement on our 2-story home in Tampa (Hillsborough County), so I have a recent data point for you. We had 18 windows replaced (including a large half-circle arched window in the foyer). We got a bunch of quotes and wow, the prices varied A LOT. For example:
Renewal by Andersen (the people with the TV ads) quoted us about $48,000 for 18 windows 😱 – and those were non-impact Fibrex (composite) frames. We nearly fell over when we saw that number. It was way beyond our budget (works out to something like $2,600 per window!).

A local company, ProTech Windoors, gave a quote of $26,500 for the same 18 windows, but these were for high-quality vinyl impact windows (PGT brand). Huge difference from the Andersen quote.

Another independent contractor (a one-man operation) quoted around $22,000 if we did a mix: impact on the front of the house and non-impact on the back. The idea was to save money but still have impact glass on the front-facing windows (which our insurance agent said wouldn’t give full credit unless all windows are impact, so we weren't keen on mixing).

In the end, we chose to go with ProTech Windoors for all 18 windows with impact glass, at about $26.5k total. It wasn’t the absolute cheapest option, but we felt more comfortable with them. They had great references and a solid reputation here in Tampa Bay. The installation took 2 days (they sent a big crew), and the quality of work was top-notch. They handled everything start to finish – pulled the permit, scheduled the inspections, and cleaned up thoroughly after each day. It’s been about 4 months since the install, and we have zero complaints. The house is noticeably quieter inside, and we’re heading into hurricane season feeling much safer.

One big takeaway for me was how much quotes can differ for the same project. It really pays to shop around and not assume the highest price means best quality. In our case, the mid-range quote gave us excellent quality windows (PGT is a well-regarded brand) for way less than that crazy Andersen bid. So definitely get multiple quotes and consider local companies; we found they often offer better value than the big national brands.

@charlie_woof Wow, that Renewal by Andersen quote is wild! $48k for 18 non-impacts – I’d have a heart attack seeing that. I thought my quotes were high, but yours puts it in perspective.
I’m in Clearwater and have been shopping around for my window project (I’ve got 10 windows to replace). One of the quotes I got was from NewSouth Window Solutions (they're a Florida-based manufacturer/installer). They quoted me about $15,000 for 10 windows (non-impact, double-pane vinyl). That comes out to about $1,500 per window, and that’s without impact glass. I felt that was steep for non-impact windows.

NewSouth’s sales pitch was pretty intense – they make their own windows locally, which is cool, and the product seemed decent, but the pricing and the hard sell were a turn-off for me. The rep was at my house for a couple of hours and was very pushy about signing a contract, dropping the price a bit if I “signed today” and all that. It gave me used-car-sales vibes.

I haven’t decided yet, I'm definitely getting a few more bids from other companies (going to reach out to some of the smaller local outfits like the ones you all mentioned, maybe Karoly Windows or ProTech Windoors as well). Hearing your story makes me think the local companies might come in with a better price and less BS. NewSouth’s quote of $15k for 10 non-impacts does feel high compared to, say, @katievolunteer’s $6.2k for 10 windows (though those were done by a contractor with shutters scenario – still, big difference).

It’s really eye-opening how much these quotes can vary. I’ll update once I get more info, but for now I’m holding off because $1.5k per window for vinyl non-impact just seems overpriced. Thanks for sharing your numbers – super helpful to know I’m not the only one seeing a wide range.

I went through a full replacement on my home in St. Petersburg (built 2001) a couple of years ago, and I have a few lessons learned and minor regrets to share:
Get multiple quotes: I made the mistake of only getting two quotes. I later realized I probably overpaid a bit. I did my project in mid-2021 when everything was crazy (high demand, supply chain delays), and I paid about $12k for 9 non-impact windows. In a normal market, I suspect it would have been a couple thousand less. So definitely shop around. Don’t settle for the first quote, especially if things are more competitive now in 2025.

Include everything in the contract: Make sure the quote/contract spells out all the details (permit fees, materials, labor, disposal of old windows, any stucco or trim repairs, etc.). I assumed some things were included, and got a surprise $400 change order because one of my window openings had a bit of wood rot that needed fixing. In hindsight, I should have asked how they handle unforeseen issues like rot or stucco damage before signing. Get it in writing if possible that they will address common issues or at least clarify the process.

Impact vs. Non-impact: I chose non-impact windows plus keeping my shutters to save money (at the time, impact glass was a lot pricier and hard to get). It works – my windows are fine and I have shutters if needed – but last year when a hurricane warning came, putting up those shutters reminded me what a hassle it is. 😅 In hindsight, I kind of wish I had splurged on impact glass for the convenience and peace of mind. It would have been nice not having to climb ladders in the heat to bolt on shutters. If you can afford impact (or if the price difference has narrowed), it might be worth it for convenience alone. But non-impact + shutters is still a valid choice if budget is the priority.

Timing and patience: Because I did this in 2021 during peak supply issues, I waited almost 5 months from the time I ordered to when the windows actually got installed. Factories were backed up like crazy then. I’ve heard lead times are better now, but it’s something to ask about. I think in 2025 it might be closer to 8-12 weeks for manufacturing in many cases (depending on the brand). Just be mentally prepared that it’s not usually quick – these are custom-made to fit your openings, after all. Also, the installation itself for my 9 windows took 2 days for a crew of 2 guys. Then I had to wait about a week for the county inspection after install. Everything passed, but those waiting periods felt long when you’re eager to get it done. So, patience is key.

All that said, even with the few regrets, the new windows (vinyl, double-pane Low-E) have been a huge improvement. No more draft, the AC bills went down, and the house looks nicer. Just make sure to clarify details up front and be patient with the timeline. And as everyone is saying – definitely get multiple quotes (I won’t ever skip that step again!). Good luck!

@inventor91 I hear you on NewSouth’s pricing and tactics. I’m in Pasco County (Wesley Chapel area) and went through a similar quote process. NewSouth quoted me about $18k for 12 impact windows for my house. I ended up going with a smaller local company who did the same 12 windows (also impact) for $12k. Granted, I think NewSouth’s quote included some extras and their own brand of window, but a $6k difference is huge. The local installer used PGT windows, which are top-notch, so I felt I got equivalent specs. NewSouth’s big advantage is they make their own windows right here, but that didn’t justify the high price for me – plus their sales pitch was indeed very pushy.
To echo what others have said: definitely look at well-reviewed local companies like the ones mentioned (I also got quotes from Karoly Windows and ProTech Windoors which were in line with the one I chose). Those local companies tend to be more customer-service oriented and reasonably priced. The big corporate outfits (and even ones like NewSouth that heavily advertise) often come in higher in cost.

Window World is another company some folks consider if budget is tight – they gave me a low quote as well. Just know their low advertised price usually is for a very basic window. When I asked about impact glass and better efficiency options, the price climbed a lot. Also, at the time I checked, they were backlogged and using subcontractors for install. I wasn’t comfortable with that, so I passed. They might be an option if you really need the cheapest route, but be sure you know what you’re (not) getting.

In summary, the spread between quotes can be crazy. My highest quote was around $20k+ and lowest about $11k; I took a middle option with the local company at $12k and have been happy. So do your homework on the companies – check reviews, compare quotes carefully – and don’t feel pressured by anyone to sign “right now.” The local companies I talked to were generally more relaxed and transparent, which I appreciated.

I’ll share my experience too. We undertook a big project in Valrico (Hillsborough County) on a 2005-built home. We replaced 20 windows and 2 sliding glass doors. We decided from the get-go to do impact-resistant everything (windows and sliders) because hurricanes are a concern for us and honestly, I’m done with putting up shutters (our old house had them).
Project scope & cost: It was a lot – the total came to about $32,000 for all that work. That breaks down roughly to around $1,200 per window and about $3,000 per sliding door. This was using PGT Winguard vinyl impact windows and sliding doors, installed by a local contractor. We financed a portion of it using a low-interest home improvement loan from our credit union (specifically for hurricane upgrades). The contractor didn’t have an in-house financing deal at the time, so we found our own financing.

Installation details: Our house is two-story, and one of those sliders was on the second floor leading to a balcony, so that was interesting. The install team actually brought in some extra guys the day they did the upstairs slider to carefully hoist the glass panels – those impact sliders are heavy (each panel was huge and laminated glass is not light). The whole installation took 3 full days. They scheduled all windows first two days, and the doors on the third day with finishing touches.

Timeline: It took just about 3 months from the day we signed the contract to the final installation. About 8-10 weeks of that was waiting for PGT to manufacture all the custom-sized windows and doors. Then another few weeks to schedule a convenient install date and get the permit lined up. The contractor handled the permitting paperwork. We had the permit inspection the day after installation was finished – passed without a hitch.

Misc: They coordinated with our alarm company too. We have alarm sensors on our doors, so an electrician came to hook the sensors onto the new sliding doors. The crew did a good job with cleanup – they hauled away all the old aluminum frames and even the old sliders. They left the place pretty tidy, though I did have to do a little vacuuming for small bits of sealant and stucco dust.

Post-installation benefits: Immediately noticed the house is quieter. Street noise and lawn mowers – much less noticeable. Also, our energy bills have ticked down a bit, likely thanks to the new Low-E double-pane glass. The biggest tangible benefit came in our homeowners insurance: after everything was done, we got a wind mitigation inspection done and our insurance premium went down by about 15%. That’s because we went from having just shutter protection to now having “permanent” opening protection (impact glass) on all openings, which gave an extra discount. That insurance savings will add up over the years, which helps offset some of the cost.

In the end, spending $32k was tough, but we covered some with savings, some with the loan, and we have no regrets. The comfort, security, and peace of mind we have now is huge. No stressing when a storm is coming, and day-to-day we enjoy the quieter, more efficient home. If you can budget for it, going all impact and doing the doors too (if you have old sliders) really makes for a comprehensive upgrade.

@golfplayer86 Thanks for the detailed breakdown of your project. I’m particularly interested in the insurance aspect you mentioned. How much your insurance went down is good to know (15% in your case). I’m also in Hillsborough and trying to weigh if the extra cost of impact windows is “worth it” beyond just peace of mind.
I have two questions:

Did your insurer require any specific documentation to give you that discount (like the wind mitigation inspection form, which you mentioned you did)? I assume yes, but just checking how that process went for you.

Before deciding on impact windows, did you consider any other hurricane protection alternatives? For example, keeping shutters (like you had in your old house) or something like hurricane window film on the glass (I’ve heard of people using security film – not sure if that’s code-approved or just extra security). Basically, what made you fully commit to impact for every opening vs mixing or sticking with shutters?

I’m debating impact vs. non-impact + shutters myself, so any insight there would help. And of course, the insurance savings info from anyone is appreciated – I’d love to know how much others saved on premiums by going impact. Thanks!

@leadership641 Great questions. I can chime in on the insurance part from my own experience (I’m not @golfplayer86, but I had a similar situation). We did all impact windows (no doors in our case, just windows) in mid-2024 and saw about a 20% reduction in our homeowners insurance premium afterwards. In dollars, that was roughly a $400/year savings for us. We already had some discount for having shutters previously, but having impact windows gave an additional bump because now the protection is considered “permanent” (meaning we don’t have to actively put up shutters; the windows are always protecting).
To answer your points:

Documentation: Yes, most insurance companies will want a wind mitigation inspection report to apply discounts. We hired a licensed wind mitigation inspector to come after the window install was done. He checked that all openings (windows, and in our case our doors were already impact or solid, and we also have an impact-rated garage door) are protected. Then he provided a Wind Mitigation Inspection report (on a standard form) stating we have impact-resistant glazing on all openings. We sent that to our insurance company. Some insurers might accept just the product proofs or permits, but generally the wind mit report is the gold standard because it quantifies the features of your home for wind defense. It was about $100 for the inspection, and totally worth it for the discount. In @golfplayer86’s case, they likely did the same (since they mentioned a wind mitigation inspection).

Alternatives vs Impact: We previously had metal shutters for all windows, which does qualify as protection too. The thing is, shutters only work if you put them up, and as you know it’s a hassle and sometimes you might be out of town or otherwise unable to deploy them. Impact windows remove that concern. We decided on impact for the convenience and peace of mind primarily – not having to rush to shutter up the house is a big relief. Also, funny enough, when we had shutters we already were getting an insurance credit, but it improved with impact because of that “permanent protection” I mentioned (some companies give a bit more credit for impact vs shutters, since there’s no human action needed).

Hurricane/security film on glass is something people talk about, but it’s not recognized by code or insurance as an official protection for windows. It might help hold glass together if it breaks, but it doesn’t make a regular window truly impact-resistant to the standards needed. So we didn’t consider film as an alternative – at most it’s an added safety measure, but not something that would satisfy building code for hurricane protection during a replacement project. Essentially, when you pull a permit to replace windows in Florida, you have to either install impact-rated windows or have external protection (shutters, etc.) for those windows. Film wouldn’t meet that requirement.

In short, if you already have functional shutters and don’t mind using them, non-impact windows plus shutters can absolutely work and keep you within code/insurance requirements (just make sure to let the permit folks know you have the shutters, like @katievolunteer did). If you’re tired of shutters or worry you might not always be able to deploy them, impact is worth the extra cost for many of us. Just don’t expect the insurance savings to pay it back quickly – it helps, but as @golfplayer86 and others said, it’s mostly about peace of mind and convenience. The insurance break is a nice bonus but not a game-changer financially in the short term (it could take decades of premium savings to equal the cost of the windows).

Hope that helps!

We replaced all the original windows in our 2003-built home in Clearwater last year as well. We chose non-impact vinyl double-pane Low-E windows, since we also have storm shutters and figured we’d save money that way. We did 11 windows total (single-story house). Our cost was $9,800 for all 11, which comes out to about $890 per window on average.
I wanted to share the difference it made in daily life, which has been HUGE for us. Our old windows were those cheap builder-grade single-pane aluminum ones; they were terribly inefficient. In the summer, you could literally feel the heat radiating off the glass and the aluminum frames would be hot to the touch. In winter (well, Florida “winter” – those few chilly nights), we’d feel cold drafts near every window.

After installing the new insulated windows, the house is so much more stable in temperature. No more drafts at all. The AC isn’t cycling on as frequently because less cool air is leaking out and less hot air coming in. Another benefit: noise reduction. We live on a street that gets a fair amount of traffic and I was surprised how much quieter it is inside now. The double-pane glass with the air gap really cuts down on outside noise. We didn’t specifically buy any soundproofing windows, it’s just a nice side effect of the insulated glass.

Also, the Low-E coating on the glass seems to be doing its job – we have some furniture and rugs near windows that used to get sun-faded. This past year, I’ve noticed far less fading because the Low-E blocks a lot of the UV light. And even without impact glass, these new windows feel sturdy and secure compared to the old rattly ones.

We used a local installer (a smaller family-owned company, not a big brand chain). They did a great job, including touching up the exterior stucco around the windows and replacing some of the interior wood trim. Everything looks seamless. They also took away the old windows as part of the service. The project went smoothly, and honestly my only regret is not doing it sooner. It’s one of those improvements that you feel every single day in comfort.

So for anyone on the fence – new windows, impact or not, will likely make your home so much more comfortable and efficient if your current windows are old. In our case, non-impact was fine because we had shutters and budget was a concern; we’re very happy with the result.