Shifting gears a bit – let’s talk scheduling and timing of installation. I highly recommend trying to schedule your window installation during a cooler, drier time of year if you have the flexibility.
We purposely timed our install for February. In Florida, that’s generally a dry month with mild temperatures. The crew appreciated it (working in an attic or around openings in 95°F August heat or daily thunderstorms can be rough and cause delays). In our case, the weather cooperated and they finished on schedule with no rain interruptions.
I know you can’t always choose (if your windows arrive in summer, you install in summer), but if your lead time puts you in peak hurricane season, maybe ask if they can hold delivery until a slightly later date if you prefer. Some companies might accommodate or at least plan to do most of the work in the morning before afternoon storms.
The reason I mention this: my neighbor had his windows done in July and on install day a thunderstorm rolled in midday. They had to scramble to close up openings and wait it out. It caused a bunch of chaos (wet floors, plastic tarps everywhere) and the job took an extra day. Not the end of the world, but something to consider.
Also, during summer installs, your house can heat up big time when windows are out (AC off while they work to avoid wasting cool air). So cooler weather installations are more comfortable for you living through it.
Of course, good companies deal with weather all the time, so they won’t leave you exposed, but given the choice, I’d pick a nice winter window (pun intended 😂).
We didn’t have the luxury of timing (we did ours in late August because that’s when our windows arrived), but I’ll add some preparation tips for installation day(s):
Clear the work areas: Move any furniture away from the windows. We pushed sofas and beds a few feet away and covered them with cheap plastic drop cloths. Also took down all blinds and curtains beforehand. It saved the installers a lot of time and protected our stuff from dust. They will use drop cloths too, but the more you get things out of their way, the smoother it goes.
Cover or remove delicate items: There will be vibration when they remove old windows (prying out frames, etc.). If you have anything fragile on shelves or wall hangings near windows, take them down to avoid them falling from the jostling. Our old frames required some sawing and banging to get out, which shook the walls a bit.
Keep AC off during install: Our installers requested this. We turned the AC off while they were working because they were opening big holes in the house. It would have been futile to run it and you don’t want the system sucking in dust. So be prepared for the house to get warm. In winter, maybe turn the heat off too to not blow hot air out. We just planned to be a little uncomfortable for a day or two. If it’s winter, it might get chilly inside with openings, so have a sweater. If it’s summer, it’ll get warm – maybe have fans ready or step out to a cool place during the hottest part.
Noise and pets: It gets loud. Lots of drilling, hammering, maybe grinding if cutting stucco. If you have pets or little kids, it might be a good idea to have them stay with a friend or in a closed room away from the action. My dog was super anxious with all the noise, so on day 2 we took him to doggy daycare. If you work from home, probably plan not to during the actual install; it’s distracting. I ended up taking a day off to oversee things.
Access: Make sure the installers can get in and out easily. They will be going in and out of the house constantly, carrying windows, etc. I let them use the sliding door to the backyard as needed, and I made sure our driveway was clear so they could park their truck close to unload windows.
During our install, despite it being August, things went okay. One storm did pop up, but the crew anticipated it and only opened one window at a time, so when the rain hit, all windows were either already installed or the opening was covered quickly. They took a short break until it passed.
Post-install, be ready for a bit of dust. Even with careful work, removing old windows (especially from concrete block openings) can drop some debris. A shop-vac was handy after to clean window sills and floors.
All in all, preparation helped us a ton. The crew even commented that our house was easy to work in because we had everything ready. 😊
One more thing that’s easy to overlook: after installation, register your product warranties if the manufacturer requires it. Simonton, for example, asks that homeowners register the windows (either via mail or online) to activate the full warranty. PGT might not require registration for the basic warranty, but if it’s transferable or for certain coverages, they might have a process.
Our installer gave us a packet with all the serial numbers and warranty info. I took 20 minutes to go online and register each window’s serial with the manufacturer. This ensures if we ever have an issue (like a seal failure causing fog between panes, etc.), it’s on record. Also, if we sell the house, some warranties are transferable to one subsequent owner (if you register).
Additionally, keep all documentation in a file: contract, final paid invoice, permit approval, wind mitigation report, warranty info. You’ll thank yourself later if anything comes up or when insurance renewal time comes.
I even kept one of the stickers from a window that listed the model, size, energy ratings – stuck it in my file for reference.
Oh and @jmartinez67’s points about prep are spot on. I’ll add: I was home during install and the guys appreciated me being around in case any decisions were needed (like how I wanted some trim done). They also appreciated the cold bottles of water I set out. 😃 It’s not required, but I treated them like guests in my home – offered water, bathroom if needed, etc. Happy workers might do an even better job, you never know!
Echoing the above – definitely check on the permit paperwork and final inspection sign-off. When we sold our previous home, the buyer’s inspector asked if the new windows we had installed were permitted (they were). I was able to quickly produce the permit final inspection document, which satisfied the buyer that everything was legit. Without that, it could have raised issues.
Also, for insurance: when our policy was up for renewal, they initially didn’t apply our wind mitigation credits correctly. I had to send them the wind mit report and also noted the permit number for the window replacements. They then corrected our premium. Sometimes you have to be proactive with insurers.
In terms of ROI and home value: we haven’t sold a home with new windows yet, but we did get our home re-appraised for refinancing after window and door upgrades. The appraisal came in higher than I expected, and the appraiser specifically mentioned the impact windows and new roof as value-adders. It’s hard to put an exact number, but I suspect we recouped a decent portion of the cost in home value, aside from just the enjoyment and insurance savings.
One more small tip: If you have window treatments you plan to re-hang, take the opportunity while they’re down to clean them or maybe upgrade them. We ended up tossing our old dusty mini-blinds and later put in nicer shades after the new windows were in. It’s so much easier to do with the windows out or before new treatments go up. And the new windows deserved better dressing 🙂
Wow, this thread is a goldmine of info! As someone who will be in @crypto728’s shoes soon (planning a window project in the next year), I’ve learned so much from you all.
To summarize what I’m picking up as general advice (correct me if I’m wrong on any of these, folks):
Get multiple quotes (at least 3-5). Prices can vary wildly. Compare apples-to-apples (same number of windows, type of glass, installation scope).
Consider local reputable companies. Big names like RBA or NewSouth often charge a premium. Many recommend looking at well-reviewed locals like Karoly Windows, ProTech Windoors, etc., which seem to provide better value and service.
Impact vs Non-Impact: Impact is more convenient (no shutters needed) and can give insurance discounts, plus added security and peace of mind. Non-impact with shutters can save ~20-30% on window cost if budget is tight, but you must be willing to deploy shutters and you might not get as much insurance credit. Don’t mix unless you plan to keep shutters on those non-impact ones and understand insurance might not credit partial protection.
Window brands: PGT, Simonton, CWS (and others like Viwinco, etc.) are all capable of meeting code. PGT often considered top-tier in FL; Simonton and CWS are solid as well. The installer’s expertise and reliability might matter more than the brand among those good choices.
Vinyl vs Aluminum frames: Most go with vinyl for better energy efficiency and no corrosion. Aluminum can be good for very large spans or a slimmer look, but make sure it’s well-coated for corrosion and thermally broken.
Permits and inspections are a must. Your contractor should handle it. Always insist on permit – it’s Florida law and protects you. Get final inspection proof.
Financing options: Many – from 0% short-term financing deals (like through Synchrony with some installers) to HELOCs, to PACE. Evaluate interest rates and terms. And check for Florida programs (My Safe FL Home grants) and the federal tax credit to reduce your cost.
Scheduling and installation: If possible, schedule during a mild season. Prep your home (move furniture, take down blinds, protect stuff from dust). Be ready for noise and some disturbance for a couple days. Plan to be home or have someone home to oversee and answer questions.
Post-install: Do a thorough walkthrough – test every window, lock, and screen. Get any issues fixed while the crew is there. Make sure everything is caulked and finished nicely. Don’t sign off or pay final balance until you’re satisfied (within reason).
Follow-up: Save all paperwork, register warranties, get wind mitigation updated for insurance, and enjoy the benefits (quieter home, better AC efficiency, increased security, and likely higher home value).
Phew! Did I get that right? 😄 Thanks again to everyone who shared their story. @crypto728, I hope this helps you as much as it has helped me. This thread is going to be my reference guide going forward.
🙂 Good luck with your quotes and decisions!
Agreed @sonicbaker889, this thread is incredibly informative. I wish I had read something like this before I did my windows. Would have saved me some headaches.
Just to add a couple quick final thoughts:
When the project is done, celebrate and enjoy. It’s a big investment but one that you feel every day. The first time we had a big rain after our new windows, I literally went around feeling the edges of all the windows – no leaks, of course, but coming from leaky old jalousie windows, I was amazed. Also noticed how much quieter the rain sounded.
Don’t be surprised if your utility bill shows a difference. We saw about a 10-15% reduction in electricity use the summer after our install, likely from less heat gain.
If any issues come up months or years later (it can happen – maybe a lock needs adjusting or you notice a slight drywall crack where they did work), don’t hesitate to call the installer. Most good companies will stand by their work, and many issues are minor to fix. I had a small crack in the caulking around one window after about 6 months (house settling or whatever); the installer came and re-caulked that section free of charge.
This thread definitely covers it all though. Big thanks to everyone for contributing.
@crypto728, good luck with your project! Let us know how it goes and what you end up deciding (brands, installer, etc.). And for anyone who stumbles on this in the future, feel free to keep the discussion going with your own experiences. It’s awesome to have a community of homeowners helping each other out. 👍