@jennifer_river I thought about DIY too for about five minutes, then decided against it. 😅 I’m also pretty handy (I've done doors, drywall, even some roofing myself), but I realized a few things:
Permits & Code: Even if you do it yourself, you still need a permit. That means your work has to pass inspection. Professional installers know the tricks to properly shim, level, anchor, and seal windows to meet code (there are specific screw spacing requirements, etc.). I wasn’t confident I knew all those details.
Tools & Handling: Installing a large impact window isn’t like putting in a new toilet or something. The windows are heavy and awkward. You need proper tools (long levels, shims, possibly even scaffolding if second story). And if you mess up and drop a window, there goes thousands of dollars.
Manufacturer warranty: Some window warranties require professional installation or else they could void the warranty if something goes wrong and they blame installation error.
Time: Pros do this in a fraction of the time it’d take me. What they do in one day might take me a week (and five trips to Home Depot, ha!).
I ended up leaving it to the pros and I'm glad I did. Watching them work was impressive – they had four windows out and in before lunchtime. And they had tricks for insulating gaps and making sure everything was plumb that I might not have thought of.
If you were doing like one small window on a shed or something, DIY might be okay. But for a home, especially for critical windows, I'd say it's worth the cost to get it done right. You don't want to risk a leak or an improper install and then have to redo it or deal with water damage.
Plus, if something goes wrong in the future, you can call the installer to fix it under warranty. If it's just you, well, you’re on the hook.
So, my two cents: Resist the DIY urge on this one unless you're extremely confident and willing to shoulder all the risk. Sometimes saving money isn’t worth the potential headaches.
Hi everyone, I have a slightly different type of house and wonder if anyone had similar: my home is a wood-frame house (built in the 80s, with siding), not the typical concrete block. Did any of you with wood frame construction have any special considerations for window replacement?
I’ve heard that in wood frame walls, sometimes they use nail-fin (new construction style) windows and you have to remove exterior siding to install, vs in block homes they often do direct-set or flange-less installs from inside.
I’m a bit nervous about how much of my wood siding might get disturbed when they put in new windows. Also, is water intrusion more of a concern in frame walls if not sealed right?
If anyone’s gone through this, I’d love to hear how it went and any tips to ensure a good install on a frame house.
@ashleyc30 Good question. My home in Seminole is wood-frame with stucco siding (so frame walls but stucco over them, not block). When we did our window replacement, the process was a bit different than my friend’s block house:
They did use nail-fin (new construction) windows for most of my openings. The contractor actually removed a strip of stucco around each window to expose the nail fin area, nailed the new windows to the studs, then patched the stucco back. It was more labor-intensive per window than a block install where they often just pop in and screw into the block.
The company explained that in wood frame construction, it’s best practice to use the fin to ensure the window is properly flashed and sealed into the wall, as opposed to block where they often use tapcons through the frame into the block.
It did add some cost for the extra stucco work, but it wasn’t outrageous. Just make sure whoever you hire has a good mason or carpenter to restore exterior finishes (be it stucco, siding, etc.) after window install. My stucco patches were blended nicely and once painted you can’t tell.
Water intrusion: absolutely important in frame walls. They put flashing tape around the window before re-stuccoing to seal it up. You don’t want any gaps. Mine have been through 3 rainy seasons now and zero leaks.
Interior trim: On frame walls, you usually have wood trim around the windows inside. They had to remove and reinstall some of that. A couple pieces cracked but they replaced them and repainted. Just something to be aware of that minor trim touch-ups might be needed.
If you have wood siding (like lap siding) instead of stucco, they’ll likely remove some siding pieces around each window and then put them back or replace as needed. A skilled installer will do this surgically so you can’t tell afterward.
My neighbor’s block house windows were a tad quicker to install because they basically cut the old window out and popped the new one in with screws and minimal exterior disturbance (just caulked around). In my case, it was a bit more construction, but still done professionally with no issues after.
So, key takeaway: yes, let them use the nail fins on a frame house for best installation, and ensure they include exterior surface repair in the contract. Good companies do.
In the end, my frame house’s new windows look and perform great. Don’t worry too much – just hire someone who’s experienced with your type of construction. Ask them specifically how they handle wood-frame installs when you get quotes.
Hope that helps!
I have a quick question on timelines: what happens if your window delivery is delayed? We signed a contract 4 months ago and still no windows (they originally estimated 8-10 weeks). The company says the manufacturer is behind schedule. Is this kind of delay common? Should I be worried or ask for any compensation?
I’m trying to be patient due to supply chain issues, but at what point do I push back? Anyone else had to wait this long?
@reader27 Delays can happen, unfortunately. A few years ago, waits of 4-6 months weren’t uncommon due to supply chain issues (glass shortages, etc.). Even now, some manufacturers get backlogged, especially if there's a spike in demand or if it's a more custom order.
What to do:
Stay in regular contact with the company. Ask for a clear update from the manufacturer. Sometimes they can provide a projected production date.
Check your contract for any time frame guarantees or clauses. Many contracts state they aren’t liable for delays beyond their control (materials, etc.), so compensation is rare unless it’s way extreme.
If it drags much longer (say beyond 6 months), you could politely insist on some form of goodwill gesture (e.g., a discount or upgrade) for the inconvenience. Good companies want to keep you happy, even if the delay isn’t their fault.
In the meantime, ensure everything else is ready (permit active, etc.) so once windows arrive, there’s no further holdup.
I waited about 5 months for mine (promised in 3 months). It was frustrating, but they eventually came through. The company gave me a small discount on a future door project as an apology.
Hang in there – I’d give it a little more time, but keep pressure on for updates. Most likely it's just factory backlog, not the installer trying to rip you off or anything. Once those windows are in, the wait will be a distant memory!
Jumping in to say we used ProTech Windoors for our home in Lutz and couldn’t be happier. They weren’t the cheapest, but their quality of work was top-notch. The owner even stopped by on install day to check on progress.
It's great to see them getting love here – they deserve it. If you value workmanship and great customer service, they’re a solid choice. Just my two cents for anyone on the fence.
I’ll echo the praise for Karoly Windows & Doors. They did my whole house in Dunedin and everything went perfectly. Pricing was very fair (and exactly as quoted, no surprises). The owner and crew were all very courteous.
Sometimes you wonder if these online reviews are exaggerated, but in Karoly’s case I found them to be true – they really do care about doing a good job. So add me to the list of happy Karoly customers here. ✅
@sshadow37 Your break-in story just convinced my husband on impact windows. 😮 We've been debating spending the extra, and that real-life example really hit home. Thank you for sharing that.
Sometimes it's not just about storms, it's about everyday security too. We're definitely going impact now for our upcoming project. Feeling safer is worth the cost.
Well, time to start saving up (or rob a bank 😅) – these window projects aren’t cheap! But at least now I know what to expect and budget for, thanks to everyone here. This thread is making me feel much more prepared, even if my wallet is trembling a bit.
For reference, our 8 window (all impact) project ran about $9,000. Small local contractor, vinyl double-hungs. Happy with the result and the price.