@sailing891 Thank you so much! That’s exactly what I needed to hear. Awning windows for the win, it seems. I’m glad to know you successfully turned a jalousie-clad sunroom into a more secure, AC-friendly space and still enjoy the breezes.
I will likely go with vinyl awning windows (maybe non-impact with shutters, still deciding) for our Florida room. Your point about standard sizes and framing is noted – I’ll get a pro to measure and install for sure.
Can’t wait to say goodbye to those rattly jalousies. Thanks again for the detailed comparison – I’m sold on the awnings. 🙂
I have a quick tech question: did anyone consider or go with triple-pane windows in Tampa Bay, or is that overkill for our climate? I know up north triple-pane is more common for cold weather insulation.
Down here, I rarely hear of triple-pane. I’m thinking mostly about noise reduction and maybe extra efficiency. But maybe it’s not worth the extra cost if double-pane does the job.
If someone looked into it or got triple-pane, I’d love to know why/why not.
@leadership561 Great question. I researched that a bit when window shopping. The general consensus and what I found was:
In Florida, triple-pane isn’t usually necessary or offered widely. The biggest heat battle is radiant heat from the sun, which Low-E coatings handle. Double-pane with a good Low-E and argon gas is typically sufficient to meet energy codes here. Triple-pane would improve insulation (U-factor) slightly, but our winter is mild so that benefit is minimal.
Noise reduction: Triple-pane can help a bit with sound, but interestingly, a laminated double-pane (impact window) often performs just as well or better for noise. The lamination is really the MVP for sound dampening.
Weight & fit: Triple-pane units are heavier and thicker. Not all window frame systems in Florida are designed to hold a triple IGU (insulated glass unit). Many manufacturers here (PGT, CWS, etc.) stick to double-pane because it keeps frames slimmer and operation smoother. A heavy triple-pane sash might be harder to lift (for a hung window) or slide.
Light: Each additional pane and coating can slightly reduce visible light transmission. Not a huge deal, but I’ve heard triple-pane windows can be a tad less bright (again, trade-off is better insulation).
Cost vs gain: The quotes I saw, triple-pane was significantly more expensive and the energy savings in our climate wouldn’t really pay off. Better to invest in the best double-pane you can with perhaps laminated glass.
I ended up with double-pane impact (laminated) windows with a good Low-E, and I’m very satisfied. If noise is a primary concern, you could request a laminated glass (some non-impact windows offer an optional lamination for sound). That might be cheaper than going triple and yield a similar result.
So, in short: not many folks do triple-pane here because the bang for buck isn’t there. We fight heat with glass coatings rather than a third pane. Unless you have a very special case (like you live right under an airport flight path and want every decibel of noise cut), double-pane should be fine.
This thread is gold. Big thanks to everyone contributing their knowledge and experiences! 🙌 I’m taking notes like crazy. We’ll be doing our windows in a few months in Pasco, and I feel way more prepared now.
It’s so cool to hear real homeowners (and handy folks) talk about what worked and what to watch out for. Beats a generic brochure any day. 😊
@mark_chef @williamhernandez653 @culture426 Wow, thank you for the thoughtful input on frame colors! I appreciate the different viewpoints:
Bronze for blending and warmth (and hiding dirt), as @mark_chef and @culture426 note.
White for timeless contrast and versatility, as @williamhernandez653 suggests.
I think I’m leaning toward bronze frames now for my tan/red-roof house. The point about bronze offering a modern upscale twist on Mediterranean style resonated with me. And I do have bronze light fixtures and a dark wood front door, so bronze windows will tie in with those.
We do have a lot of white trim, but I can paint the specific window surround trim to match the bronze, so the frames don’t look like they’re in a white box. That should make it cohesive. And yes, I recall how quickly mildew showed on our old white frames, so a darker color that camouflages a bit is appealing maintenance-wise.
I will get some samples or have the installer show me bronze vs white in person before finalizing, but gut feeling says bronze will give that rich, classy look I want.
You all made excellent points and gave me confidence either way would work – so I’ll trust my gut for bronze. Fingers crossed I make the right call!
@science536 Roger that! Thanks for the detailed explanation. Sounds like I won’t worry about triple-pane. I’ll focus on laminated double-pane with high-quality Low-E. Probably the best balance for here.
Appreciate the insight 🙂
@carol_campbell Haha I also briefly flirted with the idea of DIYing my window install to save some cash... then I watched a couple of YouTube videos and saw how much could go wrong. I noped out of that. Your description confirms it was the right call to leave it to pros.
I ended up hiring a well-reviewed company and yeah, seeing the team work in sync (one guy prying out the old window while another prepped the opening and a third setting the new one) was like watching a carefully choreographed dance. No way I’d manage that solo without issues.
I will add: If you get a permit (which you should), those inspection reports can save you on insurance too. After my install, the company provided documentation for the impact windows and the final inspection approval, which I sent to my insurance. They gave me a discount on the windstorm premium since all openings are now protected and up to code. 🎉
So professional install = done right + inspection + paperwork = happy insurance and a safer home.
Hi all, late to the thread but loving it. I have a question on window brands: Which brands did you all go with or recommend for our area?
I’m hearing PGT and Simonton a lot. Anyone use Andersen, Marvin, etc., or more local brands like CWS (Custom Window Systems) or WinDoor? I want something reliable and long-lasting (obviously impact rated). Also considering if I want a wood interior (like Andersen offers) for a couple decorative rooms, but not sure if that’s practical in our humidity.
Basically, any brand experiences good or bad would help! I’ll be getting quotes soon.
@tim_carpenter Great question. I went through brand comparisons during my project. Here’s a bit of what I found and chose (others please chime in too):
PGT: One of the biggest Florida-based manufacturers. Their WinGuard line is a very popular impact window series. We actually chose PGT for most of our windows. They’re known for sturdy construction and good support. Many local installers carry them. So far, zero issues; they feel solid. The frames are vinyl in our case (they also have aluminum options). They had the black/white frame options we wanted and various grid choices. We liked that they specifically engineer for Florida hurricanes.
Simonton: Another well-known brand (they’re national, but have lines for Florida). They make great vinyl windows. We have a few Simonton windows in a sunroom (long story – we added those later). They’re also impact and very good quality. Simonton is often praised for their warranty too.
Custom Window Systems (CWS): They’re based in Ocala, FL. We looked at their products; very similar to PGT in many ways. We nearly went with CWS because they offered a nice bronze exterior/white interior vinyl option that we liked and some of their windows had higher design pressure ratings (useful for really exposed locations). We ended up with PGT mainly due to installer recommendation and a slightly better price at the time, but I’d say CWS is also a solid choice for our area.
CGI and WinDoor: These are part of the PGT family now, if I recall correctly. CGI does a lot of high-end impact windows (often aluminum frames) used in luxury homes and condos. WinDoor similar – premium products. If you have a larger budget or need huge spans of glass, those brands are known for that. We didn’t need that level, but my friend used CGI for his house in a flood zone and is happy.
Andersen: A big name nationally (wood/clad windows, and also their Fibrex composite line). Andersen’s A-Series or E-Series can be made impact (with Stormwatch protection, etc.), but they’re quite pricey. They are gorgeous though, especially if you want a real wood interior or specific colors. I considered Andersen for a pair of front facade windows to have wood interiors, but ultimately skipped because of cost and the maintenance of wood. Our climate can be tough on wood windows (high humidity, sun, plus termites). Andersen does have a composite material (Fibrex) in their 100 and 400 series that handles weather well, and you can get those in dark colors. They do offer impact glass in some of those too. So Andersen is an option if you want that wood aesthetic, but you’ll pay a premium.
Marvin: Another high-end brand. They have a line called Marvin Integrity (fiberglass) and Marvin Ultimate (wood/clad). They make impact versions as well. Marvin’s stuff is top-notch but again, premium price. Not as commonly used in Florida unless it’s a custom high-end project, from what I saw.
Other Florida brands: There’s also Reliabilt (Lowe’s brand, some are made by PGT actually), and Eastern Architectural Systems, etc. but the ones above are the main ones I encountered.
Honestly, a lot of homeowners here go with either PGT or CWS for impact windows, because they’re proven in our area and not as expensive as the wood-clad brands. I’d focus on finding a good installer/dealer – they often have one or two brands they specialize in and can give you the pros/cons. For instance, Karoly Windows (mentioned earlier) sells Simonton and PGT if I recall. ProTech might carry a selection like PGT, CWS, etc.
In my case, I was brand-agnostic but leaned on my installer’s recommendation. They had great experience with PGT, so we trusted that, and it worked out great.
So in summary: PGT, CWS, Simonton are all excellent for Tampa Bay homes and widely used. Andersen/Marvin if you want wood interiors or special designs and don’t mind the cost/maintenance. And yes, whatever you pick, make sure it’s rated for our wind zones and if impact, has Florida product approval, etc. But all the above do.
I’ll second @diy_melissa on PGT and CWS. We got quotes for both and ended up with CWS vinyl impact windows through our installer. They’ve been great – very sturdy and smooth to operate. I think you can’t go wrong with either; it often comes down to availability and the installer’s preference.
One thing I’ll note: sometimes smaller local manufacturers (like CWS) had slightly shorter lead times than the big guys during the pandemic supply crunch. Not sure about now, but worth asking.
Also, we have an Andersen patio door (came with the house) and it’s beautiful but the maintenance is real – the wood needed repainting after a few years. Our vinyl windows, by contrast, are truly no fuss.