This is such a thorough discussion - love it! I'm going to mention something a bit techy: window performance ratings. Since style and function go hand in hand, when you pick a window, glance at the NFRC label (that’s the sticker with numbers). Key ones for Florida:
U-Factor: measures insulation. Lower is better (but honestly, even the worst double-pane is fine for our mild winters).
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC): this is big for us, it measures how much heat comes through. Lower means less heat. Aim for 0.25-0.3 or lower in our sunny climate if possible, especially on big west/south windows.
Visible Transmittance (VT): how much light comes through. Higher means more light (and maybe more heat/glare). It’s a balance. If you like bright rooms, you'll want a decent VT.
Wind/Impact ratings: if it's impact, check it meets at least the standard for wind-borne debris zones. Most products sold here will, but just good to confirm if you’re detail-oriented.
Why am I bringing this up? Because sometimes two windows can look identical but perform differently. For example, one brand’s "clear impact glass" might block more heat than another's that has a slight tint. In our case, we compared and chose the one with a better SHGC since we have a lot of west exposure. It really made a difference in keeping our house cool without darkening the glass too much.
Anyway, whichever style you go with, just remember to match the window tech to our Florida sun and storms! 🌞🌀
Wow User41, thanks for the mini tutorial! It’s easy to get lost in the aesthetics and forget the science behind it. I’ll add a simpler note: choosing the right contractor for installation is as important as picking the window style. Here in Tampa Bay, there are several good ones (the two User1 mentioned, Karoly Windows and ProTech Windoors, have good reps, among others). A good contractor will make sure your beautiful new windows are installed correctly so they operate smoothly and don’t leak.
I thought about DIY or using a cheap handyman for my windows to save money, but after seeing the crew shim, level, and foam insulate each unit meticulously, I’m glad I went with pros. None of that is visible in the end result, but it affects performance big time.
Also, a tip: if you go with a contractor, see if they have a showroom. We visited one and it was super helpful to see full-size window samples, try out the cranks, locks, etc., and compare frame colors in person. It gave us confidence in the style we chose.
I'll share a bit about cost vs value. We put in about $20k on our window project (for a medium-sized 3/2 house). It was a chunk of money, but I have to say, it feels like a new house. The curb appeal jump was immediate – even our neighbors commented on how different (in a good way) it looked. Inside, more light and better views made the home feel more upscale.
If anyone is on the fence, remember that window upgrades often increase your home’s value. In Tampa Bay's hot real estate market, buyers appreciate impact windows and good looks. It's almost expected in the nicer neighborhoods that homes have upgraded windows. So it's not just an expense, it's kind of an investment too.
Absolutely agree with User43. We noticed a lot of listings around us bragging about "new impact windows" in the description. As a homeowner, it's nice to know that if we ever sell, that’s a selling point. But even if not selling, just the daily comfort and enjoyment factor is worth it.
I'll add another perspective: consider window tinting after install if needed. We did all clear glass because we love light, but we found one room got too much glare (our home office). Instead of replacing the glass, we had a professional apply a subtle tint film on those windows. It cut the glare and heat, and it's barely noticeable aesthetically. So you can fine-tune after the fact too.
However, do check warranty – some window warranties frown on aftermarket tint films (though many allow it if it's a certain type). We used one that was manufacturer-approved to be safe.
Has anyone had experience with casement vs double-hung in terms of airflow? I’m getting conflicting advice. One salesman says casements catch side breezes better (like a sail) and give more ventilation, which makes sense since the whole window opens. Another said Florida homes typically use single/double-hung or sliders and those give "enough" airflow without the maintenance of cranks.
I like the look of casements (more modern, no center bar), but double-hungs seem more common around here. Any opinions? My style leans modern though, so I'm okay bucking tradition.
I have both types in my house (because why not mix 😅). My downstairs has casements and awnings, upstairs has double-hungs (HOA weirdness and budget reasons). Honestly, casements do ventilate a bit better – when opened, they funnel the breeze in. Our double-hungs are fine too, but you only open half the window at a time with those (either bottom up or top down).
Casements give you the full opening and catch angled breezes well. Maintenance-wise, I haven't had issues in 3 years with the cranks, but I made sure to get ones with sturdy hardware. If you get cheap casements, the hardware might fail or get loose over time.
Double-hungs are simpler (and if they have tilt latches, cleaning is easy on the second floor which is why I kept them upstairs). They also usually cost a bit less than casements of the same size.
If you want a modern look and good air, I'd say go casement, especially for ground floor. They really do look sleek (no center mullion), and if you keep them closed most of the time (like many of us do in summer with AC on), the difference is mostly visual until the nice weather season when you throw them open.
I swapped out old single-hungs for casements in my home office and I can confirm the improved breeze. I love cracking them open on cooler evenings. One more thing: casements seal very tightly when closed (they have a compression seal), which is great for energy efficiency and keeping noise out. Double-hungs have weather stripping which is pretty good on quality ones, but sometimes can allow a bit more air infiltration over time. With the new casements, I feel zero drafts.
The look is indeed cleaner. One drawback: you need to consider the space outside – since casement sashes swing out, you don’t want them smacking into a patio umbrella or a bush. And you can’t have screens on the outside (the screen is inside), which is fine but a difference if you're used to exterior screens.
All that said, it's really about what style you like and how you use windows. In bedrooms, we stuck with double-hung because we often only crack them a little at night and liked the ability to have just a small opening (plus, honestly, our kid can’t figure out casement cranks yet, but can slide a window open – so it’s a childproofing bonus 😆).
I'm getting inspired by this thread to tackle my windows next. One thing I'll add about styles: if you have a nice view, design your windows to frame that view. A friend built a new house in Gulfport, and they purposely centered a huge picture window on the view of Boca Ciega Bay. It's like a live painting on the wall. In an older home, you might not have that freedom, but you can still think in those terms – which room do you spend time in and what do you want to see?
In our case, we are considering turning a pair of small windows in our dining area into one large horizontal window, so when we're eating, we have a view of our backyard oak tree and the sky. It would turn that wall into something interesting rather than just drywall and two tiny peep windows.
So sometimes window design is also about experiential design – how it affects your daily life and enjoyment of your home.
That's a really good point, User48. We did something similar – our kitchen had a tiny window above the sink. When we remodeled, we put in a wide window there. Now we can see our garden while doing dishes, and it changed the whole feel of the kitchen. We also lowered the windowsill a bit to get a better view outside (the previous one was oddly high).
A cautionary tale: we almost made a window too large. We thought about a floor-to-counter backsplash window in the kitchen (like those cool pass-through windows you see in magazines). But then we realized we'd lose a lot of cabinet space and the layout didn't really allow it. So, definitely plan aesthetically but also consider the function of the room. Sometimes a huge window doesn't make sense if you need wall space for cabinets or furniture.
We found a happy medium and still got the view and light. It’s all about balance and what works for your specific house.
This might be slightly tangential, but since some of you are talking about renovations: did anyone change window layout drastically? Like moving a window to a different wall or closing off a window? I'm considering closing one small side window that looks at my neighbor’s wall (no view, and it makes furniture placement hard), and maybe adding a new window on the other side where there's a better view of our oak tree.
My concern is exterior aesthetics – will it look weird if I remove a window? I'll obviously patch the siding, but I wonder if it could affect the symmetrical look outside.