I’m a huge fan of arched windows and transoms, which are quite popular in many Tampa Bay Mediterranean-style homes. Arched windows add such an elegant, classic touch. We added a half-round arched transom above our front door and it transformed the entry. There's a reason arches have timeless appeal – that classic shape never goes out of style. Perfect for above doors or in foyers.
To illustrate, check out this Tampa home with beautiful arched and picture windows I came across. This is the style many Mediterranean homes here go for. You can see how the half-round tops add elegance and character to the facade. In our neighborhood (Westchase area), lots of newer homes and renovations include at least one arched window or transom, often above the entry or as a feature window in a dining room.
I will say, arched windows can be pricier and sometimes you can’t get them to open (many are fixed glass). So often they’re used in combination with regular rectangular windows. But if you have a spot for one, they are gorgeous. Our arched transom doesn’t open, but it lets in a ton of light and looks awesome from inside and out.
Dave here – lifelong Floridian and self-proclaimed hurricane prep geek. I want to talk about the hurricane-rated aesthetics @crafter11 mentioned. I’ve upgraded to all impact windows and doors over the past two years (after getting sick of putting up shutters every time a storm threatened).
From a looks perspective, the good news is modern impact windows look just like regular ones. You might notice the frames are a bit heftier or the glass has that slight laminated tint, but otherwise you wouldn’t know. In fact, friends comment that my windows look great, not realizing they’re impact-resistant. The days of ugly storm windows are gone; now it’s all about integrating protection with design.
I opted for clear glass impact windows (no additional tint) because I have a north-facing front and east-facing back – not too much brutal sun. But even clear impact glass has some UV filtering due to the interlayer. Some neighbors went with gray or blue tints for more sun blocking. It’s personal preference; our Florida sun is intense, so many folks do lean toward a bit of tint. One thing I noticed: at night, the reflective tint can make it a bit mirror-like from outside, so consider your privacy needs and window treatments (I have blinds anyway).
In terms of trends: energy efficiency and storm protection are kind of converging. Almost everyone getting new windows here is choosing impact glass, which also tends to be double-paned with Low-E coating – meaning you automatically get better insulation and lower bills. So it’s like style, safety, and efficiency all in one package now. For example, my impact windows are double-pane with argon gas and Low-E, and I saw about a 15% drop in my energy bills over the past year (replacing old single-pane ones).
Also, shout-out to Karoly Windows (the company) who did my install – they helped me find windows that met the strict hurricane codes and looked the way I wanted. I have a mix of styles (casements and fixed) and they all had to meet impact standards. Karoly’s team walked me through options and even the permit process. Many local companies like them are great resources when balancing aesthetics with Florida building code. They ensured my large living room picture window had the right DP rating (Design Pressure) and storm-mount installation, without adding any ugly reinforcements. So definitely lean on the expertise of our local window specialists who know the Florida requirements.
In summary, function doesn’t have to kill form. You can get hurricane-proof windows that are stylish – whether it’s sleek modern black frames or classic grids. Just make sure to use a reputable installer who will get the permits and install to code. Your house will thank you when storm season comes. 😉
This is slightly off the design angle, but since some folks mentioned local companies – has anyone here used Karoly Windows or ProTech Windows and Doors for their projects? I’m in Clearwater and have quotes from both for a full house window replacement. Both are well-reviewed. Karoly is suggesting PGT brand windows, and ProTech is suggesting Simonton. Price is in the same ballpark. I’m interested if anyone has personal experiences with either company, especially regarding how helpful they were with design choices and any issues or praises. Feel free to DM me too, but I figure it’s on-topic since picking the right installer is part of the process. Thanks!
@bmoore98, I used Karoly Windows & Doors last summer for my window and sliding door replacement. Overall, a fantastic experience. Karoly (the owner) actually came out for the consultation. He’s very knowledgeable and didn’t just push the most expensive option; he listened to what look we wanted. For example, I was debating between white and bronze frames (like many here!). He showed me pictures of similar homes and even brought sample frame pieces in both colors. We ended up going with bronze frames based on that, and I’m so happy we did – it complements our Spanish tile roof and beige exterior really well.
Karoly’s team also helped me choose a grid pattern. We have a front bay window that we wanted to keep a traditional look, so we did grids there, but the rest of the windows are grid-free. They made sure to order the bay window with the grids installed inside the glass (for easy cleaning) and aligned the pattern with our existing door sidelights. That attention to detail in design was great.
Installation was smooth and professional. They were very respectful of our home (drop cloths, cleaning up, etc.). Post-install, we had zero issues – no leaks, no drafts, everything slides and locks nicely. They offer a good warranty too (I think 25-year on installation).
I can’t speak for ProTech from personal experience, but a neighbor of mine had ProTech Windows do her front door and some windows, and she said good things. She particularly liked that they offered a variety of glass tints and explained the pros/cons of each. Her house has a mix of standard and impact glass (impact on the big windows, standard on smaller ones with shutters) and ProTech worked with her to get the look consistent.
Either way, both companies have a solid reputation in Tampa Bay. You might end up deciding based on who you vibe with or a specific product you want. But I can definitely vouch for Karoly’s quality and design input. My house looks night-and-day better and even our HOA approved everything in one go thanks to the clear paperwork Karoly provided. Good luck with your project!
I’ll add on to the local company reviews. My neighbor across the street just had ProTech Windows & Doors do a full install on his home. The outcome looks fantastic. They went with black exterior frames and white interior (seems to be the rage!) on a two-story house. I was skeptical how black frames would look on his 90s-era home, but it came out really upscale. He says ProTech was great in helping them choose Low-E glass that wouldn’t look too green. Apparently ProTech had samples of different Low-E coatings to compare clarity and tint. They opted for one that has a very slight blue tint that cuts UV but is pretty clear.
One thing my neighbor mentioned: ProTech’s team pointed out how window style consistency matters. He originally thought about doing awning windows in some rooms and casements in others. ProTech advised him to stick to one primary style for the visible front windows (he chose all casements for a consistent look with those black frames – very modern) and use other styles only where needed (they did put an awning window in a bathroom for privacy/ventilation, but it’s on the side of the house). That kind of design guidance was appreciated.
He’s happy with the install – they did it in two days, all 15 windows. And no mess left behind. The house is noticeably quieter and cooler now, too. We were chatting yesterday and he said if I ever need windows, he’d recommend them.
So from what I gather, you probably can’t go wrong with either Karoly or ProTech – both seem to emphasize helping with design choices, not just selling you windows. Maybe get both quotes (which you did) and see which rep understood your vision better. And definitely mention any specific looks you want (grids, colors, etc.) – the good companies will give feedback on those choices.
@fashion378 and @singer12, thank you for sharing those experiences! Super useful to hear. It sounds like both companies are attentive to design details. I’m leaning towards getting one more quote and then making a decision, but I feel better knowing others had good outcomes.
Shifting back to design elements – I’m curious about interior trim and finishes now. For those who did replacements, did you match your interior trim to the new windows? For example, if you had wood casing or sills, did you repaint or change them to go with the new look? My current windows have a sort of faux wood trim that’s painted white to match baseboards. If I end up with, say, black interior frames (still a maybe), would that look strange with white trim around it? Do people paint the interior trim black too in that case?
And what about window treatments (blinds, curtains) – did any of the design changes affect what you did there? I imagine if you suddenly have a gorgeous picture window with no grids, you might not want to cover it with heavy drapes.
I know that’s a bit beyond just the window itself, but windows connect to the rest of the decor, so I’m trying to think ahead. 😅
I had to jump in on the interior trim question. My home is a 1930s Craftsman in Tampa Heights with beautiful original wood trim around the windows. When we did the window upgrade, I was adamant about preserving the interior trim. We got custom-sized windows to fit the existing openings precisely, so we wouldn’t disturb the old casings and apron moldings inside.
If you have nice interior trim that matches your home’s style, I say keep it and work with it. In our case, the new windows (wood interior, aluminum-clad exterior) were stained to match the interior trim wood color. This is a higher-end route (wood interiors are
$ and need maintenance), but for a historic home it was worth it for us. The exterior is painted wood to satisfy the historic codes, but that’s another story.
In a more modern home like yours, @crafter11, I think most people would have white interior frames regardless of exterior color, simply because almost everyone has white baseboards and door trim nowadays. If you did choose black interior frames, then yes, you might consider painting the window casing to match or at least some complementary color. Black interior frames can look very striking, but they become a focal point – so if the rest of your trim is white, it could clash or look like a “black eye” on the wall, if you will. One compromise is what you and others have noted: do white on the interior frame. That way, your window frame and interior trim are the same color and blend together.
In one project I saw, the homeowner had black aluminum windows but they drywalled the returns (no wood trim at all) and painted the drywall return a light gray. So the only black you saw was the frame itself, which was thin, and it created a clean, modern look with no traditional trim. That’s another approach if you’re going very contemporary – essentially have no interior trim (the window sits in a drywall wrapped opening). Many new modern homes do that.
Regarding window treatments: you hit the nail on the head. We ended up changing some of ours to suit the new windows. For the big picture windows we added, I went with motorized roller shades that tuck away nicely, because I didn’t want to cover the nice view with heavy curtains. On our front windows with grids, we kept classic white plantation shutters because it fits the cottage vibe. So it depends on the window’s purpose. If a window is now a highlight feature, you probably want more minimal or at least complementary window treatments (or maybe just UV film and no treatments, if you’re brave and have privacy). If the window is more for light and less for view, you can dress it up however.
In summary: coordinate your interior finish with your window style. If you go high-contrast like black frames, think about echoing that in the room (maybe black curtain rods, or a trim accent, etc.). If you stick to white frames inside, your existing trim should be fine. And give some thought to new blinds/curtains – the last thing you want is to invest in beautiful new windows and then hide them behind dated or chunky window treatments.
Seconding @pauls51 – interior details do matter! Most of my clients who choose black or bronze frames keep the interior side white for exactly the reasons mentioned: it’s easier to match and keeps the room feeling light. Only in very modern or industrial-style interiors have I seen black interior frames look amazing (like a loft with black steel windows – cool vibe, but not your typical Tampa home setting unless you’ve really styled the room around them).
One more interior tip: if your new windows have a different depth than your old ones (say, old ones were flush and new ones have a deeper sill), you might end up with a larger window sill or ledge inside. Some people take that as an opportunity – for example, one client of mine added nice stained wood sills on top of the new window framing, creating a sort of shelf on each window. It added a bit of warmth and matched her wood floors. In another case, a homeowner used the deeper window base to tile it with the same material as her window backsplash, creating a continuous look. These are little design touches that can elevate the finish.
But definitely, if you have white interior trim now and you like it, sticking with white interior frames (and hence two-tone windows if you do color outside) is the way to go. It keeps things cohesive. Consistency is key: even if you mix window styles, having a unified color on the interior side (all white, typically) will make the house feel more unified inside.
Jumping back in to address the interior/exterior frame color thing from an installer perspective: @crafter11, what you’re talking about is super common. Probably 80% of the jobs I do where the homeowner wants a darker frame, we order two-tone (dark outside, white inside). It’s a bit of an extra cost, but not outrageous, and the manufacturers have gotten better at offering it. So definitely ask your window supplier/installer about it – sounds like you’re already considering that.
Also, if you end up with new construction style windows vs. inserts, it could affect your interior trim. New construction windows have a nail flange and often you have to redo the interior trim or at least repaint it. Retrofit inserts can often leave trim untouched. So talk with the installer about how they will install and finish the interior.
In terms of style consistency: one trick I suggest is to use the same window hardware finish throughout the interior. For instance, if your cranks or locks are brushed nickel on one window, do that on all – it’s a subtle thing but it ties the windows together room to room. Most people do this anyway, but I’ve had a case where some windows came with white hardware and some with metal because of different manufacturers – we switched them out to match.
I wanted to mention a little about maintenance and upkeep after living with our new windows (white inside, bronze outside) for a bit. In our humid climate, one thing I’ve noticed: the exterior color can affect how often you notice dirt or mildew. With our old white frames, I would see little mildew specks and dirt buildup pretty quickly, and I was out there scrubbing them often. The new bronze frames seem to hide dirt better – or at least it’s not as obvious until I get up close. I still clean them, but I don’t feel they look grimy as fast as the white did. A neighbor with a pool cage told me something similar: their white pool enclosure shows algae/mildew more, whereas bronze frames dull it out. That being said, bronze can get a slight chalky look over time (UV fading can cause the paint to chalk). Not a huge issue, just something to wipe down occasionally.
On the interior, white frames do tend to get a bit of dust and the occasional mildew at the window base if condensation happens (like on cold winter mornings). But they’re easy to wipe with a bit of vinegar/water. If they were black interior, I suspect dust would be less visible, but any little scratch might show lighter – pros and cons.
One more maintenance win: we got tilt-in sashes on all our hung windows (double-hungs in our case). It is such a game changer for cleaning! I can tilt the top and bottom sashes inward and clean the exterior glass from inside the house. Given our house is two-story, this is a big deal – no ladders needed. If you go with single or double-hung windows, I highly recommend making sure they have that feature. Most quality ones do now.
So from a practical standpoint, think about these little details too. They don’t drastically change the look, but they sure make living with the windows easier. Form and function, right? 🙂