What are the current replacement window design trends in Tampa Bay?

Has anyone looked into those smart glass windows (electrochromic glass) that can tint on demand? I saw a video about windows that you can make opaque or tint with a remote, which seems like something from the future. I’m wondering if that’s becoming a thing for home installations yet. It would solve the whole curtains/blinds issue if you could just tint your windows in the heat of the day or for privacy at night.
I suspect it’s still quite expensive and not very common in residential projects. But imagine having a clear window that you could turn frosted for your bathroom with a switch, or dim all your west windows in the afternoon automatically. That’d be pretty neat and a design feature in itself.

If nobody has it yet, no worries – I figure it might be a few more years before we see that in the average home. But I thought I’d bring it up since we’re talking trends; maybe that’ll be the next big one down the line!

@ray_gonzalez – I’ve seen those in commercial buildings (like those conference room windows that turn opaque). For home use, I agree it’s probably not mainstream yet. I actually asked about it when we were doing our windows (because I’m a tech geek and thought it would be cool). The window rep kind of chuckled and said unless I had an Elon Musk budget, it wasn’t something they offer normally. They did mention some luxury high-rise condos might have electrochromic glass, but for a typical single-family home, it’s not really available through standard window installers.
So for now, I’m sticking with tried-and-true solutions: good Low-E glass, maybe window film for extra tint, and nice blinds or shades. A friend of mine who wanted that “automatic” feel ended up installing motorized smart shades that lower themselves when the afternoon sun hits – not the glass itself changing, but it achieves a similar result. Pretty nifty actually.

Perhaps in a few years, we’ll see companies start to offer smart glass for homes. It would be awesome, but I bet it’ll cost an arm and a leg until the tech becomes more common. Until then, I won’t hold my breath. 😅

One interior design trick I love that hasn’t been mentioned yet: using mirrors to amplify window light. In our living room, we only have windows on one side, so on the opposite wall I hung a large mirror. It’s almost directly across from the biggest window. The effect is that it bounces light to the darker side of the room and even gives the illusion of another window (multiple guests have actually thought it was a window at first glance!). 😊
This might be a bit tangential, but it’s a handy tip: if you can’t add more windows, strategically use mirrors to enhance the light and space. It’s an old decorator’s trick to brighten a room. Our hallway also lacked natural light, so we put a mirror at the end of it, and it reflects the light from the adjacent bedroom window just enough to take away that cave-like feel.

So while you plan your window design, also envision how interior elements like mirrors or light-colored paint can complement the natural light. It all works together for the overall feel of the home.

On the subject of interiors, I’ll mention window treatments. You spend all this time choosing beautiful windows, and then you realize you need to cover them sometimes for privacy or to block light. That can impact your interior design too. When we updated our windows, our old heavy drapes looked out of place with the sleek new look. We switched to simple roller shades that almost disappear when rolled up. In the evenings, they come down and have a clean look (we chose a color similar to the wall so they blend in).
For our arch window in the foyer, we decided not to cover it at all – it’s above eye level, so we just let it be a decorative window that brings in light. In the bedroom, we invested in some nice plantation shutters which actually add to the interior aesthetic (white wood, matches our trim, very crisp lines). But I did worry initially that shutters would “hide” our pretty new windows. The key was to get ones that fit inside the window opening, so the frames of the window still show.

Just something to keep in mind: think about how your curtain rods, blinds, or shutters will look with your new windows. Sometimes the more modern window styles call for simpler window treatments. It’s like accessorizing – you want the right balance so you don’t undo the style you’ve created.

For those in historic or conservation areas (like some parts of Tampa have), you might run into rules on window designs. In our case, our home is in a designated historic neighborhood, and we had limitations. We couldn’t use vinyl windows on the front facade, only wood or wood-clad that matched the original profiles. That definitely steered our design decisions because it limited our color choices (we went with white since the original was white) and we had to include the same grid pattern the house had in the 1920s.
We got it done (with wood windows that look great, though they cost more). On the sides and back we quietly put vinyl windows that looked similar enough but were more budget-friendly. The funny thing is, from the street you’d never know – everything looks cohesive, and we kept the historical style, but we saved money where we could on the not-visible areas. The interior of the wood vs vinyl is a bit different, but we painted the wood ones inside to match the vinyl ones, and it’s pretty seamless.

So my advice: if you’re in an older neighborhood, check if there are guidelines or if your neighbors have done similar projects. Sometimes you have to compromise on design because of those rules, but usually you can find a solution that keeps everyone happy (historic boards, your aesthetic sense, and your wallet!).

Great point by User42. My friend has a 1930s bungalow in Tampa Heights and ran into the same thing. She actually ended up doing wood windows in front (to appease the historic guidelines) and a good vinyl on the sides/back, just like you described. They even custom-ordered the vinyl ones with external grids to mimic the wood ones so that when you see the house from an angle, it all looks uniform.
Also, about color consistency: in some neighborhoods, if every house has white windows, one bold black one might stick out. My street is mostly mid-century block homes where most folks still have aluminum frames (usually bronze or white). When I put in new windows, I wanted bronze, and that was fine, but I opted not to go jet-black because none of the surrounding houses had that and I didn’t want to visually clash. It’s not a rule, but just a consideration for curb appeal – you can be unique, but you probably don’t want to look completely out of place either.

Luckily, nowadays many colors are 'in vogue', so even if you do black or bronze, it’s not like it’s an unheard-of thing. But checking out your neighbors’ homes for context is always a good idea when choosing an exterior design element like window color or style.

I have a slightly different scenario to throw in: adding new windows where there weren’t any. Has anyone done that and can share design pointers? We’re thinking of cutting a new window into an exterior wall to bring light into a staircase (right now it’s a bit dark). I’m mainly concerned with how it will look from the outside – like, suddenly there’s an extra window that wasn’t there before. I want it to look intentional, not tacked on.
Our house has a fairly symmetrical front, so if we add a window to the side wall of the house, maybe it won’t affect the symmetry of the front view. But I still wonder if it’ll look odd from the street at an angle. Should I try to align it with existing windows (like in height or size)? It would be a small vertical window just to let light in.

If anyone has done something like this (adding a window in a staircase or hallway), did it improve the look? Did you match the style of the other windows exactly or make it a different kind of accent window? I’m a bit nervous but also excited at the prospect of more natural light in that dark area.

@anime800 – Yes, we added a window in our staircase and it made a world of difference inside! Design-wise, here’s what we considered: we placed it on an exterior wall that didn’t face the front street directly (it faces the side yard). That avoided messing with the front facade symmetry. We chose a small rectangular window (horizontal orientation) near the top of the stair landing.
From outside, we aligned the top of that window with the tops of the other windows on that side of the house, so there’s a visual line. Even though it’s smaller, it kind of 'belongs' because it lines up with something. We also used the same frame color and style as our other windows, so it doesn’t draw attention as an odd one out. It almost looks like it was always meant to be there.

Inside, it brightened the staircase wonderfully. One caution: think about what you’ll see out of that new window. In our case, it’s high enough that we mostly see sky and treetops, which is nice. If it’s lower and just faces a fence or neighbor’s wall, you might want to go for an opaque glass or higher placement. But overall, if done thoughtfully, adding a window can enhance both the interior and exterior. Just keep proportions and alignment in mind when placing it.

I have to echo something many have said: new windows can transform a house. When we replaced our old ones, we expected better energy efficiency and operation, but we didn’t realize how much it would boost the appearance. We had 1980s aluminum frames that were pitted and the glass was starting to fog. After installing new white vinyl windows (with no grids for a cleaner look), our home suddenly looked years younger, if that makes sense.
Our neighbors actually thought we did a bigger renovation, asking if we repainted or changed siding – but it was really mostly the windows. The frames were a bit thicker on the new windows (since old aluminum ones were very thin), but they are so clean and bright that it still looks great. And from inside, everything is clearer and the street view is more pleasant without decades-old glass.

So I’d say, even if you don’t go fancy on design, just updating to modern windows in itself is a design upgrade. Of course, if you can incorporate some of the style ideas discussed (color, grids, shape changes), even better. But if someone is reading this and feeling overwhelmed, know that any quality new window is likely to look pretty darn good compared to old failing ones!

So true, User46! We had a similar experience. We kept it simple with our replacement – white frames, similar style as before (double-hungs with the same grid pattern). But the difference in clarity and cleanliness was huge. It’s like cleaning a dirty pair of glasses – you don’t realize how blurry things were until you replace them!
One of our favorite unexpected perks: the sound insulation. Design-wise, you can’t see that, but you sure can feel it. Our new windows have made the inside of our home so much quieter from outside noise. In a busy Tampa neighborhood, that’s a blessing. We didn’t even opt for any special soundproof glass, it’s just that dual-pane impact glass naturally dampens sound.

Anyway, I guess the lesson is, whether you go fancy or stay basic, you’ll likely love the outcome. And like you said, sometimes the simple, clean look is the best update. Don’t feel like you must do something crazy to get a good result – even “standard” modern windows will probably delight you and anyone who passes by your house.