Window Design Trends and Aesthetic Ideas for Tampa Bay Homes

Hi all, I'm late to the party but enjoying reading this thread. I'm a sucker for old-home charm but also appreciate modern touches. We own a 1910s two-story home in Ybor City that we restored. Windows were a huge part of our project, so I thought I’d share what we did because it involves both grids and no grids in one house, and it surprisingly worked out well.
Our home originally had many small-pane windows (true divided-lite windows with wavy glass) which were beyond repair. When we got new windows, the aesthetic was crucial. On the front of the house and the sides that face the street, we installed double-hung wood-clad windows with a colonial grid pattern (basically a 3-over-1 on our house). They look very period-appropriate. However, on the back of the house, where we added an extension and a sunroom, we opted for large picture windows with no grids to maximize the view of our backyard garden and let more light in. From the front, you’d never know those modern big panes are in the back. From inside, our rear sunroom feels like a different, more contemporary space – it’s like the best of both worlds.

So, mixing grids vs no grids is definitely possible. Think about where you want that charming detail versus where you might want a completely open view. Maybe your front-facing windows to the street get grids (for style/curb appeal), and the back ones that look out to your yard or a view could be plain to give you that unobstructed vista.

One more example: a friend of mine has a newer home, but she loves the farmhouse look, so she added stick-on grids (yes, there are removable mullion strips you can attach) to her plain windows to dress them up. They actually look pretty decent and she can pop them off when she wants to clean the glass thoroughly. That could be a fun interim solution if someone is on the fence – try out a grid look and see if you like it.

For your Mediterranean ranch, you could go either way as people have said. If it were me, I might do something like a grid on that half-circle transom (maybe a spoke or sunburst design) and keep the main rectangular windows below without grids, or perhaps a simple 2x2 grid. I've seen Spanish-style designs where the arched window has a sunburst grill pattern that looks awesome.

At the end of the day, there’s no hard rule; it's what makes you happy when you see your home. You're the one living in it and looking at it every day!

I'm glad someone brought up picture windows and views, because that is my obsession! 😄 We live up in Safety Harbor, and our house backs up to a small inlet with mangrove trees. When we renovated our living room, I convinced my husband to install a big fixed picture window (6 feet by 4 feet) smack in the middle of the main wall that faces the water, with two casements on either side of it for ventilation. We removed what used to be three separate smaller windows and put this big one in. The effect is incredible – it's like having a live painting of the outdoors on our wall. We can see the water, the sunsets, and so much sky. It really brought the outside in.
Now, for Tampa Bay homes specifically, I think a lot of people underutilize the opportunity for larger windows or grouping windows to create a big view. I understand not everyone has a water view, but even a garden or a nice oak tree can be framed like art with a big window. If privacy is an issue, you can always use curtains or blinds at night.

We did no grids on our big window (of course, since it's one huge pane) and no grids on the side casements either, to keep the whole assembly looking like one large glass panel. Our frames are white because we thought it kind of disappears more – like the glass is just there with minimal frame. If I had a more modern home, black frames around a big picture window could look like a cool industrial-modern touch.

A consideration: large fixed windows are actually not as expensive as you might think, because there’s no moving parts. The cost in our case was getting a header restructured to accommodate it. Also, big windows must be thick impact glass here (ours is a 1/2-inch double-laminated unit) so it was heavy. Definitely a professional job to install such a beast of a window.

Anyway, adding that in as an idea for you or anyone reading: if you have a special view or want more light, maybe incorporate at least one large picture window into your design. Even if the rest are standard size, it can become a focal point of a room. We built a little window seat under ours and it's now everyone’s favorite spot in the house.

This has been such an inspiring thread! I want to circle back to the cost aspect since that’s always on a homeowner’s mind (it sure was on mine). You mentioned budget and phasing, which is smart. Here are some budgeting tips I gathered from my own window replacement journey and talking to others:
Prioritize Key Windows: Like you said, do the front first if curb appeal is a concern. Or if there’s a particularly leaky or non-functional window causing issues, tackle that one early. You don't have to do everything at once.

Get Multiple Quotes: Prices can vary a lot. We got three quotes and they differed by a few thousand dollars for the same number of windows. Also, some companies offer seasonal discounts (summer can be slower for installs due to rain, surprisingly).

Material Choices: Vinyl windows are generally more affordable than aluminum or wood-clad. But they can still look great and come in colors. We opted for vinyl single-hungs for cost reasons and are happy with them.

Standard Sizes: If possible, stick to standard window sizes. Custom-sized windows (for odd dimensions) can drive up the price. We slightly adjusted one opening (made it a tad smaller with a bit of extra trim) just so a standard window would fit, which saved money.

DIY Finishings: As @drummer573106 mentioned, you can do finishing touches yourself. I too painted my own exterior trim after the window installs and saved a few hundred bucks there.

Financing & Credits: Check if any local or federal incentives are available. Sometimes there are energy efficiency rebates or financing deals for impact windows. (Our credit union had a low-interest loan program for hurricane upgrades.)

Even on a budget, I agree with others that if you can, invest in the impact-rated windows. We almost didn't due to cost, but then my insurance company offered a nice discount if we got them, which over a few years basically helps offset the price.

For reference, we replaced 8 windows in our 1960s house in Largo. Went from old jalousies and aluminum sliders to all vinyl single-hungs, clear glass (no grids), white frames. Not the fanciest option, but the house looks cleaner and feels so much more comfortable. Total cost was around $6,500 for those 8 (mid-range brand windows, installed). We could have spent double on fancy ones, but honestly, for a modest house like ours, this was the sweet spot of affordability and function.

So yeah, plan it out, budget it out, and don't be afraid to do it in stages. Windows are one of those things that are both aesthetic and functional upgrades, so it's money well spent in the long run.

This thread is gold! I’m in Apollo Beach and planning a window update next year, so I'm soaking up all this info. Personally, I adore the black frame trend. A couple of new builds down the street from me have black window frames with white board-and-batten siding – very modern coastal farmhouse vibe – and I'm obsessed with that look. It just makes the windows pop like artwork on the house.
My home is a 2000s stucco two-story, kind of builder-basic right now with white everything. I'm itching to add some character. Reading all these suggestions, I'm thinking of going with bronze frames as a nod to Mediterranean style but still darker than white. And maybe doing those decorative Bahama shutters (the kind hinged at the top that can be propped open) on the outside in a couple of spots for that Key West tropical feel. I've seen some houses here combine Bahama shutters with impact windows – the shutters are more for shade and style, since the windows themselves handle the storm protection.

Anyone have experience or thoughts on using those kinds of shutters purely decoratively? I figure they can add a pop of color (maybe a teal or blue) against a light-colored house and complement the window design.

Also, one more trend I've noticed in fancy homes: steel-framed windows or at least that look of thin grid patterns like old warehouse windows. Obviously real steel windows are pricey and not the best for hurricanes unless custom engineered, but I've seen some aluminum windows mimic that thin steel look. It gives a really upscale modern-industrial feel. Not something I can afford, but fun to dream about!

I will definitely reference this conversation when we sit down to plan our project. Keep the ideas flowing, folks. It's great to hear from real locals rather than generic advice from some random article.

Jumping in to say I'm excited for you too! Reading your plan makes me want to start mine sooner rather than later. Please do come back with an update once everything's in. I'm especially curious how the bronze frames turn out because I might go that route myself.

This discussion has been so helpful – it’s like we all crowdsourced the ultimate window makeover plan. Good luck, neighbor!

This is a bit tangential, but just a heads-up from my experience: if you live in a community with an HOA, check their rules before committing to a bold window color change. I’m on my neighborhood’s architectural committee in Carrollwood, and we had a homeowner submit for black window frames. We actually loved it and approved it (it was a nice change from all-white everywhere), but it made me realize some HOAs might have outdated rules about window colors or require approval. Another friend in a different subdivision was told only white or bronze frames were allowed (no black) because they considered black "too bold" for the community aesthetic. He eventually got them to reconsider by showing examples of how good it looks. Just something to keep in mind – better to get the green light first if you do have an HOA.
Other than that, sounds like you're doing everything right by planning and researching!

A bit of an out-there idea: If you ever plan a larger renovation or room addition, consider incorporating a corner window or a grouping of windows that wrap around a corner. We did this on a small addition to our Tampa home (expanded the master bedroom). Instead of solid walls at the corner, we installed two perpendicular windows that meet at the corner (one on each wall). There's a supporting post that's narrow, but it almost looks like the glass meets glass at the edge. It's a very modern design element and makes the room feel larger, like you have a panoramic view. We have a garden outside, and now we see it from two angles.
This might not apply to your current project if you're just replacing existing windows in the same openings, but I wanted to throw it out there as inspiration. Window placement and configuration can be played with if you ever open up walls. Some newer luxury homes in the area do entire corner glass or even curved glass windows – really high-end stuff – but even a modest version of a corner window can add a lot of interest to a plain room.

Great convo everyone! Living by the beach (Treasure Island) taught me one hard lesson about windows: salt air corrosion is real. Our original cheap aluminum window tracks got all pitted and hard to open from the salt over the years. When we upgraded, we made sure to get a higher-grade aluminum with a quality powder-coat and stainless steel hardware, which resist corrosion. So for anyone really close to the water, that's a factor to mention to your window supplier. Vinyl is another good choice near saltwater since it doesn't corrode at all (it might get a bit chalky after many years in sun, but good vinyl should hold up well).
On the style side, we stuck with white frames (our house is a Key West–y yellow with white trim). White just fits the beach cottage aesthetic. But I did see a beachfront mansion down the road go with black frames and it looked super cool – very contemporary against the ocean backdrop. They also had these blue-tinted windows (probably a higher solar tint for glare) which gave the glass a reflective aqua sheen. Not everyone's cup of tea aesthetically, but it was interesting and probably functional.

Just throwing in the beach bum perspective: if you're within a mile of the coast, consider materials and coatings that handle salt and sun. Style-wise, coastal homes can really go either way (traditional cottage or sleek modern) nowadays. Both work with the right color combos.

Wow, what a fantastic thread! I'm late to the discussion but just wanted to thank everyone for sharing such detailed insights. I'm in the early stages of planning a home build in Tampa Bay and this conversation has basically given me a roadmap for windows. Keep the wisdom coming!
So happy to hear your plan – it sounds ideal. Honestly, this thread itself is a blueprint I'll be saving for my own future project. Good luck, User1, can’t wait to hear how it all turns out! 😊

What a terrific outcome! Thank you for sharing the journey and the result. Threads like these remind me why I love this community. Enjoy the new views!

Great discussion. I'll be the slight contrarian here: am I the only one not completely sold on black frames long-term? Don't get me wrong, they look awesome right now and very trendy. I just wonder if in 10-15 years they might date a house to the late 2010s-2020s era (kind of how avocado green appliances scream 1970s). I went back and forth on this for my own home in Largo and ultimately stuck with a safer white frame, figuring I could always paint them down the line if I wanted to change the look.
Not trying to dissuade anyone – if you love the black (or bronze) look, go for it. It’s just another perspective. In any case, the functional upgrade of new windows is the most important part, and style can always be tweaked.

Jumping in with a niche scenario: our home had a giant half-moon arched window in the foyer (90s build – you know those huge dramatic fixed windows). When we upgraded to impact glass, we had to get that custom-made because none of the standard sizes fit. It was pricey but totally worth it to keep that architectural feature. So if anyone reading has an oddball window, don't despair – custom doesn't always mean astronomically expensive, and keeping a cool window shape can really preserve the character of the house.
By the way, we went from clear glass to a frosted/etched glass design on that arch, which now diffuses the light beautifully into a soft glow in the mornings. Sometimes, practicality opens the door to a bit of artsy flair!