Frequently Asked Questions

The process starts with a free in-home consultation where we measure every opening, inspect the existing frames and flashing, and discuss your goals, whether that's hurricane protection, energy savings, noise reduction, or all three. We then provide a written line-item estimate. Once approved, we order materials, pull required permits with the city or county, and schedule installation. Most standard window replacements are completed in one to two days per home, depending on the number of openings. We clean up the work area and haul away old windows. Ed Winslow personally reviews the scope on most Tampa jobs before we start.

For a typical single-story home with 8 to 12 windows, replacement takes one to two days once materials arrive. Larger homes or jobs involving structural repair, stucco work, or impact-rated retrofit installations in areas like Carrollwood or Brandon can take three to five days. Lead time for custom or impact-rated windows is usually two to six weeks depending on the manufacturer. Tampa's summer thunderstorm pattern sometimes forces us to pause exterior work, which can stretch a schedule by a day. We'll give you a realistic timeline as part of the written estimate, not a best-case scenario. Call (386) 559-6999 to get your project scheduled.

Yes, and we do it often. Tampa's historic districts, including Hyde Park, Seminole Heights, and Ybor City, are full of homes built in the 1920s through the 1950s with non-standard rough openings, plaster walls, and original trim worth preserving. We're experienced with custom sizing and with matching the look of original wood windows using modern materials when full replacement makes more sense than restoration. Older homes sometimes hide surprises like termite damage or settled framing, but we photograph and explain anything we find before proceeding. The estimate doesn't change unless you approve a change in writing.

We replace single windows, single doors, or any combination. There's no minimum job size. If you have one fogged window in your Lutz living room or a sliding door that won't latch in Riverview, we'll quote it as a standalone project. That said, many Tampa homeowners eventually replace windows in phases, and we're happy to work that way too. We'll note which products and glass packages you choose so future phases match. Pricing per window stays the same whether you do one or twenty. Call (386) 559-6999 and tell us what's going on, and we'll start with a free estimate.

Expect our install crew to arrive with drop cloths, the correct permits, and a plan that was reviewed before the day starts. We protect floors and furniture in the work zone, remove the old window or door carefully, address any flashing or framing issues, install the new unit, and seal and trim it properly. Tampa's humidity means we're meticulous about flashing and sealing, because a poorly flashed window here leaks within a season or two. We test every operable unit, vacuum and sweep the work area, and walk you through what was done. Final inspection with the building department follows when the permit requires it.

We install PGT impact windows, ViewLux and Mr-Glass vinyl and aluminum products, and Therma-Tru entry and patio doors. PGT is a Florida company, which matters because their impact-rated lines are engineered specifically for Gulf Coast wind and rain conditions. ViewLux offers strong thermal performance at a sensible price point, and Mr-Glass covers solid mid-range vinyl and aluminum options. We don't push one brand over another; we match the product to your home's exposure, your budget, and your aesthetic. During your estimate, we'll show you samples and explain the tradeoffs in plain language.

In most cases, yes. If you're replacing windows in phases or matching a door to existing trim and hardware, we'll source the same or a visually compatible product. For discontinued models, we can often custom-order a unit that matches the dimensions and general appearance. Color matching on vinyl and aluminum frames is usually straightforward, and we can match glass tint and grid patterns closely. Exact matches aren't always possible on homes built decades ago, and we'll tell you upfront if a perfect match isn't achievable. Bring us a photo and we'll let you know what's feasible before you schedule an estimate.

Each has a role. Vinyl windows offer excellent thermal insulation and never need painting, which matters in Tampa's heat and humidity. Aluminum is strong and slim-profiled, and it's common in coastal high-rise and mid-rise applications, but it conducts heat and needs a thermal break to perform well. Fiberglass is the premium option: strong, stable in temperature swings, paintable, and highly energy-efficient. For most single-family homes in the Tampa Bay area, we recommend insulated vinyl or, if the budget allows, fiberglass. Impact-rated frames change the calculus, and we'll walk you through what makes sense for your specific house.

We do both. Common repairs include replacing fogged insulated glass units, rebuilding rotted door frames, replacing broken balances and rollers in sliding doors, fixing latches and hinges, and re-sealing and flashing leaking windows. If a unit is beyond repair, we'll tell you rather than patch it and let you find out in August when the rain comes sideways. The honest answer from Ed Winslow's perspective is that some repair jobs are worth it and some are money poorly spent, and we'll give you that assessment straight. Call (386) 559-6999 with what you're seeing and we'll help you decide.

We stock common replacement parts on our service trucks, including rollers, balances, locks, handles, and weatherstripping for the major brands we install. For less common parts, we order directly from manufacturers like PGT and Therma-Tru, which usually takes a few days to a week in the Tampa area. If you need a specific part identified, send us a photo and we'll match it. We don't sell parts over the counter; we supply them as part of a repair visit, which ensures the part is correct and installed properly. Most parts are available quickly, and we'll let you know timing before scheduling.

Yes. Every professional working under the Winslow Windows & Doors name in Tampa is required to hold the license and insurance their state and local jurisdiction requires. For window and door installation and repair in Florida, that means appropriate licensing through the DBPR or the relevant local authority, plus liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage. We pull permits on jobs that require them and schedule inspections with the city of Tampa or Hillsborough County when applicable. You should always verify a contractor's license before work begins, and we're glad to provide our information during your estimate.

Yes, when the scope requires it. Window and door replacement in Tampa and Hillsborough County often requires a permit, particularly when the opening size changes, when structural work is involved, or when impact-rated products are being installed to meet code. We handle the permit application, pay the fees as a line item on your estimate, and coordinate the inspection. If a job qualifies for permit exemption, we'll tell you that too and explain why. Never let a contractor talk you into skipping a required permit; it can create problems when you sell the house. We do it right, and Ed Winslow expects the paperwork to be as clean as the installation.

Start with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, where you can look up the contractor's license and check for complaints or disciplinary actions. Ask for proof of insurance, including liability and workers' compensation, and call the insurer to confirm the policy is active. Check whether the company pulls permits, and ask for local references in Tampa neighborhoods like Westchase, New Tampa, or Brandon. Read reviews, but dig past the star rating for mentions of clean work, honest pricing, and follow-through. Any legitimate contractor will welcome these questions. If one gets defensive, that's your answer.

We handle urgent repairs, particularly after storms, break-ins, or when a door won't secure or a window is shattered and the home is exposed. Our phone is answered 24/7 at (386) 559-6999, and a live coordinator connects you with our local team. We can often provide temporary board-up or securing services quickly and then schedule the permanent repair. Tampa's hurricane season from June through November creates predictable demand, so if you're calling before a storm, do it early. For true emergencies where the home is unsecured, call us immediately and we'll make arrangements.

First, secure the area: keep children and pets away from broken glass, and cover the opening with plywood, plastic, or a blanket as a temporary measure. If the door won't lock, use a door bar or wedge as a stopgap. Then call (386) 559-6999. We'll dispatch a local technician to assess the damage and secure the opening, then provide a written estimate for the permanent repair or replacement. Tampa's afternoon storms can turn a broken window into interior water damage within hours, so don't wait. We'll get you secured and then work on the permanent fix.

Yes, we provide pre-storm board-up services for homes and small commercial properties in the Tampa Bay area. If you have standard windows and a hurricane is approaching, board-up is a practical short-term protection measure. We use proper anchoring so the plywood actually holds under wind load rather than becoming debris itself. If you're interested in a permanent solution, impact-rated windows from PGT eliminate the need to board up entirely and can qualify for insurance discounts. That's a conversation worth having before the next storm tracks toward the bay. Call (386) 559-6999 for current availability.

Our workmanship is backed by a written warranty, and the products we install carry manufacturer warranties from brands like PGT, Therma-Tru, ViewLux, and Mr-Glass. Warranties vary by product line: some cover the glass unit, some cover frame and hardware, and some include finish coverage. We'll explain exactly what's covered when we present your estimate, so you know what protection you have before the job starts. Warranty claims are one of the reasons we're selective about the brands we carry; a warranty is only as good as the company standing behind it. We stand behind our installation work.

Call (386) 559-6999 and describe what you're seeing. We'll diagnose it, determine whether it's a workmanship issue or a manufacturer defect, and handle it accordingly. Workmanship issues are covered under our written warranty and we'll schedule the repair. Manufacturer defects go through the brand's warranty process, and we handle that communication for you rather than handing you a phone number and a claim form. Tampa's heat and humidity expose defects quickly, so most problems surface within the first year, well within warranty windows. We treat warranty calls with the same urgency as paid work because your referral matters to us.

We guarantee the price on our written estimate. If we discover hidden damage during installation, whether it's rotted framing, termite damage, or bad flashing, we stop, show you what we found, and provide a written change order before proceeding. Nothing gets added to the bill without your approval. That's the standard Ed Winslow set for the Tampa team, and it's part of why homeowners trust us with their window and door projects. No one likes surprises, especially surprise invoices. The price you approve is the price you pay unless you agree to a change in writing.

Written by Ed Winslow, Owner at Winslow Windows & Doors, serving Tampa since 2011.