Frequently Asked Questions

Replacing windows in Sarasota starts with a free in-home measurement, then a written quote, then an installation date. On install day, our crew removes the old windows, sets the new ones, insulates and seals the perimeter, installs interior and exterior trim, and hauls away the old units. Most homes take one to three days depending on window count. Before we leave, we walk the job with you so you can check the operation and the finish. We're based right here in Sarasota and we're not done until you're satisfied. Call (941) 267-0779 to get on the schedule for a free measure and quote.

A typical Sarasota window replacement job takes one to three days of on-site work, with the timeline depending on how many windows you're replacing and whether they're standard or impact-rated. Entry door replacement is usually a single-day job. Lead time for ordering custom windows or doors runs two to six weeks depending on the manufacturer and glass package. We'll give you a firm install date when you sign, and we'll call to confirm the week before. If you're planning around a trip or a season, tell us early and we'll work backward from your deadline. Call (941) 267-0779 to talk timeline.

Yes, we replace sliding glass doors throughout Sarasota, including multi-panel sliders, pocket sliders, and corner-opening units. Most sliders we install are impact-rated because Sarasota code requires them on exterior openings, and because a slider is the largest single piece of glass in most homes. We measure the rough opening, order the door to spec, and install it with new rollers, tracks, and weatherstripping. If your slider sticks, fogs, or no longer locks, replacement usually makes more sense than repair. Call (941) 267-0779 and we'll assess your current door and shoot you a written quote.

In most cases, yes. We replace individual windows and doors to match the style, grid pattern, and frame color of your existing units. In older Sarasota neighborhoods, that matters: a mismatched window on a mid-century ranch or a Spanish revival stands out immediately. We'll match the manufacturer where available, or spec a comparable unit with the same sightlines and finish. Exact glass tint matching can be tricky if the original glass has aged, but we'll get as close as physically possible and show you samples first. Call (941) 267-0779 to talk about matching your specific home.

Replacing all your windows at once in Sarasota usually costs less per window and gets your whole home onto one uniform glass package, which is cleaner looking and easier to maintain. Phasing is fine if budget dictates it, and we'll stage the work so each phase looks intentional, not patched together. The main caution: if you replace front-facing windows now and side windows in two years, there may be a slight glass tint difference from batch to batch. We'll advise you honestly on what makes sense for your house and your budget. Call (941) 267-0779 and we'll price both scenarios.

We install PGT, CGI, CWS, and ES Windows, among others. PGT is the dominant Sarasota-area brand for impact windows and doors, and for good reason: their glass is manufactured in Florida, tested for real hurricane conditions, and ubiquitous enough that parts and service stay available. CGI makes a heavy-duty impact line that performs exceptionally well in coastal exposures. CWS offers strong mid-range and value options. ES Windows specializes in slim-profile aluminum and thermally broken frames for modern homes and condos. Ed Winslow's team will recommend the brand that fits your opening sizes, exposure, and budget, not just the one we stock the most. Call (941) 267-0779 to talk through your options.

PGT windows are worth the cost for most Sarasota homeowners because they carry Miami-Dade and Florida Building Code approvals, hold up to hurricane conditions, and maintain strong resale and parts availability. You're paying for laminated impact glass, reinforced frames, and a brand with a local manufacturing footprint and a long warranty history. If your home sits east of I-75 in a less exposed area, a standard non-impact PGT window may be adequate, and it costs less. If you're west of the Trail or within a mile of the coast, impact-rated PGT is the smart call. We'll walk you through the tradeoffs at your free estimate.

We primarily replace windows and doors, but we do handle certain repairs that don't require full replacement: replacing glass units in existing frames, swapping failed hardware and balances, replacing rollers on sliders, and realigning or resetting doors. For older Sarasota homes with wood windows, we'll assess whether a repair keeps the window functional and weather-tight or whether replacement is the more honest long-term answer. If we can repair it and save you money, we will. If the window is beyond saving, we'll tell you that too. Call (941) 267-0779 and describe what's failing, and we'll tell you what we'd do.

For most Sarasota homes, impact-rated laminated glass with a Low-E coating is the right combination: protection from windborne debris, reduced heat gain, and UV blocking that protects furniture and floors. If your home is inland and you already have shutters, a non-impact insulated glass unit with Low-E may be sufficient and costs less per window. We'll also ask which direction each window faces. West-facing openings in Sarasota take brutal afternoon sun, and that's where a lower solar heat gain coefficient matters most. We spec glass per opening, not one-size-fits-all. Call (941) 267-0779 for a free glass consultation.

Every professional working under the Winslow Windows & Doors name is required to hold the license and insurance their state requires, and our Sarasota branch operates to Florida's standards for window and door installation. We don't cut corners on permitting either: when a job requires a permit, we pull it, schedule the inspection, and make sure it passes before we call the project done. You should always ask any contractor working on your Sarasota home to show proof of license and insurance before work starts. We're happy to provide what you need. Call (941) 267-0779 and we'll answer any credential questions directly.

Yes, most window and door replacements in Sarasota require a building permit because Florida law treats exterior openings as part of the building envelope. Impact-rated installations must meet specific wind-load and product approval documentation, and the inspector verifies the work. We handle the permit application, the paperwork, and the inspection scheduling for every permitted job we do. If a contractor tells you no permit is needed for a replacement that clearly requires one, that's a red flag. Permits protect you when you sell the home and when you file an insurance claim. Call (941) 267-0779 to ask about your specific project.

Ask for proof of license and insurance, ask whether they pull permits, ask for references in your part of Sarasota, and ask to see a written line-item quote rather than a verbal number. Also ask what happens if the job reveals rot or structural damage, and how change orders are handled. A good contractor answers all of these without hesitation. Ed Winslow's team provides written estimates, permits every job that requires one, and will connect you with past customers who've had similar work done. The more specific your questions, the faster you'll separate the pros from the rest. Call (941) 267-0779 and start asking.

Yes, we handle emergency window and door repairs in Sarasota, including broken glass, failed locks, storm damage, and doors that won't close or secure. Call (941) 267-0779 and our phone is answered around the clock. We'll assess what's happening, talk through immediate steps to secure your home, and get a member of the local team involved. If your opening is compromised after a storm or a break-in, securing it quickly matters for both safety and insurance purposes. We'll move as fast as the situation demands and give you a clear picture of what the permanent fix will cost.

If a window breaks during a storm in Sarasota, first move people and pets out of the room and stay clear of the glass. Do not try to remove the broken pane yourself; hurricane glass shards are dangerous. If water is coming in, place towels at the base of the window and move furniture away. If you can safely do so, cover the opening from the inside with a tarp or plywood, but never during active high winds. Once the storm passes, call (941) 267-0779 and we'll assess the damage, board up the opening if needed, and quote the replacement. Your safety comes first.

In most cases, we can schedule a free in-home measurement within a few days of your call. The visit takes about an hour, and you'll have a written quote before we leave. If you need a rough number sooner, call (941) 267-0779 and describe your window count, sizes, and what's pushing the project. We can give you a ballpark range on that first call and then firm it up with a free measure. For emergency repairs, the process moves faster: we'll prioritize getting someone out to assess the opening and secure your home, then quote the permanent fix.

Winslow Windows & Doors stands behind the installation work on every project we complete in Sarasota. The specific warranty terms are written into your contract, and we'll walk you through exactly what's covered and for how long before you sign. Manufacturer warranties on the glass and frames come from the brand and vary by product line. We'll register your products with the manufacturer so the warranty is active from day one, and we'll explain what you need to do to keep it valid. Call (941) 267-0779 and ask us directly about warranty terms for your specific project.

Yes, impact window warranties are generally broader than standard window warranties because impact-rated units are engineered to higher performance standards. Manufacturers like PGT and CGI commonly cover the laminated glass against seal failure and the frames against defects for extended periods, and many include specific coverage for glass breakage from windborne debris during a named storm. The exact terms vary by product series, so read the warranty language and ask questions. We'll register your products and keep your warranty documents organized. Call (941) 267-0779 and we'll pull the specific warranty terms for the units you're considering.

If something fails after installation, call us. We'll assess whether it's a workmanship issue we handle directly or a manufacturer defect that goes through the brand's warranty process. Either way, you have one phone number to call: (941) 267-0779. We'll coordinate with the manufacturer, get parts or replacement units ordered, and schedule the service. Problems after installation are rare, but they do happen, and how a company handles them says everything about who you hired. We'd rather fix it right than make excuses. Your warranty is only as good as the company honoring it, and we honor ours.

In most Sarasota homes built before the current code cycle, replacement beats repair when windows are drafty, fogged, difficult to operate, or non-impact-rated on a coastal exposure. Repairs make sense for isolated mechanical problems: a broken balance, a failed lock, a single fogged unit in an otherwise solid set. If you're repairing multiple windows every year, replacement is the more honest financial call, and new impact glass typically lowers energy costs and insurance premiums. We'll inspect what you have and give you a straight recommendation. Call (941) 267-0779 for a free evaluation.

Whether you need impact windows in Sarasota depends on your location, your structure, and your insurance. Homes west of I-75 or within a mile of the water are exposed enough that impact glass is the smart, often required choice. East of I-75, a standard insulated window with shutters or panels may be code-compliant and cost less. But most Sarasota homeowners eventually choose impact for the insurance discount, the year-round security benefit, and the freedom from hurricane shutter installation every season. Talk to your insurer about premium differences, then call (941) 267-0779 and we'll price both paths for your home.

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