Replacing Old Aluminum Windows in St. Pete
Original single-pane aluminum windows are the most common thing we take out of St. Petersburg homes. Replacing them costs $550–$2,200 per window installed, depending on whether you pick vinyl or new aluminum and impact or non-impact glass. The permit and stucco patching are part of the job.
Why the original aluminum windows are the ones to replace first
If your St. Petersburg house went up before the mid-1990s, there is a good chance it still has its first windows: thin aluminum frames with one sheet of glass. They were cheap, they did not rot, and for decades nobody thought much about it. Today they are the weakest part of the house in three ways at once.
- Heat. Aluminum carries heat about as well as anything in a building. On a July afternoon the frame itself gets warm to the touch, and the single pane lets the sun straight in.
- Storms. Single-pane glass has no impact rating, so the opening needs shutters or panels every time a storm heads for Tampa Bay.
- Wear. Salt air pits the finish, the sweeps and balances give out, and the latches stop lining up. Many of these windows no longer lock properly.
What you can replace them with
Every opening gets one of two frame materials and one of two glass ratings. Those four combinations cover nearly every house we measure.
| Replacement | Best for | Per window installed |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl, non-impact | Tight budgets, with shutters kept for storms | $550–$1,200 |
| Vinyl, impact-rated | Most block ranches; no shutters needed | $900–$2,000 |
| Aluminum, non-impact | Wide openings on a budget | $800–$1,300 |
| Aluminum, impact-rated | Waterfront homes, big panes, slim sightlines | $1,250–$2,200 |
The ranges come from the same table as our full St. Pete pricing page, so the numbers agree everywhere on this site.
How the old frames come out
In a block house the original frame is usually fastened into the concrete opening and finished over with stucco. We cut it free, clean the opening back to sound block, check the wood buck if there is one, and set the new unit with the anchors its Florida Product Approval calls for. The edge is sealed inside and out, and the stucco around it is patched and painted to match before we leave.
One opening is done at a time, so a room is never left open to the weather and the house is closed up every evening.
Signs your aluminum windows are past saving
- White, chalky pitting on the frame, or bubbles under the paint
- Sashes that drop when you let go, or have to be propped open with a stick
- Latches that no longer meet, so the window does not truly lock
- Water on the sill after a sideways summer rain
- Condensation running down the inside of the frame on cool mornings
The insurance angle
Single-pane aluminum earns nothing on a wind-mitigation report. Swap every opening for impact-rated units, including the doors, and the opening-protection credit becomes available. We leave you the approval numbers and the closed permit, which is what the inspector needs to see.
Each range is an installed price for a typical St. Pete opening, with the permit included. Size, style and the state of the opening change it. The free in-home measure gives you one written figure.
Aluminum window questions
Ready to retire the old aluminum?
We will measure every opening and price vinyl and aluminum side by side. Or call (727) 604-6514.