There are many, many different kinds of windows on the market. However, not all windows are suitable for installation in Florida homes. In Florida, you really need to have double pane insulated windows rather than cheaper single pane windows.
Why get double-paned windows rather than single-paned ones? What are the benefits of getting windows with more panes of glass than fewer? Is it really worth the cost? How can you get the most benefit out of your insulated windows?
Let’s go over the benefits of getting double-pane insulated windows for your home.
Double Pane Insulated WIndows vs Single Pane Windows
When comparing double pane insulated windows versus single pane windows, the first thing you’ll probably want to check is the energy efficiency of each.
ENERGY STAR actually published an energy efficiency study where they compared common ‘clear glass’ windows that were single paned and double paned against even more energy efficiency-optimized windows.
Data from the study showed that, when comparing even non-optimized double pane insulated windows versus single pane windows, there was a marked difference in energy efficiency for similar homes in Tampa. The study showed that a home in Tampa, FL with single pane clear windows would go through 3,191 kWh (kilowatt hours) of energy for air conditioning while an identical home with double pane clear windows would consume 2,416 kWh of energy over the same period of time… a difference of 775 kWh of power consumption, or over a 24% reduction in energy use.
As of November 21, 2025, the Tampa Electric Company (TECO) stated that the bill of a customer using “1,000 kilowatt-hours a month is $145.58.” This works out to $0.15 per kWh (rounded up to the next penny). So, that $775 kWh difference would save $116.25 on the electric bill.
And this is just for having double-pane clear windows with no additional energy efficiency enhancements.
Another benefit of having two panes of glass between your home and the outside is that, if something breaks the glass, there’s still a second pane to help keep your home sealed against wind, rain, and more. Even with non-impact glass, it’s better to have two layers between your home and the outside than just one!
How Much Is a Double Pane Insulated Window?
So, how much does getting a double pane insulated window cost compared to a single pane window? Prices for double pane windows can vary widely depending on the size, style, and brand involved.
As noted by Home Guide, “Double-pane windows cost $400 to $2,000 per window installed and are the industry standard.” In Florida, however, the price of a new double pane insulated window can be a bit higher because the Florida Building Code (FBC) requires homes in our state to use impact-rated windows. Impact-rated windows have heavier construction and specialized, tempered glass to better resist strong wind pressure and impacts from flying debris, which adds to the cost of the window.
Non-insulated single pane windows do tend to be cheaper upfront, costing between $50 to $300 depending on the size, according to Modernize.
While the cost is lower up-front, the cost of ownership over time for a single pane window over a double pane insulated window is going to be much higher because of the lack of energy efficiency.
How to Take Double Pane Insulated Windows Even Further
When you get a double pane insulated window for your home, there are ways to ensure that it’s even more energy efficient to take your energy savings to the next level!
Some other things to consider when ordering double-pane insulated windows to enhance energy efficiency include:
Vinyl Window Frames
Rather than using aluminum or other metal for your windows, you can use vinyl-framed windows to further enhance your energy efficiency benefits.
How much more efficient is vinyl versus aluminum for preventing heat transfer? As noted by IRB Fraunhofer, the aluminum used in commercial fenestration has a thermal conductivity of 160 W/m*K (Watts per minute Kelvin) while vinyl has a thermal conductivity of 0.17 W/m*K.
That would make vinyl over 940 times more resistant to transferring heat than aluminum. This helps ensure that your home stays cool in summer and warm during the odd cold snap in Florida.
Argon Gas Fills
In addition to using double paned glass windows, you can also opt to add an argon gas fill to further improve the thermal performance of your windows.
Inert gases like argon help to further reduce the transfer of heat from the outdoors into your home. Argon gas has a lower thermal conductivity coefficient than regular air, slowing down how quickly thermal energy (heat) is transferred between the two panes of glass in your windows.
You can often identify windows that have argon gas fills by the butyl sealant in the window sash between the glass panes and the small marks in the butyl where the gas was originally pumped through.
Use Impact-Rated Windows
In Florida, impact windows are the default requirement per the FBC, but it pays to make sure that the windows you’re getting actually are impact-rated. Impact windows can protect your home from severe weather and other hazards. This, in turn, helps you keep your family and home safer.
Impact windows have features that make them extra-resilient against impacts, like reinforced frames and laminate interlayers that flex with impacts when the top layer of glass is broken and maintains the seal on your home. This way, even when a major impact from flying debris happens during a hurricane, your home will be protected from moisture and pest intrusion, potentially saving you tens of thousands of dollars on storm damage remediation costs.
Insulate Around the Window Opening
If a window has double pane insulated glass, and the opening around the window frame doesn’t have any insulation protecting your home, will you see an energy efficiency improvement? Well, yes, but not as much of an improvement as you would see if the area around the window was properly insulated.
This is one of the reasons why it’s important to work with a professional window installer who knows how to properly insulate your window opening during the installation process to ensure that you’re getting the most energy efficiency benefit out of your new windows.
Choose a Reliable Window Installation Company
A proper installation can make or break your experience with a window. One of the problems with any window installation is that finding a reliable and trustworthy installer can be incredibly difficult.
Many big companies don’t use in-house installation teams. Instead, they outsource the installs to (often unlicensed) third party contractors. This results in inconsistent quality in the installation process.
When looking for high-quality window installation service, you need to find a company that uses in-house labor that is held to a high standard so that no corners are cut on your window installation.
Get Top-Quality Double Pane Insulated Windows for Your Home!
Looking for the best double pane insulated windows for your home? Reach out to Karoly Windows & Doors!
We exclusively install high-quality impact windows with double pane glass and use 100% in-house labor on every window installation project. We also back up every installation with a Platinum Standard Lifetime Guarantee that covers our labor for 25 years and the window materials for 50 years.
We’re so confident in the consistency of our quality in both parts and workmanship that we back it up for a proverbial lifetime!
Get your windows from the best team of installation professionals in Tampa Bay!
