WDRC Blog

For any property owner or manager in South Florida planning some sort of renovation, it is vital to understand the Florida Building Code (FBC) and its requirements. The Florida Building Code was created in 2000 in response to Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Before then, counties and cities could create their building codes so long as they met state minimums. However, Hurricane Andrew demonstrated how lax codes or poor enforcement could endanger lives and property and create a statewide disaster. Municipalities can make amendments that are stricter than the statewide code, but no local code can be lesser than the current edition of the FBC.

The 2017 Hurricane Season was a particularly active one, with a total of seventeen named storms, 10 of which became hurricanes. Of those 10, 6 became major storms (Category 3 or stronger on the Saffir-Simpson Scale). These storm systems can carry winds anywhere from 111-160 miles per hour which can cause considerable damage to the homes in their path. When thinking of guarding your home from such potentially devastating storms, there are a couple of options to consider. Here is a look at some of the important things to know about hurricane shutters and hurricane impact windows.

Every home can benefit from the hurricane protection provided by impact windows and doors. Because of the additional benefits of hurricane impact products, there are some homes in unique situations where their windows and doors can do more than just improve their storm protection.  

Sunrooms, Florida Rooms, Lanais, Enclosed Patios. These terms are all used interchangeably, but they are in fact all considered different types of structures. They do have similarities, in that they are all used to expand our indoor living spaces to include more of South Florida’s beautiful outdoors.

When considering upgrading your home to hurricane impact windows and doors, a question we often receive is ‘What is the process for Impact window and door replacement?” As with any home improvement investment, it is important to make sure every detail is correct to ensure a seamless install and flawless finish. To accomplish this, our team uses a 5-Star Project Management System from start to finish.  

While most of the year Floridians enjoy sunshine and lovely weather, we all know that Hurricane Season can bring powerful storms and the subsequent damage. Having a plan for protecting your home is vital for all South Florida residents, but especially for seasonal residents who need to ensure either to protect their Florida homes before they leave for the summer or have a reliable person available to deploy protection at a moment’s notice.

We are now only one month away from the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season, and now is the time to prepare your home and family. Forecasts for the upcoming season from The Weather Company and Colorado State University predict an average to above average season in terms of number of named storms, number of hurricanes, and number of major hurricanes. 

In 2021, the tragic collapse of the Champlain Tower South, also known as Surfside Tower, shocked not only the Florida Condo community but the nation as well. In light of this horrible event, the Florida Legislature has enacted new laws to help ensure the safety of our millions of condo residents.   

As you begin the journey of upgrading your home’s hurricane protection, the first question you may ask yourself is ‘What are the Best Hurricane Impact Windows and Doors?” Some people may say the answer is the most expensive windows, or the ones with the highest design pressures, or even the ones that have the most design options. The only correct answer to that question is that the best impact windows and doors are the ones that meet your project goals, local and state regulations, and are installed properly by a team of experienced technicians.

As we get closer to the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season, many Floridians are starting to prepare their homes and families for potential storm impacts. While it is impossible to know exactly when and where a hurricane or tropical storm could hit, experts predict the overall intensity of a hurricane season. According to multiple sources, including Colorado State University (CSU), the UK’s Tropical Storm Risk (TSR), and WPBF meteorologists, the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season is likely to be an extremely active season.  

Upgrading to hurricane impact windows and doors is an investment that can improve the safety and security of your home or business for many years to come. Routine care and maintenance are an easy way to protect that investment by ensuring proper function, maintaining your manufacturer warranty, and finding and addressing potential issues before they can arise.  

Before 1992, the State of Florida had lax building codes that were not uniform across the state and were poorly enforced. Then, Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida in August of 1992. Since then, Florida has hardened its rules and created one of the most stringent codes in the world.

Florida Building Code (FBC) requires some form of hurricane protection for exterior windows and doors on all occupied buildings, whether that be hurricane impact windows and doors or an approved shutter/covering system. But how do you know which products are approved for use in the State of Florida and in your city or county?   

Over the last few years, impact-resistant windows have become more and more popular in South Florida, and with good reason. Impact-resistant windows are often called impact windows or hurricane windows because of their ability to protect your home and family from storm damage. With so many names used, there tends to be some confusion as to what impact-resistant windows and doors are capable of, so we answered some of the most common questions. 

With less than 2 months before the start of the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season, seasoned forecasters have released their annual predictions on what we may be able to expect this year. Researchers and forecasters from Colorado State University, whose Tropical Meteorology Project is widely regarded as a leader in hurricane forecasting, and AccuWeather released their predictions earlier this month. 

Before the late aughts and early 2010s, most single-family homes and condos in South Florida were built with non-impact, single pane aluminum windows and doors. These are the least energy-efficient option for windows and doors. Because of the glass makeup and strict installation standards of hurricane impact windows and doors all impact products, even aluminum-framed products, are more energy-efficient than their non-impact counterparts.  

When deciding to upgrade to impact windows and doors, the quality of the installation is even more important than what product you choose. Even the highest quality product with a sub-par installation will not provide protection for your home and family, can cause costly repairs, and likely won’t even pass required building inspections. This will need more time and money to correct. 

Many people ask us “Are Hurricane Impact Windows and Doors Soundproof?” While these products are not considered soundproof, they do provide a significant amount of sound reduction when compared to standard non-impact windows and doors. It is one of the many additional benefits that hurricane windows and doors can provide your home and family.

Every home is unique. Even in the same neighborhood, each home is imbued with the personality, style, and goals of the homeowner. This is just one of the many reasons to custom order hurricane impact windows and doors when upgrading your home. We partner with over a dozen manufacturers to make sure everyone gets a product exactly suited for their project. Aside from design and style, there are several more practical advantages to custom products. These options avoid install issues, allow for better function, and ensure all codes can be met with one product.

When considering an upgrade to impact windows and doors, many people’s first concern is protecting their homes and families from hurricanes. While this is the reason these products are often referred to as hurricane windows and doors, it is not the only benefit they can provide. These hurricane protection upgrades can also help reduce costs for Florida Homeowners Insurance policies.

Hurricane impact entry doors help to provide improved safety and security as well as a quick improvement to your home’s curb appeal. When choosing which door is right for your home, there is more to consider than just the style.