SAFETY

For complete protection from the elements, the two most common (and strongest) window frame materials in southern Florida are aluminum and steel. Wood also offers good insulating value, but needs to be regularly painted. Over time, wood is also susceptible to warping.

Now let’s discuss the rest of the window, i.e. the all-important glass that sits within. SentryGlas Plus (SGP), according to Juan Rodriguez for The Balance Small Business, is a technology created by DuPont which consists of an interlayer of proprietary inoplast material that sits between panes of glass. SentryGlas is lighter in weight, stronger, and less susceptible to yellowing over time than other storm-proof options, with an SGP thickness layer of 0.90 inches. Although these windows are more common for commercial windows, they can be ordered for residential purposes for greater protection of your investment. SGP is so strong, in fact, that the technology is also used in bomb- or bullet-proof glass. This also makes SGP among the most expensive hurricane-resistant windows, but of course completely worth it.

Also up there in quality window design is the process where liquid glass resins are permanently applied to the glass by a process that uses UV light as a catalyst to cure and harden it. In some versions, a PET film is also added to make the glass even stronger. Liquid glass resin windows are especially popular here in Florida for their durability and impact resistance in the event of a hurricane.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

In our tropical climate, not only do you want impact-resistant windows but also ones that can cut down the amount of heat-inducing sunlight that gets in. Hard to believe, but there are also those rare days in Florida that can get chilly. Typically, those days are also accompanied by a strong breeze or wind. Your windows therefore should also be able to keep out the elements at these times.  The Efficient Windows Collaborative recommends checking the ENERGY STAR® specifications and ensure that the windows you select meet or exceed energy code requirements for southwest Florida.

For exact specifications you can try the computer simulation program called RESFEN. This program allows you to compare window options by calculating performance based on utility rates for our climate, house design and window design options.

STYLE

There are several window styles that are popular at the moment. Modern architecture styles in southern Florida have been leaning toward Refined Coastal over the last several years, featuring high vaulted ceilings for optimal air flow. Homes will often feature floor to ceiling windows and quite often a skylight or two to complement the design while offering views of the beautiful Florida landscape. Several southern Florida-based window dealers/installers offer designer fixed windows that will add a luxurious look to any room in the house while also providing optimal energy efficiency and impact resistance. Some of the more popular manufacturers of these windows include Andersen, Pella, Simonton Windows and CGI Windows.

With close to 20 years of high-end construction behind us, J. Sweet Construction can offer an educated opinion on the best window choice for your southwest Florida home. Honesty and integrity are behind every project we do.

The post Know Your Window Options first appeared on Dragon Horse Ad Agency.

The end of summer means many things, like back to school and holiday planning, but here in Florida, its also the time that the tropics really heat up and the likelihood of our beautiful area being hit by a hurricane increases tenfold. Fortunately, a combination of experience and engineering has enabled the construction industry to build homes that are able to withstand the potential destruction of a Category 5 hurricane, in order to keep you and your investment safe and protected during a storm.

A series of natural disasters in the 1990’s along with the growing complexity of building construction regulation in Florida’s fast-growing markets signaled a need for a statewide building code system, the first of which was enacted in 1998.  As of March 1, 2002, the Florida Building Code (FBC), which is developed and maintained by the Florida Building Commission, supersedes all local building codes, and is updated every three years. The most recent update  was in 2017, just before Hurricane Irma.

WINDOWS

If you have an older home, updating your windows to meet current hurricane codes should be of utmost importance. Your windows are the easiest way that destructive winds and rain can enter your home, something Florida found out in a really big way in 1992 with Category 5 Hurricane Andrew. Thankfully, there are now several options available to protect your investment besides good ol’ plywood boards. The Florida Building Code (FBC) requires windows to be impact-resistant or protected from winds of 170 mph or greater if located within one mile of the coast and 180 mph or greater inland, says the University of Florida IFAS Extension.

Impact-resistant windows and doors featuring extra-strong framing and glazing that sandwich a layer of plastic laminate between two layers of glass will provide the protection needed, and in certain cases there are Florida wind insurance incentives for choosing them. Given the improvements in window technologies, it is now possible to buy impact-resistant and/or energy-efficient windows for your home. Once hit by a projectile, the glass fractures but the object doesn’t penetrate. These windows can be expensive and need replacement after being hit, but they provide the best protection, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

SHUTTERS

Shutters are also a proven way to protect your windows and doors and are typically a less expensive option. Choose from motor-driven, manually operated, or the ones you put up yourself by hooking into a permanently-placed strip along the outside windowsill. Shutters are most popular in accordion or swinging styles. Various types of window and shutter protection are compared here by the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

GARAGE DOORS

Although the typical garage door is seemingly large, heavy and impenetrable, it still must be up to code. Your remodel should include replacing it if your current one isn’t. Keep in mind that if wind, rain and debris find a way into your garage, you’ve still got a costly nightmare cleanup on your hands. Code-approved garage doors include stanchions to hold the frame to the ground and the header, says HGTV. In the past, says Florida-based garage door installation company The Doorman, wind-resistant garage doors needed to be built in a way that required you to install beams and supports every time a hurricane or tropical storm occurred and then remove them to use the door again. Newer garage doors, however,  have adequate support structures designed into the door which can resist both positive and negative pressures created by a hurricane or other wind-related events.

ROOFING  

If your remodel includes a new roof, be sure to consider storm-resistant metal roofing. Dark shingles can loosen over time due to the Florida heat and white shingles are more susceptible to mold growth.

By keeping these recommendations a top priority in your Florida home remodel, you’ll have a beautiful home that will also stand a chance against the next Big One. Based in Southwest Florida for close to 20 years, J. Sweet Construction is fully versed in building and remodeling homes that meet all Florida standards and Building Codes. We’ll help keep your home protected for many hurricane seasons to come.

The post Remodeling for Hurricane Protection first appeared on Dragon Horse Ad Agency.