Sep 28, 2023
Contemporary Entry Large contemporary entryway idea with a white floor, a granite floor, and a glass front door.
seen from Malaysia
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seen from United States
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seen from Türkiye
seen from China
seen from China
seen from Türkiye
seen from Hong Kong SAR China
seen from United Kingdom
seen from China
seen from Malaysia
seen from Malaysia
seen from Türkiye
seen from United States
seen from Malaysia
seen from China
Contemporary Entry Large contemporary entryway idea with a white floor, a granite floor, and a glass front door.
Contemporary Entry
Large contemporary entryway idea with a white floor, a granite floor, and a glass front door.
Hurricane Effect Windows in Lee County, Florida
If you stay in Lee Area, Florida, you most likely know all about the threats of storms as well as tropical storms. It is a part of Florida life. The government of Florida mandates constructing codes due to this, to ensure that property owners are secured. Learn more: https://floridastormwindows.wordpress.com/2022/07/18/hurricane-effect-windows-in-lee-county-florida/
Code Install per Engineer, Not per LICENSED Crook
One of six Box Frame PGT Vinyl 5500 Series Low E hurricane windows I installed at Sue’s. I used the design pressure table from the Florida Building code, which is rather conservative and results in the windows being a little beefier than necessary and little more expensive too. Hats off to the Florida Building Code, born of fire and sacrifice, the Code keeps people alive and safe!
All my windows are level at the sill, set in thick mixed (maximum strength and durability) Versabond and shims are used at every fastener. I use composite shims exclusively at bypass door thresholds and everywhere else usually; wood shims are used here only because the gap was tiny. The gap between the window frame and bucking will be filled with AP Sudol, a sealant specifically designed for vinyl hurricane windows. The 3/4″ PT bucking was coated with AP Sudol and Red Guard in advance and the Tapcons got about 1 3/4″ embedment in the masonry/concrete.
After the AP Sudol dried it was coated with Red Guard. New stucco applied to the existing stucco, the AP Sudol, and out 5/8″ on the frame. Later the stucco was primed with exterior Kilz and given two coats of exterior latex house paint.
To order the new windows I used the dimensions of the existing windows as all of their sashes worked well. The new windows went in perfectly snug to the existing drywall and nowhere was my gap between the window frame and bucking greater than 1/4″.
Now the bad news. The reason I was asked by the homeowner to install their hurricane windows is that the owner was unhappy with their LICENSED contractor who they had already scheduled to install five hurricane windows. I was present when their crew of two arrived and I saw their work. They installed the exact same PGT 550 series vinyl windows except the windows were flanged. I will not give a blow by blow narrative of what I saw but Sue should be grateful that these windows can be removed, their flanges cut off, the bucking replaced and the windows reinstalled to code. This LICENSED contractor’s hurricane window install was a dangerous failure. There were no shims at any of the fasteners, there was no sealant applied between the window frame and the bucking and, the windows were downsized from the old windows so that the gap between the window frame and bucking was averaging about 5/8″ (as viewed from the interior after install). Florida Building code requires shims at all fasteners, appropriate sealant be applied between the frame and bucking and the maximum gap between the frame and the bucking allowed is 1/4″. Lazy Lee County Florida Building Department passed these installs on their “inspection”.
Since that time I have contacted about 100 insurance carriers and about 50 property owners warning them of these widespread dangerous county-mandated fraudulent hurricane window installations.
Why do I feel this fraud is widespread? One: I have been in the trades for 20 years. The trades do not trend towards honesty. Time is mostly money with little to spare for quality. The central business tenet for most trades companies is to never forget to take advantage of the greatest gift: the homeowner's ignorance. The contractor’s LICENSE protects the contractor from the homeowner. The LICENSED contractor and the county work together to generate revenue, not ensure the implementation of the code. The licensing test is a one-time open-book test which has spawned a faux educational industry to help people testing to highlight their books; learning the material is not necessary. Two: The illegal install I witnessed is very quick. It took one guy with very little help about 45 minutes, a handful of Tapcons and a tube of caulk to remove and install a window about 4′ x 6′. The same sized window for a code install took me about three and a half hours total and at least one return visit to the property. The illegal install eliminates a return trip, a lot of materials and a large percentage of time. There is incentive to profit mightily and illegally, especially if the county does no inspection of hurricane window installs and they do not inspect them. Three: I complained to a local building department head about this bad install and the work being passed by an inspector. His response was that the inspector cannot see the work done as it is hidden by the window itself. If you are a building inspector and you are unable to determine by sight whether a LICENSED contractor used shims on their window install, asking the asshole, “did you do a good job” does not serve as an inspection! You the inspector might remember that if you are unable to see, the LICENSED contractor was certainly unable to shim and seal. If you are an inspector and you believe that your complicity in this LICENSED contractor fraud is invisible, no one is so stupid. Four: There are ads on Craigslist for hurricane window installers. I have called and inquired about the work. I create trust and I get the skinny on the installs. I have done this five times and all five are illegally installing the windows. Five: If the county allows a handful of LICENSED contractors to bypass the code can the contractors who would do code installs afford to compete with the disproportionate costs in labor and materials cost they face? Are all or most LICENSED contractors installing hurricane windows illegally?
Hurricane Proof Windows for West Palm Beach Homes
HURRICANE PROOF WINDOWS IN WEST PALM BEACH Hurricane proof windows, or impact-resistant windows, are a smart upgrade for coastal homes in West Palm Beach. They are designed to help block wind-driven debris, reduce pressure changes, and improve moisture intrusion prevention during storms. WHY THE OPENING MATTERS The glass is only part of the system. Poor framing, weak seals, or failed flashing can still let water in. In older homes near the Intracoastal Waterway, common warning signs include: - fogging between panes - drafts or rattling - soft wood around the frame - rusted hardware - water stains below the window WHAT TO CHECK BEFORE REPLACING WINDOWS A strong renovation plan should account for Florida Building Code requirements, local permit needs, and proper installation. The right window must match the opening, wind-load demands, and exposure of the property. Standards such as ASTM E1886 and E1996 are important because they help define impact performance for storm-rated glass. Just as important is waterproof window sealing and correct flashing around the opening. A PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY If you are planning a coastal home renovation, hurricane-rated windows should be part of the full building-envelope strategy, not a stand-alone purchase. When the frame, wall assembly, and seal details are handled correctly, the upgrade can improve safety, comfort, and long-term durability.
Choosing new windows for your home is an important decision, especially in areas where weather, energy efficiency, security, and long-term d
Choosing new windows for your home is an important decision, especially in areas where weather, energy efficiency, security, and long-term durability all matter. Windows are not just decorative features; they help protect your home, improve comfort, reduce outside noise, and support better energy performance. Because of this, hiring the right company is just as important as choosing the right window style.
Windows play a major role in your home’s comfort, safety, energy efficiency, and overall appearance. When they are in good condition, they h
Windows play a major role in your home’s comfort, safety, energy efficiency, and overall appearance. When they are in good condition, they help keep your indoor space cool, quiet, and protected from the outside elements. But when windows become old, damaged, drafty, or difficult to use, they can create bigger problems for your home over time.
Hurricane Resistant Windows for Delray Beach Homes
HURRICANE RESISTANT WINDOWS IN DELRAY BEACH Hurricane resistant windows in Delray Beach are not just about better glass. They are about protecting the whole opening from wind pressure, flying debris, salt air, and moisture intrusion. WHAT MATTERS MOST A strong system usually includes: - Impact-rated or laminated glass windows - A properly anchored frame - Seals that resist humidity and water - Materials suited for coastal homes Cheaper replacement windows can look fine at first. But if the frame, seal, or installation is weak, the first major storm can expose it fast. That is when water stains, warped trim, and repeated repair costs start adding up. WHY COASTAL CONDITIONS CHANGE THE EQUATION Homes near the Intracoastal or barrier island zones deal with more than wind. Salt air can corrode hardware. Humidity can shorten the life of sealants. Even small gaps can lead to hidden damage behind the walls. That is why many homeowners compare storm shutters with permanent impact protection. Shutters may seem cheaper upfront, but they also bring ongoing maintenance, storage, and setup every season. WHEN REPLACEMENT MAKES MORE SENSE If the existing frames are damaged, uneven, or already showing moisture issues, patching may only delay the real problem. In those cases, impact window installation can be the more practical long-term choice. The goal is simple: reduce repeat damage and choose a window system that fits Delray Beach conditions, not just a standard inland home. FINAL TAKEAWAY The best hurricane resistant windows are tested, well built, and installed as a complete system. In a coastal area like Delray Beach, that detail matters more than the lowest quote.
