help choosing impact windows (Naples: insurance, condo, new home)

[hsmomof2]

we have several estimates all stating products are great and will work well.

any opinions on vinyl vs aluminum framed, best company to use, or even are the windows at home depot/lowes adequate?

Thanks so much-
M

[equalrightsforeveryone]

Originally Posted by hsmomof2

we have several estimates all stating products are great and will work well.

any opinions on vinyl vs aluminum framed, best company to use, or even are the windows at home depot/lowes adequate?

Thanks so much-
M

Vinyl would be better than Aluminum, aluminum is a great heat conductor and you would loose more of you cooling power with them.

[cuban]

Aluminum double hung windows is what I installed bought at Home Depot costs 150 - 175 per... As far as Impact windows don't get suckered into that - your standard plain window is 140 mph wind ... There are some who will say they prefer 235 mph . lol the roof will blow away but your windows will stay in place . lol These are the same folks that have generators tied into their electric meters outside the home ... Hope nothing fly's into the meter.
BTW , do it yourself and save a ton of money Home Depot wanted 9,000 per home we have 4 ... DIY, each home costs us about 800 - 1200

[missguided1]

Originally Posted by cuban

Aluminum double hung windows is what I installed bought at Home Depot costs 150 - 175 per... As far as Impact windows don't get suckered into that - your standard plain window is 140 mph wind ... There are some who will say they prefer 235 mph . lol the roof will blow away but your windows will stay in place . lol These are the same folks that have generators tied into their electric meters outside the home ... Hope nothing fly's into the meter.
BTW , do it yourself and save a ton of money Home Depot wanted 9,000 per home we have 4 ... DIY, each home costs us about 800 - 1200

Regular wind rated windows will work if you're not in a high velocity zone, but go ahead and try to get insurance. The latest rage for the insurance companies is to drop you like a rock if your home isn't hurricane impact equipped. They will FORCE you into compliance. It used to be that all you had to do was show the inspector your stack of plywood in the shed. I read in an insurance industry website that all is going to change within the next 5 years - sooner if we have another catastrophic hurricane loss. They have all of the political clout to do it, so you may as well get ready to bite the bullet.

[Billythepokerkid]

Impact windows are rated for only ONE impact, once that impact is made, that rating is shot. As I stated in the hurricane shutters thread, they are called impact RESISTANT, not impact PROOF. Go to you tube and watch the videos of 2x4s being hurled at these so called "impact resistant" windows at different speeds and see what happens. If you are really worried about impact resistance get shutters, if it's just for insurance purposes you will be wasting money, because most companies are NOT giving reductions based solely on windows. You will however conserve a fair amount of electricity if you have older windows, which might help recoup the money that is spent.

[hsmomof2]

We do have the older jalousie windows and most don't even close all the way. We have contracted with a company to replace the windows and doors so we will get the insurance discount. We priced cheaper windows with shutters but it was about the same price as getting the hurricane windows and we don't have to worry about putting them up and storage.

it's a huge expense but I guess that's what we have to do to get along with the state requirements and insurance co.

[missguided1]

Originally Posted by hsmomof2

We do have the older jalousie windows and most don't even close all the way. We have contracted with a company to replace the windows and doors so we will get the insurance discount. We priced cheaper windows with shutters but it was about the same price as getting the hurricane windows and we don't have to worry about putting them up and storage.

it's a huge expense but I guess that's what we have to do to get along with the state requirements and insurance co.

I hope that I'm not too late with this post, but I'm with Billy on this one. Be careful with those window salesmen. They really tried to take advantage of my situation. Being a retired widow, they thought they had the upper hand. Thank God for the internet and some diligence on my part. I found out that impact windows aren't as good of an investment as the salesmen wanted me to think. He said that they are the only windows that will "survive" a hurricane. Then I went on youtube and found out that they will break and will still need to be replaced, I opted for clear flat polycarbonate shutters. Best thing I ever did. My electric bills are down, the insurance company gave me a rebate and they won't break! They also stay up all year long so there's no installation every hurricane season. I barely heard the wind outside from Debby, either!

[ollie1]

I built a new home last year here and my contractor had Raymond Windows install MI Impact windows and sliders throughout the house. After 9 months the balance system on a window broke. They are made of flimsy plastic, hardly enough to hold the weight of the impact window. Also had condensation between the slider door panes. MI said they would fix the balance system for $300 and parts $9. I called Raymond Windows and they came right out and fixed the balance free of charge and are going to replace the leaky sliders. Long story short, don't buy MI Impact windows BUT if you need to buy windows or have them installed use Raymond Window, they stood behind the windows when the manufacturer wouldn't.

[ollie1]

Originally Posted by missguided1

Regular wind rated windows will work if you're not in a high velocity zone, but go ahead and try to get insurance. The latest rage for the insurance companies is to drop you like a rock if your home isn't hurricane impact equipped. They will FORCE you into compliance. It used to be that all you had to do was show the inspector your stack of plywood in the shed. I read in an insurance industry website that all is going to change within the next 5 years - sooner if we have another catastrophic hurricane loss. They have all of the political clout to do it, so you may as well get ready to bite the bullet.

I understand if you are replacing one window in Naples you will be required to replace ALL of them with hurricane impact windows. A friend of mine was renovating his condo and had to replace all of his windows to meet code.

[missguided1]

Originally Posted by ollie1

I understand if you are replacing one window in Naples you will be required to replace ALL of them with hurricane impact windows. A friend of mine was renovating his condo and had to replace all of his windows to meet code.

According to the research that I did, IF I were to replace my windows, impact rated ones weren't required as long as I have impact rated hurricane protection to go over them - which I do.