Hurricane resistant impact windows & doors - vinyl vs aluminum (insurance, condo)

[Bette]

We are at the point of finalizing our plans to do the hurricane resistant windows and doors.

I know there are pros and cons with both vinyl and aluminum.

Would like to hear experiences.

Cons - Vinyl
Warps
More expensive

Cons - Aluminum
2 colors only - white and bronze
Single pane

We've gotten 3 quotes. 2 of them use PGT. The 3rd one has a factory out of state (Pennsylvania).
I'd like opinions on what worked.

Safety is probably the #1 concern.

[mick9]

I went with aluminum. CGI window. Kamrell gave me the best price although their custermer service people are downright nasty.

[FireStation46]

Good luck, hope you never have issues.

We opted not to go hurricane resistant. Got upgrades but will rely on the metal shutters the builder provides.We are 1/10 mile from the flood zone line. With homeowners, flood insurance and shutters I should be ok, I hope. When Irma rolled in there was ponding of water on the uncompleted streets in our development, some newly planted palm trees down but nothing as bad as Tamanai Trail just near us

[kanonka]

Originally Posted by Bette

We are at the point of finalizing our plans to do the hurricane resistant windows and doors.

I know there are pros and cons with both vinyl and aluminum.

Would like to hear experiences.

Cons - Vinyl
Warps
More expensive

Cons - Aluminum
2 colors only - white and bronze
Single pane

We've gotten 3 quotes. 2 of them use PGT. The 3rd one has a factory out of state (Pennsylvania).
I'd like opinions on what worked.

Safety is probably the #1 concern.

We were seriously considering "hurricane resistant windows". Almost went for them. And then we thought this: they might be labeled "hurricane resistant", but the only "resistance" they have - they don't fall apart after breaking. But, if hurricane happen to affect them, you still will need to replace them. So, this is not really good money-wise. Instead we went for electric roll up hurricane shutters. This is about same cost (actually cheaper) as hurricane resistant windows, but much more practical.

[boxus]

Shutters are much better.

But the windows are great for security reasons, pretty hard for someone to break one and enter.

[beach43ofus]

Originally Posted by kanonka

We were seriously considering "hurricane resistant windows". Almost went for them. And then we thought this: they might be labeled "hurricane resistant", but the only "resistance" they have - they don't fall apart after breaking. But, if hurricane happen to affect them, you still will need to replace them. So, this is not really good money-wise. Instead we went for electric roll up hurricane shutters. This is about same cost (actually cheaper) as hurricane resistant windows, but much more practical.

Vinyl or Aluminum, I've found that very few people know that you cannot just change out the glass of a Hurricane resistant window when it cracks. You must change the entire window (glass and frame). Good luck finding contractors to do that after a huge storm. You'll be looking though cracked glass for many months, and then have to pay the larges cost to replace the entire window/s. This is why we opted out of them when we built our new home in SW FLA.

I'm seeing a lot of the stretched vinyl window covers over here, and I need to research the effectiveness of those. They don't look very robust/sturdy to me.

[FireStation46]

I am getting an estimate for an automatic roll down screen. As I get older, schlepping the builder’s metal shutters and then installing them can be an issue.
I will get an estimate and think about it.

https://www.stormsmart.com/storm-cat...l-down-screen/

[logybogy]

There's definitely a market for hurricane resistant windows. Not only do they provide security against burglars but they also have sound dampening and engery efficiency benefits. You are investing in a premium product for your home.

If you are a snowbird or gone on trips a lot, it dramatically simplifies hurricane preparation. You basically don't have to do anything to safeguard your structure. This is why they are extremely popular with condo buildings because any absentee homeowner who does not safeguard their structure can compromise the structural integrity of the building.

I like them a lot for simplicity sake but if you are a full time resident and rather do roll down shutters or install them yourselves that is fine.

[Bette]

We currently have hurricane shutters, the kind that are numbered and you put up.

Our neighborhood is a year round place but out of all the homes, about half have done this type of window.
(hurricane resistant)

All the roofs in our neighborhood are tile, most barrel tile and most replaced since 2005 after Hurricane Wilma.

I'm looking more for security with the windows. It's big business in SE Florida.

[Elbig]

Impact glass lets in light. If you have shutters on, it can be quite dark inside. I much prefer glass all things considered.