The demand for hurricane windows is growing every year. 2022 is predicted to be a very busy hurricane season and whilst we have been lucky in Florida so far, is it time to invest in impact window and door protection? If you’re a homeowner in Florida, you may be wondering if purchasing hurricane impact windows are worth the extra cost. Impact-rated windows are ideal for protecting your home from gale-force winds, and wind-blown debris.
But are they worth it? And should you consider them an investment in your home – or are they just another expense you have to deal with as a Florida homeowner?
Should Hurricane Impact Windows Be Considered An Investment Or An Expense?
Hurricane windows and doors should be considered an investment, not just another expense. Purchasing a set of impact-rated windows for your home is different than other home-related costs.
Why? Because hurricane impact windows add value to your home! Not only that, but they can save you a lot of money on insurance, energy bills and more. Over time, you’ll be able to recoup most – if not all – of the cost of your hurricane impact windows!
Let’s discuss these benefits in more detail, and show you why you should think about hurricane impact windows as an investment, rather than just another home expense.
1. PACE Program Financing Through The State Of Florida.
Property Assessed Clean Energy Program financing, or PACE financing, is a unique way to finance upgrades to your home that enhance energy efficiency and encourage the use of renewable energy. Because impact windows are so energy efficient, the program includes them.
PACE financing allows you to spread the cost of your upgrades across a property tax assessment, assessed yearly. You won’t have to pay anything up-front. Also, the debt is tied to the home – and not to you – which means that it can often be transferred with your home when you sell it.
PACE financing also has low-interest rates because it’s highly secure, and tied directly to the value of your property. Compared to a private loan, you’ll pay much less in interest – which helps you save money.
So, even if you don’t have the up-front cash to pay for impact windows and doors, you can secure financing quickly through the PACE Program and pay for your improvements over 5, 10, or even 20 years — keeping payments low and affordable for most people.
2. Energy Savings Of Up To $100/Month Due To Enhanced Efficiency.
Depending on the manufacturer you choose, your impact windows could save you as much as $100 in energy per month, due to increased efficiency at blocking UV radiation and preventing heating/cooling losses.
Because impact windows contain multiple layers of laminated glass, they’re naturally more efficient than single-pane windows. Also, specialty “Low-E” coatings can help block UV radiation and prevent the sun from warming the interior of your home as much – which is a big problem in the warm Florida climate.
Of course, your energy savings may vary depending on how efficient your home already is – but regardless of this, transitioning to impact windows from standard windows will help improve efficiency and save you some cash!
3. You Can Save On Insurance Coverage With Impact-Rated Windows.
Even in areas of Florida where impacted-rated windows are not mandatory for insurance coverage, homeowners can save big on insurance coverage when installing hurricane windows and doors.
Because impact windows and doors reduce the risk of property damage, water damage, and other such issues when high winds and hurricanes threaten your home, many insurance companies are willing to offer discounts for installing hurricane windows and doors.
Depending on how hurricane-resistant your home already is, you could get concessions from your insurer. Its the law! Florida Statute 627.0629 states that insurers must provide a discount for their homeowner’s insurance if they have installed “effective wind storm protection.”
For more information about what kinds of discounts you may be eligible for, we recommend consulting with your insurer directly. They will be able to provide you with more detailed information.
4. Increased Property Value – Home Buyers Want Impact Windows.
Adding impact-rated windows to your property can make it more valuable and desirable – increasing your property value. Just another reason that Impact-Windows and doors are an investment and not an expense.
The 2019 hurricane season was not the most severe on record, but more than 18 named storms hit Florida and caused billions of dollars of damages. Because of this, property owners moving to Florida or seeking a new home are more likely to shop for a home that offers additional protection against hurricane damages – such as impact windows and doors.
5. Replacement Windows Must Be Impact-Rated In Some Areas Of Florida.
The final reason that impact windows are a good investment is that Florida building codes require them for buildings located in the “wind-borne debris region.” This covers the most populated regions of South and Central Florida. Also, buildings located in High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) areas like Broward and Miami-Dade Counties have even more stringent requirements when replacing windows and other parts of your home to ensure proper hurricane protection.
If you are interested in replacing your windows because they are old, outdated, or worn down, you must replace them with impact-rated windows in some areas of Florida. If you don’t, your home will not be up to code, and you may face fines, legal liabilities, and difficulty reselling your home.
Invest In Your Home – Purchase Impact Windows From A Reputable Supplier!
For all of the above reasons – and quite a few more – we think that it makes more sense to think of impact windows as an investment rather than an expense.
When you purchase impact windows, you’re not just safeguarding your home from damage due to high winds and hurricanes. You’re increasing its value, enhancing its energy efficiency, and saving on insurance, too.
Depending on how long you live in your home, it’s entirely possible for these savings to add up and cover most – or all – of the cost of your new hurricane windows in Florida!
Impact windows and doors protect your home from storms and hurricanes.
Impact-resistant windows and impact resistant doors are a solid way of having peace of mind from storms and hurricanes in Florida.
There are also many other great reasons why you should install impact windows such as energy efficiency, increased security, increased equity in your home and lower insurance.