Q: Pros Hurricane Windows A: Hurricane windows can be a good option for those who live in hurricane-prone areas and need to protect their windows and doors when a storm hits .Broken windows during a storm create a safety hazard if you are sheltering inside, but they significantly increase the amount of damage to your home. (With the aerodynamics of the wind creating a lift effect, broken windows can even increase your chance of losing your roof.) Although there are lots options for hurricane-proofing your windows and doors—including plywood covers, and hurricane shutters, abetement screen -none offer the convenience and safety of a DADE COUNTY APPROVED hurricane windows and doors with its impact resistant glass. Here’s a look at the advantages of installing hurricane windows in your home.
Q: What Are Hurricane Windows? A: Hurricane windows come in a variety of models, but the most effectively constructed ones are what are called “inner-membrane windows.” These windows are composed of two slabs of glass with an invisible layer of PVB in the middle and are surrounded by a sturdy frame. Although the glass may shatter on impact, the membrane/frame construction keeps the infrastructure intact, thereby protecting your home. If you’re going to invest in hurricane windows, be sure the model you buy has passed the Miami-Dade County Hurricane Impact Test. While this test doesn’t guarantee your windows will survive, they do test specific conditions which make it much more likely that they will.
Q: Advantages of Hurricane Windows A: Not only are hurricane windows impact resistant and able to withstand high winds, but they boast many other benefits as well. Unlike shutters, they don’t detract from the visual appeal of your home, as they look just like regular windows. Additionally, they are substantially more energy efficient than regular windows and also reduce sound travel into your home. They provide an excellent theft deterrent, as they are difficult to break. Finally, unlike shutters and plywood covers, they require no additional preparation in the event of a hurricane, making them ideal for many homeowners.
There are many factors that might influence your choice to replace existing windows.
Your energy bills are high-and continue to increase. You want to decrease your home’s high insurance rate.
You’re concerned about the safety of your windows and doors.
Your home feels drafty in cold weather or too warm from heat penetrating your windows and doors in warmer weather.
Your windows and doors are difficult or impossible to operate.
Your home’s existing windows and doors are faded, making your home look old and out-dated.
The glass of your windows and doors is cracked, damaged or the operating hardware is failing.
You’re looking to add “curb appeal” to sell your home.
Your old windows and doors are in constant disrepair, requiring anything from puttying, painting, replacing parts, adjusting and waterproofing.
Window and door replacement is a sensible idea for home-improvement. This is especially true if you choose a contractor that sells and installs well-made high-performance replacement windows and doors. They will save you money on your home heating and cooling bills, increase your home’s value,levels of safety and security, greater beauty, low maintenance and ease of operation.
Yes, replacement windows for residential use do pay for themselves. The amount of savings varies from home to home, but impact windows and doors are energy efficient and will lower a home’s energy consumption so over time, your energy and maintenance savings will match your investment.
Conversely, the home-improvement business is recovering.. Homeowners not planning to build new homes anytime soon may decide to fix up their present homes. A savvy home-improvement idea is to replace windows and doors. New windows add to the home’s value. A January 2009 issue of Remodeling magazine reported that 77.2% (national average) of the window replacement cost is gained back once the home has been sold. Moreover, premium-quality replacement windows and doors save homeowners money due to lowered home heating and cooling bills. Window replacement contributes to a cleaner environment and reduces our nation’s dependency on foreign oil.
Window replacement is a sensible idea for home-improvement at this time. This is especially true if you choose well-made high-performance replacement windows. They will save you money because your home heating and cooling bills will be lower-and your home will be much more comfortable to live in. New windows will increase your home's value and provide numerous benefits like enhanced levels of safety and security, greater beauty, low maintenance and ease of operation. In this economy the prices for aluminum, glass and PVB are on the rise
A: Glass and glazing license
The owner should request a copy of this license
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SMART REPLACE CORP primary qualifying agent is our owner, an as per Florida Statutes 489.522 (1)(a). is resposible for supervision of all opeartions of the business organization; for all field work at all sites; and for all finacial matters for each specifi job.
Beware of contractors that have outside qualifiers.
Beware contractors performing work their license does not permit them to do!
YES For the owners protection they should be issued a certificate of insurance with the owners name. This will assure the insurance is paid to date and active. Any other questions then can be directed to the insurance company on the certificate.
SMART REPLACE CORP CARRIES GENERAL LIABILITY OF $1,000,000.00 General Liability with a $ 2,000,000 General Aggregate Policy
Beware contractors being under insured, who have expired insurance due to non payment, or insurance that does not cover the work they are contracting to perform.
NO they can be subcontractors. However again check if this is the case that the persons actually performing the work be licensed for work being performed and have the appropriate insurance.
It is suggested you receive proof of both prior to commencement of work.
SMART REPLACE CORP installers are employees of the company. this allows us control of craftmanship quality and scheduling of work being performed. Our name and reputation for quality is the most valuable thing we have. To assure this integrity by having a staff directly employed by us.
NO, This is a misconception that only companies accredited by BBB are rated by BBB.
Because we choose not to pay the fee to be an accredited of our company by BBB they still rate us and have all complaints on file. Our current rating is an A+.
Contact your insurance company for a Storm Mitigation Application This form must be completed by an approved professional. Once the product is installed.
Wind mitigation is an inspection that may qualify a property for discounts on windstorm insurance. These discounts reward those who have wind-resistance features on their property that decrease the amount of damage that may occur during a windstorm. Less damage equals less costs to insurance companies. These savings are passed on to the homeowner in the form of wind mitigation discounts
The primary factors in wind mitigation discounts are the wind-resistant features of the property. These features include concrete block construction, gable end bracing, a hip roof, the presence of a single or double roof straps, the type of roof covering, impact resistant glass, reinforced garage doors, window shutters, the presence of a secondary water resistance barrier, property opening protection and property topography. Use the wind mitigation certification, the insurance company will be able to calculate the amount of discount and refund. On average, homeowners save between 10% - 40% in the first year.
Windstorms may produce severe damage to a home for several reasons. When strong winds assault your home, a number of forces come into play that will simultaneously create uplifting, shearing and lateral forces that cause massive destruction to a home. Often times they will also destroy windows and doors, allowing water in which will cause severe damage to the interior of a home. The high winds can also blow debris onto and into the home, further destroying the property. Worst of all, in the event of a breach of the homes outer shell, the high powered winds can cause the roof to come up or even off as the combination of forces at play wreak havoc on an unprotected structure. Installing wind-resistance features will help to protect your property and family from the damage of a windstorm.
During a wind mitigation inspection, a certified expert inspector will come to your property and look for key features of your home that show that it will be less likely to be harmed or catastrophically damaged during a hurricane or strong wind storm. This allows the inspector to give your home a certificate stating that it is better equipped to endure such an event than a home lacking these features and, therefore, should not have to pay as much for insurance coverage. Since these types of structures suffer less wind damage, the insurers are willing to lower their fees. If that were not enough, many states mandate that insurance companies reduce their rates for homes with certain wind mitigation features. So, with a wind mitigation certificate in hand, you are guaranteed to pay less money per month than a home owner who does not. You may even qualify for a refund check from your insurer once you have had your home inspected.
To find a wind mitigation inspector, contact insurance company or local directory. Wind mitigation inspection fees are reasonable, and usually recouped in the first couple months savings. The inspection will cost around $150 dollars and take about an hour, depending on the property size. Typical savings realized by the home owner after an inspection may be around 10% to 45%. When inspecting, the inspector will only inspect for features outlined as qualifying for windstorm discounts according to your insurance carrier. They will not report anything else to the insurance company.
Make the choice to have your home inspected by a certified wind mitigation inspector and begin enjoying lower insurance payments.
A: In order to obtain the discounts or credits, all of the house openings must be protected. Homeowners with questions about mitigation should contact their insurance agents to make sure they are receiving proper credit for any steps taken to strengthen their home. Citizen offers premium discounts to those policyholders who show proof of risk mitigation alternatives. You can access additional information at the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation website or you can download the form, here.
Florida statute 627.0629 (regarding residential property insurance) requires all insurance companies, providing homeowner’s insurance to Florida residents, to offer some type of discount for dwellings equipped with an effective windstorm protective system. The first paragraph of the statute reads:
Effective June 1, 2002, a rate filing for residential property insurance must include actuarially reasonable discounts, credits, or other rate differentials, or appropriate reductions in deductibles, for properties on which fixtures or construction techniques demonstrated to reduce the amount of loss in a windstorm have been installed or implemented. The fixtures or construction techniques shall include, but not be limited to, fixtures or construction techniques which enhance roof strength, roof covering performance, roof-to-wall strength, wall-to-floor-to-foundation strength, opening protection, and window, door, and skylight strength. Credits, discounts, or other rate differentials for fixtures and construction techniques which meet the minimum requirements of the Florida Building Code must be included in the rate filing. All insurance companies must make a rate filing which includes the credits, discounts, or other rate differentials by February 28, 2003. By July 1, 2007, the office shall re-evaluate the discounts, credits, other rate differentials, and appropriate reductions in deductibles for fixtures and construction techniques that meet the minimum requirements of the Florida Building Code, based upon actual experience or any other loss relativity studies available to the office. The office shall determine the discounts, credits, other rate differentials, and appropriate reductions in deductibles that reflect the full actuarial value of such revaluation, which may be used by insurers in rate filings.
The U-Factor is a measure of how well the window or door keeps heat inside the structure or home.
The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) represents the amount of heat going into a house. The lower the number, the less heat penetrates the house. When a home is primarily air conditioned, the SHGC value is the correct rating to inquire about. Hurricane impact-resistant windows or doors with clear glass feature a SHGC of 0.72, while Bronze and Gray glass hold a 0.55 and 0.56 SHGC value, respectively.
Ultra-Violet (UV) beams, a portion of the solar spectrum not visible to the human eye, causes fabric to fade over time. When comparing UV readings, it is important to know that the lower the percentage, the more UV is being blocked. For example, a 0% U-V value means 100% blocking. Clear, gray and bronze impact-resistant windows and doors provide 100% protection, that is, 0% U-V penetration.
NO, This is a misconception that only companies accredited by BBB are rated by BBB.
Because we choose not to pay the fee to be an accredited of our company by BBB they still rate us and have all complaints on file. Our current rating is an A+.
Under no circumstance should you enter into an agreement to have products installed without a building permit being issued.
Upon signature of a contract a customer must sign a permit application, and Notice of Commenc ement for jobs over $2500, this application along with the product approvals will be sent to the city for approval. City approval is based on the proper products being specified for the location of your property. Upon city review and approval a permit will be issued for your property. Prior to the installation, the permit must be posted on your job site, upon completion of the installation the municipality will be notified and a final inspection will take place.
The turn-around time varies between municipalities. Once we submit the necessary paperwork, it takes us about 1 to 2 weeks to obtain a building permit approval. At times, the process can take longer if permit reviewers have comments about a drastic change in style between the existing windows and the proposed new windows. Each municipality has its own turn-around time and its specific workflow process.
YES. A licensed engineer will be employed by us on your behalf. He will review the product we are providing for your home and certify it meets or exceeds the wind speed and impact resistance that is required by the municipality where you reside. This document is required to be signed and sealed by a licensed engineer and submitted to the city for review along with all documentation of product approvals, drawings of field conditions
