Broward County Impact Windows: Top 10 Reviews

Why Impact Windows are Essential in Broward County

Broward county impact windows are specialized, hurricane-resistant windows designed to protect homes from extreme weather, improve security, and lower energy costs. They feature laminated glass with a protective interlayer that holds shattered glass together, preventing dangerous breaches during a storm.

Quick Answer: What You Need to Know About Broward County Impact Windows

• Hurricane Protection: Rated to withstand Category 5 hurricane winds and flying debris.
• Insurance Savings: Florida law (Statute §627.0629) requires insurers to offer discounts up to 50% annually.
• Energy Efficiency: Reduce cooling costs by up to 30% through better insulation.
• Security: Reduce break-ins by over 95% with reinforced laminated glass.
• Building Code Compliance: Required for all window replacements in Broward County’s High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ).
• Property Value: Increase home resale value and buyer appeal.

Living in Broward County means facing the anxiety of hurricane season. As part of Florida’s High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ), our homes are subject to some of the strictest building codes in the nation. The good news is that impact windows provide 24/7 protection without the hassle of installing storm shutters. They are engineered with heavy-duty frames and impact-resistant glass that can withstand a 2×4 projectile traveling at highway speeds.

Since Hurricane Andrew in 1992, Florida’s building codes have become much stronger. The 2023 Florida Building Code now requires all replacement windows in Broward County to be impact-resistant or protected by approved hurricane shutters. This means if you’re replacing even one window, you must meet these strict standards.

What Are Impact Windows?

Impact windows are your home’s first line of defense against severe weather. They consist of two panes of glass bonded to a clear plastic interlayer made of Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB) or SentryGlas Plus (SGP). When struck by debris, the glass may crack, but the interlayer holds the fragments in place, preventing wind and water from entering your home. This system is housed in a heavy-duty reinforced frame, creating a continuously protected opening that far surpasses the strength of standard windows.

The Top 6 Benefits for Homeowners

Installing broward county impact windows is a smart investment in your home’s safety and value. Here are the top benefits for homeowners:

1. Hurricane & Storm Protection: Tested to resist high winds and flying debris, impact windows keep your home’s envelope sealed during a storm, protecting your family and belongings from wind and water damage.
2. Intruder & Burglary Deterrence: The reinforced glass and sturdy frames are incredibly difficult to break through, reducing the chance of a break-in by over 95%.
3. Energy Savings & Lower Bills: Superior insulation reduces heat transfer, meaning your air conditioning runs less and you can save up to 30% on cooling costs.
4. Homeowners Insurance Discounts: Florida law requires insurers to offer significant discounts—often up to 50%—on annual premiums for homes with certified impact protection.
5. Outside Noise Reduction: The laminated glass construction effectively dampens sound waves from traffic, neighbors, and airports, creating a quieter indoor environment.
6. Increased Property Value & Curb Appeal: Impact windows are a highly sought-after feature for Florida homebuyers, boosting your home’s resale value, aesthetic appeal, and marketability.

Understanding Impact Window Technology and Styles

The strength of broward county impact windows comes from an integrated system of advanced materials. It’s not just thicker glass; it’s a combination of components engineered to withstand violent forces. The laminated glass, strong interlayer, and reinforced frame work together to transfer wind loads safely to your home’s structure. A key metric is the Design Pressure (DP) rating, which measures how much wind pressure a window can handle and is a critical requirement in Broward’s High-Velocity Hurricane Zone.

Key Features That Provide Superior Strength

• Heavy-Duty Reinforced Frames: Built from robust aluminum or vinyl, these frames resist the intense wind loads of a hurricane without bending or failing.
• Impact-Resistant Laminated Glass: Features a plastic interlayer bonded between two panes of glass. If the glass cracks from an impact, it remains held together in the frame, preventing a breach.
• PVB or SGP Interlayer: This is the flexible inner layer—Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB) or SentryGlas Plus (SGP)—that absorbs impact energy and holds shattered glass in place.
• Special Glazing Process: Professional, factory-controlled glazing ensures a perfect assembly, free from debris and weather issues, for optimal performance when you need it most.
• Advanced Sealant: A specialized silicone sealant creates a superior, waterproof bond between the glass and frame, preventing leaks even after an impact.
• Corrosion-Resistant Hardware: All hinges, locks, and fasteners are designed to resist rust and corrosion from Florida’s salt and humidity, ensuring long-term function.

Popular Impact Window and Door Styles

Hurricane protection doesn’t mean sacrificing style. Impact windows and doors are available in a wide range of designs to match your home’s architecture.

• Single-Hung: A classic style where the bottom sash slides up.
• Casement: Hinged on the side and swing outward, offering excellent ventilation.
• Horizontal Roller: Glide smoothly on a track, perfect for wide openings.
• Picture Windows: Fixed windows that don’t open, designed to maximize light and views.
• Architectural Shapes: Custom shapes like arches and circles to add unique character.
• Sliding Glass Doors: A Florida staple for seamlessly connecting indoor and outdoor living spaces.
• French Doors: Neat hinged doors that add a touch of class.
• Impact-Rated Entry Doors: Ensure your home’s main entrance is as secure as your windows.

Impact Windows vs. Standard Windows

The difference is night and day. Standard windows shatter easily, leaving your home vulnerable to wind, rain, debris, and intruders. They don’t meet Broward County’s building codes for hurricane zones and offer minimal insulation or noise reduction.

Impact windows provide 24/7, hassle-free protection. While the upfront cost is higher, they pay for themselves through significant insurance discounts, lower energy bills, and the prevention of costly storm damage. They also improve curb appeal, increase property value, and provide priceless peace of mind. For homeowners in Broward County, impact windows are not just an upgrade; they are a necessity.

The Process for Installing Broward County Impact Windows

Getting broward county impact windows installed is a straightforward process with a qualified contractor. A professional team ensures every step, from the initial consultation to the final inspection, is transparent and stress-free.

Your Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Here’s how a typical project unfolds:

1. Free In-Home Consultation: The process begins with a no-pressure consultation to take precise measurements, show you product samples, and discuss your specific needs and budget.
2. Product Selection & Ordering: We help you choose the ideal window styles, frame materials, and glass packages from top manufacturers like PGT and CGI. Every detail is customized for your home.
3. Permitting with Broward County: We handle the entire permitting process for you. This includes preparing all paperwork, submitting product approvals, and dealing with the local building department and your HOA.
4. Professional Installation & Waterproofing: Our trained, in-house installation team (not subcontractors) installs your windows. We focus on expert waterproofing and code-compliant anchoring to create a watertight barrier and ensure structural integrity.
5. Final Inspection & Cleanup: We coordinate the final inspection with the county building department and conduct our own thorough quality check to ensure your complete satisfaction with the finished project.

Want to dive deeper into the installation process? Learn more about impact window installation in Broward County.

How to Choose a Qualified Impact Window Contractor

The quality of the installation is as important as the quality of the windows. Here’s what to look for in a contractor:

• Licensed and Insured: Verify the contractor is fully licensed by the state of Florida and carries comprehensive liability insurance.
• Workers’ Compensation Coverage: This is crucial. A company without it exposes you to significant financial risk if a worker is injured on your property. We are proud to carry full coverage for our entire team.
• In-House Installers: Companies that use their own trained employees instead of subcontractors offer better quality control, accountability, and consistency.
• Years of Experience: Choose a company with a long track record of installing impact windows in Broward County. They will have deep knowledge of local codes and challenges.
• Positive Customer Reviews: Check Google, Yelp, and the BBB for consistent 5-star ratings and testimonials about professionalism and quality workmanship.
• Showroom Availability: A local showroom allows you to see and operate window samples before you buy. We have offices in Deerfield Beach and Fort Myers.

As a USA Military Family-owned business, we are committed to protecting your home and family. We educate our customers without high-pressure sales tactics and deliver installations that exceed expectations.

Costs, Savings, and Rebates for Your Window Project

Installing broward county impact windows is a significant investment, but the long-term savings often outweigh the initial expense. There are multiple ways to make this essential home improvement more affordable.

Understanding the Cost of Broward County Impact Windows

There is no one-size-fits-all price for impact windows, as every project is customized. The final cost depends on several factors:

• Window Size and Style: Larger or more complex styles like architectural shapes cost more than standard single-hung windows.
• Frame Material: Aluminum frames offer superior strength, while vinyl frames excel in energy efficiency. Your choice will affect the price.
• Glass Packages: Upgrading to insulated laminated glass or premium interlayers like SGP for better thermal performance or strength will increase the investment.
• Installation Complexity: The age of your home and the condition of the existing openings can influence labor costs.

To make this upgrade manageable, we offer flexible financing options for qualifying homeowners. Solutions include zero money down and deferred payment plans, making it easier to protect your home now without straining your budget.

Grants and Discounts to Make Your Project More Affordable

Several programs and incentives can significantly reduce the upfront cost of your project.

• My Safe Florida Home Program: This state-funded program provides free wind mitigation inspections and matching grants of up to $10,000 for hurricane protection upgrades, including impact windows.
• Homeowners Insurance Discounts: Florida Statute §627.0629 requires insurers to offer discounts for wind mitigation. Installing impact windows can reduce your annual premium by up to 50%.
• Manufacturer Rebates: We frequently run promotions and pass on seasonal manufacturer rebates that can save you 20% or more on your project.
• Energy Efficiency Tax Credits: The high energy performance of impact windows may make you eligible for federal or state tax credits. Consult a tax professional to see if you qualify.

When you combine grants, rebates, and long-term savings on insurance and energy, the return on investment for impact windows is substantial.

Learn about our impact doors in Broward County.

Florida Building Codes and Product Approvals Explained

After Hurricane Andrew, Florida enacted some of the toughest building codes in the world. When you invest in broward county impact windows, you’re ensuring your home meets critical safety standards designed to protect your property and family. Understanding these codes empowers you to make confident, informed decisions.

Decoding Broward County’s Specific Building Codes

Broward County is in Florida’s High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ), which means it is subject to the most rigorous standards.

• 2023 Florida Building Code (FBC): This code mandates that any replacement window in Broward County must be impact-resistant or be protected by approved hurricane shutters.
• Impact Testing: Because Broward is a wind-borne debris region, products must pass large-missile impact tests. This involves firing a 2×4 at the window to simulate flying debris during a hurricane.
• Design Pressure (DP) Ratings: This rating measures a window’s ability to withstand extreme wind loads. A qualified contractor will calculate the specific DP rating required for your home based on its location, height, and other factors.
• Waterproofing Standards: The FBC has strict requirements for sealing and waterproofing to prevent water intrusion, which can lead to rot and mold. Proper installation is critical.

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Why Miami-Dade NOA and Florida Product Approval Matter

When shopping for impact windows, you will see two key certifications. These are your proof that a product meets Florida’s stringent codes.

• Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA): This is considered the “gold standard” for hurricane protection. An NOA signifies that a product has passed the most punishing series of impact and pressure-cycling tests in the world.
• Florida Product Approval (FPA): This is the statewide certification system, which also confirms that a product has been tested and approved to meet the performance requirements of the Florida Building Code.

Both certifications provide independent, third-party verification of a product’s quality and ability to withstand hurricane conditions. Choosing products with a valid NOA or FPA ensures your home will be code-compliant, pass inspections, and qualify for insurance discounts. Always ask your contractor for the product approval numbers and verify them yourself.

Search the Miami-Dade database.

At Access Doors & Windows, we only install products from top brands like PGT and CGI that meet or exceed all certifications required for Broward County. We handle all the technical details, from verifying approvals to pulling permits, so you can have peace of mind.

Secure Your Home with the Best Impact Windows

Installing broward county impact windows is one of the most important decisions you can make for your home in South Florida. It provides 24/7 hurricane protection, improved security, a quieter living space, and significant savings on energy and insurance. It’s a smart financial investment that increases your property value and, most importantly, delivers priceless peace of mind.

However, even the best windows will fail if not installed correctly. Professional installation by an experienced, licensed, and insured contractor is essential. Proper anchoring, waterproofing, and adherence to the 2023 Florida Building Code are not optional—they are the foundation of true hurricane protection.

As a USA Military Family-owned business, Access Doors & Windows is proud to serve our neighbors. With offices in Deerfield Beach and Fort Myers, we specialize in installing hurricane-resistant windows and doors throughout Broward County, Palm Beach County, and across Florida’s coasts, including Lee, Charlotte, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties.

We are authorized installers for leading brands like PGT and CGI, ensuring you receive top-quality, code-compliant products. Our commitment is to provide exceptional service and expert workmanship without high-pressure sales tactics.

The next hurricane season is always just around the corner. Don’t wait to protect what matters most.

Get your free estimate for Broward County impact windows today!