I too live in FL, albeit NW FL. I have been researching hurricane impact resistant windows for mos. The first thing you need to do, is enroll in the My Safe Florida Home Program. I have been awarded a $5K grant to fortify my dwelling, which will cover about 40% of the cost of the windows & installation.

After corresponding and communicating w/ mfrs & installers, not to mention a trio of web sites, it's hard to beat the Simonton StormBreaker Plus 300VL windows. They also offer aluminum frames. I have rarely heard a disparaging comment about Simonton, even from competitors. They are Miami-Dade & Florida Bldg Code approved. I am going to go w/ their dbl hung beige vinyl w/ their Solar-E (low-E & argon) energy pkg.

As far as installers, Home Depot is expensive. I am pretty much locked into using a My Safe Florida Home approved contractor, whose list is expanding by the week. Where you live, there a dozens of MSFH approved contractors, but you still need to use due dilligence when selecting an installer e.g., references, DPR, local licensing agencies, etc.

What roserx said...(other than recommending a particular brand, since I don't do that).

Pertaining to aluminum-clad, wood casements, there are a number of aluminum-clad-wood window manufacturers who offer products that meet both Dade County and ASTM requirements for impact protection.

I am offering a few names, but I am not specifically recommending (or not recommending) any of these companies; I am simply offering names for research consideration.

Eagle, Kolbe & Kolbe, Pella, Jeld-Wen, WeatherShield, Loewen, and Hurd - just to name a few - and of course Marvin - there are others.

I would recommend visiting window company sites and send them emails asking for local contacts as a starting point.

Unfortunately, the My Safe Florida Home is backlogged to the tune of about 2 years until they can do an inspection which is required before approval. We have applied, but they won't even give me a ballpark date as to timing, it's so far off. (Maybe it's worse down here in Broward.)

I have researched a number of brands (huge thanks to this forum), and while the Simontons are popular, they don't have wood interiors, which I am set on. My biggest difficulty seems to be with the local contacts which I have gotten from the web sites. The Marvin example is the most egregious since there really only is ONE contact, and they "don't do small jobs." But Jeld-Wen and Anderson are really no better. Their local contacts are also blowing me off because it's a small job. (Admittedly, a version of these brands is available thru HD, but didn't want HD.)

Roserx- thanks for the tip about the MSFH approved contractors- guess I could start with them. Would it be safe to assume that an approved hurricane-window contractor could install ANY product? Could I just order the windows and have the contractor install them, thus separating the buying from the installing? I didn't think I could do that, that is, I figured they guy installing would want the windows to be bought thru him. (See, I told you I was a newbie...) Thanks for your help.

Kate,

I knew the MSFH was temporarily out of funds, but I did not know there was a 2 yr backlog.

One caveat, I believe it's code now, that a contractor can not replace > 25% of your windows and not install h.cane impact rated windows or shutters.

I too was wanting a woodgrain finish on the interior of my new windows, but most mid-line window mfrs do not offer all their options on the h.cane impact resistant windows, so I was forced to settle w/ beige solid.

RoseRx

I can understand wanting a wood finish, but the PGT windows are really, really great. And the installer was terrific. Let me know if you'd like me to find the name. He might do other brands, I'm not sure.

Our windows are aluminum but they have different colors. I have them in my house in white and my mom just put them in hers in bronze. I live in an old house and actually have a lot of old wood windows in the house (with shutters, ugh!). We didn't try to make it look like they were meant to match. We have a more "modern" area and an older area. But I also hear they're about to introduce a wood-look finish for the aluminum. Probably worth checking it out.

PGT recently came out with a wood-look finish on certain of their all-aluminum windows. I saw a few samples at the Ft. Lauderdale Home Show this weekend and was very surprised. They look really, really good.