@donnabaker We chose impact and I’m glad we did, but I'm right on the coast in Dunedin so it made sense for us. If I were farther inland and already had good shutters, I might have considered skipping impact to save money. In coastal areas though, I lean impact all the way. In our case, it wasn't a huge price jump and the peace of mind is worth it. Either choice, you'll still get the energy efficiency benefits – just think about how much storm prep hassle you want to eliminate.
Thank you all for the input! This really helps. I'm leaning towards impact now, knowing about the insurance savings and not having to mess with shutters. But it's super useful to hear both sides. Appreciate the perspectives – I'll weigh the cost vs. convenience with all this in mind. 🙏
One thing I'm curious about – did any of you have to deal with a homeowners association for your window replacements?I'm in a community in Wesley Chapel with an HOA, and I'm wondering if they required any approvals or specific window styles. Also, did your installers handle the permitting with the county/city? I want to make sure I cover those bases when I get started.
@smoon63 Yep, I had to loop in my HOA in Apollo Beach. In my case, it was pretty straightforward – I just submitted the style and color of the windows to the HOA board for approval. Since I was keeping the look basically the same (white frames, similar grid pattern as the originals), they signed off quickly. My installer (Karoly) provided any documentation I needed for the HOA. They also pulled the permit with the county and scheduled the inspection without me having to do anything. So a good contractor should handle the permitting for you. I'd definitely check your HOA rules, but usually as long as the exterior appearance isn't drastically changing, they won't object. Mine just wanted to make sure the window grid pattern matched the neighborhood standard.
@smoon63 I'm in a deed-restricted neighborhood in Dunedin. Our HOA did require an approval letter, but it was mostly a formality. I had to fill out a request with details (window style, frame color, etc.) and they approved it in a week. I kept the look the same (white vinyl, same style), so they had no issue.
As for permits, yes, our installer handled everything. They got the permit from the city and arranged the final inspection after the install. We just had to be home for a few minutes when the inspector came by to sign off. So just be prepared to submit some info to your HOA beforehand, and choose a contractor who will take care of the permit process for you (most will).
@charlie_woof @carol_campbell Great, thanks! Sounds like HOA approval is just a paperwork step if you keep things similar. And good to know the installers usually handle permits. That takes a load off my mind. 🙂
Has anyone replaced their sliding patio doors along with their windows?I have a big old slider to my backyard that's super drafty. I'm thinking of doing the door at the same time as the windows, but I'm curious if others did it and if it made a big difference in efficiency or security.
@nalapainter Yes! We replaced our old aluminum sliding glass door when we did our windows. It was absolutely worth it. The old door let in a ton of heat (and mosquitoes whenever it didn't close right 😅). The new one we got is double-pane and we opted for an impact-rated sliding door as well. Now it's so much better – no drafts at all, and we can stand by the door in July without feeling like we're next to an oven. It also slides way smoother and has better locks, which makes us feel more secure. I'd definitely recommend doing the door if it's in the budget. It improved both energy efficiency and the overall comfort of that room.
@nalapainter Same here – we replaced our two patio sliders along with all the windows. The difference in the slider was huge. Before, you could see daylight around the edges of the old sliding door (bad seals), and now it's airtight.Our new sliders are also impact-rated, so it's another layer of security. And we immediately felt less heat coming through that big glass area. If you can manage it, doing the doors with the windows makes sense – you won't have one big weak spot left. Plus, many companies will give you a package deal if you do both.
@coffee_pumpkin @charlie_woof Thank you! That seals the deal (pun intended) – I'm definitely including the sliding door in my project. Sounds like it makes a noticeable difference. 👍