Fitting Hurricane-Resistant Windows and Exterior Doors
Impact-rated windows and doors protect against storms and improve energy efficiency.
We are currently in the largest construction phase, which ends with the so-called “frame rough” inspection. This refers to all the woodwork such as the roof truss and walls as well as the associated installations such as windows, doors and plumbing. The installation of the so-called sliding glass doors (sliding doors into the terrace area) does not take place until much later. In fact, they may only be installed after this inspection.
As in Germany, windows are installed by anchoring them to the masonry . There is a big difference in the materials used for the exterior doors. While the domestic doors arrive ready-made, the doors here have to be painted later. This colossal effort later runs like a red thread through all the interior doors, door frames and skirting boards.
Our builder installed the windows and doors himself, so it took several weeks. Whenever he had time, a new part was installed. In the meantime, the special film was also applied to the roof and we were delighted with every newly installed window, which once again makes the building watertight during the merciless “typical summer weather pattern”, as the locals call it here. This typical summer weather brings a tropical downpour almost every day.
Installation of windows and exterior doors
Picture Window in the office
This is the door from the terrace to the office
The entrance door still unpainted
The garage door is also painted blue.
Window installation: There’s plenty of light in the bathroom.
Blue-painted exterior doors to match the swimming-colored walls
The doors and windows are so different from the ones we are used to, at least if you are in the normal standard price range. We had such high expectations, which are normal for Germany, that they were not even remotely met. We were particularly struck by how primitive the mechanics of many windows are: instead of simply turning or tilting as is usual in Germany, most windows in Florida operate using a crank or sliding system.
The so-called louvre or crank-out windows often consist of several slats or a sash that can be opened outwards using a small crank on the side – slow, stiff and mechanically vulnerable. Alternatively, there are horizontal sliders, i.e. windows that slide sideways, which neither close tightly nor offer effective burglary protection.
Windows neither opening inwards nor tilting
Windows that can be opened inwards and tilted at the same time, as we know them from Germany, are practically non-existent as standard. If you want such systems, you have to dig deep into your pockets and resort to special imports or high-end products.
We were also disillusioned with the front doors: the standard exterior doors are often made of thin plastic or fiber composite material with a foam core. This looks neither solid nor secure – and certainly not high-quality.
No trace of multi-point locking, soundproofing or good insulation. They are doors that feel more like a motorhome than a home. Even in new builds or mid-priced houses, the doors and windows fall far short of German standards – both technically and in terms of feel.
The reason: complex systems such as turn-tilt windows with multiple locking mechanisms would be too expensive and do not correspond to building practice. While Germany has high requirements for thermal insulation, airtightness and sound insulation (e.g. through the Building Energy Act), these requirements are much more relaxed in many US states.
Sliding Glass Doors aka sliding doors – a nightmare
Our pride and joy: a 24-foot-long sliding door window front that can be opened completely.
Unfortunately, it was scratched all over.
The window manufacturer replaced them all weeks later.
The hurricane-proof windows are super heavy.
Threading the sliding doors
Unfortunately, the installation of the 9-foot-high sliding glass doors was not so pleasant. Our builder was not very careful with the doors, which were delivered to the site very early on, and the tracks. The glass doors are very heavy and had to constantly make room for the various trades. As a result, we ended up with scratches everywhere, on all the windows, because the assistant also cleaned the windows unprofessionally after installation by not removing the building dirt properly.
Long after the construction was completed and when we were already living inside, all the windows were replaced once because we hadn’t accepted it that way. We are talking about approximately 40,000 USD here. Because all the windows are hurricane-proof. They can withstand storm speeds of major hurricanes. We decided to do this because otherwise we would have had to cover the windows with hurricane shutters for every storm.
