Search Results

Disclaimer: We did NOT do this job. The pictures shown are those I took as I drove through the neighborhood leaving a neighbor's home where we were providing a consultation. Perhaps at first glance, all may look fine and dandy with this window replacement. And - truth be told, so long as the homeowner is happy, that's really all that matters. From our perspective, however, there's multiple things that we would have done differently. Let's break it down. 1st - How We Know These Are Replacement Windows There's a distinctive greenish tint/hue to the glass, and the pronounced white vinyl frames make a bold statement. The homes in this neighborhood were built in the 1990's, when both this type of glass, and frames, were not used. 2nd - The Homeowner Purchased 3 Too Many Windows As you look at the image above, there are 6 total windows used in these 3 openings, when only 3 are actually needed. Based on our experience, the openings are most likely approximately 82" tall. The 2 side openings are likely 26" wide, and the larger middle window is most likely approximately 52" wide. Likely Scenario #1: The salesman who sold these windows worked for a contractor who only has access to 76" tall round-top windows. We know, because we work with those manufacturer's too, and 76" is the cut-off height for single-hung, arch top windows. However, there are manufacturer's that make up to 96" tall, single-hung, arch top windows. Had My Window and Door Guy been working with this customer, we would have advised this customer to look at one of those manufacturer's because it is ALWAYS less expensive to purchase 3 windows instead of 6. It's one of the many reasons My Window and Door Guy works with 12+ window and door manufacturers - to be able to provide the best solutions for our customer's, their homes, and their budgets. Likely Scenario #2: Lazy salesman. The windows originally installed in this home likely contained 6 windows, as that's what they did in the 90's with aluminum frame single pane windows. We see it far too often when meeting with homeowners where they've received "like for like" replacement quotes, when the reality is the technology has advanced with "like for like" doesn't always make sense. Our guess is the salesman was lazy, or untrained, and just quoted the project "like for like." 3rd - Mis-Aligned Decorative Exterior Stucco Notice the white stucco band between the window openings. This must have been there originally, and not after the replacement windows were installed. The texture is surely different then the brown painted stucco. See how white stucco band is mis-aligned with the mull bar connecting the 2 windows in each opening? Likely Scenario #1: The salesman showed up for his appointment, knocked on the door, was let inside, took measurements from the inside, did his sales presentation, sold the job, and went on about his way. What he likely did NOT do: Walk around the exterior of the property. Key Point: If the person you're meeting with to discuss window and/or door replacements does NOT walk around and inspect the exterior, they're either inexperienced or just not knowledgeable enough to know what to look for. Likely Scenario #2: This sort of goes along with #1, but it's actually a bit more painful. Most window replacement contractors, including My Window and Door Guy, employ personnel who go out to re-measure the windows and/or doors after a homeowner decides to place an order. This measure technician's job is to provide final measurements for ordering purposes with the manufacturer's. In addition to just measuring, the measure tech is also taking notes as far as what additional materials need to be on the job site during installation. He is certainly walking around both the inside, and outside, of your home. I am 99.9% sure the measure tech noticed that the mull bar location would NOT align with the white stucco band. I am 100% sure the measure tech would NEVER have allowed this configuration to be installed on his own home ... but guess what? He kept his mouth shut. Why? That's what he's trained to do ... keep his mouth shut. I've seen it before, and have heard countless stories, where measure techs been scolded, reprimanded, and even fired for pointing out things like this. Hypothetically - if this measure tech pointed out to the homeowner during the re-measure how it would look aesthetically after the installation, it is possible, even probable, the homeowner could start having doubts. Doubts about the salesman, doubts about the company, doubts the installation, or more. Let's face it - projects average $20,000 +, so any chance to introduce doubt to a customer's mind is avoided like the plague. If the customer complains afterwards, the contractor can, and will, easily say something like this: "Sir/Mam - we did everything we said we were going to do, including installation of all of the windows listed on the contract that you signed and paid for. What, exactly, would you like me to do?" ----- At My Window and Door Guy - we believe your project is a complete team effort, and work tirelessly to ensure a 5-Star, 100% satisfaction experience. If at any point in time anything seems amiss, we will communicate with you right away so as we both can figure out together the best path forward. Don't look back and wish your don't have a blog post entitled: Window Replacement Project Went Terribly Wrong 4th - Caulk/Paint Finishing As you look at this picture, and if you zoom in close to where the edge of the window frame meets the stucco - you will notice how to caulk bleeds over onto the brown stucco frame. It's reasonable for most homeowners to think something like: "Wow, that's a bad caulk job." In reality - you want loads of caulk in order to help provide water intrusion. While the contrast between these white windows and dark brown exterior paint exacerbate this caulk job spilling over to the brown stucco, this is to be expected and anticipated. To us here at My Window and Door Guy, this particular finish doesn't look very clean and finished. For the men out there reading this, it's sort of like getting a haircut without getting your neck cleaned up. This is one of many reasons we offer finishing services in addition to window/door installations. Conclusion: Pros: New Energy Efficient Windows Hurricane Impact Resistant Windows (known due to location being in the WBD). Increased Street Curb Appeal - maybe? Cons: Bought 3 too many windows Spent 50% more than necessary Decreased Aesthetics - the ability to line up the existing decorative stucco strip = costly and time consuming endeavor Want to Avoid a Window Replacement Project Went Terribly Wrong? Contact Us to Get a Free Quote and Consultation on Your Project. info@MyWindowAndDoorGuy.com Call or Text: 813-790-7247

So - you're thinking about replacing the old, outdated windows in your home. With window and door replacement projects being one of the most expensive home improvement investments you can make, it is crucial you avoid these common mistakes we see homeowners make. Window Buying Mistake #1 - Falling for Promotions that are Nothing More Than Illusions If you're in the market for replacement windows and doors, chances are you've come across companies advertising discounts, promotions, and incentives. While there are some legitimate discounts and incentives, more often then not the companies simply inflate their price, then offer a "discount" which gets the pricing back to what it is normally. Here are some frequent sales, promotions, and incentives that I regularly see: Buy 2, Get 1 Free ! 75% (or whatever percent) off installation ! Initial Visit Incentive - 10% off if you buy today! One Day Only Sale ! 40% off sale ! I just did a Google search for "window replacement contractors near me", and this is what I saw at the top of the page. Note - I've blacked out the names of the companies on purpose. The truth is these discounts are designed to get you to call them up, schedule an appointment, and then their sleazy, high pressure salesmen will push and push you to buy from them today. They'll tell you all about why their window is the best, they have the best installers in town, yadda yadda yadda. They may even go so far as to "call their manager" to pull a favor - just for you - if you'll buy from today. Don't fall for these marketing and sales tactics and gimmicks! You're just going to overpay for something that you could save significantly on elsewhere! In reality, here's how it works in the window and door replacement contracting business: Once a homeowner signs a contract, your window contractor will order the product from either a supply house distributor, or from the manufacturer directly. There is a price the distributor, or manufacturer, charges the contractor for the product. The prices are typically flat - meaning they don't change. Some manufacturers may give the contractor a small discount (<5%) for larger size orders - but this will rarely, if ever, trickle down to you as the homeowner. In addition to the material costs, there's also labor costs - specifically installation. Contractors know how much they're going to pay their guys per door, or per window, to install them. And no, the installers are NOT taking 75% less pay because of some illusory "discount." The most important thing for a contractor is to be profitable. After all, if the contractor is not profitable, then they will not remain in business. Let's use a hypothetical example to illustrate: Customer Name: John and Jane Doe Project: Considering replacing 8 windows, 2 sliding glass doors, and a front door. Promotion: Buy 2, Get 1 Free! The salesman whose job it is to sell the project will work off of a price list. Hypothetically, let's say the cost of materials is $16,000 and installation will cost the contractor $4,000. Now - salesmen will RARELY know these costs. They're baked into the prices. John Doe sees the promotion Buy 2, Get 1 Free and calls the contractor, who schedules an in-home sales appointment with John AND Jane. Yes - they want both spouses there in order for the salesman to avoid the dreaded "Let me talk with my spouse and get back to you objection". The salesmen gets done his presentation (sometimes 90+ minutes), and tells you the normal price is $60,000. But, because of the Buy 2, Get 1 Free promotion, John and Jane can get this project done for $40,000. WOW WOW - a $20,000 savings! Sounds great, right! What if Jane and John look at each other, and look back to the salesman and say something like: "This is a great product you have, $40,000 is just a little more than we were expecting. Let us think it over and get back to you." The salesman expects this, by the way. Through his training with his employer, he knows that when the "list price" is $60,000, he can actually sell the job for $30,000 (in this example - and yes, this happens all the time). After their objection - the salesman may say something like this: "John and Jane - I can appreciate that, not a problem. However, do you remember when I first got here, I told you that we have our advertised discounts, but we also have some unadvertised promotions too?" "Well, we're staying so busy, and while I'd love to be able to come back, it just takes away from everyone else we have to see. So, if you're able to make a decision today, we have this Initial Visit Incentive where we can take an additional 10% off, or $4,000, to get your project done for $36,000. Now, this incentive is good for today only. Otherwise, if you do want to think about it, not a problem, we can schedule a time for me to come back to write up your contract for $40,000." F.U.D Fear Uncertainty Doubt These are strong emotions that skilled salesmen know how to pray upon. "Jane - you're not really going to let me walk out the door leaving $4,000 on the table, are you?" If Jane and John still say know, don't be surprised if he says something like this: "Hmmm ... Ok. So Jane and John, you guys said you like this window, right? You like us as a company, right? All things being equal, would you want these windows and doors in your home?" "If you could wave a magic wand to get this done, what would the price need to be for you to feel comfortable moving forward tonight ... and now before you answer, the reason I ask is because this is a larger job for us than most. The average job we do is around $20,000, so there may be some extra consideration we can provide - but I'd need to get my manager's approval first - because of the size of your project?" John says something like: "$32,000" You might not see it - but the salesman is smiling inside. He knows he just made a sale! He might go through the song and dance of calling his manager for "approval", but he already knows he can sell it for $32,000. If the salesman does call his manager (who we'll call Bob) where you can hear (another good sales tactic) - you might here something like this: "Hey Bob, I'm with John and Jane Doe here. They're looking at 8 windows, 2 sliding glass doors, and a front door. I'm looking to see if I can get some help and your approval to proceed with this job. Our normal price is $60,000, with our Buy 2 Get 1 discount, it's at $40,000, I've given them the Initial Visit Incentive as well and we're at $36,000. It's still a little much for them, but they said they'd be willing to move forward for $32,000. I really want to get this done for them because [insert reason here 😁], can we get it done?" Bob - the sales manager - knows that at the normal price of $60,000, they can sell it for $30,000, and be profitable. So of course he's going to say yes. What You Can Do To Avoid Overpaying Get multiple quotes from multiple different contractors. This is the best way to compare options. Sleep on it. I GUARANTEE you the deal the salesman is offering today will be good tomorrow, or next week. If you decide you really want to go with the contractor at $32,000, call him back when you're ready and I guarantee you he will write the contract up for $32,000 - even if he said when he was in your home the first time the deal was good for that day only. Do you really think a contractor is going to turn down a $32,000 check because you did not buy the 1st day? Ask around, get referrals. Whether you ask your neighbors, family members, co-workers, or Facebook groups (highly recommend by the way), the collective power and knowledge that other homeowners have based on their experiences can help drive you to a more informed safe decision. At My Window and Door Guy - we don't play these silly sales games. We offer fair, honest, and transparent pricing. If you'd like to get a free quote, give us a call at 813-790-7247 or fill out the form and one of our product specialists will reach out to discuss your project with you. Window Buying Mistake #2 - Not Getting a Discount by Paying with Cash or Check 65% of all home improvement projects are financed, including window and door replacement jobs. By offering financing, contractors are able to get more business than they otherwise would without offering their customers financing. My Window and Door Guy is no exception. In fact, we have our financing options posted publicly on our Financing Options webpage. Contractors are not banks, however, and therefore the financing options they offer originate with a lending institution. The contractor facilitates the homeowner applying for the loan with a bank, and then after the job is finished the bank pays the contractor directly. The homeowner, in turn, repays the loan to the bank. Suppose you decide to proceed with a $10,000 project, and the contractor offers 0% financing for 12 months. Sounds great, right? Well ... not so fast. The contractor should be offering you a discount (or you should ask for one) if you pay with a check. The reason is: Dealer Fees. You see, when you finance the $10,000 project, the contractor is NOT going to get $10,000 from the bank when the job is finished. Depending on the loan type, anywhere from 3% - 29% of the amount financed is kept by the bank, with the remaining sent to the contractor. After all, the bank needs to make money too in order to stay in business. So, in this scenario where you would have financed $10,000, and the contractor 'pays' 5% in dealer fees, the contractor only receives $9,500, and the bank 'keeps' the other $500. At My Window and Door Guy - we provide our customers a discount for paying via check. With us, you could either finance $10,000 and we receive $9,500 from the bank after the job is finished, or you could write us a check for $9,500 after the job is finished. It's the same for us either way - but you save $500. If the contractor you're considering hiring tells you the price is the same whether you finance or pay in cash, and does not offer you a discount ... there's a very good chance that contractor is so highly overpriced that you would be better off finding a contractor who does. Window Buying Mistake #3 - Not Evaluating Different Manufacturers' Products For one reason, or many, you've decided you want to replace your windows and/or doors. Many homeowners then call up 3 different contractors to get a quote. Sounds logical, right? What happens, then, when all 3 show up and provide you with a quote for the same product from the same manufacturer? At this point, all you've really accomplished is price compare the exact same product, just sold through 3 different contractors. This is all fine and dandy if you already know the manufacturer and product line you want. For example, my father sold for Pella Windows and Doors outside of Philadelphia for 25 years. He's extremely loyal to them, and when it came time for him to replace his windows and doors in his home in Florida, that's who he wanted to go with, no matter what. If you're shopping around for new replacement windows and doors, it's probably a good idea to get quotes for different manufacturer's products. That way you can compare not only prices, but the pros and cons of the products. Custom Window Systems (CWS) is a manufacturer of non-impact, and impact resistant, windows and doors. If you go to their website https://www.cws.cc/ ... you will see the image above after you click on Windows & Doors. Like most window and manufacturers, CWS offers multiple product lines that are impact and multiple product lines that are non-impact. Takeaway Point: Not only should you evaluate different manufacturers, but you should also evaluate the different product lines. Simonton Windows and Doors is another manufacturer. They refer to their product lines as Collections, and you can see 12 different Collections here: https://www.simonton.com/windows/windows-collection At My Window and Door Guy, we are proud to offer 12+ brands of manufacturers. By doing so, were able to ensure our customers have plenty of options to choose from in order to get the results they desire. Window Buying Mistake #4 - Failing to Focus on the Results You're Looking for Why are you looking to replace your windows in the first place? Nobody just wakes up one day and says to themselves: "I think I'll spend $20,000 + to replace my windows." I like asking this question to prospective customers because it provides some insight into what they are seeking to accomplish by taking on this project. More importantly, it helps to understand the RESULTS they're looking to get by replacing their windows and/or doors. Typical answers we hear include: These rooms are too hot even with the A/C cranked down. I want to protect my home in case of a hurricane These windows don't work (lift or slide), and I want windows that will work I want something to block out the noise from outside (traffic, neighbors, etc.) Whatever your reasons are - we implore you during your search to keep the RESULTS you're looking for top of mind. Here's what typically happens: You've decided you want to replace your windows and doors because you want X, Y, Z. You call several contractors to get some quotes. They all come out and tell you what their window is the best window out there, it's going to do this, going to do that. The salesman makes it all sound great, and you decide to buy. The truth is, ALL new windows compared to windows made 20+ years ago are going to be more energy efficient, provide better protection, operate better, etc. But did you truly get the MAXIMUM result you sought out to get when you started this project? Fortunately - their are objective ways to measure a window's performance to properly compare them during your evaluation process. There's obviously many different factors that go into which window is best for your desired results. Use the information above as a starting point to evaluate the differences between options you are considering. By the way - most salesmen do not like to take the time to get this information to you. If you're not getting the information you need to make an informed decision, find a contractor who will. Here'd the kicker: A lot of the information detailed above will be on the NFRC sticker that is required to be affixed to your window when it arrives for installation. Make sure you get this information before you order so you can compare options before hand. The NFRC sticker reminds me of the window sticker on new cars. One of the things it tells you is the EPA's estimated Highway and City MPG. Similarly, the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient is going to tell you how much heat is reflected away (the lower the number the better). So - if you ever have a window salesman tell you something like "Our window is the most energy efficient window available" - simply ask him what is the SHGC number, and let him know you will compare that number to others you are considering. I'd actually love to be a fly on the wall to see his reaction when you tell him this 😂. Window Buying Mistake #5 - Failing to Review the Sales Contract Perhaps the most avoidable mistake, but happens far too often, is homeowners who fail to read their sales contract. The sales contract is going to (or should, more on that later) specify exactly what you are purchasing, the terms and conditions, possibly warranty information, and more. If there is ever a discrepancy between what you THINK you bought instead of what you actually bought, no lawyer (yours included), no judge, no mediator, is going to care what you remember hearing. The only thing that matters is what is written down and signed off on by the parties to the contract. Therefore, read it! If it's not written down, then it doesn't exist! Here are some examples of what I've seen in this business: Example #1: The manufacturer's name and product line is NOT listed. There's a well known window and door contractor in the greater Tampa area who specifically does not list the brand name or product line name on their contracts. They simply list the style (e.g. single hung, double hung, picture window, etc.) and whether it is impact or non-impact. The customer in this scenario has no idea what window will actually get delivered and installed. Example #2: A customer thought they had a "lifetime warranty" when in reality, they only had a 10 year warranty. While looking through the paperwork signed by the customer, it was written very clearly on the back of the sales contract the warranty was for 10 years only. The customer only found out after they called their contractor for service only to be told it would cost them money because they were out of their warranty period. Example #3: I was visiting a customer in Polk County who had already replaced some of their windows, and wanted to replace the rest of them. The customer told me they wanted hurricane windows just like the ones that had already been replaced. Knowing that there is no such thing as a hurricane window (click the link to learn more), I inspected their existing windows. It turns out they had non-impact windows. The customer was shocked, but when we reviewed their original contract, it had "non-impact" checked along with her signature on the agreement. There was nothing that could be done by anyone because the original contractor installed exactly what was specified on the agreement. Window Buying Mistake #6 - Not Seeing the Window Sample! While this may seem obvious - the vast majority of window salesmen do not carry, and do not show, window samples to prospective customers. More often then not, they're just lazy. I don't know about you, but if I'm going to spend $5,000, $10,000, or more on a window replacement project, I sure do want to see what I'm buying before hand! Part of the reason we started My Window and Door Guy was because we got tired of seeing all the shenanigans window and door companies were pulling in this business. We knew there had to be a better way to provide exceptional products, professional installation, fair and transparent pricing. That's why we offer 12+ brands, never apply any sales pressure, and work to help you get the results you are looking for. For a free, no cost, no obligation quote, reach out to us to see what we can do for you! Avoid the window buying mistakes by working with a reputable, knowledgeable contractor! BONUS TIP Installation Matters! I'd rather have a mediocre window with a great installation instead of a great window with mediocre installation. Ask your salesman WHO is going to be doing the installation, what their experience is, and more.

If your home was built prior to 2000, and the windows and doors are original to your home, chances are they are single pane. This simply means there is one pane of glass separating the inside, and outside, of your home. Double pane windows, on the other hand, have 2 panes of glass, as shown in the image above. Double pane windows are more energy efficient than single pane windows. The space between the panes of glass acts to provide insulation between the inside and outside of your home. More often than not, glass manufacturers will fill this space with Argon gas. Argon is a non-toxic, colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is 38% heavier than air. Some glass manufacturers offer Krypton gas as the insulation, but the costs of Krypton have risen so much that it is often cost prohibitive for this choice. The combination of the 2 panes of glass, along with the insulating gas, is referred to as an Insulating Glass Unit (IGU). The IGU makes up one of the many parts of a window. While today's double pane windows are often times rated to withstand hurricane force winds (100+ mph), they are not impact resistant. We describe the difference between hurricane windows, impact windows, and non-impact windows more here. Laminated Glass and Impact Resistant Windows In order to achieve resistance to flying debris (e.g. impacts), glass manufacturer's make what laminated glass. Let's take a look how this is done: Laminated glass by itself is not insulated. It is a standalone unit comprised of 2 panes of glass, with an interlayer sandwiched in between them. The majority of the time, polyvinyl butyral (PVB) is used as the interlayer. In a few parts of South Florida, laminated glass is allowed by building code to be used in new windows and doors. However, the vast majority of the state, including the greater Tampa Bay area where My Window and Door Guy provides installation services, requires insulated glass units (IGUs), in order to meet energy efficiency requirements. If you watched the video all the way through to the end, the narrator states that the laminated glass will be shipped of the the IG (Insulating Glass) plant. Laminated Insulating Glass Units (IGUs) That's where the IGU is assembled. A single pane of glass will be used on the exterior, with argon gas in the middle, and the laminated glass on the interior. Technically speaking, laminated IGU's are made up of 3 panes of glass. Thus, you won't find an experienced window salesman or saleswoman referring to impact resistant windows as "double pane" windows. If you're in our service area and would like a free quote for your window and/or door replacement project, CONTACT US and we'll be happy to discuss your project. If you're outside of our service area and would like recommendations for reputable contractors in your area, please feel free to reach out to us as well!

When we talk about Entry Doors - we are simply referring to doors that lead to the exterior of your home, and have hinges. From front doors, side exit garage doors, pool bathroom doors, and more, we carry multiple manufacturers' products and professionally install them in your home. Step By Step Guide to Getting Price Quotes for Replacement Entry Doors Step 1 If you've already been searching online for doors, and have come across some styles that you like - you can email those pictures to info@mywindowanddoorguy.com or text them to 813-790-7247. Step 2 Peruse the catalogs below. We carry multiple manufacturers' doors, and can fit nearly and style and budget. Let us know if you don't find any door styles that you like, and we'll send over additional catalogs for your review and consideration. Step 3 Let your product specialist know which option(s) you would like to have included on your quote. Include as much information as possible, such as model number, description, etc. so we can be sure to look up pricing for the particular style you would like quotes. Step 4 We will send over a line item quote so you can decide which one(s) to include in your project. Manufacturers While we carry multiple door manufacturers (5+) products, our two primary ones are: Builders Hardware Inc. (BHI) Advisar Palm City Ironworks - wrought iron doors Builders Hardware Inc. (BHI) Making doors in the greater Tampa Bay area since 1963, they are a popular choice among contractors and homeowners alike. When choosing doors from BHI, please keep in mind the following points: While not shown in the catalog, each model is available in either a Smooth, white finish, or a Woodgrain Textured brown finish. -- Note the textured image above has been stained already. The door slabs come, and are installed, UNFINISHED. Smooth slabs can be painted. Textured slabs can be painted or stained. Optional: Most contractors will NOT provide painting or staining services - they install only. At My Window and Door Guy, we believe in providing full end-to-end project completion, so let us know if you would like to include in your quote the option for painting and/or staining Hardware: There are 2 options for hardware to choose from: Trilennium® Multi-Point Locking System - We include this standard for all 8 foot tall doors. It's truly the best way to ensure safety, security, and functionality for the long term. This locking system is also available for 6' 8" tall doors as well. Customer provided deadbolt + handle. Customers save money by purchasing their own deadbolt and handle system for their new door. While BHI does offer a complete assortment of hardware, customers can get the same quality hardware at a less expensive price point by purchasing through Lowe's, Home Depot, Amazon, or other retailer. Note - We will install your hardware during the door installation. If you choose for a smart lock system, we will install it, but we do not program the smart lock system. Glass Inserts use an aluminum frame - when ordering an impact-resistant BHI door with some type or another of glass inserts, the frame of the glass insert will be a flat profile, aluminum frame. Some customers have felt this glass frame profile has an industrial type look - so keep this in mind before ordering. BHI Catalogs - Let us know the model number to include in your quote! Advisar Doors Advisar manufactures fiberglass doors, just like BHI. However, there are some differences. They have put together a great video showing how they stand out: Online Catalog - from our perspective, their catalog isn't the cleanest and easiest to look through. However, feel free to do so to peruse their full assortment of options. Inspiration Gallery - this page gives a better look to some (but not all) of their available options. Factory Finish - We like that Advisar finishes the doors directly in their factory prior to shipping to us. They have 10+ standard color options to choose from, but you can also order these doors to be finished with ANY Sherwin Williams color. Simply provide us the 4 digit Sherwin Williams color when placing the order, and Advisar will factory finish your new door(s) with your selected color. You can order with different colors for the interior and exterior. Glass Inserts - Seamless Glass Frame. Unlike BHI doors, their glass frames are direct set into the door slab. The frames do not protrude from the door slab. It gives the door a nice, clean look that is not standard in this industry. Hardware - While you can order Advisar doors without hardware, we recommend choosing from one of their hardware styles. It's an affordable option, and comes installed directly at the factory. Preview - One feature we wish Advisar made available to prospective customers is the ability to "build and preview" their door. This functionality is available to us at My Window and Door Guy via their back end system, so let us know if you would like us to build out a door system for you to preview. Once you know the style(s) of Advisar doors you would like us to include in your quote, please let your product specialist know. Palm City Ironworks If you're looking for custom, wrought iron doors, look no further! Palm City Ironworks offers an array of doors, gates, and more. These beasts are HEAVY!! However, properly installed, you'll never know it as the operate effortlessly. Aside from their unique appeal, wrought iron doors are tough as nails! Take a look through their website, or download their catalog by clicking the image below. Not Working Yet With One of Our Product Specialists? Let us give you a free quote for doors, windows, and more!

Disclaimer: The following is for informational purposes only. ALWAYS consult your local building department for the most recent, up-to-date codes for your property! Chances are, if you've met with 2 or more contractors about replacing your windows and/or doors, you've heard them talk about how great their window is, how strong it is, what wind speeds it can handle, etc. Here, we try to dispel with a lot of the shenanigans and give you the information and resources to find out on your own. There’s no such thing as “Rated to XXX MPH wind” This is frequently seen in marketing materials which is a false & misleading statement that comes with many unwritten disclaimers. - Engineering Express Windows & Doors - Impact Requirements per Florida Building Code First - let's look at a county map of Florida showing two important building code "zones". Both the blue and red colored counties are areas the International Building Code (IBC) defines as areas "vulnerable to hurricanes". Wind-Borne Debris Region Zone Shown on the map in blue, the Wind-Borne Debris (WBD for short) region are areas that are vulnerable to flying debris that can cause property damage, injury, or even death, during a hurricane. As such, when replacing windows and doors in your home, and you live in the WBD, you are required to have some form of impact protection such as impact windows, or shutters. High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) The HVHZ encompasses Miami-Dade and Broward counties, FL. Due to the higher wind speeds associated with these 2 counties, windows and doors being replaced there must pass more stringent testing requirements than those who live in the WBD. Point #1: Generally speaking - windows and doors approved for the HVHZ zone are "stronger" than those only approved the WBD zone. Types of Buildings and Their Risk Categories As a residential window and door replacement contractor, we tend to focus primarily on single-family homes. However, as it relates to Florida Building Code, and its corresponding requirements, we'd be remiss if we did not point out that there are different types of buildings and each has their own respective requirements in the WBD and HVHZ. FBC Risk Categories -- Click here for a more detailed explanation of Risk Categories Risk Category Building Types Point #2: A storage shed, a single family home, a high school, and a hospital all on the same street next to each other will have different building code requirements for their windows and doors. How To Find the Windspeed and Impact Protection Type Needed for Your Home Always check with your local building department for the most up-to-date codes for your property. For example - when looking at the WBD|HVHZ Map, Brooksville, FL does not appear to be located within a zone requiring impact protection. However, residences within the city limits of Brooksville do require impact protection when replacing windows and doors. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) maintains an address lookup tool so you can see what the wind and impact requirements are for that particular location. Here is the link: https://ascehazardtool.org/ Step 1: Input the address or place, then click on Search. Step 2: Input the selections as shown. ASCE/SEI 7-22 is for permits to be pulled 1/1/2024 or later. Risk Category - input II (taken from section above). Load Types = Wind. Then, click on VIEW RESULTS. The image above shows the results page. Here are key takeaway items from this address search: The windspeed rating is 139 mph. The highlighted wind details portion that reads: "Glazed openings need not be protected against wind-borne debris" means: Windows and doors are not required to be impact-resistant rated. Non-impact resistant windows and doors are allowed to be installed at this location. Using an address based in Pinellas County, FL, you can see from the results page that impact protection against wind-borne debris (WBD) is required. Point #3: Use the lookup tool to find out what wind speeds your windows and doors have to meet, as well as if impact protection is required or not. Searching for Approvals for Impact Resistant Windows and Doors We've thus far covered the different hurricane prone zones (WBD & HVHZ), risk categories associated with different building types, and how to lookup an address to see wind speed and impact protection requirements are. According to Florida Building Code, ALL windows and doors must go through extensive testing in order to receive approval for use in Florida. Engineers who work with, or for, window and door manufacturer's design the products to meet, or exceed, the standards set. In fact, anyone with internet access can search for product approvals directly on the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation website. Once the testing is complete on a new product, the manufacturer submits engineering plans, along with test results, to the state seeking approval. Once the state approves the product, an approval code is assigned to it. This is approval code is known as its Florida Product Approval (FPA) #. Most window and door manufacturers have listed on their website the FPA codes associated with each product. Custom Window Systems (CWS), for example, has theirs listed here: https://www.cws.cc/downloads/ Let's use the following 3 FPA codes from CWS' site as an example: 41973 17791 18689 FPA # 41973 - non-impact and NOT approved for HVHZ. This product can NOT be used in the WBD or HVHZ FPA # 17791 - Impact, but NOT approved for HVHZ. This product can be used in the WBD. FPA # 18689 - This is an impact rated product approved for the HVHZ. It can be installed ANYWHERE in Florida and pass inspection. Testing Requirements for Impact Resistance in Windows and Doors For a product to be approved as impact resistant, it must go through the following tests: Water Infiltration Test Air Infiltration Test Cyclical Test aka Pressure Test Small and/or Large Missile tests As mentioned previously, standards related to HVHZ are higher than WBD standards. Missile Level Testing For our purposes, we will not touch on water or air infiltration tests. When discussing missiles in this context, we're not talking about bombs over Baghdad, or those used to shoot down state-sponsored spy balloons. Rather - we're discussing projectiles impacting the window or door system, and how well the system withstands these forces. The idea is to replicate potential flying objects during hurricane force winds. -- Click here for more detailed information on missile tests. The chart above shows the basics of the test types. There are of course pass/fail guidelines, more of which you can read here and here and here. Small Missile Impact testing is required for glazing (glass) located 30' above grade, while Large Missile Impact testing is required for glazing within 30' above grade. WBD vs. HVHZ Testing Standards Differences - 2 examples -- Source: PlastPro Design Pressure Unlike insurance sales, window sales is highly unregulated comparatively speaking. If we had it our way, window salesmen would NOT be able to say something like "... this window is rated to 200 mph!" As Engineering Express correctly points out: "There's no such thing as 'Rated to XXX MPH wind". The formula that converts wind velocity to wind pressure has many variables. Each variable affects the resulting pressure for a given wind velocity.  A 100mph wind velocity for example can produce pressures as low as in the mid-teens (psf) to upwards of 50psf, even 60psf, and more.  These variables include such features as building height, location of the area on the building, the terrain around the building, whether the building is on or near a hill, slope of the roof, size of the area in consideration, and more. - Engineering Express Imagine the water on this pond being a window. The bullet represents wind. At this angle, the upward pressure asserted by the pond water is greater than the downward pressure of the bullet. That's why the bullet rebounds upwards and hits the target. The bullet is traveling well in excess of 200 mph, probably greater than 1,000 mph, but does not penetrate the water. Correlating this to windows and doors - you will see very important numbers on the NFRC sticker that is required to be affixed to every new window and door installed, and can NOT be removed until the building authority have jurisdiction over your property has inspected and certified the product + installation. When you see "DP:" - it's referring to Design Pressure. It is a rating usually in PSF (Pounds per Square Foot), and has both positive (+) and negative (-) numbers. The positive number relates to the "push" pressure on the window, while the negative number relates to the "pull" pressure on the window. You can probably imagine during a hurricane, with swirling winds, that the winds are both pushing and pulling on the window system. KEY POINT - The higher the + positive and - negative numbers are, the more protection against wind, water, air pressure, and missile impacts your window and/or door unit will provide. Fun Fact: I used to work for a company that offered impact-resistant windows in the WBD region. More often than not, we were unable to offer our windows to condo residents who lived higher than the 3rd floor due to limitations on Design Pressure ratings (building height factors into the calculation). Also, it was necessary for us as salesmen to measure (as best as possible) the distance from the edge of the window nearest to the corner of the building. Windows closest to the corner experience higher negative wind pressures than those windows in the middle of the building. Thus - the product's engineering and testing results limited where they could actually be installed according to building code. How Glass Choices Affect Impact Resistance Performance How To Compare Impact Window Choices - and How to Make Sure You Get What's Sold To You! If I lived in the HVHZ: To replace my windows and doors while living in the HVHZ, and I wanted to compare the impact resistance ability between different window offerings, here would be my thought process: Deal with a window and door specialist contractor servicing the area. A licensed and reputable contractor will be familiar with the building code requirements, and will pull a permit. Only HVHZ approved products will have the permit application approved. I probably would not both with asking them the FPA code for each window or door. If you want to, go ahead. Then, look up the FPA code on the DBPR product approval website, and make sure it is HVHZ approved. Compare Design Pressure ratings. Upon request, your perspective contractor should provide you the DP ratings (positive and negative) for each window. I'd compare the numbers to see which are higher than the other. I'm less worried living in the HVHZ getting an inferior window than I was expecting because in order to pass inspection, only HVHZ approved products will pass. To Be Certain: There are a lot of factors involved with finding the right windows and doors for your home. A window or door's impact resistance ratings are but one of the many factors I would consider when choosing a contractor and window for my replacement project. If I lived in the WBD Zone: I could get impact resistant windows that meet the WBD standards, or HVHZ standards. If my main objective was to get the highest impact resistance possible, I'd follow the steps above. I'd verify the product was HVHZ approved, and then I'd choose the highest positive and negative DP ratings among my choices. Installation matters! There are different installation requirements for the HVHZ and WBD Zones. It's why building inspectors come out after the installation is complete (if a permit is pulled, as should be done 100% of the time) to ensure the windows have been installed according to building code - for that region. If you live in the WBD but want HVHZ rated products + installation, you should hire a contractor whose installation crews have experience working in, and installing in, Miami-Dade or Broward county. For example, if you live in Clearwater - a WBD zone - and have HVHZ products installed, the Pinellas County building department is going to ensure the windows were installed according to WBD guidelines, and NOT HVHZ. Last Word of Caution - Verify What You've Gotten Having been in this business for 5+ years, I have see it too often where customers have had windows installed that were not actually what they were thinking they were getting. In one instance, a customer thought they had impact resistant windows, but were actually non-impact double pane windows. Rule #1 - Always get it in writing. Window salesmen (and saleswomen) can be quite persuasive - it's their job after all - but make sure you get everything in writing. Follow these steps to ensure you get what you're expecting. Review the completed contract thoroughly before signing. Specifically look for the product information & details. Prior to signing the contract, make sure you have the Florida Product Approval Code, and look it up on the DBPR website. It will tell you if the product is non-impact, impact, and/or approved for the HVHZ. Prior to signing the contract, make sure you receive the details that will be on the NFRC sticker. If a contractor will NOT, or CAN NOT, provide you those details - then find a contractor who will. Contractors who can not or will not provide you those details are hiding something. Inspect the NFRC sticker on your new windows and doors. Verify the product approval code, and the DP ratings match up with your original order. If you don't find the information on the NFRC sticker, you will find it in the permit paperwork that must be on-side during the installation. My Window and Door Guy installs windows and doors throughout the greater Tampa Bay area. If you are in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Citrus, Hernando, or Manatee county, and would like a no-cost, no pressure quote for your window and door project, reach out to us at 813-790-7247, or click the button below and we will follow up with you!

Too often, the wrong terminology is used when describing types of windows. Don't get fooled by window salesmen using the wrong terms to describe what they're selling. Let's get right to it by watching this 18 second YouTube Video. Impact - Impact Resistant Glass for Windows and Doors The key takeaway is that the 2 x 4 did NOT penetrate through the glass. Sure, the glass broke, but there was no penetration. Impact resistant glass, as it's name implies, is designed to resist an impact from flying debri. The term most often used by those in the window and door business for this type of glass is "impact". Joe the salesman will likely refer to a window or door as "an impact door" or "an impact window". Using "impact" is simply a shorter way to say: "impact resistant door" or "impact resistant window". We will cover in separate posts more details about impact windows and doors (and the different grades of impact), but for now, the image below illustrates a PVB (polyvinyl butyl) interlayer sandwiched between 2 panes of glass to provide impact protection. Non-Impact Resistant Glass - aka Non-Impact - Windows and Doors On the other hand, non-impact windows and doors are NOT designed to withstand an impact from flying debri. Except in few areas in south Florida where they're not required, all new non-impact windows and doors installed in Florida will have double pane glass. The double panes of glass in your new windows and/or doors are going to be very energy efficient. However, they are not designed to withstand a direct impact from flying debri. Hurricane Windows and Doors - The truth is, there is no such thing as a "hurricane window" or a "hurricane door". I can't help but cringe when I hear a prospective customer say something like this to me: "The salesman from company X told me his windows are hurricane rated" or "he told me his windows are hurricane windows, and that's what I want." "Ok," I say. "But are they impact or non-impact?" Let's dive a little deeper on this, shall we? You're likely familiar with the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale, even if you don't know it by name. This is the scale of hurricane's from category 1 to category 5. Many non-impact resistant windows and doors are rated to withstand winds up to 140 mph. Withstanding high winds from a hurricane is a good thing ... unless something actually gets caught up in the wind and impacts one of your windows or doors. 2 Common Reasons Why Salesmen Call a Window or Door a "Hurricane Window" or "Hurricane Door" - and What You Should Say if they Do They're uneducated. While I hope that's the case, far to often they call their products hurricane windows or hurricane doors because of reason #2. They're intentionally misleading you. Impact windows and impact doors are more expensive than their non-impact counter parts. When a salesman tells you the windows they're selling are "hurricane rated", or "hurricane windows", or "hurricane doors", too often they're selling a non-impact window or door ... and NOT an impact resistant window or door. If the salesman uses a phrase like "hurricane rated", simply ask him "Is what you're offering 'impact resistant'? It's important to distinguish between what he is saying, and what the product is actually rated to do. Remember the old adage: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If the guy selling "hurricane rated" windows and/or doors is considerably less expensive than others selling impact resistant ones, it should be a red flag that could indicate his "hurricane rated" window is actually a non-impact one. How to Protect Yourself from Buying the Wrong The most important way you can protect yourself is to carefully review the sales contract to ensure the product(s) have an indication that they are "impact" or "impact resistant". Ultimately - it does not really matter what the salesman said in his sales presentation. The only thing thatr truly matters is what is written in the sales contract that you sign off on. How Do I Know If My New Windows are Impact Resistant or Non-Impact Resistant? So, you've already bought windows, and perhaps had them installed already. Now you'd like to know if the windows are actually impact resistant. You can do the following tests yourself. Flashlight Test - On your cell phone, turn on the flashlight. Hold it up to the window, and look at the glass. You'll see reflections of light ... you're looking for the prominent light reflections. If you see 3 prominent reflections of light - you most likely have Impact Resistant windows (or doors) since there are 3 panes of glass. If you see 2 prominent reflections of light - you most likely have Non-Impact Resistant windows (or doors) since their are only 2 panes of glass. Knock On The Glass - this is a little more nuanced, but if you knock on the glass with your nuckles, the sound it makes should be solid for impact windows. Be sure to knock from the inside of your home (not on the outside) since the laminated glass portion will be on the inside of your home. If you go knock on the outside of the window, you the sound it makes should be less dense, and not feel as solid. When friends, neighbors, and family members ask our clients who did their windows and doors, they proudly tell them: My Window and Door Guy! Let us provide you free consultation and quote for your upcoming project!