South Florida residents know that their homes are only as strong as their windows. Now that hurricane season is over, most people are eager to enjoy a perfect Florida winter and to forget about hurricanes until next summer. However, if you’re considering replacing your windows in the near future, we’d urge you not to forget about the hurricane season quite yet.
Best Time of Year to Replace Windows
At Ocean Impact, we believe the fall and winter months are actually the best time to buy windows for your home, mainly for these four reasons:
- Winter months are less rainy: Miami averages 60 inches of rain a year, and most rainfall happens between May and October, roughly correlating with hurricane season. Rainfall in Florida drops off dramatically beginning in November, and only averages between two and three inches until late spring. A good stretch of dry weather makes window replacement much easier to accomplish quickly and efficiently. Drier weather also means less humidity, which can make temperatures feel warmer than they really are.
- Cooler temperatures: Not only are cooler temperatures generally more comfortable for outdoor work, but they also provide much safer conditions. Summer window installations can be unpredictable due to rain and heat, so we don’t recommend replacing windows during the summer if it can be avoided.
- Prices are often lower during off-peak times: This is a simple consequence of supply and demand. In an attempt to plan ahead, most people begin the process in the spring, which is when demand begins to build. This means that the closer we get to the start of hurricane season, the more likely it is that you’ll pay more and wait longer to enjoy your new windows. On the flip side, supply is more abundant during the fall and winter months, so you’re more likely to get a good deal.
- The wait time is shorter. During high demand times, the wait time for delivery and installation of your new windows could be weeks longer than the low-demand time during the winter months. If a storm has already been forecasted, demand rises even higher. This can make for a high-anxiety hurricane season if you’re worried about the integrity of your current windows. If the storm is already forecasted, unfortunately, it’s too late. Replacing your windows before the next hurricane season will ensure that your windows (and your home) are safe before the next hurricane hits.
How to Select New Windows
If you are in the market for new windows, here are our tips while you’re shopping around:
- Check your local building code. The building code will provide guidance for replacing your windows. First of all, you’ll probably need the proper permits. While most contractors are responsible for pulling permits, homeowners bear the consequences if the work isn’t properly permitted. Additionally, many areas in South Florida require hurricane-resistant impact windows, especially low-lying or coastal areas so it’s important to ensure you’re meeting the standards set by the building code.
- Research local vendors. Buying high-quality windows is important, but making sure they are properly installed is equally important. Read reviews and ask questions about the installation process to make sure your potential partner is well-versed in window installation.
- Consider impact windows. Hurricane-resistant impact windows are the most durable on the market. At Ocean Impact, our windows are hurricane resistant in winds up to 175 mph and have been missile-tested against projectiles. Even if your local building code doesn’t require impact windows, it’s a good idea to consider them anyway. Impact windows help save energy, deter break-ins and keep unwanted UV rays and noise pollution out of the home.
You don’t want to wait until hurricane season hits to consider replacing the windows in your home. During the high-demand summer months, you’ll pay more, wait longer and worst of all, potentially put your home at risk for the old windows to fail during a storm. Window failure can mean catastrophic damage to your home, so we recommend not putting it off. If you are interested in replacing your windows or are curious about the difference between impact windows and standard windows, give us a call for a free consultation.