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I remembered 1992 Hurricane Andrew 282 km/h winds and, if my parents had installed quality Florida impact windows and doors, I’ll probably would I’ve forgotten this horrible experience. Back then and even more today, hurricanes are a major problem for everyone that lives in the Atlantic, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and yes, Florida coastlines. Hurricane numbers have increased in numbers and, if your city missed it by a few miles, another one shows up the next week or month.

I believe impact window installation in Clearwater is essential for all residents living by the coastline. There’s no debating this issue anymore. And trust me as someone who hired a professional impact window company to replace all the regular home windows, it takes a big load off when hurricane season comes along.

I do not look for plywood or have to put up my shudders and take them down a few days later. Its time consuming and a lot of work. It’s not like a DIY home improvement project that you will see the investment pay you back.

Boarding windows every time a hurricane points your way cannot be good for your heart. Also, with a boarded home, you can see much particularly when the lights go off. Consider, calling hurricane impact windows contractor so you can have peace of mind.

Below, I will tell a true story that I remember back when hurricane Andrew passed my house 28 years ago. Now, you will understand why I and many experts recommend impact windows and doors.

Hurricane Andrew 1992

Houses were built in the 1990s usually differently, some out of brick and sadly for Homestead made of wood. My house was made of brick but still was no match to what Hurricane Andrew did to it. We lived on the second floor and we felt like everyone back then, that it wasn’t that bad.

The second floor faced the street so it had two windows and if I remember correctly two on both sides. Well, many of our windows needed home window replacements because there were old and needed a crank to open. Back to the story. As the hurricane approaches, we kept hearing the same crap about how we should go to a shelter. My parents dismiss these notices since we lived in Miami, not in the eye of the storm.

It wasn’t going to hit us directly so we boarded windows like everyone else but we stayed. If we had impact windows and doors we would have only looked for necessities like life supplies. Instead, my dad was up a ladder dangerously high while the wind was blowing. I was glad he came back down from the ladder since a lot of people fall and die falling off ladders.

I stayed outside until the winds and rain got stronger. The day turned dark rather quickly. There was a weird silence for a few minutes like something was coming. The wind started howling and started picking up speed.

Hurricane Andrew touchdown

At that time we didn’t understand the heat and darkness that using plywood causes, unlike today’s impact window replacements. Did I forget to mention that my dad didn’t board all the windows? Yeah, he said we should leave one open.

Well, a small one that we can open in case of an emergency to allow some light in. So, I looked outside the window with my brother to see the mayhem that was about to take place. Of course, my parents cared about us and every few minutes they will scream to stay away from the window.

When I realized the hurricane Andrew was passing is when I saw debris fly by and hit a parked car. The hurricane wind was picking up speed and gust. Then we heard a loud crash or boom and the chimney fell from our house to the outside stairs below. Crap I said this is for real! A few minutes later we felt the walls moving and heard loud bangs on the walls and thumps on the plywood and we all got scared.

2nd-floor story unfolds

Since it was a duplex, the old neighbors from downstairs called us to come down. Well, my parents agree and we ran downstairs. As I went downstairs it looked dark but not dark but black. I know it doesn’t make much sense but the sky wasn’t dark it was black at 4 PM. And it was cold for the first time, I laughed because if you know Miami you know how hot it is or can get.

The fact remains that we went downstairs to hide from the hurricane. As we sat there in the dark because high winds knock off the power we started playing games on our smartphone. Just kidding, the last part was a joke but it’s kind of sucks to be an 11-year-old kid with no entertainment. If anyone from the 90s reading this, you understand how boring it was correct?

We had a candle and we all sat quietly for a while hearing the howls and broken branches falling on top and near the house. At least the old couple gave us candy and boiled hot coffee with a gas kitchen, the candy was kind of hard but the coffee was pretty good.

Like an hour had passed when we heard a window break and my brother looked at each other with a smile. Smiled because my dad went to check and realize it was the small window that we used to look outside a few hours ago. So we were happy our faces weren’t there when the glass broke. Later on, a loud bam hit the house and it was debris like pieces of wood, rocks, and stones that flew off from other neighbor houses.

Post-Hurricane Andrew

The wood plywood didn’t hold up either. One window survived because it didn’t face the street but the other two windows were broken when a tree branch fell. My mom told dad he should have cut the tree but he didn’t listen much.

After a few hours, the storm passed and we came outside just to see some homes without roofs and windows destroyed. Our roof was banged up and the side’s walls all had holes like from flying debris and some even had holes that we later had to fix.

So we went upstairs to check the damage. The broken windows allowed some flooding from the constant rain and all the furniture was thrown everywhere. Well, we threw most of the furniture away since they were beaten up and wet. It was a sad night but we felt fortunate after seeing the news about the total devastation of Kendall and Homestead.

Today I realized that if we had installed impact-resistant windows I wouldn’t remember this story so vividly. I mean I’ve probably would be scared but not like 28 years ago.

Although when today I hear hurricane I don’t look for plywood or shudders which I might be biased but it’s a lot of work.

 Instead, I hired an expert window company to install impact windows and doors on my home and my parent’s 2nd-floor apartment. Yes, it looks like my parents like the second floor.

How can Florida impact windows and doors benefit your home like it does mine?

So, now I stick the middle finger at the next hurricane while waiting for it in my house with my smartphone and gas generator. I don’t worry much about storms unless category 5 comes along. But I still feel confident these sturdy impact-resistant windows will hold up.

Also, I don’t care much about burglars and noise like before. When burglary goes up in statistics people have to close and lock the windows and doors like their terrified. And they should be afraid, a burglary can turn into a horrible home invasion situation when people are home, one that they won’t easily forget. But today I don’t worry about break-ins like before.

Because recently my son hit the impact-resistant window with a baseball and nothing happen. So I was pretty pleased and didn’t ground him. Imagine a burglar trying to break the window, sorry on the first try the intruder will know what they’re up against.

No more noise like before either, cars honk, people scream, dogs bark, and birds chirping early in the morning but I don’t hear them anymore. Thanks to my installed impact windows and doors, I don’t worry anymore about the noise. Energy efficiency is down, I didn’t think it was important until I was paying over $300 on my energy bill.

Now, I pay in the low $200 so I’m Ok with those numbers.

Florida impact windows and doors replacements worth every penny!

Trust me you will like not having to run around trying to find or put up your shudders every time a storm is projected to hit your city. With my Florida impact windows and doors, there’s no more running around as their fixed and don’t need much maintenance.

My PGT windows bring a limited lifetime warranty. So, to answer the question, are hurricane impact windows worth the cost in Florida? I say yes there worth every penny.