HVHZ Certified Windows for Brandon
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What Does HVHZ Certified Mean in Brandon?
HVHZ certification means that a window or door has been made to meet the requirements for Florida’s designated HVHZ areas: Miami-Dade and Broward County. While Brandon is not a high-velocity hurricane zone, it is still often in the path of major storms, and HVHZ windows and doors can help better protect your home from them!
How HVHZ Windows Are Certified
The HVHZ Label
A true HVHZ-rated window or door will have a permanent etching on the glass or frame with an FL number or NOA number on it.
How to Verify HVHZ
Once you find the FL number or NOA number, you can go to the DBPR website and use their product application search.
Check the Testing Standard
Look for references to the testing standards that the windows have passed, such as TAS 201 impact resistance.
Brandon HVHZ-Certified Windows
Impact Windows
Double Hung Windows
Sliding Windows
Picture Windows
Casement Windows
Awning Windows
Bay Windows
Custom Windows
HVHZ Certified Doors
In Brandon, it isn’t just your windows that need to be reinforced against hurricane-force winds and rain! Your home’s doors also need to be able to take strong wind pressure, rain, and the occasional flying object. Get HVHZ certified doors that are built to protect your home from hurricane hazards!
Brandon HVHZ Doors
Sliding Glass Doors
Standard Sliding Patio Doors
Pocket Sliding Doors
Bi-Parting Doors
Exterior Doors
Entry Doors
Double Entry Doors
French Doors
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High Velocity Hurricane Zone Window FAQs
What Is the High Velocity Hurricane Zone Rating?
The short answer is that it’s a set of building codes for Florida homes that applies to Miami-Dade and Broward County. The Florida Building Code (FBC) applies more stringent structural integrity requirements on buildings in these areas because they have a high risk of encountering category 5 hurricanes.
Are HVHZ Windows the Same as Impact Windows?
No. Although the two terms are closely related, HVHZ-rated and impact-rated aren’t the same thing.
The difference is that HVHZ windows are specifically designed and certified to withstand category 5 hurricanes per Miami-Dade and Broward County standards. Meanwhile, impact windows are rated to resist impacts, but aren’t guaranteed to meet HVHZ requirements.
All HVHZ windows are impact-rated, but not all impact windows are HVHZ-rated. Sort of like how all semi-trucks are motor vehicles, but not all motor vehicles are semi-trucks.
How Can I Tell if a Window Is HVHZ Certified?
Every HVHZ-certified window should have a small, permanent etching somewhere on the frame or the glass pane that has a Florida Product Approval (abbreviated as FL) number or a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA) number.
Once found, you can go to the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) Product Approval search page to enter the product’s information and look up if it has a valid HVZH certification.
What Is “Category 5 Hurricane Proof?”
A “hurricane-proof” structure is one that is built to withstand winds in excess of the wind speed of the most powerful hurricane ever recorded.
As of the time of this writing, the strongest hurricane on record is, according to The Weather Channel, Hurricane Patricia, which had sustained winds of 215 mph. Buildings that can survive sustained 245+ mph winds are currently considered “hurricane-proof.”
What Are the Negatives of HVHZ Windows in Brandon?
The biggest thing that prevents most homeowners from using high velocity hurricane zone impact windows over less durable windows is the cost. The upfront cost of installing HVHZ windows and doors is typically higher than the cost for non-impact windows because they cost more to make and require more careful installation to make the most of their impact resistance.
However, using HVHZ windows and doors can provide a long-term savings that more than makes up for the price difference.
Think of it this way: Which is more expensive?
Installing an HVHZ window once, or doing all of the following:
- Paying for a second window replacement
- Repairing damaged flooring
- Replacing damaged furniture
- Paying for increased homeowner’s insurance premiums
- Having to rent a room while water/storm damage remediation work is being done
- Paying for storage for undamaged furniture and belongings while remediation crews work
- Paying for storm damage remediation work
Are High Velocity Hurricane Zone Windows Really Hurricane-Proof?
They’re incredibly resistant to hurricane-force winds and impacts, but they aren’t absolutely hurricane-proof. A hurricane that’s strong enough can put out winds that will topple almost any building, spawn tornadoes that do massive localized damage, and pick up and throw cars.
An HVHZ window can take a lot of punishment and will have “fail states” taken into account with multiple panes of glass, flexible laminate layers, and strong frames to keep protecting the home even after the first layer of glass is broken, but no window will be 100% resistant to all potential super-storms.
That said, HVHZ windows provide a significant improvement over other windows for your home’s hurricane survivability. You’re much less likely to have water or debris intrusion into the home with high velocity hurricane-resistant windows and doors than you are with non-HVHZ windows and doors.
Can HVHZ Windows Help Reduce My Insurance Costs?
Yes! Installing HVHZ windows and other weatherproofing features can help you reduce the cost of home insurance in the state of Florida.
This is because insurance companies have to consider risk when making insurance quotes. Florida is considered a high risk area for hurricane impacts, which drives up home insurance costs in the state. Taking measures against hurricanes and their effects can reduce your risk profile, leading to potential savings on insurance costs.
As noted by Oyer Insurance, “Installing impact-resistant windows can protect your home from wind damage during hurricanes. This upgrade can make you eligible for discounts from many insurers.” With insurance costs being in the thousands per year for many homes, an HVHZ window upgrade can be a major long-term cost savings that pays for itself in time.
The Best HVHZ Window Installers in Brandon
Karoly Windows & Doors is a Tampa Bay Times Best of the Best Winner (2023, 2024 & 2025) and has earned the National Best of the Best award every year since 2018, thanks to our:
Best-in-Class Service. Where many contractors cut corners to get the job done as cheaply as possible, we’re dedicated to going the extra mile to ensure that every install job is done perfectly.
Proactive Communication. We believe in building trust by being transparent and open to keep you informed from start to finish. Stay in the know so you’re never in the dark.
Consistent Quality. On every project, we tailor each detail until it meets the highest standards and expectations so you’re 100% satisfied. We never cut corners and we use in-house installation technicians to ensure our standards are upheld.
Best Price Guarantee. We’re confident that you won’t find a better deal elsewhere. We provide the best quality and will price match comparable window installation project quotes.
Lifetime Labor & Extensive Warranties. Our work is covered by a 25-year installation warranty and a 50-year material warranty so you can have peace of mind.
We go the extra mile for our customers in Brandon so you can rest easy knowing that your home is protected as much as possible with top-quality HVHZ window installation work.
Other Areas We Serve
Are you looking to install a high velocity hurricane zone-rated window for your home, but aren’t in Brandon? Karoly can help! We provide HVHZ-certified window replacement services in:
Over Two Decades of Quality Results!
