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Your #1 Choice for Hurricane Impact Windows!
Hurricane Impact Windows
Karoly Windows & Doors is the #1 choice for hurricane impact windows in Pinellas County and the Tampa Bay area.
Why are hurricane impact windows important in Florida? Hurricanes that come around Florida are not always predictable. Their paths can change and winds can get more volatile with every rotation. Wind-born debris can fly clear across your neighborhood and smash into your windows, exposing your home to irreparable water damage and wind that lifts roofs. Being prepared before hurricane season will give you the protection your home needs to withstand the storm.
Non-impact windows are one of the first breaches of the building envelope during a wind event. These windows can’t stand up to the wind pressure and flying debris like impact windows. This is one reason that most of Florida requires hurricane protection on your windows by code. Impact windows will stay intact after repeated strikes of objects and will not allow the weather or air to penetrate. The impact glass stays together within the vinyl frame from the vinyl interlayer. Having hurricane impact windows can be the difference between preserving your safety and possessions and losing everything.
Impact Window Replacement Provides Maximum Protection
According to the International Hurricane Protection Association, once winds get inside a home during a hurricane, the roof and most of the home’s structure likely will not survive. Pressure build-up will cause these elements to separate, devastating a home in a matter of seconds. That’s why, in Florida especially, you need high-impact windows. In fact, window replacement projects are required to have impact glass to pass building inspections in most areas. Fenestration in Tampa Bay must follow very specific code requirements for window installation.
Florida Building Code Requirements in 2027
Doing your own research on building code requirements? Let us help…
Window replacement installation in our area must meet strict building codes that specify energy efficiency and impact regulations. Products you install in your home must have a Florida product approval code. Our products are all highly tested and approved for our hurricane zone in Pinellas County and Hillsborough County.
Why You Need Hurricane Impact Windows in Florida
If you live in a wind-borne debris region (coastal regions of Florida), you are required to replace your windows with impact windows. There are some inland areas of Hillsborough County that do not require impact glass. You can use the ASCE Hazard Tool and enter your address for specific details on your home. If the Risk Category II is 140mph or greater then you are required to have hurricane impact protection for your windows and other glazed openings.
Here’s a quick list of minimum wind load requirements for various municipalities based off of the ASCE Hazard Tool’s data and some municipalities’ own publications:
- Pinellas County – Risk Category II is 145 mph
- Hillsborough County – Risk Category II is 140 mph
- Pasco County – Risk Category II is 139 mph
- Tampa – Risk Category II is 141mph
- St Petersburg – Risk Category II is 146 mph
- Pinellas Park – Risk Category II is 146 mph
- Palm Harbor – Risk Category II is 145 mph
- Lutz – Risk Category II is 140 mph
- Dunedin – Risk Category II is 145 mph
- Brandon – Risk Category II is 140 mph
- Clearwater – Risk Category II is 146 mph
- Land O’ Lakes – Risk Category II is 139 mph
Contact our project coordinators to request details on your address!
A Look Through the Glass: Hurricane Impact Window Glass
Check out the parts of an energy-efficient impact glass pane:
- Double-strength Annealed or Tempered Glass
- ProSolar Low E Glass
- Laminated Glass
- Argon Gas
- Intercept Spacer
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Brands We Trust for Hurricane Impact Windows
There are technological advancements for hurricane impact replacement windows that homeowners in coastal areas of Florida can utilize to protect their homes. Simonton StormBreaker Plus® Impact Windows is our most installed storm window replacement solution. Another recommended product is our PGT impact windows. Both of these replacement high-impact windows can withstand repeated impact from a nine-pound beam traveling at 34 miles per hour, followed by hurricane-force winds. Even though the glass is damaged, it remains intact and securely in its frame, keeping the elements outside. For more information on hurricane windows, click the links below.
The most tried and tested impact windows on the market for your home!
Top-quality hurricane impact windows with the best warranty in the business!
Simonton StormBreaker Plus Windows
When hurricane season comes, having hurricane impact windows can help eliminate the stress of protecting your family and home. In our opinion, the best hurricane impact windows are Simonton StormBreaker Plus hurricane windows. They exceed standards for Florida Building Codes and look beautiful! The StormBreaker Plus double hung window is the favorite among our customers and our installers alike. Double hung storm windows are easy to maintain with movable top and bottom sashes and a tilt feature that allows you to clean the outside of the window. They are the most reliable and easiest for service out of all types of windows, which make them the favorite of our installers for high impact windows. Get Simonton windows at the same price as PGT windows, exclusively from Karoly Windows & Doors. Our long relationship with Simonton allows us to charge the same price as PGT impact windows.
Simonton’s replacement hurricane windows come standard with ProSolar Low E protection. Karoly Windows & Doors provides a FREE upgraded glass package on all Simonton windows to ProSolar Shade with Low E. This extra level of UV protection adds an additional barrier between you and the Florida sun, and gives your hurricane impact windows a higher energy efficiency rating. Your new storm windows are also filled with Argon gas between the layers of glass. Argon gas is more dense than air and works better at insulating your home. It also contributes to higher energy efficient windows resulting in the best hurricane impact windows.
PGT Hurricane Impact Windows
We also carry PGT WinGuard Vinyl impact replacement windows. They are very similar to Simonton StormBreaker Plus. They are made with a very strong vinyl frame with multiple chambers in the frame, maximizing its durability. We also provide a FREE glass upgrade to Energy Shield Max glass that qualifies your windows for energy rebates through your electric company. PGT does offer a double hung window as well as single hung, and they can manufacture larger windows than Simonton can.
Impact Windows Near Me
Do you live in Pinellas County or around the Tampa Bay area? A quick Google search for “impact windows near me” will bring up Karoly Windows & Doors. Our reputation for being the best in the business should be at the top of the page! For impact windows in Tampa Bay, there is only one choice for outstanding customer service and impeccable installation. See for yourself!
Service areas for impact window replacement and installation:
Reasons to Choose Hurricane Impact Windows:
- Effective barrier against forced entry, flying debris, and hurricane-force winds
- Filters up to 99% of UV and solar Infrared rays to mitigate heat radiation, damage to carpets, upholstery, and photographs on your walls
- 50% noise reduction achieved by a sound-dampening interlayer, reducing the STC rating to 35
- Free glass upgrade to maximize your energy efficiency and qualify you for EnergyStar rebates through your electric company (contact your electric company before installation for details)
- Warranty claim assistance with all Simonton windows installations. Simonton Windows are modular and easily serviced later on!
Why Choose Us for Hurricane Impact Windows?
Here is why you should choose Karoly Windows & Doors for hurricane impact windows near Tampa Bay:
Tampa Bay’s Most Trusted Company for Impact Windows
Karoly Windows & Doors has been in business since 2001, installing beautiful hurricane impact windows in these service areas: Clearwater, Palm Harbor, Largo, Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg and surrounding areas. We specialize in replacement windows, sliding glass doors, and exterior doors. Our experience and knowledge of the best hurricane impact windows in the industry is extensive. Whether you prefer double-hung windows, slider windows, picture windows, casement, awnings, or geometric shapes, we can assist you with your impact window replacement. We carry the top brands of windows and doors including Simonton, PGT, BHI, Therma-Tru, ProVia, and more!
Superior Quality & Craftsmanship
Once you’ve decided on the right style and type of hurricane impact windows for your home, we will install them for you. Our installation crews are all full time employees of Karoly Windows & Doors. They all have been well trained by Karoly himself! The “Karoly Way” is a craftsmanship our customers have grown to expect. Therefore we always deliver on that expectation. Karoly also includes a labor warranty on all installations to ensure you are totally satisfied.
Best Deals for Hurricane Impact Windows
Karoly makes it our business to have the best deals for Simonton StormBreaker Plus replacement impact windows and PGT WinGuard Vinyl hurricane impact windows. Our recommendation is to get multiple estimates for your project. Have you received a bid from another reputable company whose price is lower than ours? Please share this quote with us! Our project consultants will double check if they quoted you correctly. We will happily adjust the price if the quoted products match! Then you know you are truly getting the best deal possible while using the best window replacement company in Tampa Bay.
100% Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed
You can be assured that all of our products and services are 100% satisfaction guaranteed by Karoly himself. Because it is very important that our clients and potential clients have absolute confidence and trust in us, we maintain an A+ on the Better Business Bureau, Home Advisor, Google, Yelp, and Angie’s List. Check us out and read all of our wonderful reviews.
Types of Buildings We Service for Hurricane Impact Windows in Tampa Bay
Here are the different types of buildings we provide hurricane impact window installation and replacement services to:
- Single Family Concrete Homes with Stucco Finish
- Condominiums & Multi-Family Homes
- Coastal Homes and Rental Properties
- Communities with Homeowner Associations
- Homes built after 1952
For more information, read any of these articles below. Click to read the post.
- Do homes need storm windows?
- Hurricane’s Window of Opportunity: Wind Damage
- What is AAMA Certification for windows?
- How much do replacement windows cost?
- Impact windows: A look through the glass
- Simonton StormBreaker Plus or PGT Winguard Vinyl
- Energy Star 2020 Most Efficient!
- Simonton StormBreaker Plus
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Energy Savings Calculator
Discover Your Potential Annual Energy Savings
Did you know that impact windows can also be energy efficient? Use the slider below to see your potential annual savings based on your current monthly bill*:
*Based on figures determined by ENERGY STAR
Why Impact Windows?
Regulatory Compliance
The Florida Building Code mandates the use of impact windows in wind borne debris regions to preserve safety.
Hurricane Protection
Hurricane impact windows are built tough and have safety features that keep you and your home safe during hurricanes.
Noise Reduction
With multiple layers of glass and flexible laminate interlayers, impact windows are great at blocking sound.
Energy Efficiency
The extra layers of glass helps to improve the insulative qualities of the window, making it more energy efficient.
Longevity
With strong impact glass, hurricane impact windows are much less likely to break and need replacement.
Security
Impact windows are far more difficult to break than non-impact windows, helping keep would-be intruders out.
My Safe Florida Home Tampa FAQs Section
What Is the Florida Building Code?
The Florida Building Code (FBC) is a publication outlining the requirements for structures of various kinds in the state of Florida.
It includes standards for classifying structures, detailed requirements for structures based on occupancy and use, energy efficiency standards, and glass/glazing requirements, among many other categories of regulatory requirements for buildings throughout the state.
The publication does periodically update, and the Eighth Edition of the Building Code was released in 2023. This edition was created using the changes introduced by the 2021 edition of the International Building Code.
What Is a Wind Borne Debris Region?
A wind borne debris region, or WBD region, is an area defined by the state of Florida as being at increased risk of facing high-speed winds and flying debris from storms.
In these areas, the Florida Building Code requires windows and doors to be designed to withstand a specific wind load based on the “risk category” of the structure.
A family residence is a Risk Category II building, so in Pinellas, Pasco, and Hillsborough Counties, they would need to be built to withstand 140 mph winds.
What Are Risk Categories For Buildings in the FBC?
The risk category of a structure in the Florida Building Code determines how stringent the safety requirements for the structure. The higher the Risk Category, the stricter the requirements.
There are currently four risk categories based on the potential hazard to human life:
- Risk Category I (Low Hazard): This generally applies to small storage sheds, agricultural buildings, and temporary structures.
- Risk Category II (Standard): This category includes single-family homes, offices, and retail stores/spaces.
- Risk Category III (Substantial): This covers high-occupancy structures where many people may be gathered, like schools or public assembly areas.
- Risk Category IV (Essential Facilities): The highest category for emergency response facilities or areas that pose an extreme risk of harm if compromised, such as hospitals and fire stations.
How Much Should Impact Windows Cost?
The cost of an impact window can vary depending on the brand, any custom features applied to the window, the window’s size, and where it’s being installed.
A larger window with lots of extra features being installed on a third-story window opening will cost more than a smaller one being put in on the ground floor.
A standard price range for impact windows in Florida can be anywhere between a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars (with installation included).
What's the Florida 25 Window Rule?
The 25% window rule is a colloquial term for an exception to the requirement to replace your windows with impact windows.
In short, if you’re only replacing 25% of the surface area of your home’s glass or less, you may not be required to use impact windows.
However, we strongly recommend against relying on this exception as it is all too common for users of the rule to end up spending more on window replacement than they saved by getting non-impact, let alone the risks of stop work orders, fines, and other regulatory compliance issues.
What Are the Benefits of Impact Windows?
There are numerous benefits to installing impact windows rather than using standard, non-impact windows beyond simple regulatory compliance.
Some of the biggest benefits of using impact windows include:
- Better Energy Efficiency. Multiple layers of impact glass with air gaps between them improve window insulation, which helps improve your home’s energy efficiency.
- Longer Useful Life. Impact windows are much more likely to last you a literal lifetime than non-impact windows. This can save you money in the long run on window replacement.
- Noise Reduction. The flexible laminate interlayer of an impact window does an excellent job of absorbing and deadening vibrations, cutting noise pollution by half easily.
- Peace of Mind. With impact windows, you know that your home and family are protected against hurricanes and other hazards, which helps provide peace of mind so you can rest easy.
What Are Simonton StormBreaker Plus Windows?
In our opinion, the best hurricane impact windows are Simonton StormBreaker Plus hurricane windows. They exceed standards for the Florida Building Code and look beautiful!
The StormBreaker Plus double hung window is the favorite among our customers and our installers alike. Double hung impact windows are easy to maintain with movable top and bottom sashes and a tilt feature that allows you to clean the outside of the window.
They are the most reliable and easiest for service out of all types of windows, which make them the favorite of our installers for high impact windows. Plus, our long partnership with Simonton gives us access to exclusive deals for customers like you!
Simonton’s replacement hurricane windows come standard with ProSolar Low E protection. Karoly Windows & Doors provides a FREE upgraded glass package on all Simonton windows to ProSolar Shade with Low E. This extra level of UV protection adds an additional barrier between you and the Florida sun, and gives your hurricane impact windows a higher energy efficiency rating.
What Are PGT WinGuard Windows?
PGT WinGuard Vinyl impact replacement windows are impact windows made with a strong vinyl frame with multiple chambers that maximize its durability.
As a company, PGT extensively tests and certifies their products to verify their performance. Their impact windows are some of the most thoroughly vetted hurricane protection measures on the market today.
Thanks to our close partnership with PGT, Karoly Windows can provide a FREE glass upgrade to Energy Shield Max glass that qualifies your windows for energy rebates through your electric company. PGT does offer a double hung window as well as single hung, and they can manufacture larger windows than Simonton can.
So, if you have really large window openings, PGT is a great choice!
Can I Finance My Windows?
Yes! Karoly Windows & Doors partners with both GreenSky and Synchrony Financial to provide window financing options that let you get your windows now and pay for them later!
Our flagship financing offers are:
- $0 down with no interest or payments due for 12 months*.
- $0 down and no interest for 24 months*.
The 12-month promotion lets you delay the cost of your new windows for up to a full year, letting you focus on more important things.
The 24-month promotion is great for those who want to spread out the cost of installing impact windows into smaller, easier-to-afford pieces.
With either offer, if you pay them off before the promotional period ends, you won’t pay any interest at all!
*Interest accrues as normal after the promotional period ends. Offer subject to credit approval.
Do I Need to Replace ALL of My Windows at Once?
While you don’t have to replace all of your windows at once with impact windows, we strongly recommend it.
This is because your home’s hurricane protection is only as strong as the weakest link in your ‘security chain.’ If a single non-impact window breaks, that lets in hurricane-force winds into the home, which can result in wind acting on the underside of your roof, blowing it off.
Your risk of total structural collapse rises immensely if even a single window breaks. So, protecting all your window openings with impact windows is incredibly important.
What Kinds of Buildings Do You Install Impact Windows In?
Here are the different types of buildings we provide hurricane impact window installation and replacement services to:
- Single Family Concrete Homes with Stucco Finish
- Condominiums & Multi-Family Homes
- Coastal Homes and Rental Properties
- Communities with Homeowner Associations
- Homes built after 1952
We are certified as a specialty contractor with the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) to install windows in these residential structures. This means that we’ve passed certification and testing to verify our skills and knowledge—something that many other so-called ‘window installation’ companies can’t say!
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