The Florida Building Codes (FBC) are designed to ensure building safety and resilience against the state’s natural threats, such as hurricanes and storms. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory for every construction project. However, understanding the Florida codes can be complex for the everyday homeowner, and that’s where hurricane window contractors come in.
Home improvement contractors are familiar with all the requirements in the state building codes. Including those for windows, whether for window replacement or complete home improvement. They’re also up-to-date with the latest changes (made every 3 years to ensure relevance with industry advancements) and will ensure your new windows meet all the mandatory requirements.
Still, while you contact trusted construction contractors, let’s dive deeper into Florida’s window requirements.
Are hurricane impact windows mandatory in Port Saint Lucie?
You don’t necessarily need impact-resistant windows in your property. However, you need hurricane protection for your home, since St. Lucie County is classified as a windborne debris region, zone 2, where wind speeds tend to reach 120 – 129 miles per hour during hurricanes and storms.
According to the 6th version of the codes, your glazed openings must be either impact-resistant windows or have hurricane-resistant covering, such as shutters. Consulting with hurricane window contractors can help you decide which options are the best for you.
Single-family homes may be allowed to use plywood, but this requires a pre-approved fastening system. Hence, it’s recommended that you contact licensed contractors before making any decision.
Florida’s requirements for residential window solutions.
As previously stated, any construction or renovation project must comply with the building codes enforced by the county. In Saint Lucie’s case, you must comply with the 8th version of the FBC to ensure all county buildings’ safety, energy efficiency, and weather resistance. This way, the requirements for windows in Florida are:
Impact resistance
The state codes require residential windows in hurricane-prone and windborne debris areas to withstand high winds and flying debris, often demanding impact-resistant windows. Hurricane windows are usually unnecessary for areas outside these risk zones, such as Port St. Lucie, but hurricane protection is still required.
If you’re unsure whether you require them, hurricane window contractors can help you navigate your local regulations and guarantee that your home upgrade stays compliant.
Energy efficiency
With energy efficiency becoming an increasingly important global concern, the FBC establishes minimum criteria for thermal performance to reduce heat transfer and help reduce cooling and heating costs. This includes requirements for U-factor, measuring insulation, and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC). Which measures how energy-efficient windows block heat from the sun.
Size limitations and test standards
The safety codes establish specific size limits and testing standards per square foot for windows to ensure they resist weather hardships, especially in high-wind and hurricane-prone areas.
What is the 25% Florida rule?
The Florida Building Code establishes a 25% rule for window replacement for homes built before September 1994. The rule states that if you’re replacing more than 25% of your home’s windows at once, they must comply with the current local codes. Hence, you must look for hurricane window contractors if you live in a mandatory area. If not, your windows must still adhere to the energy efficiency standards.
Understanding Hurricane Impact Windows Ratings
If you decide to install hurricane windows to protect your home from high-speed winds and severe storms in Port St. Lucie. The most crucial aspect you have to consider is their impact rating. These standardized ratings measure how well the impact-resistant glass will stand the harsh conditions of hurricanes. Primarily focusing on their resistance to wind pressure and debris impacts.
The two main systems used to evaluate the quality of hurricane windows are the Design Pressure (DP) and Performance Grade (PG) ratings.
DP rates:
This rating measures how well the window resists wind pressure and water penetration. It is determined through tests that simulate hurricanes’ wind forces and cyclic pressure. The higher the DP rating, the more resistant the window. Experienced hurricane window contractors will help you understand the rating and choose the best window for the Port Saint Lucie climate.
The DP rating is generally expressed in pounds per square foot (psf). To better understand it, think that every 10 points in the DP scale equals one hurricane category. So, if your hurricane impact windows have a DP rating of 20 psf. They should be expected to withstand a category 2 hurricane.
PG rates:
The Performance Grade rating is considered more accurate than the DP rate because, in addition to the DP measurement criteria (wind resistance, water penetration, and air infiltration). It includes the window’s durability during repeated cycles of wind pressure. So, high PG rating windows have proven themselves durable during the changing climatic conditions of hurricanes.
Protect your home with trusted hurricane window contractors in Port St. Lucie.
TRM’s experience with hurricane restoration traces back to 1992, when our principal owner helped several home and commercial owners restore their properties after Hurricane Andrew. So, you can trust us when we say we know how to increase your house’s hurricane protection to reduce the possible damage caused by these storms and their secondary effects.
Our years of experience will help you ensure a home resistant to severe weather conditions. Thus, wait no longer and contact us today for more information!
