For many people, living in Miami is a dream come true. But, that dream can quickly turn into a nightmare if the severe weather that’s commonplace in the region isn’t taken into account.
Living in an area like Miami-Dade that’s prone to severe storms and hurricanes can be stressful, especially when hurricane season kicks in, and your home isn’t prepared.
Installing impact windows can be one of the best ways to protect your home and your family during hurricane season.
The question is, just how costly are impact-resistant windows? And what are the advantages of installing them in terms of your return on investment (ROI)?
In this article, we’ll break down the average cost of impact windows in Miami, the monetary return you can expect by installing them, and different ways you can keep costs down to install them.
Hi There, Miami Residents!
Purchasing impact windows and doors is a BIG decision. To help you through the process, we've built a complete guide to helping Miami residents understand and get the best deal on impact products.
This resource is free and designed just for you. Enjoy!
A Brief History of Miami Hurricanes
Miami is no stranger to severe weather. Since 1851, there have been 292 hurricanes in America. Of those, 120 of them have occurred in Florida. That’s 41% of all hurricanes in the U.S.!
In 1992, South Florida, including Miami, experienced incredible destruction from Hurricane Andrew, causing over $27 billion in damages in South Florida alone. Soon after, building codes were updated to ensure coastal regions had more hurricane protection moving forward – and impact glass began taking over at the forefront of protection for windows and doors.
In 2005, Miami experienced yet another devastating hurricane season when Hurricane Katrina swept through, causing an estimated 1,200 deaths and causing significant damage.
Miami is impacted by a hurricane every 1.94 years, on average. Installing impact windows is essential to being a Miami homeowner to ensure you’re protecting your home from these common disasters.
Impact Windows Miami Cost: Breaking Down the Numbers
Wondering how much impact windows cost on average in Miami?
To help you avoid going over budget (or spending too little on poor-quality windows), here’s a general framework to keep in mind when shopping around:
- $40-$60 per square foot is the industry average for impact windows
- $795 is the average cost of installing a single-hung impact window
- $1,025 is the average cost of installing a double-hung impact window
When adding up the different costs associated with the manufacturing and installing impact windows, the National Association of Realtors estimates the average price per opening in your home to upgrade is $3,000-$5,000.
That means upgrading ten windows at home will cost between $30,000-$50,000.
Analyzing Impact Window Material Options for Cost & Value
Choosing impact windows isn’t always a simple process since there isn’t a one-size-fits-all window to install into any home.
Impact windows come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and materials. While this can seem overwhelming, the reality is that a good impact window installation means you’ll get a customized solution for your home.
To understand the different costs (and potential savings) associated with impact windows, it’s important to see the different types available, which include wood, aluminum, and vinyl:
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Vinyl Frames |
Aluminum Frames |
Wood Frames |
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CONS |
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Your needs and budget will help guide you in your choice. Something important to consider is that if you’re close to the ocean, you may want to choose corrosion-resistant windows, as they will be durable for years to come.
The Value of Impact Windows in Miami
Now that we’ve covered the average costs, let’s take a look at the advantages of installing hurricane windows in your Miami home:
1) Prevent Costly Repairs by Withstanding Storm Debris
Impact windows are able to withstand the effects of high winds and flying debris commonplace among severe Miami storms and hurricanes.
Hurricane shutters or other temporary protective devices aren’t necessary when you have impact windows installed, meaning your home will be protected from damage and the associated repairs.
2) Reduce Energy Consumption
Your utility bill will thank you for installing impact windows. This is because impact windows and doors are great for improving energy efficiency in the home.
Impact windows reduce solar heat gain during the summer which helps keep your home cool. On the other hand, during the winter months, impact windows help your home retain heat. One study shows that impact windows can help reduce annual energy consumption by 20-50%!
Plus, according to EnergyStar, you can save up to $435 per year by replacing single-pane windows with double-pane windows.
3) Receive Discounts on Your Insurance
Impact windows help prevent damage from high-wind and severe storms. The result is that your risks of home damage are drastically reduced.
Lucky for you, insurance companies take this into account when assessing your home insurance premiums, resulting in discounts on your monthly bill.
4) Protect Your Home from Break-Ins & the Loss of Valuables
Nobody wants to think about break-ins, but the fact is they do occur, and quite regularly in Miami-Dade, especially if you’re close to the city center.
Impact windows can help limit the chances of a break-in since they’re designed to be shatterproof, making them much harder to break. This can help deter criminals and protect the unnecessary loss of valuables from your home.
5) Increase the Value of Your Home
One of the most significant value-adds of impact windows is on the retail value of your home. While impact windows can be quite an investment for homeowners in Miami, they truly are an investment which means you can expect a return on your money.
Miami’s population is multiplying, potentially increasing opportunities to sell your home in the future.
When someone is looking to buy a home in Miami-Dade, one crucial factor they will look at is the home’s ability to protect itself from severe storms – including impact windows and doors. By installing impact windows, you’ll be able to improve the overall value of your home which will make it easier to sell in the future if you decide to move.
6) Prevent Unnecessary Medical Bills from Shutters & Plywood
According to the Florida Building Code (FBC), Florida residents are required to have some form of hurricane protection on their windows if they live within 1 mile of a coastal region and receive winds above 100 miles per hour.
Unfortunately, many Miami-Dade residents choose to put up shutters or quickly throw up plywood at the last minute before a storm hits to try to protect their homes. However, these methods are time-consuming and don’t offer as much protection as impact windows.
Even worse, these methods can often lead to medical bills as they are prone to detaching and flying off your home or even into your home due to excessive winds, increasing the risk of injury to you and your neighbors.
Programs to Save Money on Impact Windows
While impact windows can seem like a sizable chunk of money to spend to upgrade your home, there are a variety of different programs and low-cost financing options available for Miami residents:
2018 Bipartisan Budget Act Tax Credits
In 2018, the Bipartisan Budget Act was passed which offers homeowners a variety of tax-deductible credits for home (and business) improvements that result in higher efficiency. Improvements like impact windows, impact doors, solar panels, and others can reduce your tax bill, saving you hundreds of dollars.
You can see the full list of potential tax-deductible improvements listed on Form 5695. High-impact windows can be credited as long as you meet Energy Star standards. You can claim 10% back of the total installation cost for a maximum credit of $500.
2023 Inflation Reduction Act Tax Credits
As of January 1, 2023, qualifying energy-efficient home improvements can result in a tax credit for up to $3,200 as part of the Inflation Reduction Act.
Americans can claim 30% of home improvements resulting in increased energy efficiency like impact windows, skylights, insulation, or air sealing materials or systems.
PACE: Florida’s Low-Cost Financing Option
2016 Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) was introduced, which includes a combination of programs thanks to the U.S. Department of Energy guidelines. Through PACE, local governments partner with third-party financing organizations to help homeowners obtain low-cost financing to upgrade their homes for improved efficiency.
Through PACE, Miami homeowners can obtain affordable financing to upgrade their homes with impact windows and doors without having to fork over a huge upfront payment.
PACE-approved homeowners receive 100% of their materials and installation costs through the financing on a low-interest, 20-30 loan. PACE is a great alternative financing option, especially since it doesn’t require a credit check. Instead, homeowners will qualify based on their home's total equity and mortgage payment history.
Invest in Impact Windows With Alco Windows and Doors
Every year, Miami homeowners come face to face with severe storms with high winds that can lead to property damage and major repair costs.
While many choose to rush and set up shutters or plywood every time a storm hits, these are often band-aid solutions that end up causing more harm than good (including the added stress of having to rush to install them).
If you’re looking for a dependable long-term solution to protect your home and family from Miami’s severe storms, then we’ve got you covered at Alco Windows and Doors. Since 2017, we’ve helped hundreds of Miami-Dade homeowners safeguard their homes with impact windows and doors.
One of the many reasons to hire us to install your impact windows is our lifetime guarantee. It includes waterproofing, home inspection, and screen repair on mesh, and we will cover the installation costs of your window if it's damaged.
Our team has over thirty years of combined experience in the industry, and we take pride in always producing top-quality work. With a rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars and 350 reviews, we’ll help guide you to get the right solution to protect your home.
Contact us today to learn more about the average cost of impact windows and get a free estimate on your project.
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