The Window Depot

  The 2021 hurricane season is only two months away. Many Tampa Bay area residents are already prepping their emergency kits, evacuation routes, and plywood for boarding up their home’s windows. However, before you head out to the hardware store to buy that plywood, there is a better way to protect your home and save you money - impact-resistant windows.  Installing impact windows and doors at your home offers several benefits. They provide excellent hurricane protection, protect your home from break-ins, and help lower your utility bills. But did you know that impact windows and doors can also lower your home insurance costs? Insurance Benefits of Impact Windows and Doors In 2015, the State of Florida passed Statute 627.0628 that reads: “a rate filing for residential property insurance must include actuarially reasonable discounts, credits, or other rate differentials, or appropriate reductions in deductibles, for properties on which fixtures or construction techniques demon...

  Are you thinking of upgrading to energy-efficient windows for your home? Today’s homeowners are more aware of how their buying choices affect their long-term savings - especially when it comes to their energy bill and the costs to cool a home during the hot Florida summers. But how do energy-efficient windows actually save you money?  According to ENERGY STAR , replacing your single-pane windows with double-glazed or triple-glazed windows can save you $101-$583 yearly. If you choose to upgrade from double-glazed to energy-efficient windows, that can save you an additional $27-$197 per year. However, the anatomy of a window directly relates to its performance and affects how much money you can save.  If you’re interested in improving your home’s interior comfort levels or you simply want to lower your utility costs, then it’s the right time to install energy-efficient windows.  What are the Components of Energy-Efficient Windows? Energy-efficient windows function an...

  In South Florida, we’re fortunate to have warmer weather year-round, plenty of outdoor activities, and beautiful views of the Gulf of Mexico. However, a wonderful coastal lifestyle also brings a greater risk of damaging storms and hurricanes.  Even if your home is prepared for inclement weather, being in a hurricane’s path is downright scary. While laying down sandbags and boarding up windows and doors can be effective in preventing damage, a better preventative measure is to upgrade your windows to withstand hurricane-force winds.  As you prepare your home for hurricane season, here are some benefits of installing impact windows : Hurricane protection. Impact windows are specifically designed to withstand winds up to 200 MPH as well as wind-borne debris, they provide the best protection against storms. Most of the damage during storms occurs through windows and doors; once either is broken they allow wind, flying debris, and water inside your home - potentially resulti...

A trip to the hardware or home improvement for a tube of caulk can be a confusing experience. Trying to figure out the difference between polyurethane, acrylic, and urethane (among other types) and their uses can make your head spin.  Today’s caulks and sealants perform better than ever. Both polyurethane and urethane acrylic caulk serve the same purpose: to fill gaps between building materials and to keep water and air out. But each type has unique qualities, so it’s important to know which type works best based on the job you’re doing.  What is Polyurethane Caulk? Polyurethane is an organic compound produced by the reaction of glycol and isocyanate. It is moisture- and corrosion-resistant - making it useful as a heavy-duty adhesive, sealant, and caulk. Polyurethane caulk can be applied with a caulk gun. In addition to its resistance to moisture, chemicals, and corrosion, polyurethane caulk provides excellent flexibility. It is flexible enough to resist cracking and lo...