Hurricane Window and Door Protection has changed the building code standards, will it change again?

[Skybluepink]

I have spent 25yrs retrofitting hurricane protection window films onto thousands of homes in Florida. The testing on the different types of thick films and glass type have changed to increase the strength of the glass to withstand a greater larger impact. Let's all be realistic not even impact glass in an opening will stand up to a tornado spinning off of a hurricane, nothing in it's path is safe. With the exception of one home that was built like Fort Knox (Mexico Beach) in investing well over 20% more while the home was being built. to retrofit a home like that you would have to tear the entire thing down and rebuild from ground up costing much more than 20% have your home's value. The 2019 changes in home insurance alone is going to kill the affordable market of homes in Florida like state taxes on homes have in metro New York.
The question I have is related to the security of the openings on a house not the value.
A product such as... Impact glass is now the standard within so many miles of the coast in Florida.

If a product is retrofitted to protect windows and doors tested to withstand the large missile impact for Florida building code, will it change the code enforced on existing and new homes for windows and doors?

The reason why I'm asking is because a product such as the retrofitted steel metal screens have now passed the large missile impact test for Florida building code. This product is a third of the cost of impact glass. Aesthetically it may not pass through HOA code in some developments, but still should be an option considered for a greater need protection. The other question I have is...

Could fixed retrofitted products made to secure windows and doors that do pass the large missile impact test change the standard in Florida building codes monopoly product choices for hurricane protection?

Last but not least, the fact is most homeowners expect to profit on their investments when selling their home. The codes enforced, nor the products, and definitely not the insurance cost available to Floridians are near affordable for home owners or investors to be forced to swallow. Investing in Florida homes may no longer be a good idea at this moment, but for the most part people that are here should have affordable choices that secure their homes with a passive protection against the most vulnerable points of their home that code and insurance will agree upon to stop a monopoly railroading to Florida residents.

Please let me know what your thoughts are.

Best regards,
Skybluepink

 

[Micrornd]

Hurricane shutters were around long before impact glass and still do a better job that the new lower cost "screening" material.

Since you've "spent 25 years" in the industry, then you know that building codes vary not only by county, but by city AND distance from the ocean.
Additionally they vary as to commercial vs. residential vs State or Federal buildings.

I sure that "screening" will eventually be allowed to the in some areas, and then what "screening" to require, large impact or small impact.
BUT the problem with it is that it must be re-installed/re-erected before the storms hit, you can't see through it, so it is never left installed/erected.
This is much more time-consuming/harder than closing shutters and way, way harder than passive systems such large or small impact glass or impact film.
That is where the problem is, passive protection vs erected protection. Building codes are all about passive.

As for changes in home insurance, you'll have to explain that one. I haven't seen any legislation passed/enacted that would affect insurance rates.
(Sounds like you are a Broward resident)

 

[Skybluepink]

Hurricane shutters were around long before impact glass and still do a better job that the new lower cost "screening" material.

Since you've "spent 25 years" in the industry, then you know that building codes vary not only by county, but by city AND distance from the ocean.
Additionally they vary as to commercial vs. residential vs State or Federal buildings.

I sure that "screening" will eventually be allowed to the in some areas, and then what "screening" to require, large impact or small impact.
BUT the problem with it is that it must be re-installed/re-erected before the storms hit, you can't see through it, so it is never left installed/erected.
This is much more time-consuming/harder than closing shutters and way, way harder than passive systems such large or small impact glass or impact film.
That is where the problem is, passive protection vs erected protection. Building codes are all about passive.

As for changes in home insurance, you'll have to explain that one. I haven't seen any legislation passed/enacted that would affect insurance rates.
(Sounds like you are a Broward resident)

Hurricane shutters were around long before impact glass and still do a better job that the new lower cost "screening" material.

Since you've "spent 25 years" in the industry, then you know that building codes vary not only by county, but by city AND distance from the ocean.
Additionally they vary as to commercial vs. residential vs State or Federal buildings.

I sure that "screening" will eventually be allowed to the in some areas, and then what "screening" to require, large impact or small impact.
BUT the problem with it is that it must be re-installed/re-erected before the storms hit, you can't see through it, so it is never left installed/erected.
This is much more time-consuming/harder than closing shutters and way, way harder than passive systems such large or small impact glass or impact film.
That is where the problem is, passive protection vs erected protection. Building codes are all about passive.

As for changes in home insurance, you'll have to explain that one. I haven't seen any legislation passed/enacted that would affect insurance rates.
(Sounds like you are a Broward resident)

Hurricane shutters were around long before impact glass and still do a better job that the new lower cost "screening" material.

Since you've "spent 25 years" in the industry, then you know that building codes vary not only by county, but by city AND distance from the ocean.
Additionally they vary as to commercial vs. residential vs State or Federal buildings.

I sure that "screening" will eventually be allowed to the in some areas, and then what "screening" to require, large impact or small impact.
BUT the problem with it is that it must be re-installed/re-erected before the storms hit, you can't see through it, so it is never left installed/erected.
This is much more time-consuming/harder than closing shutters and way, way harder than passive systems such large or small impact glass or impact film.
That is where the problem is, passive protection vs erected protection. Building codes are all about passive.

As for changes in home insurance, you'll have to explain that one. I haven't seen any legislation passed/enacted that would affect insurance rates.
(Sounds like you are a Broward resident)

Hurricane shutters were around long before impact glass and still do a better job that the new lower cost "screening" material.

Since you've "spent 25 years" in the industry, then you know that building codes vary not only by county, but by city AND distance from the ocean.
Additionally they vary as to commercial vs. residential vs State or Federal buildings.

I sure that "screening" will eventually be allowed to the in some areas, and then what "screening" to require, large impact or small impact.
BUT the problem with it is that it must be re-installed/re-erected before the storms hit, you can't see through it, so it is never left installed/erected.
This is much more time-consuming/harder than closing shutters and way, way harder than passive systems such large or small impact glass or impact film.
That is where the problem is, passive protection vs erected protection. Building codes are all about passive.

As for changes in home insurance, you'll have to explain that one. I haven't seen any legislation passed/enacted that would affect insurance rates.
(Sounds like you are a Broward resident)

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

All building codes were created to protect and enrich the building industry. Some of them have the secondary effect of protecting the consumer. Armoring a standard stick built structure in a hurricane zone is an exercise in wishful thinking at best. HOA's, trade associations, insurers and, government all have vested interests in promoting lipstick to address the endless cycle of destruction and rebuilding all paid for by the consumer. The only way to break the cycle is to choose not to live in those areas.

 

[Skybluepink]

https://qmiusa.com/products/stormsafe-overview/stainless-steel-mesh/

 

[Micrornd]

https://qmiusa.com/products/stormsafe-overview/stainless-steel-mesh/

I had not seen those, I thought you were referring to either of these types -

http://www.cat5screens.com/
http://www.bcshuttersplus.com/hurricane-screens-fort-myers-fl/