Prevent Smash/grab Or Break' Ins!!!

Does the State of Florida certify this as hurricane treatment? I have heard pros and cons....

My insurer discounts premiums and considers the 3M product as hurricane and theft protection, but only the 3M product....premium went down $300 dollars this year, I was so afraid it was a cancellation notice rather than just my annual statement!!

Thanks for the replies! Many homeowner insurance companies recognize only the 3M Window film because of its' unique structure/performance.
Although it not a Florida code certified product, it has passed the small missile impact test. The film is rate to 130 mph +.
It is a very cost effective 24/7 window protection devise. I have installed many homes/businesses here in the Panhandle and the south.
Glass is your weakest link in protecting your home from hurricane damage.
Once a window/glass has been broken/opened wind/water will cause great damage. Keeping the glass area intact will prevent this.
Remember if money where no object we would all have exterior shutters!
Plywood can be too heavy to install and shutters too costly, window film could be the answer for your budget/situation.
Call me anytime with questions/comments.
Steve
S.C. Designing, Inc. 850-687-0646

But, does the State of Florida recgonize this as "Approved Hurricane Protection?" I took advantage of the MyFloridaHome program where they come out and inspect your home, then will match what you spend to make your home more durable to hurricanes.

Stupidly, they don't give you a real list of the items they will reimburse you for.

I phoned 3 M and they said they did not know if they were approved. But, they did mention that the film covers the glass only and the window may not shatter, but the entire window could come out in one piece if it took a blow.

Then I further looked at impact glass. I learned that if you don't have the frame that goes with impact glass, (impace resistant frame), then you could be spending in vain. The glass may not break, but the frame would not withstand the force.

So needless to say, I am a little frustrated at the entire situation.

So, does Florida recgonize this as approved hurricane protection?

My understanding is that yes, it is Miami-Dade approved up to something like 120mph or whatever their minimum wind speed for approval. Different companies may or may not have this product on their list, the company I'm insured with is First Protective.

My understanding is that yes, it is Miami-Dade approved up to something like 120mph or whatever their minimum wind speed for approval. Different companies may or may not have this product on their list, the company I'm insured with is First Protective.

Oh. So I need to call my insurance company. I am with Nationwide and I thought a metal roof would give me a break, but it doesn't.

When this is applied, is it only applied to the glass? So the window would blow out in one piece, or is it applied some other way that gives it more strength.

Also, there is something about how far from the beach you are, some type of zone for things to be approved or not approved.

Anyone know anything about that?

There are a couple of ways it can be applied depending on what type windows you have. It holds together any potential broken glass and strengthens the window. I am a couple of blocks from the beach, priced shutters and decided it was a good option for me since it's much cheaper and I would never have to worry about putting up and/or securing fixed shutters. It did not noticably change the appearance of my windows, but you can choose from several tints if you also want some sun protection.

Oh. So I need to call my insurance company. I am with Nationwide and I thought a metal roof would give me a break, but it doesn't.

When this is applied, is it only applied to the glass? So the window would blow out in one piece, or is it applied some other way that gives it more strength.

Also, there is something about how far from the beach you are, some type of zone for things to be approved or not approved.

Anyone know anything about that?

Wind Pool. It limits your options for wind insurance carriers if your home is located in the wind pool area.

Does anybody know what other companies are writing new (not renewal) wind policies in SoWal (yes we are in the WInd Pool here) other than Citizens? I seem to remember a few people getting quotes from AIG, but were the policies ever issued?

Thanks again for the comments.
First off, the 3M film is a great alternative for the right scenerio.
Each home/homeowner has different parameters as far as what type of hurricane product is best.
A) Money, type of construction, window frame, date home was built, wind location and again MONEY!!!!!
To set the record straight NO WINDOW FILM IS FLORIDA BUILDING CODE APPROVED!
With that said, again many insurance carries recommend the product and my company. Unless you are building new, it does not matter. This is a retro-fit application. Like all hurricane products it is designed for a peripheral hit by a hurricane. If you get a direct cat 4-5 hurricane, just about everything is severely damaged. Your windows may be intact but the roof is gone. You try to protect yourself the best you can based on your economic situation. 3M film offers substantial protection for your home or business.
It can wihtstand winds up to 130 +/-. If you have a well built home and good window frames it will work very well. I want a Ferrari; but I cannot afford one, so I buy the next best value for my ecomonic situation. Are there better products then film, yes. Are they much more expensive, yes!
You need to do what is right for you. If your insurance carry will give you a discount; as many do, then it can work for you!
Good Luck and stay protected.

Steve @ S.C. Designing, Inc. (An authorized 3M film dealer with over 20 years experience)
850-687-0646

Thanks again for the comments.
First off, the 3M film is a great alternative for the right scenerio.
Each home/homeowner has different parameters as far as what type of hurricane product is best.
A) Money, type of construction, window frame, date home was built, wind location and again MONEY!!!!!
To set the record straight NO WINDOW FILM IS FLORIDA BUILDING CODE APPROVED!
With that said, again many insurance carries recommend the product and my company. Unless you are building new, it does not matter. This is a retro-fit application. Like all hurricane products it is designed for a peripheral hit by a hurricane. If you get a direct cat 4-5 hurricane, just about everything is severely damaged. Your windows may be intact but the roof is gone. You try to protect yourself the best you can based on your economic situation. 3M film offers substantial protection for your home or business.
It can wihtstand winds up to 130 +/-. If you have a well built home and good window frames it will work very well. I want a Ferrari; but I cannot afford one, so I buy the next best value for my ecomonic situation. Are there better products then film, yes. Are they much more expensive, yes!
You need to do what is right for you. If your insurance carry will give you a discount; as many do, then it can work for you!
Good Luck and stay protected.

Steve @ S.C. Designing, Inc. (An authorized 3M film dealer with over 20 years experience)
850-687-0646

Steve, thank you for being honest!! What a breath of fresh air!!! I will check with my insurance company and also the My Florida Home people and see if they will participate in the reimbursal program using your product.

Is there an guesstiment on how much per square foot this investment is? Is there a discount program?

3M Safety & Security Window Film pricing:
Range is $8.00 to $12.00 per sq/ft installed.
Factors are type of window configuration, amount of square footage,
whether clear or tinted film.
This is a labor intensive process. The film technology by 3M is not cheap either. This is not regular window tint.
The price is a great value for hurricane protection compared to:

A) Clear panels: $17-$21 sq/ft average.
B) Accordian shutters: $20 -$27 sq/ft average.
C) Rated Bahama shutters: $35-$50 sq/ft average.

Remember these are averages depending on quality of product and installation company.

DO NOT GO WITH THE CHEAPEST COMPANY ON SOMETHING AS IMPORTANT AS THIS.

Would you go with the cheapest doctor for any surgery ?

3M Safety & Security Window Film pricing:
Range is $8.00 to $12.00 per sq/ft installed.
Factors are type of window configuration, amount of square footage,
whether clear or tinted film.
This is a labor intensive process. The film technology by 3M is not cheap either. This is not regular window tint.
The price is a great value for hurricane protection compared to:

A) Clear panels: $17-$21 sq/ft average.
B) Accordian shutters: $20 -$27 sq/ft average.
C) Rated Bahama shutters: $35-$50 sq/ft average.

Remember these are averages depending on quality of product and installation company.

DO NOT GO WITH THE CHEAPEST COMPANY ON SOMETHING AS IMPORTANT AS THIS.

Would you go with the cheapest doctor for any surgery ?

Good point. Hey, Window Guy, how long have you been in business?

Been in the film industry for over 20 years.
Have been living here and doing business here for (4) years.
I am a registered Northwest Florida BBB business in good standing.

Thanks

As some of you know, I am the area rep for a company called Eco-Smart. In our extensive line of environmentally freindly items are several options for window protection. High impact fabrics to cover the windows as an alternative to shutters or plywoood as well as shutters if you prefer the heavy lifting. We also carry 2 different lines of windows, either new or replacements that are both Miami-Dade Approved. :clap: These windows are used down there where they are serious about wind and water protection. And your insurance company, the state of Florida and local government will like them too.
If you want built-in window protection while you are not in paradise (out in Aspen) an impact resistant window is the way to go. I have seen in person the testing for the standard. It is impressive when that 2X4 shoots out of the cannon and the window is still intact. :yikes: The one company I represent also has a security line that is not impact resistant but is intruder resistant.
IM or E-mail and we can start the process.
Widow Guy, I am looking for dealers on 30-A too.

Ill put my two cents in

as a option you can always have your windows replaced with tempered glass\


Coastal Glass & Mirror

tempered over regular is slightly less than twice as expensive

Window Guy

Have you used or looked at the Vandal Shield window film? They use it for preventing glass etching a newer trend in vandalism, but I have seen it used for preventing Smash & Grab, as well as other security uses. Anti etch it goes to the exterior, interior to prevent Smash & Grab. A newer process of buffing glass to repair over replace is something fairly new as seen in the YouTube video below. Its a quick sort of buffing, not the labor intensive NOVUS polishing method. In NYC 3M has their film on the Light Rail and Vandal Shield is on the MTA Busses.

I tested both durring the University of Dayton study in 1995 funded by the Transportation Research Board.

[video=youtube;suJW8HHI6b4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suJW8HHI6b4"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suJW8HHI6b4[/COLO[/video]

Your thoughts on this process?

JB

I too want to thank window guy for being honest about what he sells. He didn't start this thread trying to sell hurricane resistant product. It was smash and grab and is a great retrofit product for just that.
I come with over 23 years of window and door experience, including 10 years of developing hurricane resistant windows and doors which brought me down here to sell.

There is what is known as Dade County approved product and there is what is called Florida state approved. You can research Dade products at Miamidade.gov/buildingcode/pc-search_app.asp or you can research FL state approved products at floridabuilding.org/c/default.aspx. Hurricane resistant windows and doors typically have to have beefed up locking systems and stronger hardware because of the heavier glass and high design pressure testing. Dade approved products aren't the best fit for the panhandle as we have colder winters and the single thickness of Dade approved glass will sweat like crazy up here. You need insualted glass for the panhandle winter. There are substantial insurance breaks for homes designed to better handle storms. It makes sense, The less money the insurance company needs to pay to get the home back to normal, the less money they need to charge upfront. Way less money to replace some shrubs and shingles than to start from scratch.

Not to hijack this thread, but:

With film, tempered or laminated saftey glass, the glass still breaks. If you have ever had the glass break on a sliding glass door it is cheaper to replace the whole unit vs. just the glass.

Realisticaly the only products which will completely stop a smash and grab are roll down shutters, accordion shutters, a gate or a security grill. A deterent is a large dog or a LOUD audible siren mounted in plain view.

As far as security systems go they are only as good as the local law enforcement respose time.

For hurricane or security we offer:
Lookout Panels for $12 sq ft. installed.
Accordions @ $18 a sq ft.
Impact rated Bahama or Colonial $34 -$36
Rolldowns $35-45 sq ft depending on wether or not an electric motor is required.
All are FBC approved
Charlie 850-596-7861

BTW We are doing the jewlery stores which were broken into in PCB & PC with rolldowns , accordions and lookout. They had ADT. The response time was over 8 mins as the break-ins occured during the shift change. The bad guys were in and out in 2 mins.