Thanks for the update rancov. Doesn't the new change affect all new construction in SoWal, where it used to include just the homes close to the Gulf?
New home building costs
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two reasons,
1) plywood is cheaper than replacing windows. Impact resistant doesn't mean they won't break.
2) not all windows in WaterColor are impact resistant. At one time, impact resistant glass was not required if the home was designed to handle the pressure. Those laws have since changed.
1) plywood is cheaper than replacing windows. Impact resistant doesn't mean they won't break.
2) not all windows in WaterColor are impact resistant. At one time, impact resistant glass was not required if the home was designed to handle the pressure. Those laws have since changed.
The use of impact windows and doors vs double pane windows and doors negates the current market adjusted savings on construction costs.
In simpler terms, the money you would save due to a slower market and more abundant subs is lost when you buy these newly required windows.
This is another nail in the coffin for this market.
In simpler terms, the money you would save due to a slower market and more abundant subs is lost when you buy these newly required windows.
This is another nail in the coffin for this market.
Rancov, agreed there are some insurance companies out there that will give you a very, very small discount for your homeowner insurance. I analyzed one situation and the break-even point for the new impact windows vs the old double pane windows was 27 years, in consideration of this insurance discount.
This is not a good investment and I wouldnt exactly say it will "save you a ton of money".
I also do not agree that the new shutters are unattractive, this can be overcome but not always depending on the design of the home. More traditional homes work better, Palm Beach wont work due to the larger windows.
In fact, this new code requirement will just basically add a lot of costs to your windows and home, at a time when we already have insurmountable problems in this state regarding home construction and real estate.
As a builder, I do not see the practicality of someone building a new house at a special time in our history when there are thousands of distressed situations in the market that a builder cannot even think about competing with in cost. However sometimes cost is not a factor, I think in about
.0000000001 percent of the time cost is not a factor.
This is not a good investment and I wouldnt exactly say it will "save you a ton of money".
I also do not agree that the new shutters are unattractive, this can be overcome but not always depending on the design of the home. More traditional homes work better, Palm Beach wont work due to the larger windows.
In fact, this new code requirement will just basically add a lot of costs to your windows and home, at a time when we already have insurmountable problems in this state regarding home construction and real estate.
As a builder, I do not see the practicality of someone building a new house at a special time in our history when there are thousands of distressed situations in the market that a builder cannot even think about competing with in cost. However sometimes cost is not a factor, I think in about
.0000000001 percent of the time cost is not a factor.
You CAN get attractive hurricane shutters (not the rolling kind, but traditional looking shutters) and impact rated windows and doors also have increased security (no smash and grabs w/ laminated glass units) and insulation benefits.
They are $$ because they are new products and are more expensive to produce, but folks who are paying $100k to trick out their kitchen w/ stainless professional appliances won't be deciding not to build because of window/doors prices IMO.
They are $$ because they are new products and are more expensive to produce, but folks who are paying $100k to trick out their kitchen w/ stainless professional appliances won't be deciding not to build because of window/doors prices IMO.
Prices on the high impact windows have already come down dramatically over the past couple of years. They should continue to do so as the market grows.
Rancov,
I think you?re ? correct.
Ordinance 2007-53 went into effect Dec11, 2007 modifying the location of Walton Counties Wind Borne Debris Region (see map ftp://gisftp.co.walton.fl.us/County_Website/Building%20Dept/Wind_Debris_wc_rv4.pdf)
??.putting all of SoWal smack in the 140 mph wind zone. This bumps us out of the following part of the Florida Building Code:
"Section 1609.1.4 Protection of Openings.
1. Wood structural panels with a minimum thickness of 7/16 inch and a maximum span of 8 feet shall be permitted for opening protection in one and two story buildings. Panels shall be precut to cover the glazed openings with attachment hardware provided."?..where wind speeds do not exceed 130 mph.
So you can?t use plywood to provide your wind borne debris protection, but Florida Building Code ?Residential Section R4410.4 allows the use of detached, approved shutters.
For budget conscious homeowners; approved (usually metal) panels that can be stored on site and put up when a storm threatens is a cheaper option than impact glazing.
I disagree with your analysis. Your analysis assumes that no storm is involved in your 27 year return. With that assumption hurricane straps and clips would not be cost effective. If calm clear weather were the only consideration for the next 27 year then most of the hurricane hardened construction would not be cost effective. Put a 2% or 5% deductible into the financial equation and the windows would more than pay for themselves. Also, there could easily be a future insurability question down the road and thus a future saleability question. I know pre-2003 code vs. post-2003 code made a huge difference in whether I could get insurance or not and whether I bought or not.
Please also remember that building codes are only minimum design requirements and are not necessarily "best practice". There is no law that prevents building better than code.
In short deleting the better windows in lieu of getting the granite counter top may not be the best long term building decision from the home owner's perspective.
99 out of a 100 would rather have the granite countertops than the storm windows.
Your point about a 5% deductible is a good one. When you consider a home on 30-A insured value of a million the first fifty thousand dollars in damage is yours, the insurance game becomes more absurd.
I think hurricane straps and metal tie-downs are a little different than storm windows. These pieces of metal only cost a couple thousand dollars for a whole house. These tie downs are just as valuable as the storm windows and doors but yet cost one twentieth as much as the windows and doors, not a reasonable comparison.
A wise man said one time that people will pay anything to save money and that seems to be true. Also your analysis assumes you will have storm damage, my assumption assumes you will not, so one analysis is optimistic and one is pessimistic!!!
Your point about a 5% deductible is a good one. When you consider a home on 30-A insured value of a million the first fifty thousand dollars in damage is yours, the insurance game becomes more absurd.
I think hurricane straps and metal tie-downs are a little different than storm windows. These pieces of metal only cost a couple thousand dollars for a whole house. These tie downs are just as valuable as the storm windows and doors but yet cost one twentieth as much as the windows and doors, not a reasonable comparison.
A wise man said one time that people will pay anything to save money and that seems to be true. Also your analysis assumes you will have storm damage, my assumption assumes you will not, so one analysis is optimistic and one is pessimistic!!!