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If you've made it here, it's likely because you're interested in new impact windows & doors for your home - and we're SO excited to work on this with you.
In this post, you'll learn about types of windows & doors, and some key details. Please read through to the bottom for important information pertaining to Miami-Dade building code which explains an important requirement.
Below you will find information on the following:
Fixed Window
Horizontal Roller Window
Casement Window
Single Hung Window
French Door (Single/Double)
Pivot Door
Sliding Doors
Bi-fold Doors
Egress Requirement
Let's get started..........
A fixed impact window, also known as a picture window, is a window designed to remain stationary and does not open or close. It is built to provide maximum durability, security, and protection against extreme weather conditions, particularly hurricanes and strong storms. Here are the key features and benefits of a fixed impact window:
Key Features:
Impact-Resistant Glass:
Constructed with laminated glass, typically featuring two layers of glass bonded together with a durable interlayer (e.g., polyvinyl butyral or PVB).
Tested to withstand high winds, flying debris, and sudden pressure changes.
Non-Operable Design:
The window is fixed in place, meaning it cannot be opened. This enhances its structural integrity and makes it highly resistant to external forces.
Reinforced Frames:
Made from sturdy aluminum to complement the strength of the glass.
Designed to anchor securely to the building’s structure.
Energy Efficiency:
Many fixed impact windows are double- or triple-glazed, providing excellent insulation and reducing energy consumption.
UV Protection:
Blocks harmful UV rays, which can cause fading to furniture, carpets, and interior décor.
Noise Reduction:
The laminated glass and sealed design minimize outside noise, making interiors quieter.
Benefits:
Storm Protection: Offers superior defense against hurricanes and tropical storms, meeting Miami-Dade County's strict building codes.
Security: Harder to break compared to traditional windows, deterring potential intruders.
Aesthetic Appeal: Available in various shapes and sizes, fixed impact windows enhance natural light and offer a modern look.
Low Maintenance: Since they don’t have moving parts, these windows are less prone to wear and tear.
A horizontal roller window, also known as a sliding window, is a type of window where one or more sashes (movable glass panels) slide horizontally along a track. It is designed for functionality, ease of use, and a sleek appearance. Here's a detailed overview:
Key Features:
Sliding Operation:
The window features sashes that move horizontally, either left to right or right to left, within a frame.
Typically includes one fixed pane and one or two movable panes, depending on the design.
Smooth Track System:
Equipped with rollers or glides on the bottom or top of the sash, ensuring smooth and easy sliding.
Tracks are made from durable aluminum to resist wear and tear.
Multiple Configurations:
Available in various styles, such as single-slider (one movable sash) or double-slider (both sashes movable).
Can be designed for left- or right-handed operation, depending on the user’s preference.
Impact-Resistant Options:
Constructed with laminated glass, typically featuring two layers of glass bonded together with a durable interlayer (e.g., polyvinyl butyral or PVB).
Tested to withstand high winds, flying debris, and sudden pressure changes.
Ventilation:
Offers excellent ventilation when open, as the movable sash allows a significant portion of the window area to be exposed.
Energy Efficiency:
Available with insulated glass to minimize heat transfer and improve insulation.
Low Maintenance:
The simple sliding mechanism and easy-to-clean tracks make it low-maintenance compared to more complex window styles.
Benefits:
Space-Saving Design: Horizontal roller windows don't protrude outward or inward, making them ideal for areas with limited exterior or interior space.
Ease of Use: The sliding mechanism requires minimal effort, making it a great option for people of all ages and abilities.
Modern Aesthetic: The clean lines and large glass areas provide a sleek, contemporary look while maximizing natural light and unobstructed views.
Durability: High-quality materials and impact-resistant options ensure durability and longevity, even in challenging climates.
Customization: Available in various sizes, frame materials, and finishes to match any architectural style or design preference.
A casement window is a versatile and functional type of window that is hinged on one side and swings outward, similar to a door, or upward, similar to an awning. It is operated with a crank or lever mechanism, allowing for smooth opening and closing. Casement windows are popular for their energy efficiency, ventilation, and unobstructed views.
Key Features:
Hinged Design:
Hinges are located on one side of the window frame, enabling the sash to swing outward or upward.
Common configurations include single-pane casements or paired casements that open like French doors.
Crank or Lever Operation:
A crank handle or lever mechanism is typically used to open and close the window.
The crank system allows precise control over how much the window is opened.
Wide Opening:
Opens fully outward, providing maximum ventilation and making it easy to clean from the inside.
Sealed Fit:
When closed, the sash presses tightly against the frame, creating an airtight seal that enhances insulation and energy efficiency.
Customization Options:
Can include single-pane, double-pane, or triple-pane glass for added insulation and impact resistance.
Benefits:
Energy Efficiency: The tight seal when closed prevents drafts, reducing energy loss and enhancing climate control inside the home.
Ventilation: The wide opening allows for excellent airflow and directs breezes into the interior, making it ideal for areas needing strong ventilation.
Unobstructed Views: Features a large, single glass pane without dividers, offering clear, panoramic views.
Versatile Placement: Works well in various spaces, including kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms, where outward swinging sashes do not interfere with the interior layout.
Easy Cleaning: Designed so that the exterior glass can be reached easily from the inside.
Enhanced Security: Equipped with secure locking mechanisms, often located inside the frame, making it harder to tamper with from the outside.
A single-hung window is a classic and widely used window style where the bottom sash (movable panel) slides vertically, while the top sash remains fixed. This design is popular for its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and traditional aesthetic.
Key Features:
Two Sashes:
Bottom Sash: Movable, slides up and down to open or close the window.
Top Sash: Fixed in place and does not move.
Vertical Operation:
The bottom sash moves within the window frame on tracks or guides, allowing for smooth vertical motion.
Limited Ventilation:
Airflow is controlled through the bottom opening, while the top sash remains stationary.
Compact Design:
Does not protrude outward or inward, making it ideal for spaces with limited clearance.
Benefits:
Cost-Effective:
Typically more affordable than double-hung or other operable window styles due to its simpler design.
Ease of Use:
The single moving sash is easy to operate and requires less maintenance compared to windows with multiple moving parts.
Energy Savings:
With one fixed sash, there are fewer potential points for air leaks, contributing to better energy efficiency.
Traditional Aesthetic:
A timeless design that complements a variety of architectural styles, from colonial to contemporary.
Security:
The stationary top sash adds an extra layer of security, as only the bottom sash opens.
Space-Saving Design:
Ideal for areas where an outward-swinging window would be impractical, such as near walkways or patios.
Considerations:
Ventilation: Limited to the bottom sash, which may not provide as much airflow as double-hung or casement windows.
Cleaning: Cleaning the exterior of the fixed top sash may require extra effort, particularly for windows on upper floors.
A french door is a door with glass panes extending across most of its surface(s). Double french doors open from the center, creating a symmetrical and grand entrance.
Key Features:
Glass Panels:
Multiple glass panes (or a single large pane with muntin bars) create a distinctive, timeless look.
In double doors, both doors can open (active and passive panels) or one door may remain fixed.
Creates a wide opening, ideal for high-traffic areas or moving large items.
Hinged Operation:
Opens and closes on side-mounted hinges, typically swinging inward or outward.
Fits standard door frames.
Customization:
Glass type, frame material, and finish can be tailored to suit various architectural styles.
Benefits:
Space-Saving: Suitable for narrower entryways or smaller homes.
Aesthetic Appeal: Adds sophistication and charm to the entryway.
Light and View: Maximizes natural light and visibility to the outdoors.
Energy Efficiency: Available with insulated glass and weatherstripping for improved performance.
Grand Appearance: Makes a bold statement, especially for larger homes or entryways.
Versatility: Offers the option to open one or both doors, providing flexibility for daily use or events.
Indoor-Outdoor Connection: Enhances the feeling of openness and flow between indoor and outdoor spaces.
A pivot exterior front door is a modern and stylish entry door that operates on a pivot hinge, allowing it to rotate on a central or offset axis rather than swinging on side hinges like traditional doors. This design creates a striking architectural statement and offers functional benefits.
Key Features:
Pivot Hinge Mechanism:
The door is mounted on a pivot system with hinges at the top and bottom of the doorframe.
The pivot point can be centered or offset, typically 4 to 12 inches from the edge of the door.
Contemporary Aesthetic:
Pivot doors are often large and sleek, making them a focal point in modern or minimalist architecture.
Wide Opening:
The unique pivot mechanism allows for larger door panels, creating an expansive and dramatic entryway.
Smooth Operation:
Precision-engineered pivot hardware ensures smooth and effortless opening and closing, despite the size and weight of the door.
Customization:
Glass inserts or decorative panels can be added for additional design flair or natural light.
Durability:
Made from high-quality materials and built to withstand the elements, pivot doors are designed for long-lasting performance.
Benefits:
Architectural Statement: The innovative pivot design and large format make a bold and impressive entrance.
Design Flexibility: Can be customized to fit unique dimensions and styles, offering options that go beyond standard doors.
Ease of Entry: The wide opening allows for easy movement of people and large objects, such as furniture.
Balanced Load: The pivot system distributes the door's weight evenly, reducing strain on the frame and hinges.
Enhanced Security: Can include advanced locking mechanisms for added safety, such as multi-point locks.
Considerations:
Cost: Pivot doors are often more expensive than traditional hinged doors due to their size, materials, and specialized hardware.
Space Requirements: Requires adequate clearance inside and outside the door's swing radius, depending on the pivot point.
Installation: Proper installation by experienced professionals is essential to ensure alignment, smooth operation, and weather resistance.
Maintenance: Regular upkeep of the pivot mechanism and seals is necessary for optimal performance.
A sliding glass door is a modern and functional type of door that features 2 or more large glass panels, one or more of which slide horizontally along a track to open and close. These doors are commonly used as exterior doors leading to patios, decks, or balconies and are valued for their space efficiency, natural light, and contemporary appearance.
Key Features:
Sliding Mechanism:
Operates on a track system, with one fixed panel and at least one movable panel that slides horizontally.
Some designs feature multiple sliding panels or bi-parting sliders where panels slide in opposite directions.
Large Glass Panels:
Typically consist of expansive glass panes for maximum visibility and light.
Frame Materials:
Designed to resist weather and corrosion.
Space-Saving Design:
Does not require swing clearance, making it ideal for areas with limited interior or exterior space.
Energy Efficiency:
Includes weatherstripping to reduce drafts and heat transfer.
Benefits:
Natural Light and Views:
Expansive glass panels allow for abundant natural light and unobstructed views of the outdoors.
Indoor-Outdoor Flow:
Creates a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, ideal for entertaining or enjoying nature.
Space Efficiency:
The sliding mechanism makes it a practical choice for tight spaces where traditional hinged doors would be cumbersome.
Ease of Use:
Glides smoothly on tracks, requiring minimal effort to open and close.
Energy Savings:
Modern sliding glass doors are designed for energy efficiency, helping to maintain indoor temperatures and reduce utility bills.
Versatility:
Suitable for residential and commercial applications, from patios and balconies to storefronts.
Bi-fold patio doors, also known as folding patio doors or accordion doors, are a stylish and functional option for creating a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. These doors consist of multiple panels connected by hinges that fold and slide along a track to stack neatly against one side (or both sides) of the opening.
Key Features:
Folding Mechanism:
The panels are hinged together and operate on a top or bottom track, allowing them to fold in a concertina-style.
Can be designed to fold inward, outward, or in both directions.
Wide Openings:
When fully opened, the panels stack to the side, providing an unobstructed, expansive opening.
Customization:
Available in various configurations, including the number of panels, fold direction, and finishes.
Track Systems:
Operates on top-hung or bottom-rolling tracks for smooth and effortless movement.
Tracks are designed to be low-profile for a seamless floor transition.
Benefits:
Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Connection: Creates a wide, open space that blends indoor and outdoor living areas, ideal for entertaining or enjoying the view.
Maximized Natural Light: Large glass panels bring in abundant natural light, even when closed.
Space Optimization: Folding design allows the doors to take up minimal space when fully opened, unlike sliding doors that leave part of the opening covered.
Customizable Configurations: Can be tailored to fit openings of various sizes, from small patios to expansive walls.
Energy Efficiency: Modern bi-fold doors include insulated frames and glass, weatherstripping, and seals to minimize heat loss and drafts.
Versatility: Suitable for residential and commercial use, adaptable to patios, gardens, balconies, and even indoor spaces like room dividers.
Considerations:
Cost: Bi-fold doors can be more expensive than traditional sliding or hinged doors due to their complex design and materials.
Installation: Requires professional installation to ensure smooth operation, proper alignment, and weatherproofing.
Maintenance: Tracks need regular cleaning to prevent debris buildup, and hinges may require occasional lubrication.
Space for Stacking: Requires adequate wall space to accommodate stacked panels when fully opened.
In Miami-Dade County, egress window requirements are governed by the Florida Building Code (FBC), which sets standards to ensure safety and accessibility in residential buildings.
Key Requirements for Egress Windows
Every sleeping room and habitable attic must have at least one operable emergency escape and rescue opening.
Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings:
Minimum Opening Size:
Area: The net clear opening must be at least 5.7 square feet.
Exceptions: For grade-floor openings, the minimum net clear opening can be 5.0 square feet.
Dimensions:
Height: The net clear opening height must be at least 24 inches.
Width: The net clear opening width must be at least 20 inches.
Sill Height: The bottom of the clear opening must be no more than 44 inches above the floor.
Operational Constraints:
Egress windows must be operable from the inside without the use of keys, tools, or special knowledge.
Bars, grilles, or screens installed over egress windows must be releasable or removable from the inside without the use of keys or tools.
Ensuring compliance with these requirements is vital for the safety of building occupants and adherence to local building standards.
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