The Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program of Florida was created after Category 5 Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Since then it has been activated 20 times after disasters hit the state and assisted over 2,700 small businesses across the state with over $63 million in loan assistance. This program is kept active for a limited time and then deactivated until the time the state feels the need to activate it again.Continue reading
There are many benefits from having storm windows installed. When a hurricane is approaching your area, it is vital to make sure that your house will be able to withstand the impact of the storm. Conventional windows can easily be broken by the high winds and heavy rains that are associated with these storms. This can lead to having to clean up a massive mess after the storm has passed. Having impact-resistant windows installed throughout your home can give you the peace of mind that your windows will be resistant from high winds and flying debris. East Coast Windows is a company that offers impact-resistant windows in the Fort Lauderdale area. Their friendly staff will be able to answer any questions you may have about the advantages of having impact-resistant windows installed in your home.
Florida residents make storm and hurricane protection a top concern. As a homeowner in Florida, if you are worried that your existing windows are not strong enough to stand up to a hurricane or tropical storm, you will want to talk to your window installers about the advantages of having your existing windows replaced with windows that are manufactured to withstand the high winds, heavy rains and flying debris that is associated with a hurricane or tropical storm.
After having the new impact-resistant windows installed in your home, not only will you have peace of mind knowing that your home is protected from potential damange of hurricanes and tropical storms; you will also notice how the new windows improve the energy-efficiency. Your home’s air conditioning unit or heating unit will not need to work as hard as it did before. As a result, you will notice that you are saving on your heating and cooling bills throughout the entire year.
Impact-resistant windows can also boost the value of your home. The windows that you have had installed throughout the home, will increase your property value significantly. If the times comes that you decide to sell your home, it will be more appealing to new buyers that these types of windows are already installed and will give them the peace of mind knowing that the home will be ready for any future hurricanes or tropical storms that may hit the area. Even if you do not decide to sell your home, these windows are a great investment. They will help keep your home safe from damage and give you, the homeowner, the time to worry about preparing for the approaching storm in other ways.
Here are some great Tips to Increase your Home’s Value! Increasing the value of your home can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars, or even more. The amount of money you spend to make these improvements is completely up to you, as the homeowner.
You can start by having a home inspector come out to the home to inspect areas that you do not access on a regular basis. The inspector will be able to let you know if there is a problem with the roof, plumbing, electrical, and other structural things that could go undetected for a long period of time. Fixing a small problem now will help save money on a bigger project. Even a small hidden water leak can decrease the value of your home.
Speaking of inspections, it can also be a good idea to have the home inspected for termites. Finding a termite problem early is the best way to keep them from causing bigger problems later.
Adding fresh paint throughout the house is a cost-effective way to add value to your home. A gallon of paint costs about $25 per gallon. If you’re not sure on which color to pick, you can always ask an interior designer to come out to the home and give you some tips of colors and other ways to make improvements to your home. Some of them will come out for a flat-fee while others charge an hourly fee.
Updating appliances to more energy-efficient appliances can help save on energy costs and will add value to your home. Also updating light fixtures, faucets, worn area runs, or replacing old carpet are all great ways to increase your home’s value.
Replacing older windows throughout the home with impact-resistant windows is another great way to add value to your home. Especially if you live in an area that is prone to hurricanes and tropical storms. These windows help guard against damage from high winds, heavy rains and flying debris that come along with these storms. In turn, it is saving your investment from damages that will need to be repaired after the storm has passed. Also, if you decide to sell the home later, buyers are more attracted to homes that have these types of windows installed and are more likely to pay a higher price for the home. East Coast Windows has a variety of impact-resistant windows and they deal with several local manufactures. All of their products are in compliance with the Miami/Dade and state regulated codes. If you are ready to replace your existing windows with impact-resistant windows give their sales team a call today to set up an appointment.
Energy efficiency is a modern term that refers to anything that can reduce your consumption of power and ease the cost of your cooling and heating system. According to the US Energy Information Administration, there are distinct differences between being able to conserve energy and being energy efficient.
Being able to conserve energy refers to your behavior in using energy like shutting off appliances when no one is using it and recycling. Being energy efficient is using technology that allows you to consume less energy while doing the same function, like shifting to a compact fluorescent bulb instead of using an incandescent light bulb.
The average American household uses around 10,812 kWh a year or 901 kWh a month based on 2015 figures. There is a collective effort among many Americans to lower energy costs by being more energy efficient.
One way is by changing your windows to impact windows. However, before you embark on this worthy renovation that will improve the value of your property and your energy efficiency, it is important to know more about why impact windows are the most energy efficient solutions for your windows.
Impact windows have a very low to zero air leakage which means cold air can’t escape and vice versa. You have more control over your room temperature compared to installing window tint. With low to zero air leakage, any cooling or heating system you have for room temperature will not have to work harder to achieve your desired temperature – and this means lower consumption. The range for leakage is 0.1 to 0.3.
The U-factor is lower with impact windows and the lower this figure is, the more efficient it is. U-factor refers to the insulation of the window that affects hot or cold air loss. The U-factor range is 0.2 to 1.2.
Solar heat gain coefficient or SHGC is another way to measure energy efficiency. This measures how well the impact windows can resist unwanted heat gain. Again, the lower the number, the more efficient your energy consumption will be. The range for SHGC is 0 – 1.
When you want to know how much light is filtered through your windows, refer to the visible transmittance value. This value will help you save on artificial lighting and other aspects of interior design such as floor treatment, furniture, and window treatment. The range for visible transmittance is 0-1.
Finally, aside from being energy efficient, these impact windows can also block UV rays by as much as 99%. This means you can avoid harmful rays that can cause skin burns and cancer especially for children below six months of age.
What is the importance of replacing your windows? There are many reasons to replace the windows in your home. If the home is older and still has the original windows, replacing those windows can add value to the home, while cutting your energy costs.
Broken windows can increase energy bills and put your family at risk during a tropical storm or hurricane and make your home more susceptible to burglary. These windows should be replaced as soon as possible. Even if you have made repairs to the windows, the windows are weaker and break more easily when there is high winds or flying debris from a tropical storm or hurricane and can make the home more accessible to burglary. You can also experience water damage to your home, because the water can enter through the damaged window.
Having the damaged windows replaced with impact-resistant windows will provide protection for your home from high winds, flying debris and water damage during a tropical storm or hurricane. It will also help protect the home against burglary because the windows are much harder to break. The impact-resistant windows will also lower your heating and cooling energy bills and keep your furnace and air conditioning unit from having to work harder, in time saving wear and tear on the equipment.
The new windows will be better insulated than the older or damaged windows and have a tighter seal to keep air from coming in or out of the home. When the windows are installed properly and are made from the highest quality materials, they will be stronger against damages and last for years.
Proper installation of new windows is very important. The new windows will be installed with more precision that the older or damaged windows in the home. The new windows will also improve the look of the outside of the home giving it a facelift. The windows will also be easier for everyone in the family to open. Older or damaged windows can sag in their frame and make it difficult to open.
East Coast Windows & Doors specializes in impact-resistant windows and doors. They offer a free no obligation estimate for replacing old or damaged windows and will walk you through the entire installation right up to the final inspection from the city. They have an excellent sales team and trained in-house installation crews. If it is time to replace old or damaged windows in your home, give East Coast Windows & Doors a call today.
Here are some new 2017 window designs. This year is the year of wall windows and picture windows. It’s time to let the sun in with bi-fold window doors as top designers and architects showcase just how magnificent a house can be transformed simply by changing your window designs.
And why not take in the beautiful panorama and vistas of picture perfect Florida with its breathtaking sunsets and inspiring and magnificent coastline? However, one of the primary concerns of home owners in Florida is protecting their homes from damage in case of storms or hurricanes. For this reason, storm windows have come a long way from their original basic form and can now be incorporated into almost any window frame and design imaginable.
Some of the window designs that began to appear in 2016, and is expected to frontline window designs this 2017, include the following:
Wall Windows
These are large windows or glass walls. It almost encompasses the entire wall of one side of a room whether it is a bedroom or living room. This kind of picture window is an amazing manner of blending old and new designs while improving the dramatic architectural ambience of a room. During the day, you can allow the light to shine through which should help lower your electricity consumption. At night, drapes or blinds can provide privacy, if desired.
Colored Window Glass
No, not stained windows but colored glass that can compliment your interior. There are also decorative or textured film that can be used on the glass window which offer an alternative choice to drapes or blinds. When using color or texture on glass windows, the best way to handle this trend is by keeping it sleek and simple. Too much color or design will be distracting and too busy to be appealing. Plus, if you decide to use color or texture, do not complicate the window by adding blinds or drapes.
Adding Small Windows as Accent for High Ceilinged Rooms
Rooms that have high ceiling can sometimes give the impression of emptiness. You can change this by adding small windows on top of your main window or door. This design will add that surprising pizzazz to your room and transform it with a modern touch.
Accessorize!
Finally, from the window locks to cranks, frames, and handles you can give your windows a great re-do. However, before you decide to just change these accessories, make sure that the window system has been inspected and changed, if necessary. It’s also the best time to check the strength of the glass panes and upgrade them to hurricane quality which will improve the value of your house exponentially.
During the last quarter of 2016, the housing market in Florida began to slow down, although realistically, this area has always had a history of boom and bust because of the waves of retirees and investors. Starting in 2017 and onwards, the market is expected to change considerably in a positive way which will improve the value of houses in Florida.
So what’s happening in 2017?
According to Forbes, the Baby Boomer generation are entering their pre-retirement years and by 2020, the country will have an estimated 71 million citizens aged 55 or over. More importantly, a 2016 survey reaffirms Florida as the number one location for retirees because of the fair weather, reasonable cost of living, home prices, vibrant economy, favorable tax climate, security, and accessibility to medical care. In addition, the luxury housing market is taking a hit with luxury condominiums not selling as briskly as developers were expecting. In fact, some developers dropped their prices last 2016 several times in the hopes of being able to unload some properties but there is a glut in the market for luxury condominiums.
Taking into consideration these facts, one of the best ways to protect your investment and property in Florida is to do minor renovations so your property does not get “left behind” by the market. Look around! Are there new houses or condominiums being built in your area? Newer structures with better amenities and addresses can affect the value of your property if it is not modernized in some way.
A good way to increase the value of your house is by changing the window and door frames from traditional shutters to storm-ready. You can also do some landscaping, painting, and upgrading your fixtures.
If you want to have extra income, you can renovate your home to accept a renter or two. In Miami, a little under half of the properties are being rented out. The renting population is expected to increase in the years to come. Naturally, renters are looking for presentable homes with practical amenities and accessibility to services, parks, or other outdoor activities.
One word of caution though: if you plan on major renovations, it is best to avoid construction loans. Rely instead on doing the renovation in stages so you don’t expose yourself to any danger with creditors because the mortgage and loan to value mortgage is still risky. Fortunately, with a growing population of at least 10%, the investment climate coupled with the number of retirees willing to rent even part of a house is improving.
While we all want the spectacular home that stands out, we also want a home that blends in with the neighborhood and the surrounding area. Designing the exterior of a home can be a complicated process, as it involves choosing the colors, material and balancing the lines and shapes.
Balancing Shapes with Symmetry
Balance and symmetry play important roles in a well-designed shape. Every home needs these elements in order to be properly designed and aesthetically pleasing. There are a number of ways to achieve a balanced exterior, whether it is having the door centered in the front or the windows equally spaced on either side.
Form Follows Function
Louis Sullivan, who was a mentor of Frank Lloyd Wright, coined the phrase “Form follows function,” which simply means that the focus of the home should be the starting point in the design. The outside of the home will mimic the form of the inside of the home. An artist may choose to have large windows so that they can create their art using natural light.
Materials and Textures
It can be very difficult to choose the type of material for the outside of the home. There are many choices such as vinyl siding, cedar shingles, wood, stucco, brick, aluminum or steel. Of course, the outside of your home will reflect your personal style. The person that is helping design the home will help you select your materials.
Color Combinations
It is best to choose three or four tints or shades from the same color strip. The lighter shades can be used on the trim while the darker shades can be used for the rest of the home. You can also use a contrasting color for the door if you choose.
Choosing the Right Roof
You will want to choose a durable roof. Roofing options have varying costs and life expectancies. Slate and tile are very heavy, so it is important to make sure that your home structure can carry the load of having this type of roofing. Asphalt shingles are easy to install and are the most prevalent.
Choosing a Garage Door
When choosing a garage door, you will want to research the door’s insulating properties, warranties, safety features, cost and material durability. Obviously, the style of door you choose will depend on the style of the home. You can opt for a classic steel door or a cozy carriage house design – the options are endless.
Selecting the Right Windows
Windows for the home are just more than just functional. They are the soul of the home. The windows you choose should be durable and reflect the character of the home. If you are building a home in an area prone to tropical storms and hurricanes, you may want to choose windows that are designed to withstand the wind and debris damage that may ensue. There are many options for these types of windows. There is a style to fit into any home design and they are easy to use. You have the option of choosing double or single hung windows. The dedicated staff at East Coast Windows and Doors is always eager to help homeowners choose the right windows and doors for their homes.
Designing an Entry Way
One of the most common questions people have when designing the exterior of their home is: What color should the front door be? The rule of thumb is that it should be one from the same color strip that was chosen for the exterior of the home. Also, the type of door you choose is also important. Just like windows, if you live in an area that is prone to tropical storms and hurricanes, it may be a good idea to choose a door that is able to withstand the wind and damage that occurs with these types of storms. Apart from choosing the type of door and the color, you can add things like lighting, plants and seating to make the home’s entry way more appealing.
Landscaping
When choosing the type of landscaping to place around the home, it is a good idea to research the type of soil on the land and what types of plants are native to the area. It may be a good idea to work with a local greenhouse because they will be very knowledgeable about the different kinds of plants that will thrive in your area.
Lighting Your Home
Proper lighting is important for home safety. Choose lighting that accents your home’s style and build. Obvious places for lighting would be over the garage and entry ways, but it can also be placed in other areas for nighttime appeal.
Things are going along fine with your window and door installation and then there is a problem. Maybe the wrong window style or type has been installed or the wrong window was replaced. You find your contractor and argue over the issue. The project comes to a halt and may delay the project. There are ways to come to a resolution for the problem. Look at your contract if you think there has been a major oversight.
Make sure to list the facts on paper before you discuss the issues with the contractor. Being clear about your expectations will make it easier to have the conversation with the contractor regarding where the issue lies. Do not bring past conflicts into the conversation, as this will cause frustration and cloud an open mind towards the situation.
When you do run into a problem with your window or door installer, resist an angry exchange in front of his or her employees. The contractor is less likely to admit that something has gone wrong in front of other people. Politely ask them if you may speak to them for a minute and take them to another area to speak to them in private.
Admit to the contractor that you do not know everything about the installation, but also make sure you state what you do know is wrong. While you are talking to the contractor, listen carefully to what they have to say. This can help you find where the miscommunication occurred in the first place and help you to avoid a similar situation in the future. After the contractor has finished talking, repeat what they have said back to them to make sure you understand. Even if the issue is the fault of the contractor, the first priority should be finding a solution so that your installation can be finished within the timeline. This would also be a good time to find out who is going to take on the financial responsibility of having the error corrected.
Create a plan and put it in writing. Make sure that you are both in agreement with what has been put into the plan. It may be a good idea to email a copy to yourself and the contractor.
The contractors at East Coast Windows and Doors have 25 years of experience. They are committed to ensuring that your experience with their company is top-notch. If, for some reason, you should have a question or concern about the installation of your windows or doors, the staff is more than happy to work on a solution to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.
Every year, thousands of children are seriously injured from falling out of windows. And tragically, about eight children die. What’s even worse, most of these accidents can be prevented. Education is key, and also a willingness to not play the odds. While most children are fine around windows, if it’s your child who is injured or killed, statistics won’t matter at all.
What can parents do to keep their children as safe as possible around windows? The National Safety Coalition, as part of the Window Safety Task Force, recommends several suggestions:
In addition to these safety tips, caregivers can also invest in different kinds of hardware.
Childproof locks are available for both sliding and double-hung windows. Wedges are a type of device allowing windows to open only a little, but caregivers need to ensure the opening is less than four inches. A charley bar, placed high up in the window frame, can be used to stop a sliding window from opening.
Sometimes windows need to be opened for ventilation. If that’s a possibility, parents should be proactive and install window guards – devices consisting of steel bars evenly spaced so that children can’t squeeze through them. They can fit most windows even with the screens still intact, and they work with a variety of sizes. The bars are horizontal or vertical, and the system is designed to be easily opened by adults or older children. And unlike screens, they can’t be pushed on and breached by children.
Any method used to childproof windows must also be safe, meaning that adults should be able to remove or disable them easily in the case of an emergency. Remember: Windows themselves are safety devices – in the case of a fire, people must be able to get out of any room in the home.
Childproofing windows is such a simple step to take. Encourage any parents and caregivers to make sure they’re doing everything they can to keep children safe.