by ReadyWindow | May 26, 2021 | Doors
Living in Miami can be considered one of the best experiences you ever enjoy. The pristine beaches, constantly sunny weather, and its beautiful scenery certainly make every day worthwhile. However, if you live in Miami, you know these sunny days do not go on forever.
From June to November, the area of Miami actually gets visited by more than just a few hurricanes, ranging from minor category types to the more serious and threatening Category 5 storms. Because of this, it becomes critical for homeowners to ensure that they are ready for changes in the weather.
In order to protect your family, you should make sure that your house will be up to the task. From doors to windows, you should invest in quality impact materials that will keep your Miami property intact, despite the strong winds. If you haven’t yet invested in this sort of fortification for your property, make sure to do it quickly because experts predict that the 2017 hurricane season is going to be “above-average”.
Door Requirements
You will want to get a door that has the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) seal of approval. This means that it’s been tested and certified to have withstood wind pressure as high as 250 mph at minimum. Even a 100-mph missile flying horizontally should be no contest to a FEMA-certified impact door.
While the composition of such doors is high-grade stuff designed for the purposes of shelters or safe rooms, it can also be used for regular homes. The sturdier your impact door is in a hurricane-prone area, the better it is for your safety and home.
Of course, if you’re going to upgrade your door material, it follows that you should also upgrade the doorframe as well. After all, your door is only as strong as its frame when it comes to Miami gales.
Retain Home Aesthetics
Understandably, one of the major concerns for homeowners is how high-impact doors affect the appearance of their property. During hurricane season, their fortress-like presence is acceptable, but when the city is bathed in pleasant sunlight from December to June, homeowners may be a bit turned off by the ominous appearance of these doors.
But, actually you can find high-impact, sliding, glass doors that afford you great views outside without putting your house and family at risk. There are contractors and suppliers, such as Ready Windows, who are readily available to provide the fortified door requirements you may need to prepare for the hurricane season, all without having to sacrifice the aesthetic appeal of your home.
If you must upgrade your doors and windows, just make sure to do it well ahead of time so that you can avoid making hurried, inadequate choices.
Sources:
8 Tornado Proof House Tips. Popular Mechanics.
Types of Hurricane Impact Testing for Windows, Doors, and Other Building Components. Engineering Express.
by ReadyWindow | May 26, 2021 | Doors
Florida’s homes possess architectural styles that are an eclectic mix of the old and new. And with all the sophisticated abodes in the vibrant city of Miami, simply selecting the perfect door frame or style can be a tough decision. By identifying key features that each architectural style is known for, one can learn about the options for shapes, sizes, and material finishes that will marry well with any theme.
Timeless Allure of Foreign Elements
Showcasing influences from Latin roots of yesteryear, many houses in this region are built in the Spanish and Mediterranean style. Perfect for the warm and sunny months, these homes exude earthy tones through clay tiles, stucco walls, and other terracotta elements. You may often find a small courtyard in these houses, and each room has a small balcony with dark iron rails.
Homeowners often choose grand arched doorways to match the opulence of their Spanish or Mediterranean themed home. The door frames are often made of deep-colored woods, and edges adorned with wrought iron finishes. These aspects are reminiscent of the lifestyle and splendor of influential families that frequented these vacation spots.
New Urban Gives New Meaning to Seaside Living
A popular style in the 1980s, New Urban was the look of choice for communities living near the beach. With shingled walls and windows with characteristic wooden shutters, these houses were the ideal retreat for families who want to feel the cool sea breezes. There were small balconies and mini-porches with white railings that make for a bright and sunny look.
Most doors in Miami homes of this type are basic, symmetrical, and made of solid wood. Some patio and porch doors them were fitted with thin wooden slats that allow ample light and ventilation to enter the home.
Show off Your Own Flair through Contemporary Styles
Contemporary homes exhibit clean lines, slanting roofs or multi-level roof lines. Windows are often wide and with few embellishments, maximizing the use of natural light. These abodes use a variety of materials from wood, marble, stone, brick, iron, and steel.
Keeping true to geometric details, front doors for these homes are simple, single-colored, sleek, and often do not have any intricate designs. Doors are often made of warm wood finishes like pine, oak, or cherry. A single glass window, may be also be found on the door, as this allows light to enter, and gives a partial view of the front porch. For the back porch or patio, sliding doors are popular elements, allowing for easy access and a more vast view of the outdoors.
To truly match the perfect doors for your dream home, talk to the experts today. They’ll help you discover the best materials and styles to suit your design needs. Use our quote request page to find out pricing information today!
Sources:
Patio Materials and Surfaces, HGTV.com
Window and Door Review: Sliding and Patio Doors, ArchitectMagazine.com
by ReadyWindow | May 26, 2021 | Doors
According to the Miami Weather Forecast Office’s (WFO) County Warning Area (CWA), the southern portion of Florida averages 12 severe wind disturbances per year. This number is based on actual storms that occurred from 1955 through 2004. With everything from tornadoes and hail to hurricanes, it is easy to see the importance of impact doors in Miami.
What Is Impact Glass?
Impact glass, used in many patio doors today, is the addition of polyvinyl butyral that is sandwiched between 2 sheets of glass to provide high-strength durability. The nature of the area’s strong winds convinced architects that something needed to be done in order to bring a safer product to the market. One important safety feature of impact doors includes tensile strength properties that make the glass sturdier than a car windshield. This does not mean that impact glass will never break, however. What it means is that it will not shatter into bits. The refined design is acceptable in frames made of aluminum, vinyl or wood. According to those in the glass industry, aluminum is the most popular choice for framing.
Safety Plus Aesthetic Appeal
When impact doors are installed, unsightly shutters and other exterior protective devices are not needed. Instead of trying to keep outside barricades in sync with the style of your home, fabulous open windows can keep your property looking more attractive. The safety of impact glass and doors also provides peace of mind to homeowners that may be away from the house when a storm begins to brew. Homes have a better chance of withstanding battering winds and in many cases, insurance premiums decrease due to the extra protection.
Secondary Benefits
There are many other benefits to add impact doors during a home improvement project. For instance, external noises will be kept at a minimum due to the density of the structure. The sturdy glass also blocks 99 percent of all transmitted UV light, keeping your home cool and energy efficient during summer. Best of all, installing impact doors is considered as permanent solution since protection is pretty much guaranteed.
There are many local window companies like Ready Windows that have adapted the new technology of impact windows and doors. Trained professionals with years of experience can quickly install your impact doors and guarantee their quality. They can make a custom system for your home to ensure that each product suits all of your needs.
Sources:
Windows & Doors Review: Impact-Resistant Glass, ArchitectMagazine.com
Hurricane Resistant Windows: Cost and Advantages, TheBalance.com
by ReadyWindow | May 26, 2021 | Doors
When choosing custom doors for Miami homes, it’s important to keep in mind that the heat and humidity that is so common in Florida can take its toll on an exterior door. This is especially true if your front door is exposed to direct sunlight and the damaging effects of UV rays. Of course, some materials will be able to stand up to this environment better than others. When you’re ready for installation, be sure to contact Ready Windows for professional pricing quote.
Wood Exterior Doors
There’s no doubt, wood doors can bring a warm and inviting characteristic to the front entry of your home. While wood doors can certainly be painted to match the exterior of your home, they are most often stained and sealed in order to showcase the natural beauty of the wood.
You’ll be able to choose from the warm glow of mahogany to the traditional look of oak, as well as beautiful bamboo, knotty pine, or even rustic cedar. The type of wood you choose will make a big difference in the finished look of your door.
Wood doors can also be customized to suit the architectural style of your home. Whether you’re looking for a classic design, a rustic look, or you want something modern to complement the interior of your home, you’ll certainly be able to get a door that suits your particular needs.
Fiberglass Doors
Many homeowners choose fiberglass doors in Miami because they are easy to maintain, and they are available in a large array of design styles. Homeowners looking for custom doors in Miami will find that a fiberglass door offers them a durable door that will not rust, warp, dent or rot. This makes fiberglass an excellent option for the heat and humidity so common in South Florida. Additionally, many fiberglass doors look just like solid wood doors, but cost significantly less, and they come with the added advantage of requiring less maintenance. Fiberglass entry doors can also be painted, if you prefer.
Steel Doors
There are definitely a number of advantages to choosing a custom steel door. For example, steel doors are generally one of the most energy efficient types of exterior doors. These doors have an inner layer of foam that is able to trap both heat and cold, making it extremely energy efficient. Of course, steel doors are also highly durable, and they offer a very secure door for an entry point into your home.
Many steel doors have a vinyl coating, so they never need to be painted. You can also opt for a pre-painted layer which makes it easy to paint your door any color that you choose.
Sources:
How to Pick a Front Door, thisoldhouse.com
The Pros and Cons of a Wood Front Door, diynetwork.com
Best Entry Door Buying Guide, consumerreports.org
