In our 15 years installing impact windows across South Florida, we have put in just about every style of window you can imagine. One thing we always tell homeowners during a consultation is that you do not have to sacrifice style for storm protection. The impact window market has come a long way, and today you can get hurricane-rated windows in virtually any configuration that matches your home's architecture. We walk through every room with our customers and recommend the best style for each opening based on how they actually live in their home.
Casement windows are one of our favorite recommendations for kitchens and bathrooms. They hinge on one side and crank open outward, which gives you a full unobstructed opening for maximum airflow. From our experience on job sites, casement impact windows also give you some of the best air and water infiltration ratings out there because the sash compresses tightly against the frame when you crank it shut. We install a lot of awning-style impact windows too, which hinge at the top. Homeowners love these because you can leave them cracked open during a light South Florida rain shower without getting water inside.
Sliding impact windows are the workhorse of South Florida homes, and we install more of these than any other style. They run on a horizontal track and come in two-panel, three-panel, and even four-panel setups for those big openings that let you take in your view. We have seen the quality of sliding systems improve dramatically over the years. The roller and track hardware in today's top brands is engineered to handle the extra weight of laminated glass while still gliding smoothly. As a licensed contractor like us in South Florida, we always make sure our customers get systems with heavy-duty rollers that will hold up for decades, not the bargain hardware that starts sticking after a couple of years in our climate.
For rooms where you want light but do not need ventilation, we recommend picture windows and fixed-frame impact windows. Because they do not open, they tend to have the highest structural ratings and the best energy performance. We use these a lot for living room focal walls, stairwell lighting, and transom installations above doors. One design approach we suggest often is combining a large fixed picture window with smaller operable windows on either side. It gives you that dramatic wall of glass while still allowing airflow where you need it.