AN INFORMAL GUIDE TO DOORS AND WINDOWS We throw them open to Florida’s generous sunshine, slam them when we’re angry and, for the most part, take our doors and windows very much for granted. Yet they contribute enormously to our property value. Or detract from it in ways we may not even consider.

High-quality windows and doors can increase resistance to hurricanes, save money on heating and air-conditioning bills, restore the integrity of a historic home, improve access to outdoor living and enhance curb appeal.

CHANGE AGENTS When should you consider replacing your doors and windows? Problems, age and style are three of the main reasons, according to The Home Depot’s Tampa-based millworks trainer, Roger Hutson. “In Florida,” he says, “the homeowner’s current windows are probably aluminum frame, single-paned, hard to operate and leak air.” It’s probably also been 15 to 20 years since they were installed. For doors, that time span is slightly shorter: 12 to 15 years, Hutson says. “The existing door may be rusting, rotting, not opening or closing properly, [leaking] air and the bottom of the frame is probably showing signs of rot.” Another reason for replacing doors and windows is historical accuracy. Steve Quillian of Tampabased Quillian Craftsman specializes in creating custom doors and windows for older, local properties.

“There are an abundance of Hyde Park and Seminole Heights historic homes with New Tampa windows. Many homeowners wishing to restore their home’s historic fabric will often start refurbishing by removing ‘updated’ windows [installed during an earlier — bad — renovation] to replace them with sashes we make to fit.” Finally, doors and windows often are replaced as part of a major remodeling project. It could be that a great room window will be converted to a patio door for better indoor/outdoor entertaining flow or a problem-plagued door will be changed for something better. According to construction manager Mark Stargardt of Tampa-based Stargardt & Associates, homeowners should ensure their contractors and millworks suppliers meet their aesthetic as well as utilitarian needs. “Show me style that will be here for years and durability to match,” he says. That’s as good a starting point as any.

WINDOWS ON YOUR WORLD Stargardt thinks solid core fiberglass with gas-filled inserts meet this expectation level. “They’re ageless in style and durable for years to come, all with superior energy efficiency,” he says.

Hutson adds that low emissivity — commonly referred to as Low E — glass is one factor that contributes to a home’s energy efficiency. Others include dual-pane glass and energy-efficient frames, which prevent air from escaping around the windows. A government-issued Energy STAR rating is an easy way to compare models.

Hurricane resistance is another area where new windows can enhance your home’s value and security. “Windows are now available to withstand the wind pressures of hurricane-force winds,” Hutson says. With the advent of impact glass, these windows will protect the home from flying debris without the added time and effort needed to install shutters. Anyone who has ever stood on a second-story ladder in strong winds and rain, putting up those shutters or plywood, will greatly appreciate this innovation.

Curb appeal counts, too, and new windows can help deliver. Cathedral-topped windows get Stargardt’s nod for style and elegance. Their rounded arches soften a home’s hard surfaces and impart a timeless look to traditional homes.

Restoration specialist Quillian recreates styles that fit the area’s plethora of historic homes. “Our main focus is the historic sash window. We build them from scratch to match the other ones in the house or others from the same time period.” His firm also restores damaged windows in older homes to renewed glory.

OPEN DOOR POLICY Your entry door is a focal point of your home.

Does it express your style? Both Hutson and Stargardt recommend pre-finished fiberglass doors with decorative glass inserts for a look with both lasting appeal and durability. “The solid core fiberglass stainable doors cannot be beat for Florida’s climate,” Stargardt says.

The glass inserts can be energy efficient and hurricane resistant, Hutson adds. “They provide the look of real wood without the maintenance and upkeep,” he says.

Double doors are popular in our area and provide a more welcoming feel to homes than single doors. However, these grand entries often are a hurricane liability. “Double doors can be a ‘weak link’ during hurricanes,” Hutson says.

“Inswing doors [that open into the house] are the most susceptible to wind pressures and flying debris impacts.” He recommends outswing double- and single-door units. “They are much stronger and relatively safe during a storm. Some coastal areas are now requiring outswing doors for new construction housing.” Other doors in your home deserve attention and possible upgrading, too. The largest and most prominent is probably your garage door.

There are hurricane-resistant standards here, too, along with great new styles. The most popular — and classic — choice is the carriage-style door that lends a classic feel to a monstrouslylarge opening.

The other monstrous opening in newer area homes tends to be the kitchen-great room lanai portal. So many of us have metal-framed sliding glass doors, but there are cures for the common slider. A millworks professional can replace them with French doors for a more elegant look. Alternatively, a window wall system can open the space with accordion-style folding doors for a broader view and more contemporary feel.
CLOSING THOUGHTS There is so much to consider when shopping for doors and windows. Consult with local retailers, experienced contractors and custom craftsman to learn which options make the most sense for your home. Whatever your personal style, these products should be viewed as long-term investments.

Buy the best you can afford, given all that they contribute to your home’s value, as you’ll probably have them for decades.