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My Safe Florida Home Program And Window Options
The My Safe Florida Home Program was enacted in 2024 to better equip Florida homes (and homeowners) against hurricane damage. The program not only helps to upgrade homes against hurricane damage, but it can also lower insurance premiums. According to the website, households average roughly $1000 in savings per year. So that's pretty darn sweet.
Under the program, eligible homeowners can qualify for up to $10,000 in state grant money for new windows, shutters and/or roof upgrades or full replacement. To date (and this page was created in September of 2024), Florida has provida nearly 110,000 home inspections and paid out $575 million in grant money.
Here's the problem. After just two weeks, the program was put on pause due to the overwhelming demand by Floridians. There are 7.5 million homes in the state and there is no way the state can provide this grant money for everyone. According to the Florida Department of Financial Services, the My Safe Florida Home Program is currently working through all existing applications for homeowner who have already applied and have received their home inspection.
Many of these "in limbo" homeowners haven't heard from the state on the status of their application, (whether or not its been approved) but the FDFS has asked Florida homeowners to be patient as they work through the application process. It should be noted that low income senior citizens were given first priority for the My Safe Florida Home Program grant money.
So while the money allocated for the "first" round of the program has been used up, there is a good possibility that the state would re-upp a second round when and if they have the resources to do so. It might not be this year, but it could be in 2025 (or beyond). Therefore, if you think you might qualify, go ahead and fill out an application so that you can be first in line if and when this second round hits.
Another possible benefit here is that even if you don't get approved for the grant money, you might just get a free home inspection, which is a great way to catch any necessary improvements you should be considering on your windows, doors, shutters or roof. Home inspections can run $250 to $500 so that is a nice possible ancillary benefit.
My Safe Florida Home Program Information
Website: Official My Safe Florida Home website
Email Support: info@mysafeflhome.com
Call Center: 1 (866) 513 - 6734
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Best Florida Impact Windows
Finally, I wanted to provide a list of 6 impact windows that you may want to consider and that ought to be available in Florida should you qualify for this program. One note here, because the program is based, at least in part, on financials, my picks are going to be good mid range impact windows that offer the best affordability in my opinion. So not necessarily the best of the best, but the best overall value as far as I'm concerned. Here they are - organized by least expensive to most expensive (although this may not always be the case).
Viwinco OceanView Series (Viwinco Windows Reviews)
Simonton StormBreaker Plus
Wincore StormForce 8800 Series (Wincore Windows Reviews)
EAS 8000 Series
ViWinTech Shoreline Series (ViWinTech Reviews)
Custom Window Systems StormStrong
PGT WinGuard Series (PGT Windows Reviews)
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dane@replacementwindowsreviews.co
Impact Window Options
Hi, I’m having a hard time deciding between 2 quotes for impact windows. Can you please give me your opinion and tell me which one looks like the better quote? I’m getting the My Safe Florida Home Program and need to make a decision very soon.
Window Depot (Tampa, FL): CWS Winpact 8200 horizontal sliders (7 of them) and Stormstrong single hung (4). Total price $19,000 (or $20,500 for 60 months at 0% interest). Lifetime parts and labor warranty, 30 years for glass pact.
Window World (Sarasota, FL): EAS 8000 Series, 8500 impact sliders (7) and 8500 impact single hung (4). Total price $18,480. Lifetime parts warranty, 5 years labor, $95 service charge after 5 years.
Kristina - Homeowner - from 2024
[Site Editor's Answer]
Kristina, I would give the nod to the CWS and Storm Strong option over the EAS windows myself. But not by a big huge margin - the online reviews and reputations of the companies doing the work ought to factor into the decision as well. I would spend a good 30 to 60 minutes getting an overall picture of the two companies as another point of comparison. windows/doors 50% of the equation, and installation the other 50%.
Dane - Site Editor - from 2024
[Kristina's Reply]
Dane, Window Depot Of Tampa has a 4.7 Google rating (as does Window World) out of almost the same amount of reviews (one company has literally only 1 more review than the other). Thank you so much for your quick response and valuable opinion. You helped me make my decision. I’m thinking $2000 more (with a better financing program) might be worth paying for the better window and better warranty. Thanks again.
Kristina - Homeowner - from 2024
[Site Editor's Answer]
Kristina, 4.7 is excellent. Yes, I think the $2K is worth it, especially if you plan to be in the home long term!
Dane - Site Editor - from 2024
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