How Condo Associations and HOA’s look at Window and Door Replacement

If you live in a Condominium or have a Home Owner’s Association (HOA), there are usually strict rules about making improvements to the outside of your home or unit.  As hurricane season rolls around each year, you might be looking at replacing your old windows, entrance doors, or sliding glass doors with hurricane-rated products. Here are some guidelines that you should understand before making any home improvements to the exterior of your unit or home, and who might be responsible for payment. These questions always depend on the restrictions outlined in the unit owner’s association’s declaration.   

How do Condo Associations and HOAs look at Window and Door Replacement?

Generally, there are private and shared elements to a condominium or HOA.   It is as if you bought a private home and shared interest in the common spaces. The community’s declaration defines the shared elements, broken down into common elements and limited common elements. A common element is normally defined as all parts of the condominium or community other than the units. A limited common area is a common element that is restricted for the exclusive use of one or more but less than all of the unit owners. Limited common elements may include things directly connected to individual condominiums, such as entrance doors, windows, and balconies.   Maintenance, repair, and replacement of a limited common element in a condominium is usually the association’s responsibility, except to the extent the declaration shifts that duty to the unit owner. In an HOA, the homeowner is almost always responsible for window and door replacement. 

For some condominiums, the condo association may decide to replace all exterior doors, windows, and/or sliding glass doors to maintain a consistent aesthetic of the property. The association would cover the cost and would likely require a vote and an assessment, if needed, to cover the cost.   Having all impact-rated products throughout the building will likely reduce insurance costs and help offset the expense. Again, the unit owner’s association’s declaration will determine if that would be the case. 

Condominium Associations and HOA Approvals for Window and Door Replacement?

If the unit owner is responsible for window or door replacement, they will need written approval to replace their entrance doors, windows, and sliding glass doors. This includes submitting plans and a building permit from your local municipality. Your contractor will help you with this process. In addition, the contractor most likely must be approved by the association to do work on the property. Also, the contractor must adhere to the condominiums or HOA’s rules, such as hours and days in which the work can be performed.   The association will often have regulations about the color and style of entrance doors or windows you may select for replacement. They may also mandate specific products or manufacturers be used for replacement purposes to maintain a consistent look to the community. 

Door Installation by GM Door Window and Screen in Plantation, FL.
Read your Condo or HOA”s declaration carefully to make sure you understand all the rules and get all the needed approvals for your window and door replacements.

What to look for in a contractor to satisfy your Condo Association and HOA?

Many condo associations and HOA’s require that contractors be properly licensed and insured as part of the approval process for architectural review. Often contractors must submit a written proposal describing the scope of work to be performed and work schedule prior to commencement of the work. As applicable, the plans must be certified by a registered architect and/or engineer and must state all work that shall be performed in accordance with the State of Florida in addition to any applicable municipality’s building codes. And the answer is “yes” to the question “Do I need a building permit to replace my windows and exterior doors?” In addition, the association and/or manager must approve all contractors and project submissions.   The contractor will be responsible for removing all construction debris, and deliveries are only permitted during authorized hours. 

You must work with your contractor to read and follow your association’s declaration to ensure the work goes smoothly.  

Call the pros at GM- Door, Window & Screen. We are licensed and insured and have been in business since 1968. Having done thousands of window and door installations over the years, we have already dealt with many condo and homeowner associations. We are well-versed in following all the rules and regulations associated with window and entrance door replacement in condominiums and units within an HOA. Our expert staff will guide you through the process. We have our own in-house team of installation professionals who will ensure the job is done right.   GM- Door, Window & Screen is family-owned and operated. Give us a call for a Free Estimate – (954) 797-0797. 

The 2024 Hurricane Season Forecast

Impact Sliding Doors by GM Door Window and Screen in Plantation, FL.

AccuWeather is predicting 2024 to be a very strong hurricane season. The current El Nino pattern, which produces high-level winds that weaken storms, gives way to a La Nina pattern, which is more favorable for storms. This coupled with warmer than usual Atlantic waters, should point to a very busy storm season. 

The La Nina storm pattern was in place during the 2005 and 2020 storm seasons, tied to the most active storm seasons in history with 31 tropical systems. 

At the end of January, the water temperatures for storms in the Main Development Region were 65 percent higher than the next closest year. Because of these unusually warm water temperatures, this gives storms the potential for rapid intensification, even close to land. 

Hurricane windows and doors ensure you are always ready should a storm threaten. 

If you are thinking about getting new impact windows and doors, the earlier you act, the better. Don’t get caught having to board up your home when a storm threatens. Hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30.   Call GM-Doors, Windows & Screen for a free estimate at (954) 797-0797. We are a family-run business with our own in-house installation team that has been in business since 1968.   Gm offers only the finest products and will work within your budget to make your home safe in the event a storm threatens.   

By |2024-02-27T20:36:15+00:00May 24, 2022|Hurricane Shutters, Hurricane Windows, Impact Windows|

How long will it take before my new impact windows are installed?

Professional installation is critical when it comes to getting replacement windows installed.

If you plan to replace your old leaky windows with hurricane impact windows these days, you need to plan ahead.   In the past, you could expect to have your windows installed in 4 to 8 weeks once the contract has been signed and the deposit received, but those lead times are now 16 to 20 weeks.   Supply chain issues have affected many parts of our everyday lives, which is also true for windows, so it is vital to act quickly.  

New windows are part of a complex environment of raw materials, components, manufacturing, and labor that all come together to form the end product.   Glass, resin, and vinyl are all in short supply due to hurricanes impacting chemical plants and refineries along the gulf coast.   In addition, the slowdown of foreign supply lines that provide some of the raw materials needed to produce windows has also contributed to delays. This, coupled with strong demand and labor shortages, prevent the plants from operating at full capacity.  

Replacement windows are custom manufactured and ordered for the exact specification of your home, so it is not possible to buy a prefabricated product for installation off the shelf.  

Since product delays impact all window companies, you should deal with a company that has been in business a long while, has roots in the community, and has expert installation.   Family-owned and operated, GM – Door, Window, and Screen has been around since 1968. Call us at (954) 797-0797 for a free estimate.

By |2023-06-14T15:24:01+00:00March 16, 2022|Hurricane Windows, Impact Windows|

When should I replace my windows and doors?

Window and Door Replacement by GM Door Window and Screen in Plantation, FL.
New impact windows and doors will add tremendous curb appeal to your home.

In South Florida, windows and doors should last from 10 to 25 years before you start seeing issues.  The life span of windows of doors depends on the materials utilized and the quality of the installation.  Salt air, using inferior products, lack of maintenance, and poor installation can all lower the life expectancy of your windows and doors.  

 You should regularly inspect and maintain your windows and doors, which can extend their life expectancy.   Every six months and more, if you live near the ocean, you should clean your windows, doors, and sliding glass doors.  Maintenance includes cleaning and washing your windows and doors, checking for proper operation, and clearing the tracks of dirt and debris.

Cleaning the window and sliding glass door’s window tracks is especially important to ensure smooth operation.   The first thing you should do is use a vacuum or shop vac to remove the debris.  Next, spray a mild household cleaner and wipe the tracks with a paper towel or old cloth to remove the dirt and grime.  Paper towels tend to fall apart, so we recommend using a cloth for this job, but you can certainly use paper towels.  To get into the corners, you can use an old toothbrush, cotton swab, or wrap the cloth around a butter knife to reach into the corners.  Use a dry cloth to wipe down the tracks till they are completely dry.  As a final step, you can lubricate the track.  Petroleum-based lubricants attack dirt, so we recommend using a spray silicone lubricant.  Spray down the track two or three times and exercise the door to make sure everything runs smoothly. 

Exterior door failures are most likely caused by wear and tear in addition to weather damage, or the door becomes out of plumb from the house settling.   High humidity will cause wooden doors to swell and stick.  It is essential to direct water away from the door.  Door gaskets should be replaced every 5 to 8 years.   Fiberglass, steel, and solid core wood door can last the lifetime of your home if properly maintained.  However, in storm-prone South Florida, you should have an impact-rated entry door, also known as a hurricane-rated door, that has been installed correctly in the event of a hurricane.      

It would be best if you regularly inspect your windows and doors for water and outside air intrusion during your cleaning.  You can sometimes repair small leaks in your windows by removing the old caulk and re-caulking with a silicone caulk designed for windows and doors.   However, if you have significant air and water intrusion or your windows and doors no longer operate properly, have major rotting, it is time to look at getting them replaced.  The window or door was most likely not correctly installed, leading to its failure. 

When it comes time to look at replacement options, it only makes sense to look at impact-rated products in storm-prone South Florida.  If you have impact-rated windows and doors, you are always prepared in the event of a storm.  Plus, nothing gives your home a new facelift like new windows and doors.  You also might be able to save money on your homeowner’s insurance if you have installed all impact-rated windows and doors.  New windows and doors have a great return on investment that will pay off when you sell your home.  Prospective buyers come to expect impact windows and doors when looking for a new home. 

GM Door, Window & Screen is a family-owned and operated business.  GM has been servicing South Florida since 1968.  Call us for a free estimate at (954) 797-0797.      

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