Storm-Broken Window Replacement in Orlando

Yes. We connect Orlando homeowners with vetted, licensed local pros for storm-broken window replacement, with a free assessment and no obligation.

For Orlando and the surrounding Orange County area, our network pros prioritize storm work and typically respond same-day or next-day for urgent needs.

The same-day response is temporary boarding or panel protection, which a qualified contractor can typically provide within a few hours of your call. The permanent replacement requires a permit and, in most cases, a custom-fabricated impact window unit. Standard lead times from Florida-based window fabricators run 2-6 weeks depending on product line and current demand - lead times lengthen significantly in the weeks immediately following a major storm when demand spikes. If your window is a standard size, some distributors maintain stock units that can shorten that timeline.

In most Florida jurisdictions, a permitted window replacement must meet current Florida Building Code requirements for the location. In HVHZ counties (Miami-Dade, Broward), all replacement windows must be impact-rated with a valid NOA. In other Florida counties, the window must meet the wind load for the local design wind speed, which for most coastal areas effectively requires impact glazing. Installing a non-code-compliant replacement exposes you to failed inspection, requirement to replace again, and loss of insurance wind mitigation status. Confirm local requirements with your contractor before selecting a product.

Tempered glass is heat-treated to be approximately four times stronger than standard annealed glass and breaks into small granular pieces rather than dangerous shards. However, tempered glass alone does NOT provide hurricane protection - it can still shatter under wind-borne debris impact and, once shattered, leaves the opening fully breached. Impact-rated glazing consists of two layers of glass bonded with a PVB (polyvinyl butyral) or ionoplast interlayer. When struck, the glass may crack but the interlayer holds the pieces in place, maintaining the wind and water barrier. This is the critical distinction for hurricane protection.

A cracked impact window - where the interlayer is still intact and the opening is not breached - may maintain temporary weather resistance, but the structural integrity of the unit is compromised. The glass layers no longer perform as a composite system, and another pressure or debris event will likely cause full failure. Most Florida contractors and all building officials will require full replacement of a cracked impact unit before a permit can close. A cracked standard window with exposed air gap should be treated as a fully breached opening until replacement.

First, once it is safe to move through the home, move furnishings and valuables away from the breached opening to prevent further damage. Do not attempt to board the window yourself in dangerous weather conditions - wait until conditions permit safe work. Document the damage with photographs before touching anything. Cover interior flooring and furnishings with plastic sheeting to limit water damage. Call a licensed contractor or storm response company to secure the opening. Do not place wet materials against wall framing without allowing drying - trapped moisture creates mold within 24-48 hours in Florida's humidity.

Homeowner insurance policies in Florida vary significantly in their wind and hurricane coverage. A window broken directly by wind-borne debris during a named storm or severe weather event is generally considered a covered peril under the dwelling coverage portion of a standard policy, subject to your deductible - which in Florida often has a separate, higher hurricane deductible calculated as a percentage of dwelling coverage rather than a flat dollar amount. We are not insurance advisors. Contact your agent to verify your specific coverage, document damage thoroughly before any work begins, and obtain a written estimate from a licensed contractor for the claim.

Not always, but it is more common than homeowners expect. When a window is breached during a storm, wind-driven rain can force significant volumes of water into the wall cavity through the broken opening, saturating insulation and wetting the rough-opening framing and sill plate within hours. In Florida's climate, mold growth in wall cavities can begin in 24-48 hours. A thorough inspection with a moisture meter is part of any responsible storm window replacement scope. Addressing wet framing before installing the new unit is not optional - moisture trapped behind new construction will cause structural decay and mold problems within one to three years.

In Florida, residential window replacement must be performed by a licensed contractor - either a State Certified or State Registered General Contractor, Building Contractor, or Residential Contractor, or a specialty license holder such as a registered glazing contractor in the relevant county. You can verify a contractor's license status and any disciplinary history through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) online license search at myfloridalicense.com. Any contractor pulling a permit for window replacement will have their license number on the permit application - confirm it matches the DBPR record. Be cautious of any contractor who offers to do replacement work without pulling a permit.

A properly permitted and inspected impact window replacement can improve your wind mitigation score - specifically the opening protection rating on the OIR-B1-1802 form - if the new unit meets current code requirements. If your home previously had non-impact windows and the replacement is your first impact unit, it begins converting your opening protection inventory. Full opening protection credit requires all openings - windows, doors, garage doors, and skylights - to be protected. A partial conversion typically yields partial or no credit depending on the inspector and your insurer's rating methodology.

A Notice of Acceptance (NOA) is a product certification issued by Miami-Dade County's Building Department confirming that a specific window or door product has been tested and approved for use in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone. NOAs are required for all window and door replacements in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. In other Florida counties, a Florida Product Approval through the DBPR serves the equivalent function. Your contractor must specify a product with a valid NOA or FPA for your jurisdiction and have the documentation on-site during installation for the county inspection.