Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have questions? We have answers.

Choosing a Contractor

Glass and glazing license for residential installations 3 floors and below. State licensed general contractors license for taller structures. The owner should request a copy of their “Certified General Contractor license”.  Sterling Construction possess both with our owner as a our qualifier. Beware contractors that have outside qualifiers. Beware contractors performing work their license does not permit them to do!

YES For the owners protection they should be issued a certificate of insurance with the owners name This will assure the insurance is paid to date and active. Any other questions then can be directed to the insurance company on the certificate. Sterling Construction CARRIES WORKERS COMPENSATION AND GENERAL LIABILITY OF $1,000,000.00 General Liability with a $ 2,000,000 General Aggregate Policy and a $3,000,000.00. Beware contractors being under insured, who have expired insurance due to non payment, or insurance that does not cover the work they are contracting to perform.

NO, they can be subcontractors. However again check if this is the case that the persons actually performing the work be licensed for work being performed and have the appropriate insurance. It is suggested you receive proof of both prior to commencement of work. Sterling Construction installers are employees of the company. For us this allows us control of quality and scheduling of work being performed. Our name and reputation is the most valuable thing we have. To assure this integrity we see no better way than to have our company represented by employees directly employed by us.

Code Approved Products

All code approvals are not identical. Code approvals can be for many different products and based on several different factors including property location and product use. When comparing code approvals, make sure all products are specifically approved for impact by a reputable governing agency such as

This is a significant investment, so take your time to do your research prior to purchasing. Some important criteria to look for when making a decision are building code approvals, design pressure, glass criteria, installation techniques, and warranty.

Impact windows generally have a higher upfront cost compared to non-impact windows paired with shutters. However, it’s important to consider the long-term value they provide. Impact windows offer built-in protection against storms and intruders without the need for additional shutters, making them more convenient and less labor-intensive. They also improve energy efficiency, potentially lowering utility bills, and can increase your home’s resale value. Additionally, some homeowners insurance policies offer discounts for homes with impact windows, which can offset the initial cost over time. While the initial investment is higher, the added safety, convenience, and potential savings make impact windows a worthwhile consideration.

Above are the benefits of new windows however the biggest benefit is with just installing shutters you are still left with the old windows and doors. Most are deteriorated and not acting as originally designed.

Energy

The U-Factor is a measure of how well the window or door keeps heat inside the structure or home.

The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) represents the amount of heat going into a house. The lower the number, the less heat penetrates the house. When a home is primarily air conditioned, the SHGC value is the correct rating to inquire about. Hurricane impact-resistant windows or doors with clear glass feature a SHGC of 0.72, while Bronze and Gray glass hold a 0.55 and 0.56 SHGC value, respectively.

Ultra-Violet (UV) beams, a portion of the solar spectrum not visible to the human eye, causes fabric to fade over time. When comparing UV readings, it is important to know that the lower the percentage, the more UV is being blocked. For example, a 0% U-V value means 100% blocking. Clear, gray and bronze impact-resistant windows and doors provide 100% protection, that is, 0% U-V penetration.

Permitting

Under no circumstance should you enter into an agreement to have products installed without a building permit being issued.

Upon signature of a contract a customer must sign a permit application, this application along with the product approvals will be sent to the city for approval. City approval is based on the proper products being specified for the location of your property. Upon city review and approval a permit will be issued for your property. Prior to the installation, the permit must be posted on your job site, upon completion of the installation the municipality will be notified and a final inspection will take place.

The turn-around time varies between municipalities. Once we submit the necessary paperwork, it takes us about 2 to 6 weeks to obtain a building permit approval. At times, the process can take longer if permit reviewers have comments about a drastic change in style between the existing windows and the proposed new windows. Each municipality has its own turn-around time and its specific workflow process.

YES. A licensed engineer will be employed by us on your behalf. He will review the product we are providing for your home and certify it meets or exceeds the wind speed and impact resistance that is required by the municipality where you reside. This document is required to be signed and sealed by a licensed engineer and submitted to the city for review along with all documentation of product approvals, drawings of field conditions

Insurance

Contact your insurance company for a Storm Mitigation Application. This form must be completed by an approved professional. Once the product is in.

In order to obtain the discounts or credits, all of the house openings must be protected. Homeowners with questions about mitigation should contact their insurance agents to make sure they are receiving proper credit for any steps taken to strengthen their home. Citizen offers premium discounts to those policyholders who show proof of risk mitigation alternatives. You can access additional information at the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation website or you can download the form, here.

Florida statute 627.0629 (regarding residential property insurance) requires all insurance companies, providing homeowner’s insurance to Florida residents, to offer some type of discount for dwellings equipped with an effective windstorm protective system. The first paragraph of the statute reads:

Effective June 1, 2002, a rate filing for residential property insurance must include actuarially reasonable discounts, credits, or other rate differentials, or appropriate reductions in deductibles, for properties on which fixtures or construction techniques demonstrated to reduce the amount of loss in a windstorm have been installed or implemented. The fixtures or construction techniques shall include, but not be limited to, fixtures or construction techniques which enhance roof strength, roof covering performance, roof-to-wall strength, wall-to-floor-to-foundation strength, opening protection, and window, door, and skylight strength.

Credits, discounts, or other rate differentials for fixtures and construction techniques which meet the minimum requirements of the Florida Building Code must be included in the rate filing. All insurance companies must make a rate filing which includes the credits, discounts, or other rate differentials by February 28, 2003. By July 1, 2007, the office shall re-evaluate the discounts, credits, other rate differentials, and appropriate reductions in deductibles for fixtures and construction techniques that meet the minimum requirements of the Florida Building Code, based upon actual experience or any other loss relativity studies available to the office. The office shall determine the discounts, credits, other rate differentials, and appropriate reductions in deductibles that reflect the full actuarial value of such revaluation, which may be used by insurers in rate filings.