New construction windows for Florida panhandle
Diane N
4 years ago
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Jazz Lover
4 years ago
latifolia
4 years agoRelated Discussions
Delurking: Relocating from New York to Florida (long)
Comments (21)Just a clarification to the Florida native who stated newer homes did not fare as well in the hurricanes. That is not the case across the board. I know many older homes with water damage like the new homes - HOWEVER there were PROPORTIONATELY more damaged newer homes - all water damage due to shoddy construction and lack of paint. Yes, according to the report by the Florida Builders Association - PAINT. You need to check into who the builder of the new home was. Builders who had the most problems were Ryland and Mercedes. The subdivision where we recently built was built by Lennar. We had NO damage whatsoever in any of our 300+ homes - not even 1 shingle was lost. We carefully canvassed our neighbors after each hurricane as we live in a smaller community and have developed close relationships with our neighbors. Compare that to our neighborhood in Winter Park - homes there were built from the 50's to the 80's and were custom homes. There was no home without at least shingles missing. The difference is that the newer homes built by quality builders have been built to far better withstand hurrucanes than homes built before hurricane ANDREW came through in 1992. The building code was greatly changed after that in order to avoid the devastation seen in the Homestead area. The roofers had to use nails instead of staples and use more nails in each shingle...one of the main reasons roofs in the newer homes fared so much better than the older homes. The effects of the new code is true in many areas that can't be as easily seen such as: Our home has hurricane straps every 6 feet from the foundation through to the 2nd floor roof. It also has solid poured concrete every few feet throughout all the walls, I could go on, but you get the idea. Also, be sure the check on the schools. They can vary widely...in western Seminole where the previous poster mentioned, Lake Brantley High School, which has a great reputation, rated an A in 2005, but they were a B school in 2003 and a C school in 2004 according to the Seminole County website. It is not uncommon for schools to fluctate - look for a consistent score. You can find the ratings of all Seminole County schools here: http://www.scps.k12.fl.us/_doc/GradesSummary2005.pdf To state that you would never live in eastern or southern Orange County is doing those areas a great disservice. I love living in the Waterford Lakes area (eastern OC) and have friends in the Bay Hill areas and Isleworth areas (Southern OC) that have absolutely fabulous homes and love the area. They sit in their backyards by the pool and watch the Disney/Epcot or Seaworld fireworks at night. Some of these areas also have the newest and most up to date high schools with the latest in technology to offer their students. I would suggest the original poster look over all the different areas of Orlando, it is widespread and there are areas you would be wise to avoid..i.e. Pine Hills, west of downtown,etc. However, every area has its own lifestyle. The area I am in is more relaxed - I have wildlife in my backyard frequently...deer, bobcats, wild turkeys and even wild hogs. We love watching the wildlife come to our yard and feed out of the salt lick or drink from the swimming pool. We have this and we are in a new community. Not all new communities have 'postage stamp' yards. Our yard is not huge but it is between 1/2 and 1 acre - around 3/4 of an acre. We can take 528E and be at the beach in 30 minutes, hit 417S and be at the theme parks in 20 minutes or take 408W and be downtown in 20 minutes or take 417N and be at University of Central Florida and the surrounding research park in 10 min. I think you can find whatever you are looking for here in beautiful Orlando. Just decide what is important to you and take time to look around - there is enough variety for most anything you like....See MoreNew Construction - Window Advice Requested
Comments (3)Brands I sell and like in your area would be PGT, Gorell, Simonton, SilverLine, Atrium. I don't like PlyGems and I actually sold a few, because they tend to fade in the sun, especially the new construction stuff. Anderson's vinyl line is SilverLine and they have a fiberglass line too. I don't sell Pella unless someone really wants it, thats from personal experience, and knowing a supervisor at Pella....See MoreHydrangeas in Florida Panhandle..
Comments (2)They will need afternoon shade for sure. Yellowgirl who used to live in the Orlando Area had an easy time with H. macrophylas (mopheads and lacecaps). I do not think she tried Annabelles, Paniculatas or Oakleaf Hydrangeas though). Annabelles might be ok (see http://santarosa.ifas.ufl.edu/documents/lg_hydrangea_pruning.pdf ) but few people have posted here so I can only assume that being native to north FL, they will do ok. Oakleaf hydrangeas are common in the Alabama, etc area and native to parts of north FL so you could try those too. Oakleaf hydrangeas tend to catch root rot if placed in poorly draining soils but sandy drains actually drain too well. Of course, the soil will need to be amended with organic compost. If sandy, plan on 50% more water than usual and 3-4" of mulch up to the drip line or further. They key will be too much sun. Perhaps keep them in the pot in the location that you are planning and move the pot if the leaves in direct contact with the sun turn all white-ish or yellowish (including the leaf veins). Browning of the leaf edges inwards will suggest that they need more water. Oh, and did I mention that they will need afternoon shade yet? Sun until 11am-ish or dappled sun or in full but bright shade. I am stressing that because I do not see nearby trees and am not sure how much shade they will get in that side. I have some on the north side of my home and they get a lot of shade in selected locations of the north side but not all. A few spots get too much sun in the summer so I have planted small ones so they will not grow in the sunlit areas. Due to the long growing season, NB could get large so look now -in the summer time- where is it shaded enough for a 5-6' wide shrub. If not, consider a hydrangea that is not as wide/tall. Also, do not be surprised if some do not go dormant until real late, as in Jan-Feb. I have had oakleaf hydrangeas that never went dormant in mild winters and around March or so, the old leaves were replaced with new leaves. As a result, I have to maintain the soil as evenly moist as possible including during the winter months (so plan to water them as in Spring during the winter months). The house looks nice but remote (that is what I say when I do not see anything else but trees around it). ;0) Retiring to the panhandle? I had a coworker who lived in Georgia but went to the panhandle on his RV and spent oodles of time there close to the beach....See MoreNew Construction Tampa, Fl impact window quotes... need help
Comments (14)I am pretty happy with the look and feel of the Aluminum Clad windows. The Integrity was bad for 2 major reasons. 1. They were unable to come close in many of the windows sizes (these windows are pretty tall, some are about 7'6") 2. The "tract" where the window moves up and down is tan or white only. I want a black on black window, the tan tract on the inside of the window is extremely unappealing. The Kolbe is able to do the black aluminum with the black painted wood interior. This house is a contemporary rancher and the exterior will be white board and batten hardiboard (cement block construction) with a dark grey metal roof. All the windows and doors must be impact for code in my area. The house will eventually see for about $800,000 (so I cannot spend a million dollars on windows) and the windows should be great quality, but not best quality. I also have 8 sets of french doors. Spending $100,000 on windows and doors does not make me feel great....See More
millworkman
4 years agoDiane N
4 years agochispa
4 years agoDiane N
4 years ago
PROWindsor Windows & Doors
4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago
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