Get Your Impact Windows Sized and Ordered Right the First Time

Impact windows are measured at each existing opening, then ordered as custom units built to those exact sizes. The order moves from field measurements to a written quote, your approval, order confirmation, production, and installation. If you’re researching impact windows Miramar homeowners often ask about, this guide walks through each step, plus the Florida rules that shape the paperwork.

What Impact Windows Are and Why Sizing Matters

Impact windows are windows fitted with impact-resistant glass in a reinforced frame. They are designed to resist wind-borne debris, the flying objects storms throw at homes. Product compliance in Florida is governed by the Florida Building Code and the state’s product approval process.

Fit matters as much as the product itself. A window that is off by even a little can bind, leak air or water, or fail to latch properly. That is why impact windows are usually custom-sized to each opening. They are rarely a standard shelf item that drops straight into a wall.

Before You Measure: Gather the Basics

Start with the right tools and records. You need a tape measure, a notepad, and photos of each opening from inside and outside. Photos help you remember what you saw, especially when you measure a second time.

Make a list of every window you plan to replace. Write the room name next to each one so the quote matches the house. Record any door openings on a separate line, since they follow their own sizing steps.

Check each opening’s condition as you go. Look for rot, water staining, or a frame that isn’t square. Write every problem down so the installer hears about it early, not on installation day.

How Impact Window Measurements Are Taken

Measure the width at the top, middle, and bottom of each opening. Then measure the height at the left, center, and right. Use the smallest figure from each set as your reference size.

Record the depth of the wall or jamb too. Depth tells the installer which frame profile will fit the opening. Write every figure in inches, to the nearest eighth or sixteenth, on its own line for each window.

Measure the opening itself, not the outer edge of the old frame. Old frames can hide a crooked or uneven opening. A professional site check catches those differences before the custom order is built. Skipping this step is one of the most common mistakes, and it is the one that causes the most rework.

Choosing Frame, Glass, and Operation Style

Choose the frame material, glass package, and operating style after your measurements are confirmed. Common styles include single-hung, double-hung, sliding, and casement windows. Each style opens differently, and the style you pick can change the final dimensions.

Confirm color, hardware, and finish before anything is ordered. Write those choices on the quote so both sides see the same specifications. A quote that lists only the product name leaves room for confusion later.

Before you sign, check approval documentation for each product. Look for proof that the product was tested and accepted under the Florida Building Code. A Miami-Dade product approval document is one example. It shows an impact-rated window or door was tested for compliance, including High Velocity Hurricane Zone requirements.

The Ordering Process, Step by Step

Here is the usual sequence. First comes the field measurement. Next is a written quote with product details. Then you review and approve it, the order is confirmed, and the custom units are made.

Review every measurement and product detail before you approve. Custom windows are built to those specs, so a wrong number becomes a wrong window. Ask questions about anything you don’t understand, and get the answers in writing.

Permits come next for many projects. Florida law says a permit may not be issued for building alteration, modification, repair, or addition unless the applicant meets the plan review requirements in the Florida Building Code. Ask the seller in writing who handles the permit paperwork. The Miami-Dade window and door guidance explains the documentation and wind calculations that new installations can require.

Florida also gives buyers a cancellation right in some sales. If your sale is a home solicitation sale, you can cancel until midnight of the third business day after you sign. Written notice sent by mail is effective upon postmarking.

Residential repair and improvement contracts also carry a notice requirement. Above a $2,500 threshold for labor and materials, the contract must include a statement on the Florida Homeowners’ Construction Recovery Fund.

What Happens at Installation

A typical visit starts with protecting the interior. The crew then removes the old units and sets the new impact windows in place. They secure each unit and seal the opening so it is weather tight.

Before the job is complete, the installer should check that each window operates smoothly, latches fully, and seals against weather. Test each window yourself, too. Open and close it, and check the lock.

Ask about the installation plan before work begins. Good questions include how the old units will be removed, how the openings will be sealed, and how cleanup will be handled. Clear answers now prevent surprises later.

Impact Windows Miramar: Next Steps With ASP Superhome

Once your openings are measured, the next step is a consultation to confirm sizes and choices. A Miramar homeowner who has done the measuring still has three decisions to make. These are confirming each size, choosing the frame and glass, and setting an installation date. The steps in this guide apply to homes across South Florida.

ASP Superhome offers impact windows and impact doors. Our team can take the measurements where needed and walk through the quote for each opening. Our first consultation is free, confidential, and comes with no obligation to continue.

Send us your opening list, and contact ASP Superhome to start with the window-by-window review.

Frequently Asked Questions