Are you weighing impact windows for a Driftwood home and wondering what “HVHZ” really means for your project, permit, and insurance? You’re not alone. In Hollywood and across Broward County, hurricane standards are tougher than many other parts of Florida, so the details matter. In this guide, you’ll learn the must‑knows for choosing compliant products, navigating permits and inspections, and documenting your upgrade for insurance credits and resale value. Let’s dive in.
HVHZ basics for Driftwood
Broward County, including the City of Hollywood and the Driftwood neighborhood, is in Florida’s High‑Velocity Hurricane Zone. That means windows and doors must meet HVHZ testing and approvals that are stricter than many inland areas.
The practical takeaway is simple: only products and installations with the correct HVHZ approvals will pass permit review, satisfy inspections, and qualify for common insurance mitigation credits. Using non‑approved items can trigger failed inspections or denied discounts.
What HVHZ approval means
HVHZ products are tested to specific impact and pressure protocols, commonly Miami‑Dade TAS 201, 202, and 203 or equivalent ASTM standards such as ASTM E1886 and ASTM E1996. Approved units carry documentation that shows exactly how they were tested and the conditions they’re approved for in HVHZ.
To satisfy local requirements, your submittals and installation typically must include:
- A current Miami‑Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA) or Florida Product Approval listing the exact configuration you’re installing.
- Proof that installation follows the manufacturer’s instructions for anchorage, flashing, and water management in HVHZ conditions.
- Factory labels that identify the approval and manufacturing information. Keep these labels on until final inspection.
Choose approved products
Before you order windows or doors, confirm each opening’s product and setup match an approved configuration. Here’s a simple checklist to help you verify the essentials.
- Approval and test scope: Confirm a current Miami‑Dade NOA or Florida Product Approval covers your exact assembly, including frame, size, glass type, and anchors.
- Test reports: Request the NOA or product approval and referenced test reports for your records.
- Design pressure: Ensure the product’s positive and negative design pressures meet or exceed your home’s requirements. Your contractor or engineer can help determine these.
- Labels and identification: Approved products include factory labels tied to the approval. Do not remove them until your final inspection is complete.
- Warranties: Review manufacturer (glass/frame) and installer (labor/seal) warranties to confirm coverage in coastal HVHZ exposure.
- Energy and sound: If these matter to you, compare U‑factor, SHGC, and laminated glass options. Verify NFRC labels where relevant.
Vet your contractor
The right contractor will protect your permit, inspection, and insurance outcomes. Ask pointed questions and request documentation before you sign.
- Licensing and insurance: Verify a Florida state license in the appropriate category and required local registrations, plus liability and workers’ comp.
- HVHZ experience: Ask for recent references in Hollywood or Broward County using the same product and approval.
- Documentation readiness: Expect permit‑ready submittals, adherence to manufacturer instructions, product NOAs on hand, and photo documentation of the install.
- Subcontractors: Confirm their licenses and experience if used.
- Change orders and warranty: Get warranty coverage, callbacks, and any re‑sealing responsibilities in writing.
Hollywood permit steps
In Driftwood, permitting typically runs through the City of Hollywood Building Division. Broward County Building Code Services provides broader code guidance. Plan your timeline around a multistage process: application, review, corrections, issuance, and inspections.
Typical permit applications include:
- Completed permit application listing the owner, contractor, and scope.
- Product approvals: the NOA or Florida Product Approval for the exact window and door configurations.
- Manufacturer installation instructions that match the approved configuration.
- Shop drawings for large or unusual openings and structural calculations if you alter headers or rough openings.
- Contractor license and insurance documentation.
- Energy compliance forms if you significantly change the total fenestration area.
Always verify the City of Hollywood’s current submittal checklist and online portal requirements before ordering products.
Inspections to expect
Inspection sequences vary by jurisdiction and project scope, but you can plan for the following:
- Rough inspection: Some projects require the inspector to verify anchorage and flashing before finishing the interior or exterior.
- Final inspection: The inspector confirms labels, product approvals, and that installation matches the approved documents and manufacturer instructions.
- Label retention: Keep factory labels visible until final sign‑off. Photograph labels in place for your records.
Insurance credits basics
Many Florida insurers, including Citizens, may offer wind mitigation credits for approved impact windows and doors. The exact credit depends on your carrier and documentation, so confirm requirements before installation if your goal is a premium reduction.
Insurers commonly ask for:
- Product documentation showing HVHZ approval, such as an NOA or Florida Product Approval.
- Permit and final inspection sign‑off.
- Contractor license and insurance proof.
- Photographic evidence and a wind mitigation inspection report from a certified inspector.
Appraisal and buyer proof
Appraisers value verifiable, market‑accepted improvements. Impact windows can support value by reducing storm risk, enabling potential insurance savings, and improving comfort when supported by documentation.
Provide an appraiser and potential buyers with a clear packet:
- Permits and final inspection proof.
- NOA or Florida Product Approval and manufacturer installation instructions.
- Itemized receipts and invoices showing scope and costs.
- Wind mitigation report, if you have one.
- Comparable sales that include similar HVHZ upgrades, when available.
On your MLS and marketing sheets, stick to factual statements that buyers can verify. For example: “Impact‑rated windows (NOA #[number]) installed 20XX – permit #[]; final inspection dated [].” Avoid promotional claims and only reference energy savings if you can support them with NFRC ratings or measured data.
Plan your installation
A little planning keeps your project on schedule and reduces stress, especially during hurricane season.
- Order verification: Double‑check approval numbers, sizes, glass specifications, and anchor options with your contractor and manufacturer before fabrication.
- Lead times: HVHZ laminated glass and custom frames can extend manufacturing timelines. Build this into your schedule.
- Temporary protection: Plan for temporary coverings when openings are exposed.
On installation day and immediately after:
- Keep labels intact for inspection and photograph them on each unit.
- Ask for installer photos of fastening, flashing, and final frame conditions.
- Request a signed installation checklist referencing the NOA and manufacturer instructions.
- Schedule final inspection promptly to avoid delays in insurance credits or closing timelines if you are preparing to sell.
Staging and marketing tips
If you are planning to sell, present your upgrade clearly and factually.
- Prepare a digital or printed binder with approvals, permits, final inspection, warranties, invoices, and representative photos. A QR code linking to the packet can help during showings.
- Use neutral, factual language in your listing and at tours. Share the NOA number, installation date, permit number, and final inspection date.
- Provide energy or comfort data only if supported by NFRC labels or measured results.
Timeline and costs
Every project differs, but most impact window upgrades in an HVHZ area follow a similar arc:
- Quote and vetting: 1 to 3 weeks for product selection, documentation gathering, and contractor due diligence.
- Permit review: Often 2 to 6 or more weeks, depending on completeness and review workload.
- Manufacturing lead time: 2 to 12 or more weeks for HVHZ‑approved, laminated, or custom units.
- Installation: A few days to several weeks, depending on home size and scope.
- Final inspection: Scheduling varies; book early to avoid bottlenecks.
Cost drivers include number of openings, glass type, frame material, potential structural changes, labor in HVHZ jurisdictions, and permit or engineering fees. Some homeowners use renovation loans or contractor financing. For tax treatment, consult a tax advisor.
Keep these documents
Here’s a quick reference list to collect and save for inspections, insurers, appraisers, and buyers.
- NOA or Florida Product Approval for your installed configuration
- Manufacturer installation instructions that match the approval
- Signed contractor agreement and scope of work
- Itemized invoice with model numbers and labor
- Permit number and final inspection sign‑off
- Photos: pre‑install, in‑progress (anchorage and flashing), and final with labels visible
- Warranty documents for manufacturer and labor
- Wind mitigation inspection report, if obtained
Upgrading to HVHZ‑rated impact windows the right way can protect your Driftwood home, streamline your insurance credits, and give buyers confidence when it is time to sell. If you want help planning your upgrade and packaging documentation for future resale, reach out to Unknown Company to Schedule a Free Consultation. We can help you align timelines, coordinate trusted vendors, and present your home with confidence.
FAQs
Do impact windows replace shutters in Driftwood HVHZ?
- They can for the openings they protect, as long as the installed product and configuration have HVHZ approval that meets your home’s design pressures. Verify approval and confirm outcomes with local permitting.
What documents do insurers need for discounts in Broward?
- Most carriers look for HVHZ product approval (NOA or Florida Product Approval), permit and final inspection, contractor licensing, photos, and a wind mitigation inspection report. Confirm your carrier’s checklist before you start.
How do I confirm a window is HVHZ approved?
- Ask for the current NOA or Florida Product Approval that matches your exact configuration, plus manufacturer installation instructions. Check that factory labels identify the approval and keep them on until final inspection.
How long does Hollywood’s permit process take?
- Timelines vary by workload and submittal completeness, but plan on a multistage process with review and possible corrections, then inspections. Build in extra time for large openings or structural changes that may require engineering.
Can I claim energy savings when I sell?
- Only if you have supporting evidence, such as NFRC ratings or measured data. Keep marketing factual and provide documentation to buyers and appraisers.
