Skip to content
The best time to install impact windows in South Florida is winter to early spring, so the work is done before hurricane season starts on June 1.
A project takes about 3 months start to finish, though it can vary. That makes signing by around early March the latest start that fits before June 1.
Starting in November, December or January leaves room if the timeline runs longer. This guide explains why the off-season works best, gives a month-by-month plan counting back from June 1, and covers what to do if you start later.
Why the Off-Season Is the Best Time to Install Impact Windows
The off-season is the best time because every step of an impact window project fits before the first storm, and nothing forces a rushed decision. Five reasons stand out.
The Work Is Done Before June 1
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The National Weather Service says the best time to prepare is before the season begins on June 1, and NOAA lists impact glass among the ways to strengthen a home.
A project finished in spring gives you a full season with openings that need no shutters or plywood. USA Home Improvement installs ES Windows aluminum and vinyl impact windows ahead of hurricane season, and the same planning applies to replacing exterior doors with impact models.
No Race Against a Hurricane Watch
A storm forecast gives you days, and an impact window project takes months. The NWS says the National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane watch 48 hours ahead of expected tropical storm-force winds.
A project of about 3 months cannot be squeezed into that gap. Starting in the off-season means a forecast does not push you into a choice you have not researched.
Until the work is done, your shutters or panels stay in use, as our guide to what to do with your windows during a watch or warning explains.
Time for Permits, HOA Review and Manufacturing
Most of the roughly 3 months goes to the steps before installation day, such as permits, HOA review where needed and manufacturing, not to the installation itself. Every USA Home Improvement project is permitted, and HOA approval is needed only when the property has an HOA.
Manufacturing takes about 6 to 8 weeks depending on project scope, and installation averages 1 to 2 days. The whole process takes about 3 months start to finish, though it can vary.
A winter start leaves room for each step. Read when Florida requires a permit to replace windows and doors and how HOA approval works for impact windows if either applies to your home.
Drier Install Days Before the Wet Season
The off-season is South Florida’s drier half of the year. The NWS Miami office says the South Florida wet season begins on May 15 and ends on October 15, the stretch when 60 to 70 percent of the average yearly rainfall occurs.
The NWS adds that the wet season brings high moisture and high temperatures that support near-daily showers and thunderstorms. Installation averages 1 to 2 days, and scheduling it before May 15 means those days fall in the drier, less humid months.
Time to Plan Around the Sales Tax Refund
Florida’s home hardening sales tax refund covers impact windows, doors and garage doors bought from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029, for eligible homestead properties. An off-season start gives you time to check whether your home qualifies and which receipts you need.
Our guide to the sales tax refund on impact upgrades covers who qualifies, the forms and the deadline.
A Month-by-Month Plan, Counting Back From June 1
To finish by June 1, sign by around early March, and use the months before that to compare and decide. This sample plan uses the timeline of about 3 months; your contractor sets the actual order and dates for your project.
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| November to December | Book estimates, count every window, sliding glass door and entry door, and check whether your property has an HOA |
| December to January | Compare quotes, choose products and sign; the timeline of about 3 months starts here |
| January to April | Permit, HOA approval if needed, and manufacturing of about 6 to 8 weeks depending on project scope |
| Around early March | Latest start for a June 1 finish, since the process takes about 3 months and can vary |
| March to May | Installation, which averages 1 to 2 days |
| May 15 | South Florida’s wet season begins, per NWS Miami |
| June 1 | Hurricane season begins; keep shutters or panels for any opening not yet replaced |
The first step is the count. Walk around the house and list every window, sliding glass door and entry door you want to replace, so the estimate covers the whole home and you can compare impact window quotes line by line.
Want your windows done before June 1? Book a free impact window estimate or call (877) 554-6373 while the off-season calendar still has room.
Starting Later: Spring, Summer or During Hurricane Season
You can start an impact window project at any time of year. The trade-off is that a later start finishes inside hurricane season, so your current protection has to cover the gap.
- Spring start (mid-March to May): with about 3 months start to finish, the work likely finishes after June 1, so plan to use your current protection in the first weeks of the season.
- Summer start (June to September): the work may finish during the busiest part of the season. Our month-by-month guide to Florida hurricane season shows which months bring the most storms.
- Fall start (October or later): the work can be done during the off-season, well ahead of the next June 1.
A summer or fall start is still worth it. Impact windows stay in place for every storm that follows, and the project is behind you before the next season starts.
Whenever you start, keep shutters, panels or plywood ready for every opening until installation day. Compare the ways to protect your windows until then, and test-fit them before June 1.
What to Settle in Winter Before You Sign
Use the quiet months to answer the questions that can stall a project later. Each one takes a phone call or an online lookup.
- Is there an HOA? HOA approval is needed only when the property has an HOA. If you have one, ask for its window and door rules before you choose colors and styles.
- Who pulls the permit? Every USA Home Improvement project is permitted. Ask any contractor you compare to confirm the permit is in the price and in their name.
- Ask for approval numbers. USA Home Improvement customers can receive the Florida Product Approval number for each window and door on request.
- Verify the license. USA Home Improvement’s license number is CGC1526707. See how to check a Florida contractor license online before you sign with anyone.
Ask your insurer, too, which documents it wants after the work is done, and ask the contractor how the sales tax on the products will show on your receipts, since the refund claim needs proof of the tax you paid.
Our impact window guide for planning a project covers ratings, styles and county rules in more depth.
Impact Window Timing FAQs
Is fall, right after hurricane season ends, a good time to start?
Yes. A project started in November or December has the most room before June 1, even if the timeline runs past about 3 months. Before you book, run through our window and door checks for after hurricane season to see which openings need attention first.
How far in advance should I book impact window installation?
Book about 3 months before you want the work done, and earlier if you can. At USA Home Improvement, the process takes about 3 months start to finish, though it can vary.
For a June 1 finish, that means signing by around early March at the latest.
Do impact doors follow the same timeline as windows?
Impact doors are planned the same way. At USA Home Improvement, manufacturing takes about 6 to 8 weeks depending on project scope, and a project takes about 3 months start to finish, though it can vary.
Can I still get impact windows before hurricane season if I start in April?
Probably not by June 1. With about 3 months start to finish, an April start would likely finish in early summer. Plan to keep shutters or panels ready for the first weeks of the season, and ask your contractor for a realistic date during the estimate.
Pick Your Start Month, Then Book the Estimate
If you want impact windows in place by June 1, count back about 3 months and give yourself extra room. That means estimates in late fall, a signed project in December or January if you can, and around early March at the latest.
Compare financing options for an impact window project. Financing may be available for qualified homeowners through independent third-party providers. Terms, eligibility and availability depend on the program and location.
USA Home Improvement is licensed (CGC1526707) and insured and has served Florida homeowners for more than 15 years. We sell ES Windows exclusively, and our installation team holds direct certification from the manufacturer.
Get a free estimate or call (877) 554-6373.
