Built for storms, tuned for heat
Every impact window protects against hurricanes. But not every impact window fights Florida heat equally. The difference is the glass package: low-E coatings, warm-edge spacers, and gas fills that turn a storm window into an efficiency window. In Orlando — where the AC runs eight months a year — that tuning pays off every single day.
The three efficiency levers
Low-E coatings. Invisible metallic layers that reflect infrared heat while passing visible light. This is the big one for Florida — it directly cuts the solar heat baking through your glass. Insulated construction. Two panes with a sealed air space (often with argon gas) slow heat transfer far better than a single pane. Tight frames and seals. New windows seal properly; your old ones leak cooled air at every edge. Together, these three decide how hard your AC works.
Which glass for which side of the house
Not every window needs the maximum package. West and south-facing glass takes the brutal afternoon sun — that's where the best solar control earns its keep. North-facing windows get little direct sun and can use a simpler package. Shaded windows under deep overhangs or oak canopy need less help. We spec glass by exposure, not by upsell — the right coating in the right place.
What you'll actually notice
The first thing isn't the electric bill — it's the comfort. The west-facing living room that's unusable at 4pm becomes usable. Hot and cold spots even out. The AC cycles less and the house holds temperature better. Then the bills follow. Read our energy savings guide for the full picture.