Impact windows are remarkably low-maintenance — but they're not zero-maintenance. With 5 minutes of attention twice a year, your impact glass will perform for 25–35 years in Florida's harsh exterior conditions. Skip the maintenance and you'll see corroded hardware, failed weatherstripping, and reduced performance well before the manufacturer warranty expires. Here's the maintenance checklist used by VIP's install crews.
Quarterly: Glass Cleaning
Use plain water with a non-ammonia glass cleaner (Sprayway, Hope's Perfect Glass) and a clean microfiber cloth. Avoid ammonia-based cleaners (Windex), abrasive sponges, and razor blades — all of which can damage the LoE-366 coating on the interior surface of impact glass.
For salt-air homes (anywhere east of US-1 in Brevard, Indian River, and Volusia Counties), quarterly is the minimum. Salt residue accelerates the failure of LoE-366 coatings and corrodes hardware.
Twice Yearly: Track and Hardware Cleaning
Vacuum sliding window tracks twice a year — debris in the tracks causes premature roller wear and stuck windows. After vacuuming, wipe the tracks with a damp cloth and apply a light silicone spray (NOT WD-40, which attracts more dirt).
For sliding glass doors and casement windows, also clean and lubricate the hardware — locks, hinges, operators, and crank mechanisms. A light silicone spray on moving parts; never grease or oil-based lubricants.
Annually: Weatherstripping Inspection
Walk every impact window and check the weatherstripping (the rubber/foam seal where the sash meets the frame). Look for: compressed flat sections, torn or cracked rubber, gaps where the weatherstripping has pulled away from the frame, and signs of brittleness or yellowing.
Failed weatherstripping is the #1 cause of "leaking" impact windows. Replace any weatherstripping that's compressed flat or visibly damaged — most replacement weatherstripping is a peel-and-stick installation that takes minutes per window. Florida UV breaks down weatherstripping faster than anywhere else in the country; expect to replace every 8–12 years on most homes.
Florida pro tip: weatherstripping fails before glass and frames. If your impact windows feel drafty after 8–10 years, the fix is almost always weatherstripping — not replacement.
Annually: Sealant Inspection
Walk the exterior of every impact window and look at the perimeter sealant (caulk between the window frame and the wall). Florida UV degrades exterior caulk over time — typically requiring re-caulking every 5–8 years on sun-exposed elevations.
Failed exterior caulk lets water into the wall cavity behind the window — a common source of hidden Florida home water damage. Look for cracking, gaps, separation from the frame, and discoloration. If in doubt, re-caulk; it's a $5 tube and 10 minutes per window.
After Every Major Storm: Damage Check
After any storm that produces wind-borne debris (Category 1 hurricane, severe thunderstorm with hail, etc.), walk every impact window and inspect for: visible glass cracking or chipping (rare but possible on direct missile hits), bent or damaged framing, separated or torn weatherstripping, and water staining on interior trim suggesting a leak.
Most impact windows survive Florida storms with zero visible damage. When damage does occur, document it immediately for insurance purposes and call your installer for assessment. Manufacturer warranties typically cover post-storm structural damage on properly-installed impact glass.
What NOT to Do
Do not use ammonia-based glass cleaners on impact glass — they can damage the LoE-366 low-emissivity coating on the interior glass surface.
Do not use abrasive sponges, scouring pads, or razor blades on impact glass — they scratch the LoE coating.
Do not use WD-40 or oil-based lubricants in tracks or on hardware — they attract dirt and accelerate wear.
Do not pressure-wash impact windows at high settings — the seal between the laminated panes can be damaged by direct high-pressure water.
Do not paint the frames — sun and heat will cause the paint to fail and degrade the underlying frame finish. If color change is desired, replace with factory-finished frames.
- Avoid ammonia glass cleaners (damage LoE coating)
- Avoid abrasive sponges and razor blades
- Avoid WD-40 / oil-based lubricants in tracks
- Avoid high-pressure pressure washing
- Avoid painting factory-finished frames
When to Call a Professional
Most impact window maintenance is owner-doable. Call a professional installer for: visible glass cracking or chipping, frame separation from the wall (visible gaps or sagging), persistent water leaks despite re-caulking and weatherstripping replacement, or storm damage assessment for an insurance claim.
VIP Home Improvement Specialists provides impact window maintenance assessments and warranty claim service for our installs and for impact windows installed by other Brevard contractors.
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