West Palm Beach is a lovely part of South Florida. Just to the west of Palm Beach, on the inside of the barrier lagoon, and 68 miles north of Miami, it started as a fruit-growing settlement along Lake Worth (which was a lake at the time). Today, many properties in the area benefit from the added security and energy efficiency of impact windows.
However, like all of South Florida, it can be vulnerable to storms and hurricanes. Living during hurricane season is the price you pay for being in such a beautiful town. So, what makes West Palm Beach worth it, pun intended?
History and Historic Neighborhoods
At the start of the 20th century, tourism and the tropical fruit trade fueled West Palm Beach’s steady growth as the first community incorporated in what was then Dade County. The biggest growth happened between 1920 and 1927 when the population quadrupled. However, the 1928 Okeechobee hurricane caused significant damage and signaled the start of the great depression.
The city only recovered at the start of World War II, but the fast growth in the 1920s left a legacy—beautiful landmark structures and lovely neighborhoods that survive to this day. It grew again in the 1950s, declined in the 1970s and 1980s, but has recovered since and now has high-speed rail.
Historic neighborhoods include:
El Cid
El Cid started in 1875 but came of age in the 1920s. The earliest settlers were Benjamin Lainhart and Elizabeth Wilder (nee Moore), but they sold some of their land to developers. Lainhart raised pineapple, but when the railroad arrived, there was a boom, and then in the 1920s, the land boom hit. Independent builders purchased the available lots, mostly old pineapple fields, and created luxurious Mediterranean Revival and Mission-style homes. Close to downtown, the neighborhood became affluent and well-developed.
It’s now listed on the local, State, and National Register of Historic Places and is mostly occupied by professionals and business owners who love the historic homes and convenient location.
Flamingo Park
Flamingo Park is a similar neighborhood, close to downtown and full of lovely Mediterranean and Spanish-style homes. Like El Cid, much of the land was originally a pineapple plantation (and the neighborhood immediately south is called “Pineapple Park.”). Growing up in the 1920s, it experienced a rejuvenation in the 1980s. It’s located in a historic zoning district.
Bel Air
Spotted a pattern yet? Bel Air also started as a pineapple plantation. The original frame plantation home still stands. The plantation was owned by Richard Hone and sold to a developer when he was murdered in 1905, but the actual development did not happen for a while.
This lovely neighborhood (you might also see it called Belair, without the space) has elegant homes and some stories to tell.
Why Live in West Palm Beach?
In addition to the history, there are lots of other reasons why you might want to choose West Palm Beach as a home. Whether you are wealthy and choosing a home in Southland Park, with its median home price of over $2 million, or looking for something more affordable, the city has plenty of options.
Here are some other reasons you might want to live here:
Climate
If you hate the cold, south Florida is perfect for you. The temperature seldom drops below 65 degrees and, despite Florida’s reputation, rarely exceeds 100 degrees. However, West Palm Beach can be wet; although the wet season is from May to October, the period from November through April still gets a fair bit of rain. Freezes are rare.
Many people find this predictable, warm climate to be a major draw. However, the downside is heavy rains and, yes, hurricanes, which require that your home be protected.
Culture
West Palm Beach is home to SunFest, a music, art, and waterfront festival that attracts more than 275,000 people and includes some famous artists. Year-round, the city is also home to Florida’s largest art museum, the Norton Museum of Art, and the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. The historic 1916 courthouse is now the Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum, which has an amazing archive.
Transportation Links
Palm Beach County has Palm Beach International Airport, which has flights all over the country as well as locally. U.S. 1 and Interstate 95 both pass through the city, connecting you with the rest of the world. There are daily long-distance trains that run from Miami to points north and stop in West Palm Beach. The local commuter rail is also pretty good.
Water Recreation
West Palm Beach sits along the waterfront, but the Palm Beach barrier island protects and shelters its waterfront from storms. This makes it a great launching point for all kinds of water recreation. Yachting, fishing, windsurfing, etc are all available in water that never gets cold. Ocean access requires going north to the north end of the island or going to the Palm Beach shore.
West Palm has its beaches, but there are also awesome beaches in Palm Beach, an easy trip by car or water taxi.
Protecting Your West Palm Beach Home with Impact Windows
By South Florida standards, West Palm Beach is relatively protected from hurricanes. A major source of protection is the Palm Beach barrier island. Hurricanes tend to hit the barrier island and lose force. The only direct hit was the Okeechobee Hurricane in 1928, which did a lot of damage to the city. Glancing blows also occurred in 1933 and 1949.
However, this doesn’t mean that you are safe from storms; far from it. West Palm Beach typically experiences storm surges and plentiful rain rather than direct hits. For example, in 2016, Palm Beach County was spared from Hurricane Matthew by a convenient high-pressure ridge. Despite this, 50-mph gusts were recorded at Palm Beach International Airport.
This means that you have to take appropriate steps to protect your home from storm damage and also from extended periods of rain, common in the rainy period.
There are other threats to your home, too. Outdoor noise can affect your quiet enjoyment, sleep, and ability to work in your home office. And some storm upgrades will also help reduce your risk of a break-in and even reduce your energy costs.
Some simple steps to protect your home include:
- Installing hurricane clips at the connection between the foundation and wall and wall and roof.
- Reinforce carports and porches.
- Bring your boat onto land if possible. If not, anchor it properly.
- Keep drains, gutters, and downspouts clean.
- Trim large trees and shrubs so they don’t grow too close to your house.
- Bring outdoor furniture and any movable items indoors when you expect a storm.
One of the biggest things you can do is install impact windows or hurricane windows. (The two terms are interchangeable.) Homeowners can install impact windows on historic homes without changing their character or violating historic district rules. These windows come in various designs and colors, and builders typically use aluminum or vinyl for the frames. No matter the style of your home, you can install good-looking impact windows that match it.
Benefits of Impact Windows
Installing impact windows has several benefits for your home that make them well worth the cost.
Compliance
The Florida Building Code requires your windows to be impact-resistant or protected if your home is within one mile of the coast. Impact-resistant windows meet this requirement as well as provide other benefits.
If your home is not compliant, you may not be able to sell it, and you could potentially face regulatory issues.
Insurance Costs
Many home insurance companies will lower your premiums if you install impact windows. The grounds are that the impact windows not only reduce the risk of storm damage to your home but can also reduce break-ins and theft. Note that if you install hurricane windows in a bedroom, they need to be operable so that you can get out in an emergency, as first responders may also have problems breaking the window.
Talk to your insurance company to find out what benefits they offer for installing hurricane windows.
Energy Savings
Hurricane windows keep more heat out of your home (and, in the rare case of a cold snap), This saves you money on air conditioning. The National Fenestration Rating Council does testing and certification and provides results for things such as solar heat gain and air leakage.
This can pay for itself by reducing energy bills significantly and it is also good for the environment and your carbon footprint.
UV Protection
These windows also keep out UV rays, meaning you are protected from the sun while indoors. Limiting UV also helps prevent the fading of furnishings, carpets, window treatments, etc., potentially extending their lives.
This is without impacting visible light, so your home will remain well lit and you will get all the benefits of natural sunlight.
Increased Home Value
If you decide to sell, potential buyers are likely to favor homes that already have impact windows installed. This can help you get more money for your home and sell it faster, allowing you to move when you want to instead of being stuck for weeks.
If, on the other hand, your house is not compliant with the rules, you’re unlikely to be able to find a buyer. Install impact windows before selling your home if you don’t already have them.
Noise Reduction
Impact windows transmit less noise from outside, meaning that you won’t be annoyed when your neighbor decides to mow the lawn at 5 a.m. Noise reduction helps you enjoy your home more and can help anxious pets by reducing the noise they experience.
Peace of Mind
The strongest winds ever recorded in Palm Beach County were 95 mph. Hurricane windows withstand winds exceeding 100 mph, making them capable of handling any conditions likely to impact West Palm Beach. The highest-quality impact windows can endure winds over 200 mph.
Impact windows ensure that your home remains secure against breaches through the windows, even in the rare event of a direct hit.
Easier Storm Preparation
For most storms, you won’t have to board up windows or close hurricane shutters because your windows will be able to take the hit without the extra help. This means you can focus on other parts of storm preparation, especially if you need to evacuate. Just ensure that you properly close and lock any operable windows.
Why Choose A-Christian Glass?
Upgrading to impact windows is essentially a no-brainer. Why should you choose A-Christian Glass to install your update or replace your hurricane windows?
With over 35 years of experience, we offer hurricane windows and doors rated at 200 miles per hour or more, ensuring your home’s safety with the highest quality impact products.
We also provide elegant products that fit every architectural style. If you live in a historic neighborhood such as Bel Air or Flamingo Park, you might be worried that any window update will destroy the character and charm of your historic home. We can upgrade with impact windows that look like what you had before.
Your windows are also only as good as the installation. We have the expertise to ensure that we install your new impact windows properly. We also repair damaged impact windows and doors.
If you live in West Palm Beach, you live somewhere with charm, history, and interesting stories. Keeping your home’s appearance intact is important, and at A-Christian Glass, we protect your home without sacrificing its style. Call A-Christian Glass at (561) 278-3355 to schedule your free estimate and discuss how to better protect your home today.
