Get HOA Approval Without the Hassle: Our ARC Packet Makes It Easy

Many homeowners associations require Architectural Review Committee approval before an exterior screen is installed. A clear submission can make the review easier, but the association—not Fortress Screens—sets the requirements and makes the final decision.

The best time to plan for HOA or ARC review is before the project is ordered. Start with your community’s current exterior-modification rules, then assemble the product and project information the committee requests. Fortress can provide supporting material for that homeowner submission.

Start with your community’s rules

Every association handles exterior changes differently. Some use a short request form. Others require an application, photographs, color samples, contractor information, drawings, neighbor notices, a fee, or a formal board review. Use the current documents supplied by your association rather than relying on a neighbor’s past submission.

Look for the section covering windows, storm protection, security screens, doors, exterior colors, or architectural changes. Note the submission deadline and whether the committee meets on a fixed schedule. If the rules are unclear, ask the property manager or board which documents are required before you prepare the packet.

What to include in an ARC submission

1. The association’s application. Complete the current form and include the homeowner, property, contractor, and proposed-work details it requests.
2. A clear scope. Identify every window, door, slider, lanai, or other opening included in the project. Marking the openings on elevation photographs can help the committee understand the change.
3. Product information. Include the stainless steel mesh, structural frame, approval, certification, and attachment information relevant to the proposed installation.
4. Color and appearance. State the exact selected frame color and provide photographs or samples showing how the screens look on a completed property.
5. Project-specific documents. Add measurements, drawings, permits, engineering, contractor credentials, or other items when your association or the project requires them.

What Fortress can provide

Fortress can support the homeowner’s request with factual product and appearance information. Depending on the project and the association’s checklist, the support material may include:

• Florida Building Code approval numbers FL32125.1-R2 and FL32125.2-R2
• NAMI certification numbers NI014823-R2 and NI014824-R2
• Product specifications for the stainless steel mesh and structural aluminum frame
• Standard and project-selected frame-color information
• Installation photographs showing comparable residential applications
• Project scope and contractor information when available and applicable

These materials support the submission; they do not guarantee approval. The homeowner remains responsible for following the association’s process, paying required fees, obtaining written approval, and complying with any conditions the committee places on the project.

Make the appearance easy to evaluate

ARC reviewers often focus on consistency: frame color, exterior sightlines, visible hardware, the number of openings, and how the installation relates to neighboring homes. A submission should show the proposed work as it will actually appear rather than describing it only as “hurricane protection” or “security screens.”

Fortress Screens are custom made for the selected openings. Standard frame colors are White, Bronze, and Black, with premium custom colors available when the project calls for them. Review physical samples and installation photographs before naming a color in the application.

For more context on residential appearance, openings, egress, pricing, and installation planning, see the Fortress residential guide. The HOA and ARC answer in the Fortress FAQ can also help organize the association-review step.

A practical approval sequence

1. Request the current rules and form. Confirm the committee’s requirements, deadlines, fees, and meeting schedule.
2. Define the actual project. Choose the openings and preliminary frame color so the submission describes a specific exterior change.
3. Gather support material. Ask Fortress for the relevant product, certification, color, photo, and project information.
4. Submit one complete package. Keep a copy and record when and how it was delivered.
5. Wait for written approval. Respond to follow-up questions and do not treat silence or an informal conversation as final authorization.
6. Confirm the approved scope before installation. Make sure the openings, frame color, and any committee conditions match the final order.

Frequently asked questions

Does every Fortress installation require HOA approval?

No. Approval depends on the property and the association’s governing documents. Many managed communities require review before exterior modifications, but the homeowner should confirm the current rule with the association.

Can Fortress guarantee that my ARC request will be approved?

No. Fortress can provide supporting product and project information, but the association controls its requirements, review schedule, and final decision.

What frame colors are available?

Standard Fortress frame colors are White, Bronze, and Black. Premium custom colors may be available for an additional cost. Confirm the exact selected finish in the ARC submission and final project order.

Should I order the screens before approval?

Wait for written association approval when your community requires it. The approved openings, frame color, and conditions should match the final order before manufacturing and installation are scheduled.