Sage-Tips

Are hurricane impact windows required in Florida?

A common question among Florida property owners is “Are impact windows required in Florida?” The short answer is no. Since the Florida Building Code requires either shutters or hurricane windows (another name for impact windows), homeowners and property managers must decide which protection is right for their property.

When did hurricane windows become required in Florida?

2001
The Basic Requirements of the Florida Building Code for Windows. In 2001, after the devastating damage caused by Hurricane Andrew, the Florida Building Code (FBC) Association established stronger requirements for wind and debris resistant housing.

Are impact windows necessary?

If you live in a coastal area that is prone to hurricanes and high winds, impact resistant windows are a great investment in the protection and safety of your home. Hurricane winds and severe thunderstorms can carry debris that is the single greatest threat to your home during a strong wind event.

Do I need hurricane windows?

However, choosing impact windows is typically the better choice. A standard hurricane window will be able to withstand the extreme pressure generated by hurricane-force winds, but it will shatter if struck by airborne debris. Impact windows are constructed with a durable laminate between the glass panes.

What counties in Florida require impact windows?

The Florida Building Code (FBC) requires that impact-resistant windows are installed in homes or commercial buildings along the coast. This requirement is especially important in Miami-Dade County, which has the most stringent requirements in the country when it comes to rain, wind and wind-borne debris tests.

Do I need shutters with impact windows?

With impact hurricane windows and doors you do not need hurricane shutters. Hurricane impact windows are made with coastal packages that have all aluminum and stainless steel components. Old hurricane shutters can become debris in a hurricane if they are not properly installed or if they are rusted and old.

Are Low E windows required in Florida?

Renovation rule Since 1978, a Florida statute has dictated that building renovations that are less than 30 percent of the assessed value of a structure do not have to comply with new energy codes. This included windows, until this year.

Do you need a permit to replace windows in Florida?

The answer is yes, you must pull a permit if you are replacing any exterior window or door. The Florida Building Code requires you to obtain a building permit to replace an existing window for an impact window (this rule also applies if you install a non-impact window).

Do I need hurricane shutters if I have impact windows?

With impact hurricane windows and doors you do not need hurricane shutters. With impact hurricane windows and doors you do not need to install and remove hurricane shutters every time a hurricane is coming; you just have to lock your windows and doors.

Are impact windows the same as hurricane windows?

Are impact windows the same as hurricane windows? The answer is yes. Hurricane windows and impact windows are the same. They may also be referred to as hurricane resistant windows, impact resistant windows, storm windows, etc.

Are hurricane windows the same as impact windows?

What’s the difference between impact windows and hurricane windows? To be honest, not a lot, since the terms are used interchangeably in the industry. People may call impact windows “hurricane-rated impact windows” or “storm windows” but they generally mean the same thing.

Are hurricane shutters mandatory in Florida?

The current Florida Building Codes demand that every home built after 2001 must either have hurricane shutters or storm windows. So yes, you do need some form of protection—whether you choose hurricane impact resistant windows or hurricane shutters is completely up to you.