Are Impact Windows Required In Florida

In florida and more specifically areas around the miami dade or broward counties it is mandatory to have impact windows installed on homes given the prevalence of hurricanes.

Are impact windows required in florida.

But why would you need impact windows if you re not in these zones. In fact they are far much better than using plywood or hurricane shutters to mitigate tornadoes and other deadly storms that ravage homes at the beach. However different counties have different codes. If you install impact protection shutters on your replacement door and window it must have an approval number from the state of florida and an evaluation report from the manufacturer.

Built with multiple layers these windows are not easy to break. However impact windows offer several advantages to both safety and quality of life and are advisable even if not legally required. High impact windows are not required in the entire state of florida but are required in coastal areas with some counties being more strict than others. This also applies to sliding doors and windows.

Impact windows are designed to be strong and tough. Areas impact windows are required florida has numerous codes in each area with varying requirements. As always consult your local laws and country requirements when upgrading your windows. The easy answer is that according to florida building code fbc all windows and doors must be protected if the building structure is within one mile of the coast where wind speed is in excess of 110 mph.

The question of whether hurricane windows and doors are required in florida is not a simple answer. If you want have insurance and other integral parts of a home s protection you may be frustrated to find that impact windows are required in florida. The reason is that local building codes determine the requirements as to whether impact windows and doors are required in a certain application. According to florida building code fbc all windows and doors must be protected if the building structure is within one mile of the coast where wind speed is in excess of 110 mph.

It requires windows to be impact resistant or protected by a shutter if the structure is located within one mile of the coast where the wind speed is 100 mph or greater. This includes of course tampa. Yes impact windows required in florida. These windows can not only save your house or commercial building from hurricane debris but also from burglary.

The installation of hurricane impact windows in florida is as important as the construction of the window. Installation guidelines are designated by the state but are subject to additional county requirements and inspections. For example any new buildings constructed in miami dade county including both commercial and residential buildings need windows that are capable of withstanding winds of up to 175 miles per hour. However as you move further inland and beyond that one mile radius most building departments in the northern part of the state do not require impact products.

The florida building code or fbc prescribes performance and construction requirements for exterior windows and glass doors installed in wall systems.