If you’re a Florida homeowner, you’ve probably heard these terms thrown around like they mean the same thing:
- Impact windows
- Hurricane windows
- Storm windows
In Florida, what you install should always align with local building code, wind pressure (DP), permits, and sometimes HVHZ requirements.
Here’s the rule: you don’t guess. You match what you install to what your building department + wind exposure actually require.
Watch the Video
Prefer reading? The full breakdown + checklist + transcript is below.
The Florida Reality: Requirements Change by County, Exposure, and HVHZ
What you need depends on:
- your exact location in Florida,
- your home’s exposure,
- the specific openings (size/orientation/height),
- and what your local building department will approve on permit.
HVHZ: Miami-Dade + Broward = Stricter Standards
Florida’s High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) applies to Miami-Dade and Broward counties, and it’s referenced directly in Florida Building Code resources as having more stringent requirements for exterior opening protection and testing expectations.
Translation: in HVHZ, the approval/testing standards and permitting scrutiny are typically tighter.
What “Impact Rated” Actually Means
A real impact-rated window is a tested system, not just “strong glass”:
- Laminated glazing designed to crack but remain intact
- Frame + hardware engineered to resist wind pressure and cycling
- Testing standards used to certify impact resistance (Florida’s resources reference ASTM and HVHZ requirements)
If you want the homeowner version: the goal is that the window doesn’t become a hole in your house during impact + pressure events.
Impact Windows vs Shutters vs Plywood (No BS Comparison)
| Option | Protection When Storm Hits | Needs Deployment | Common Failure Point | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impact Windows | High (always active) | No | Wrong rating / bad install | Homeowners who want always-on protection |
| Shutters / Panels | High (if deployed correctly) | Yes | Not installed in time / missing hardware | Budget + disciplined prep |
| Plywood | Low–Medium (inconsistent) | Yes | Time, fasteners, human error | Last resort, short-term |
The Florida Building Commission specifically requires builders and homeowners to protect exterior openings with shutters or impact-resistant windows, especially in High Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZ).
The Only Checklist That Matters (Print This Before You Buy)
Florida Impact Window Checklist
- Are you in HVHZ (Miami-Dade / Broward) or not?
- What does your local permit office require for your address/openings? (Don’t assume.)
- DP / wind pressure rating: does each opening meet what’s required?
- Product approval proof: get the FL# (Florida Product Approval Number) and verify it.
- If HVHZ applies: confirm HVHZ-appropriate approvals/requirements.
- Installation method matches the structure (masonry/CBS vs wood framing matters).
- Permit responsibility is written into the contract (who pulls, who closes).
- Warranty clarity: manufacturer + labor, and what voids it.
How to Verify Florida Product Approval
- Ask the contractor for the FL# for the exact window/door series.
- Look it up in the Florida Product Approval database.
- Confirm the approval matches the product you’re being quoted (series, configuration, limitations).
If they can’t give you the FL# or they “don’t do that,” that’s a red flag.
Statewide Service Targeting
We help homeowners across Florida match the right window system to code, exposure, and permit expectations, including:
- East Coast / South Florida
- Palm Beach County
- Broward County
- Miami-Dade County
- Martin County
- St. Lucie County
- Brevard County
- West Coast / Gulf Coast
- Hillsborough County
- Sarasota County
- Charlotte County
- Pinellas County
- Pasco County
- Manatee County
- Lee County
- Polk County
FAQ
Are impact windows required everywhere in Florida?
Not always. Florida requirements vary by local jurisdiction, wind exposure, and whether HVHZ rules apply. Florida Building Code resources explicitly recognize the High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ), including Miami-Dade and Broward counties, as a stricter regulatory zone.
Are hurricane windows and impact windows the same?
People use the terms interchangeably, but what matters is whether the product is impact-resistant and meets the required approvals and performance metrics for your location and permit.
What is the easiest way to verify a window is approved in Florida?
Use the Florida Product Approval database and verify the FL# for the exact product line you’re being sold.
Is plywood “good enough”?
Only if you’re treating it as a short-term last resort. In real storms, plywood fails more often because it depends on time, perfect fastening, and deployment.
Transcript
What Type of Window Do I Need in Florida?
What type of window do I need in Florida? You’ve heard “storm-rated,” “hurricane-rated,” “impact windows”… but you’re not sure what you actually need for your home.
Here’s the truth: in Florida, you don’t guess. You match what you install to local code, wind pressure requirements, and, if applicable, HVHZ rules.
What Determines What You Need?
What’s required depends on where you live and how your home is built. In Florida, the answer usually comes from your local building department, your permit requirements, and your home’s wind exposure.
If you’re in a High Velocity Hurricane Zone like Miami-Dade or Broward, the rules are stricter. Bottom line: two homes can be close to each other and still require different ratings based on exposure, opening size, and structure.
What Makes a Window Hurricane-Rated?
A real hurricane-rated or impact-rated window isn’t just strong glass — it’s a tested system.
First, the frame and hardware are built to resist extreme pressure so the sash doesn’t blow in or pull out.
Second, the glass is laminated, similar to a car windshield: glass, a strong inner layer, then another layer of glass. If debris hits it and it cracks, it’s designed to stay intact, keeping the opening protected.
How Are Impact Windows Tested?
Impact-rated products are tested for debris impact and then for pressure cycling — basically repeated push and pull forces that simulate hurricane winds.
That matters because hurricanes aren’t only about flying debris. They’re also about wind pressure trying to force openings to fail.
How Much Do Impact Windows Cost?
Impact windows do cost more than standard windows.
You’re paying for stronger engineering, laminated glass, certified performance, and tighter install requirements. But you’re also buying year-round protection without last-minute panic when a storm shows up.
Impact Windows vs Shutters vs Plywood
The alternatives are shutters and plywood. Depending on your area, you may be allowed to use storm shutters — accordion, roll-down, panels, or fabric systems.
They can work, but they’re bulkier, they require deployment, and they only protect you if you actually close them in time.
Plywood is the cheapest option, but it’s the least reliable in real life. You need the panels ready, the time to install them, and if you’re away, you’re exposed.
Final Thoughts
If you want the clean look and storm protection without scrambling every season, impact windows are often the best long-term solution when selected and installed correctly.
If you’re not sure what your home requires, contact Paradise Exteriors Windows and Doors. We’ll help you confirm what meets code, what passes permit, and what actually protects your home without the guesswork.
