Blog: Statewide Windows & Doors

Choosing the right impact windows and doors for a Florida home involves more than selecting a contractor.

Impact windows are designed to provide Florida homes with added protection against windborne debris and severe weather, but impact-resistant does not mean indestructible. Glass can still become scratched, chipped, cracked, or otherwise damaged.

Sliding glass doors are one of the defining features of many Florida homes. They connect indoor living spaces with patios, pools, lanais, balconies, and backyards while allowing large amounts of natural light into the home.

Many Florida homeowners know that their home has newer windows, but they may not know whether those windows are actually impact-rated. This is especially common when someone purchases a home after the windows were installed by a previous owner.

Florida homeowners often focus on windows when planning hurricane protection, but exterior doors are another important part of the home's building envelope.

Florida impact windows are exposed to environmental conditions that homeowners in many other parts of the country do not experience to the same degree. Intense sunlight, high temperatures, humidity, heavy rain, and coastal salt exposure can all affect exterior building materials over time.

Florida homeowners have several options when preparing their homes for hurricane season, and two of the most commonly researched are impact windows and hurricane shutters.

Impact windows are designed to help protect Florida homes from windborne debris and severe weather, but homeowners may still become concerned if they notice water around a window during or after heavy rain. A small amount of visible water does not always mean the impact window itself has failed.

Impact windows are one of the most important exterior upgrades Florida homeowners consider when preparing their homes for hurricanes and severe weather. But choosing impact windows involves more than simply finding glass labeled "impact-resistant.

Impact windows are designed to provide long-term hurricane protection while still functioning as everyday windows. Depending on the style, homeowners should be able to open, close, lock, and operate their windows according to the manufacturer's design.