Florida is home to beautiful beaches and almost year-round sunshine. Both add to the state’s allure. But the Sunshine State also has a lengthy hurricane history. Coastal communities are the most vulnerable to high winds, torrential rainfall, and storm surges, making it essential for residential and commercial buildings to shelter and shutter themselves from potential damage.
Florida Approved impact windows and doors are resilient and solid, designed to withstand high winds, flying debris, and other hurricane-related damage. Understanding the Florida Building Code, guidelines, and requirements will help you stay safe. It will also keep you compliant with local regulations. One such regulation that comes up a lot is whether impact windows and doors are required in Florida?
Keep reading for more information on this topic! Then, contact Eurex Shutters to schedule a consultation to determine whether impact windows and doors are a good fit for your Florida home.
Understanding the Florida Building Code
The Florida Building Code, also known as the FBC, is a safety standard to improve the durability and security of residential and commercial buildings constructed in Florida. Building codes are state-specific and can vary between counties, addressing unique challenges like hurricane resistance and disaster preparedness.
The FBC covers construction, structural integrity, disaster safety, accessibility, and energy efficiency, among other things. Public and private buildings must meet minimum safety standards to avoid legal repercussions and consequences.
Are Impact Windows and Doors Required in Florida?
Many people in Florida are curious if impact windows and doors are required.These requirements come into question if you are replacing your windows (on older homes) or building a new construction home in the state of Florida. FEMA’s 50% rule also brings this question into the mind of many in Southwest Florida and other areas hit hard by recent Atlantic hurricanes.
It is a bit of a tricky answer because in Florida requirements for impact windows are based on location. In fact, each municipality has the ability to set their own requirements. In turn, it is important to check with local building and permitting agencies to understand the requirements for your area.
At a high level, hurricane-prone areas and coastlines have stringent guidelines, while inland counties are not as stringent with the Florida Building Code (FBC).
For instance, coastal areas within one mile of the coastal mean high-water line must have impact windows or impact-resistant shutters capable of combating wind speeds of at least 110 miles per hour. Hurricane-prone areas with wind speeds exceeding 120 miles per hour must also have impact windows and doors.
For inland communities where hurricanes are possible but as high of a risk, general guidelines dictate that there should be some form of external protection against weather damage. It could be exterior shutters or impact-resistant windows, but something must be in place to prevent as much damage as possible.
Compliance and other Considerations
Since hurricanes can be life-threatening and dangerous, Florida regulations are in place to keep people and properties safe. Compliance is often mandatory, and non-compliance can unfortunately lead to legal repercussions, such as:
- Fines and penalties of hundreds or thousands of dollars. You may also be put on a deadline to fit your home or business with impact windows and doors, or fines will add up.
- Denied building permits. Constructing a new home or renovating your commercial building? Hurricane preparedness is a must if your local area requires it. Refusing to comply with the requirements in a High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) as well as other areas could stop construction until regulations are met.
- Increased insurance rates. Impact windows and doors can prevent more significant hurricane damage. Failure to comply leaves your home or business open to destruction. And this will most likely lead to higher insurance premiums because of higher insurance risk.
- Costly repairs and replacements. Impact windows and doors help minimize hurricane damage. Homes or businesses without proper hurricane protection are more susceptible to damage. This leads to more expensive repairs or replacements to recover a building’s integrity.
- Resale challenges. Florida is unfortunately hurricane hotspot. Potential buyers look for homes with hurricane products in place to prevent damage. Homes with current safety standards are preferred, and those without may be more difficult to sell.
Ensuring your home or business meets Florida Building Code requirements helps you prepare for hurricane damage while avoiding legal issues. Use impact windows and doors from Eurex Shutters to better protect yourself, your loved ones, and your property. Give yourself peace of mind this and every hurricane season.
Regions in Florida Where Impact Protection is Mandatory
High-velocity hurricane zones (HVHZs) such as Miami-Dade County, Broward County, Monroe County, and Palm Beach County have very stringent requirements. Homes and businesses in these four counties must have impact windows, shutters, or alternative hurricane impact protection to prevent structural damage. Some coastal areas of Collier County also fall under the impact protection mandate, ensuring resilience and safety in the face of hurricane-force winds and rain.
We at Eurex Shutters are well-versed in Florida Building Code and hurricane-safety regulations. Our reviews and ratings are positive, backing our reliable reputation. Our business is licensed, bonded, and insured, and we accommodate both residential and commercial buildings. Contact us to learn how impact windows and doors can help you prepare your home or business for hurricane season.
The Benefits of Complying with Impact Window Requirements in Florida
Compliance with impact window requirements in Florida offers several significant benefits, such as:
- Prevent structural damage to your home or business. Impact windows and doors are designed to withstand damaging elements. They significantly reduce the risks of injury to you and your loved ones and the destruction of your property.
- Insurance discounts. Insurance companies examine risk. You are susceptible to more damage when your home or business is unequipped to handle a hurricane. In turn, the more protected your home is, the likelier you are to get significant discounts on insurance rates.
- Save on utilities. Impact windows and doors provide insulation against weather conditions, including infamous Florida heatwaves. You can save cash on energy bills. Plus, impact windows block UV rays to protect furniture and other surfaces from sun damage.
- Increased property value. Homes with impact windows are attractive to potential Florida home buyers. They represent safety, leading to an increase in the resale value of your property.
Alternatives to Impact Windows and Doors for Storm Protection
Impact windows and doors are a resilient choice for homes and businesses, but there are alternatives. Hurricane shutters are a popular choice for Florida homeowners. Accordion, Bahama, and roll down hurricane shutters offer storm protection and aesthetic appeal while being convenient to use and easy to deploy.
Storm panels, hurricane fabric, and hurricane screens are other hurricane protection options. Storm panels are made from aluminum, steel, or polycarbonate, while hurricane fabric is flexible fabric that is strong, and easy to install. Screens are durable and protective, offering respite from debris on patios and porches.
In extreme last-minute cases, some Florida homes and businesses use plywood to protect their windows and doors during hurricanes. While these methods work short-term, investing in impact windows and doors for long-term protection is a more intelligent idea.
Contact Eurex Shutters for more information about impact windows and doors to comply with Florida regulations and requirements!
Or call (239) 369-8600 for immediate service.
Sources:
- https://www.a1fla.com/blog/impact-window-requirements-in-florida/
- https://www.sofloimpactwindows.com/florida-building-code-for-impact-windows
- https://www.windowanddoorreplacementcompany.com/florida/blog-detail/florida-building-code-window-door-replacement/
- https://www.proreplacementwindows.com/blog/are-hurricane-windows-required-in-florida-your-safety-checklist/
