Selecting the correct hurricane impact doors for your Southwestern Florida home is essential. When it comes to severe weather, it’s vital that your home is protected from not only the wind and driving rain, but flying debris as well. Hurricane-proof doors are available for all aspects of your home from the front door to the patio and the garage. In this article we provide guidance and tips on how to choose hurricane impact doors, including 7 things to consider when selecting yours.
Table of Contents:
Intro to Impact Doors
Impact Doors are doors designed, tested, and approved to withstand the intense winds, driving rains, and flying debris common during a hurricane. These doors look like regular doors, but they are constructed with impact glass and impact resistant materials, including the frame.
They are available in most categories of doors, including impact sliding glass doors, impact French doors, impact entry doors, and more.
One of the the biggest benefits of hurricane impact doors is that you do not need to install anything over them when a hurricane is approaching. This means no installing storm panels or deploying hurricane shutters. The doors themselves are impact resistant so they are your hurricane protection. This means your doors will be protected 24/7 by themselves. So if you are not around, your doors will be ready for any storm.
If you are unsure of which solution is right for you you can check out our guide on Impact Sliding Glass Doors vs Hurricane Shutters on Slider Doors.
Considerations
When purchasing or upgrading your home’s hurricane doors, consider the following:
1. Impact Resistance Rating
Look for hurricane impact doors that are designed to withstand hurricane-force winds and impact from flying debris. In the United States, the Florida Building Code, Miami-Dade County Building Code Compliance Office, and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) are the go to resources for these ratings. Fortunately, all of Eurex Shutters impact-resistant doors already exceed the latest Florida Building Code regulations.
Hurricane-rated doors are tested to withstand wind speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. Some doors are certified to withstand wind speeds of up to 200 miles per hour or more. These doors undergo rigorous testing procedures, including the impact of large objects propelled at high speeds to ensure their effectiveness in extreme weather.
Be sure that you choose the correct doors based on your location, potential wind speed for your area, and your Florida city or county’s local requirements.
2. Material
It is important to consider the material of the door. This will include the door frame. You will also need to ensure that any glass on the door is impact glass, not tempered or other.
In terms of the frame they are made from a wide range of materials. Common ones include aluminum, vinyl, and fiberglass. You can also source steel ones.
Aluminum is impact resistant and lightweight. Vinyl is strong and renowned for its low maintenance over time. Fiberglass doors offer excellent protection and impact resistance. They also resist warping. Steel or wrought iron doors offer protection plus strength and security.
The material you choose will be based on your home’s location, its style or appearance, and your personal preferences. Regardless, hurricane impact doors are offered in a wide range of materials.
3. Installation:
Proper installation is vital for the effectiveness of your hurricane-proof doors. These doors require fortified components and frames to provide maximum protection in a storm. But they also have to be installed properly and to code in order to perform how they are supposed to.
Look for a hurricane protection company that specializes in installing storm products rather than buying a door at the store and finding any old contractor to install it. This ensures that the product is installed by local, knowledgable, factory-trained technicians.
Working with a local hurricane company that offers post-sale services is also a benefit. This way you will have a company to call if you need to repair or service your door (and windows, etc.) in the future.
4. Design & Customization
Hurricane impact doors are available in a wide variety of designs and styles. Most look like any other door, created so you cannot tell they are impact resistant. Still, they will protect you in a storm.
The doors are available in various colors, finishes, and styles. Some are standard (such as those from a big-box, hardware store). Others can be customized to your home. Every home is unique, so customization in the shape, size, and style is always helpful.
Consider the location and features of your home as well. If your home is on the coast and you have a beautiful view, you won’t want to cover it up. In this case you can opt for a door with large impact glass inserts. Look for impact-resistant sliding doors that match your home’s design and maximize the visibility of your coastal view, patio or other amazing features of your home.
In addition to aesthetic design, functional design is important as well. Due to their protective-based engineering, these products are made with heavy duty materials that can also be quite heavy. You’ll want doors that you can easily slide and use just like any other door. This is why lightweight options such as aluminum impact doors are a good choice.
5. Energy Efficiency & UV Protection
Another benefit of installing impact doors is that they are energy efficient. And energy efficient doors help you to maintain interior temperatures, saving you money on energy bills. It also helps to make your home more comfortable in the Southwest Florida heat.
Features will vary by door, but new doors have insulating features. These include things like additional interior insulation and advanced weather stripping systems.
For doors with glass inserts (or is mostly glass like sliding glass doors) you can choose insulated impact glass. This glass helps to improve the energy efficiency overall. And you can further improve performance with low-e, impact glass. Low-E coating keeps the UV rays out as well, protecting your furniture and carpets.
6. Warranty
Check the warranty offered by the manufacturer to ensure your hurricane-proof doors are covered against defects and damage for a long time. You will want to compare warranties based on both length of time and what is actually covered.
7. Cost
Budget is always a consideration when making any purchase. However, while cost is an important factor, it is also important to prioritize the quality and effectiveness of the doors.
Your doors will be a long term part of your home, so it’s vital you invest in a high-quality product that will last many years to come and provide years of protection against South Florida’s harsh storms.
Quality Hurricane Impact Doors in Southwest Florida
If you are interested in impact doors in Southwest Florida then we would love to win your business. We install the highest-quality impact-resistant doors designed to meet and exceed the Florida Building Code. Our in-house, factory-trained team takes pride in expert installation. For over 38 years, Eurex Shutter has been helping homeowners install the highest quality hurricane protection on the market. Contact us today for your free in-home estimate.
Or call (239) 369-8600 for immediate service.
