Impact Windows & Doors in Hialeah
Florida's sixth-largest city with over 220,000 residents — most homes were built in the 1950s-1980s and urgently need impact product upgrades to replace aging jalousie windows.
Hialeah is the sixth-largest city in Florida and one of the most densely populated municipalities in Miami-Dade County. With over 220,000 residents spread across roughly 22 square miles, the city is overwhelmingly residential, made up of tightly packed single-family homes, duplexes, and small multifamily buildings that were largely built between the 1950s and 1980s. Most of these homes feature concrete block (CBS) construction with stucco exteriors, flat or low-slope roofs, and jalousie or single-hung aluminum windows that offer virtually no hurricane protection. Replacing these aging windows and doors with impact-rated products is one of the most meaningful upgrades a Hialeah homeowner can make.
Every property in Hialeah falls within the High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ), which means all replacement windows and doors must carry a valid Miami-Dade County Notice of Acceptance (NOA). Products approved only under the statewide Florida Building Code are not sufficient here. The HVHZ designation requires more rigorous testing that accounts for the higher wind speeds and debris impact levels found in coastal South Florida. Our Florida Building Code guide explains the difference between HVHZ and non-HVHZ requirements in detail.
Hialeah's Residential Landscape
Hialeah's housing stock is remarkably consistent compared to other South Florida cities. The majority of homes are single-story CBS block structures built during the suburban expansion of the 1960s and 1970s. While this consistency simplifies product selection in many cases, there are still important differences across the city's neighborhoods that affect impact window and door installations.
Common Home Styles and Product Recommendations
While Hialeah's architecture is less varied than some neighboring cities, the differences that exist between home styles have a direct impact on which products are needed and how they should be installed.
1950s-1960s CBS Block Homes
Small to mid-sized homes with jalousie or awning windows, often with non-standard opening sizes. These homes benefit most from impact single-hung or horizontal roller windows with custom sizing. Entry doors are frequently original hollow-core or low-grade steel units that should be replaced with impact-rated fiberglass or steel doors.
1970s-1980s Single-Family Homes
Larger homes with standard aluminum single-hung windows and sliding glass doors. Replacement is typically more straightforward with standard-sized impact products. White or bronze aluminum frames are the most popular choices to match the existing aesthetic.
Duplexes & Small Multifamily
Similar window types to single-family homes but with more openings per structure. A whole-building approach is recommended. Fire-rated impact products may be required where units share a property line or are within close proximity to neighboring structures.
Newer Infill Construction
Some areas of Hialeah have seen recent teardowns replaced with modern two-story homes. These newer homes may already have impact products from original construction, but owners should verify that all openings are covered and that products meet current code, which is periodically updated.
Hurricane History and Why Protection Matters
Hurricane Andrew in 1992 carved a path of destruction through southern Miami-Dade County, and while the storm's eye passed south of Hialeah, the city still experienced sustained hurricane-force winds that caused widespread damage to roofs, windows, and doors. Homes with jalousie windows were particularly vulnerable.
When a jalousie panel fails, wind enters the structure, pressurizes the interior, and can blow off the roof from the inside. Many Hialeah homes experienced exactly this sequence during Andrew, and the resulting water intrusion caused damage that far exceeded the cost of window replacement would have been.
The building code reforms that followed Andrew created the HVHZ standards that Hialeah homeowners must follow today. For the thousands of pre-2002 homes in the city that still have their original windows and doors, upgrading to impact-rated products brings the building envelope up to modern standards. This upgrade also qualifies homeowners for significant insurance premium reductions through the Florida wind mitigation inspection program, which can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars annually.
Hialeah Permit Process
After installation, a city inspector verifies that the installed products match the permit, that the installation follows the manufacturer's NOA specifications, and that all fastening, anchoring, and sealing details are correct. Passing this inspection is essential because it confirms the work is code-compliant and provides the documentation your insurance company needs to apply wind mitigation credits to your policy.
Get a Free Estimate in Hialeah
National Glass serves Hialeah and all of Miami-Dade County. Contact us for a free, no-obligation estimate on impact doors and windows for your home.