Impact Doors Miami: The Complete Buyer's Guide
Everything Miami-Dade and Broward County homeowners need to know about impact doors: how they work, the different types available, what the building code requires, and how much you can save on insurance.
If you own a home in South Florida, impact doors are one of the most important investments you can make. They protect your family during hurricanes, reduce your insurance premiums, improve energy efficiency, and increase the resale value of your property. But the market is crowded with options, and making the wrong choice can cost you thousands of dollars and leave your home vulnerable when the next storm hits.
This guide covers everything Miami-Dade and Broward County homeowners need to know about impact doors: how they work, the different types available, what the building code requires, how much you can save on insurance, and what separates a quality installation from a subpar one. Whether you are building a new home, replacing aging hurricane shutters, or upgrading after storm damage, this page will help you make a confident, informed decision.
What Are Impact Doors?
Impact doors, also called hurricane-resistant doors or impact-rated doors, are engineered to withstand the extreme wind pressures and flying debris generated by hurricanes and tropical storms. Unlike standard doors that can shatter or blow open under high wind loads, impact doors are built to remain intact and keep the building envelope sealed during a storm event.
The key component that sets impact doors apart is their glazing. Impact-resistant glass consists of two panes of tempered or heat-strengthened glass bonded to a tough interlayer, most commonly polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or SentryGlas Plus (SGP). This laminated construction is similar in principle to an automotive windshield: if the outer pane cracks upon impact from wind-borne debris, the interlayer holds the broken fragments in place, preventing the glass from collapsing into the home and maintaining the pressure seal of the building envelope.
Beyond the glass, impact doors also feature reinforced frames (typically aluminum, vinyl, or fiberglass), heavy-duty multi-point locking hardware, and structural reinforcement at the connection points between the door and the wall opening. Every element of the system is designed to work together, because a door is only as strong as its weakest component. You can learn more about the broader category of hurricane protection systems and how impact doors fit into a full-home strategy.
Types of Impact Doors
Impact doors come in a wide range of configurations to suit virtually any opening in your home. Each type has its own structural considerations, aesthetic options, and price points. Here is a breakdown of the most common types installed in South Florida homes.
Impact Entry Doors
Primary point of entry. Single or double-door configurations with sidelites and transoms. Multi-point locking hardware.
Impact Sliding Glass Doors
Wide views of patios, pools, and waterfront. Two-, three-, and four-panel systems with reinforced tracks and rollers.
Impact French Doors
Two hinged panels swinging from center. Elegant patio and balcony openings. In-swing and out-swing configurations.
Impact Pivot Doors
Architectural statement pieces rotating on a central or offset pivot. Heights up to 12 feet. Luxury homes and modern lobbies.
Impact Patio Doors
Bi-fold, multi-slide, and lift-and-slide systems. Create openings of 20+ feet for seamless indoor-outdoor living.
Impact Entry Doors
Impact-rated entry doors, sometimes called front doors, are the primary point of entry for most homes. They are available in single-door and double-door configurations and can include sidelites (narrow glass panels flanking the door) and transoms (glass panels above the door). Entry doors must withstand both positive and negative wind pressures, meaning they need to resist being pushed in and pulled out by alternating gusts.
Most impact entry doors use a combination of an impact-rated glass panel set into a reinforced frame with multi-point locking hardware that engages at the top, middle, and bottom of the doorframe. Solid-panel options without glass are also available for homeowners who prioritize security and privacy over natural light. High-end options feature decorative glass inserts with wrought-iron or aluminum grillework embedded between the laminated glass layers. Explore all your options in our dedicated impact entry doors guide.
Impact Sliding Glass Doors
Sliding glass doors are among the most popular door types in South Florida homes, providing wide views of patios, pools, and waterfront areas. They are also one of the largest glass openings in most residences, which makes them a critical vulnerability during hurricanes. Impact-rated sliding glass doors use large panels of laminated glass in heavy-duty aluminum or vinyl tracks with reinforced rollers and interlocking meeting rails designed to prevent the panels from being lifted out of the track by wind uplift.
Standard configurations include two-panel, three-panel, and four-panel systems, with panel widths ranging from 36 to 60 inches. Premium options feature low-profile sills for a cleaner transition between indoor and outdoor spaces, and multi-slide systems that allow multiple panels to stack or pocket into a wall cavity. For a comprehensive look at pricing and specifications, see our impact sliding glass doors page.
Impact French Doors
French doors consist of two hinged door panels that swing open from the center, creating a wide, elegant opening. They are a popular choice for patios, balconies, and master bedroom exits in Mediterranean, colonial, and contemporary South Florida homes. Impact-rated French doors use laminated glass panels set into reinforced stile-and-rail frames with flush bolts and multi-point locking hardware on both the active and inactive panels.
Because both panels of a French door are operable, the astragal (the vertical member where the two doors meet) must be carefully engineered to resist wind-driven water infiltration and maintain structural integrity. In-swing and out-swing configurations are available, with out-swing models generally performing better in hurricane conditions because wind pressure pushes the door tighter against the frame rather than forcing it open. Learn more in our impact French doors resource.
Impact Pivot Doors
Pivot doors rotate on a central or offset pivot point rather than swinging from side-mounted hinges. This mechanism allows for much larger and heavier door panels than traditional hinged doors, making pivot doors a striking architectural statement for luxury Miami homes and modern condominium lobbies. Impact-rated pivot doors can reach heights of 10 to 12 feet and widths of 5 feet or more while still meeting Miami-Dade County hurricane testing requirements.
The engineering challenge with impact pivot doors lies in the pivot hardware, which must support substantially more weight than a standard hinge while still allowing smooth operation and maintaining the structural connection to the building frame. Top manufacturers use concealed floor-mounted pivot systems rated for door weights of 800 to 1,200 pounds. Read our full breakdown at the impact pivot doors page.
Impact Patio Doors
Patio doors is a broad category that encompasses several configurations designed to connect indoor living areas with outdoor spaces. In addition to the sliding and French styles described above, this category includes bi-fold (accordion) doors, multi-slide stacking doors, and lift-and-slide doors. Bi-fold impact doors are particularly popular in newer South Florida construction because they can create openings of 20 feet or more, effectively removing the wall between a living room and an outdoor entertainment area.
Lift-and-slide doors are an engineering advancement over traditional sliders: the handle mechanism lifts the panel off the sill seal, allows it to glide effortlessly, and then drops it back down for a tight compression seal when closed. This design provides superior air and water infiltration performance, which matters both during storms and for everyday energy efficiency. For a detailed comparison of all patio door configurations, visit our impact patio doors guide.
How Impact Doors Are Tested
Impact doors sold in Miami-Dade and Broward County must pass some of the most rigorous testing standards in the world. These tests simulate the conditions a door would face during a major hurricane, including both flying debris and sustained wind pressure. Understanding these test protocols helps you evaluate product claims and compare doors on an apples-to-apples basis.
The foundation of impact testing in Florida is a set of three Testing Application Standards (TAS) developed by the Florida Building Commission:
Products that pass all three TAS tests in a laboratory accredited by Miami-Dade County receive a Notice of Acceptance (NOA) from the Miami-Dade County Product Control Division. The NOA is a product-specific approval document that contains detailed information about the door's tested configurations, maximum sizes, approved frame types, required installation methods, and performance ratings. In the High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ), which includes all of Miami-Dade and Broward County, every impact product installed must have a current, valid NOA.
It is important to verify that the specific configuration of door you are purchasing (size, frame material, glass thickness, hardware) is covered under the NOA. A door may be approved at one size but not another, or approved with one frame type but not a different one. Your contractor should be able to provide the NOA number and show you exactly where your configuration appears in the approval document.
Impact Door Materials
The frame material of your impact door affects its structural performance, durability, maintenance requirements, energy efficiency, and aesthetics. Here are the four primary frame materials used in South Florida impact doors, along with their advantages and trade-offs.
Aluminum Frames
Pros
- Excellent strength-to-weight ratio
- Resists corrosion in salt-air environment
- Slim sight lines maximize glass area
- Powder-coated or anodized in any color
- Minimal maintenance beyond cleaning
- Modern thermal breaks reduce heat transfer 40-60%
Cons
- Higher thermal conductivity than vinyl or fiberglass
- Mid-range pricing
Best for: Most South Florida homes — the dominant choice for impact doors
Vinyl (PVC) Frames
Pros
- Excellent thermal insulation properties
- Lower price point than aluminum
- Immune to corrosion in humid, salt-laden air
- Never needs painting
Cons
- Bulkier than aluminum — wider sight lines, less glass area
- More expansion/contraction with temperature changes
- UV exposure may cause discoloration or brittleness in lower-quality formulations
- Aluminum or fiberglass often better structural rigidity for large doors
Best for: Budget-conscious projects prioritizing energy efficiency
Aluminum: Aluminum is the most widely used frame material for impact doors in South Florida, and for good reason. It offers an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, resists corrosion in the salt-air environment of coastal Miami, and allows for slim sight lines that maximize the glass area. Aluminum frames can be powder-coated or anodized in virtually any color, and they require minimal maintenance beyond occasional cleaning.
The primary drawback of aluminum is its thermal conductivity. Aluminum transfers heat readily, which can reduce energy efficiency compared to vinyl or fiberglass. However, modern aluminum impact doors incorporate thermal breaks (insulating barriers within the frame profile) that significantly improve their thermal performance. If you are choosing aluminum, look for frames with polyamide thermal breaks, which can reduce heat transfer by 40 to 60 percent compared to non-thermally broken profiles.
Vinyl (PVC): Vinyl frames are manufactured from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and are known for their excellent thermal insulation properties and lower price point compared to aluminum. They do not conduct heat the way metal does, making them a strong choice for energy efficiency. Vinyl is also immune to corrosion, which is a valuable trait in South Florida's humid, salt-laden air.
However, vinyl has some limitations for impact doors. Vinyl frames are bulkier than aluminum, resulting in wider sight lines and less glass area. They can also expand and contract more with temperature changes, and exposure to intense UV radiation over many years can cause discoloration or brittleness in lower-quality formulations. For impact doors, especially large sliding glass doors, aluminum or fiberglass often provides better structural rigidity than vinyl.
Top Impact Door Brands in South Florida
South Florida is the largest market for impact doors in the United States, and several manufacturers have built their businesses specifically around meeting the demanding requirements of the Miami-Dade building code. Here are some of the brands most commonly installed in the region:
ES Windows
A Miami-based manufacturer specializing in high-performance aluminum impact doors and windows. ES Windows is known for their thermally broken aluminum systems, large-size capabilities, and extensive NOA approvals. They offer a full range of door types including sliding, French, pivot, and entry doors, and their products are widely specified by architects for both residential and commercial projects in the HVHZ.
MrGlass
A Miami-based manufacturer known for their MG series impact doors, including the MG-3000 and MG-3500. MrGlass offers high-quality aluminum and fiberglass impact doors with extensive NOA approvals, custom finishes, and a full range of entry door, sliding glass door, and French door configurations. They are a popular choice among South Florida contractors for residential projects thanks to their local manufacturing and reliable lead times.
PGT Custom Windows + Doors
Headquartered in Venice, Florida, PGT is one of the largest impact product manufacturers in the state. Their WinGuard line is among the best-selling impact door products in Florida, offering a range of vinyl and aluminum frame options at competitive price points. PGT doors are a strong choice for homeowners seeking solid hurricane protection with broad availability and a well-established warranty program.
ECO Window Systems
ECO Window Systems specializes in energy-efficient impact doors and windows with an emphasis on thermal performance. Their product line includes vinyl and aluminum impact doors with Low-E glass options and competitive pricing for the Miami-Dade market. ECO products carry Miami-Dade NOA approvals and are known for strong energy ratings alongside hurricane protection, making them an excellent choice for homeowners who want to maximize both storm safety and utility savings.
We work with ES Windows, PGT, MrGlass, and ECO Window Systems — all of which produce products that meet or exceed Miami-Dade County testing requirements. The right brand for your project depends on your budget, the specific door types and sizes you need, your aesthetic preferences, and the recommendations of your installation contractor. A quality installer will work with multiple manufacturers and can help you match the best product to your specific situation.
Ready to Protect Your Miami Home?
National Glass & Construction has been installing impact-resistant doors and windows across South Florida for over 35 years. Get your free, no-obligation estimate today.
Miami-Dade Building Code Requirements
Miami-Dade County and Broward County fall within the High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) — the strictest building requirements in the state, and arguably the strictest in the nation, for wind-borne debris protection. Every window and door that contains glass must be impact-rated or covered by approved hurricane shutters.
If you are installing or replacing doors in the HVHZ, here is what the code requires:
- Prescriptive installation methods: The NOA specifies exactly how each product must be installed, including the type and spacing of fasteners, the anchoring method to the wall structure, and the required sealants. Deviating from the NOA installation instructions can void the product approval and put the building out of code compliance.
- Permits and inspections: All door replacements in the HVHZ require a building permit and are subject to inspection by the local building department. The inspector will verify that the product installed matches the permitted product and that the installation conforms to the NOA requirements.
For a deeper understanding of how these requirements apply to your project, read our full guide to the Florida Building Code that governs impact product installation in Miami-Dade and Broward.
Insurance Benefits of Impact Doors
One of the most compelling financial reasons to invest in impact doors is the reduction in homeowner's insurance premiums. Florida law requires insurance companies to offer premium discounts for homes that have approved hurricane mitigation features, and impact-rated doors and windows are among the most effective ways to qualify for those discounts.
When you install impact doors on all openings in your home, you may qualify for a windstorm premium discount of up to 30 percent or more, depending on your insurance carrier and the specifics of your property. The key is achieving what insurers call "opening protection" on every glazed opening, meaning that all windows and doors in the home are either impact-rated or protected by approved shutters. Partial protection provides a smaller discount, while full-home protection with impact products earns the largest reduction.
To claim the discount, you will need a wind mitigation inspection performed by a licensed inspector. This inspection documents the construction features of your home, including the type of opening protection installed, the roof-to-wall connections, the roof covering, and other structural details. The inspector fills out the OIR-B1-1802 form (commonly called the "wind mit form"), which you submit to your insurance company. Most insurers apply the discount immediately upon receipt of the completed form.
Energy Efficiency
Beyond hurricane protection, impact doors deliver meaningful energy savings in South Florida's hot, humid climate. The laminated glass, insulated frames, and tight seals that make impact doors hurricane-resistant also make them significantly more energy-efficient than standard doors.
Three key performance metrics determine the energy efficiency of an impact door:
U-Factor
Measures how well the door resists heat transfer. Lower values indicate better insulation. A standard single-pane door might have a U-factor around 1.0, while a quality impact door with Low-E glass achieves 0.30 to 0.45.
Solar Heat Gain (SHGC)
Measures how much solar radiation passes through as heat. Lower SHGC is desirable for South Florida. Impact doors with Low-E coatings achieve 0.20 to 0.30, blocking 70 to 80 percent of solar heat gain.
Visible Transmittance (VT)
Measures how much visible light passes through the glass. A good impact door balances a low SHGC (blocking heat) with a reasonable VT (letting light through) so your interior stays bright without excessive heat.
Low-E (low emissivity) coatings are thin metallic layers applied to the glass surface that reflect infrared radiation while allowing visible light to pass through. When combined with the laminated glass construction of impact doors, Low-E coatings can reduce cooling costs by 15 to 25 percent compared to standard single-pane doors and windows. In a Miami home where air conditioning accounts for 40 to 50 percent of the electric bill, that translates to hundreds of dollars per year.
For a complete guide to optimizing the energy performance of your impact products, consult with our team about the best energy-efficient options for your home.
Impact Doors vs Hurricane Shutters
One of the most common questions South Florida homeowners ask is whether they should invest in impact doors or rely on hurricane shutters. Both options provide code-compliant opening protection, but they differ significantly in convenience, aesthetics, security, energy performance, and total cost of ownership.
Impact doors provide continuous, always-on protection. You do not need to deploy them before a storm, store them during the off-season, or worry about being out of town when a hurricane forms. They also provide year-round benefits including noise reduction, UV protection, enhanced security against break-ins, and improved energy efficiency. And because they are always in place, there is no risk of installing shutters incorrectly under the pressure of an approaching storm.
Hurricane shutters, on the other hand, have a lower upfront cost but require manual deployment before each storm, which typically takes several hours for a full-size home. Accordion and roll-down shutters are easier to deploy than panel shutters, but all types darken the interior of the home when closed, and none provide the insulation, noise reduction, or security benefits of impact doors during day-to-day life. Over the lifespan of a home, the inconvenience and maintenance costs of shutters can narrow the gap with impact doors considerably.
For a detailed side-by-side comparison including cost analysis and performance metrics, visit our hurricane protection guide.
What to Look for When Buying Impact Doors
Not all impact doors are created equal. Here are the critical factors to evaluate when comparing products and contractors:
Design Pressure (DP) Rating
The DP rating indicates the maximum wind pressure (in pounds per square foot) the door can withstand. A higher DP rating means the door is approved for higher wind speeds and larger sizes. For most Miami-Dade locations, look for a minimum DP rating of +60/-60, though coastal properties may require +70/-70 or higher. The DP rating should be listed on the product label and in the NOA.
Miami-Dade NOA Number
Verify that the specific product and configuration you are purchasing has a valid, current NOA. NOAs expire and must be renewed periodically. You can search for NOA numbers on the Miami-Dade County Product Control website to confirm validity. Never accept a product that claims to be "equivalent" to a Miami-Dade approved product but does not carry its own NOA.
Glass Makeup
The thickness and composition of the laminated glass affect performance. A common residential specification is a laminate of 1/4-inch tempered glass, 0.060-inch PVB interlayer, and 1/4-inch tempered glass, but premium doors may use thicker glass panes, thicker interlayers, or SentryGlas Plus (SGP) interlayers for enhanced impact resistance and post-breakage strength.
Warranty Coverage
Look for a comprehensive manufacturer's warranty that covers the frame, glass, hardware, and finish. Top manufacturers offer 10 to 15 year warranties on their impact doors. Pay attention to what is excluded, such as damage from improper installation, and verify that the warranty covers the coastal environment (some manufacturers exclude saltwater exposure from standard warranties).
Installation Quality
Even the best impact door will fail if installed incorrectly. The installation is just as important as the product itself. Verify that your contractor is licensed, insured, holds a current certificate of competency for the work, and will pull all required permits. The installation must follow the manufacturer's NOA installation instructions exactly, including specific fastener types, spacing, and anchoring methods. Ask for references from previous impact door installations and check the contractor's history with the local building department.
Air and Water Infiltration Ratings
Beyond wind pressure resistance, quality impact doors are tested for air leakage and water penetration. Look for doors that meet or exceed the AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440 performance grade requirements for your region. Lower air infiltration means better energy efficiency; higher water resistance means better performance during driving rain.
For detailed pricing information on all types of impact doors in the Miami market, including installed cost ranges for different brands and configurations, see our cost guide.
The Installation Process
Understanding the installation process helps you set expectations, avoid surprises, and ensure the job is done correctly. Here is what a typical impact door installation looks like in Miami-Dade County, from start to finish.
In-Home Consultation and Measurement
A qualified estimator visits your home, measures each door opening precisely, discusses your preferences for door type, frame material, glass options, and finish, and provides a detailed written estimate. Accurate measurements are critical because impact doors are custom-manufactured to fit each opening.
Product Selection and Ordering
Based on the measurements and your selections, the contractor orders the doors from the manufacturer. Lead times vary by manufacturer and season, but typically range from 4 to 10 weeks. During peak hurricane season preparation (May through July), lead times may extend to 12 weeks or longer.
Permitting
Before any work begins, your contractor pulls a building permit from the local municipality. The permit application includes the product NOA, engineering calculations, and a description of the installation method. The permitting process usually takes 1 to 3 weeks in Miami-Dade County, depending on the jurisdiction.
Removal of Existing Doors
On installation day, the crew begins by carefully removing the existing doors, frames, and any associated trim. They inspect the rough opening for structural damage, rot, or other issues that need to be addressed before the new doors can be installed.
Installation of New Impact Doors
The new door is set into the opening, leveled, plumbed, and shimmed to ensure proper alignment. The frame is then anchored to the wall structure using the specific fasteners and spacing specified in the NOA. The crew applies sealant and flashing per the manufacturer's requirements to prevent water intrusion. Hardware is installed and adjusted for smooth operation.
Interior and Exterior Finishing
After the door is secured and sealed, the crew installs interior and exterior trim, applies any required caulking, and touches up paint or stucco as needed. The work area is cleaned up and all debris from the old doors is removed.
Final Inspection
Your contractor schedules a final inspection with the local building department. The inspector verifies that the installed product matches the permit, that the installation conforms to the NOA, and that all work meets code requirements. Once the inspection passes, the permit is closed and the project is complete.
For a standard residential project involving 3 to 6 doors, the on-site installation typically takes 1 to 3 days. Larger projects or homes with unusual openings may take longer. The total timeline from initial consultation to final inspection is usually 8 to 16 weeks, with most of that time consumed by manufacturing and permitting rather than the actual installation work.
Explore Impact Door Types
Dive deeper into the specific type of impact door you need for your Miami home. Each guide covers product options, pricing, installation details, and brand comparisons for that door category.
Impact Entry Doors
Front door options, sidelites, transoms, and decorative glass for residential and commercial entryways.
Impact Sliding Glass Doors
Two-panel, three-panel, and multi-slide configurations for patios, pools, and balconies.
Impact French Doors
In-swing and out-swing hinged pairs for elegant patio and balcony openings.
Impact Pivot Doors
Large-scale architectural pivot doors for luxury homes and modern entryways.
Impact Patio Doors
Bi-fold, lift-and-slide, and multi-slide systems for wide indoor-outdoor living openings.
Ready to Protect Your Miami Home?
National Glass & Construction has been installing impact-resistant doors and windows across South Florida for over 35 years. Get your free, no-obligation estimate today.