Hurricane Impact-Rated Doors

About

What is a hurricane impact door? A hurricane impact door is an exterior door specifically engineered to withstand hurricane-force winds and impacts from wind-borne debris without breaching the home's envelope. Unlike standard exterior doors, impact doors are built with reinforced cores, heavy-duty frames, laminated impact-resistant glass (when glass is included), and high-performance hardware designed to keep the door securely in place even under extreme pressure. They're rated through rigorous testing, including large missile impact, pressure cycling, and water infiltration, to verify performance during a hurricane. Do I need a hurricane impact door? Whether you need a hurricane impact door depends on where you live and your local building code. Homes in High Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZ), which include Miami-Dade and Broward counties in Florida, are required by code to use impact-rated doors and windows. Other coastal regions in Florida, the Gulf Coast, and the Southeastern Atlantic seaboard may require impact-rated openings depending on wind zone designation. Beyond code requirements, many homeowners in hurricane-prone areas choose impact doors voluntarily for insurance discounts, peace of mind, and the convenience of never having to deploy shutters before a storm. Your local building inspector or insurance provider can confirm exactly what your home needs. What's the difference between hurricane impact doors and hurricane shutters? Both protect your home during a hurricane, but they work very differently. Hurricane shutters are temporary barriers installed over standard doors and windows and must be deployed before each storm, which takes time, often requires ladders or assistance, and isn't possible if you've evacuated. Hurricane impact doors are permanent installations that provide continuous, always-on protection without any deployment needed. They also offer everyday benefits shutters can't: improved security against forced entry, better insulation, UV pro