Are hurricane proof windows required in Florida?

Are hurricane proof windows required in Florida?

The easy answer is that according to Florida Building Code (FBC) all windows and doors must be protected if the building structure is within one mile of the coast where wind speed is in excess of 110 MPH.

When did Florida Building Code require impact windows?

The Basic Requirements of the Florida Building Code for Windows. In 2001, after the devastating damage caused by Hurricane Andrew, the Florida Building Code (FBC) Association established stronger requirements for wind and debris resistant housing.

What is the window code in Florida?

General Window Requirements All windows in the state of Florida must comply with general requirements. For instance, any window located at least 72 inches, or 6 feet, from ground level must have a sill located at least 24 inches from the floor below it.

Are impact rated windows required?

While it can be beneficial to include wind and impact resistant windows in a variety of structures, it’s actually required in some areas of the U.S. Currently, buildings located within one mile of the coast in hurricane-prone regions are required to have windows in place to protect from wind-borne debris.

What counties in Florida require impact windows?

This is an area consisting of Palm Beach County, Broward County, Miami-Dade County, and Monroe County. These zones require stronger impact products to meet higher wind speeds of 170 mph to 200 mph. Other areas in Florida require impact products or shutters that meet Wind-Borne Debris (WBD) certification.

Are impact windows necessary in Florida?

A common question among Florida property owners is “Are impact windows required in Florida?” The short answer is no.

Do you have to install impact windows in Florida?

According to the building codes, if your home is within one mile of Florida’s coast, you are required to install impact windows when building or remodeling your home. Impact windows are made of two sheets of tempered glass and a layer of shatterproof membrane.

What is impact-resistant windows?

What are Impact Windows? Impact windows combine a heavy-duty frame with impact-resistant laminated glass that includes an advanced low-emissivity coating. They are designed to withstand high winds and impact from objects, making them far less likely to shatter, even from direct blows.

Are impact windows required in Florida?

The Florida Building Code (FBC) requires windows to be impact-resistant or protected if located within one mile of the coast where the wind speed is 110 mph or greater. (Of course, even if your home is not located in this area, this may be a good idea.)

Are impact resistant doors required in Florida?

Impact windows and doors are not only required on the Florida coast but inland as well. Any areas located within a mile of the coastal mean high water line (MHWL) and face basic wind speeds of at least 110 mph must comply.

Are Low E windows required in Florida?

Renovation rule Since 1978, a Florida statute has dictated that building renovations that are less than 30 percent of the assessed value of a structure do not have to comply with new energy codes. This included windows, until this year.

What are the Florida building code requirements for exterior windows?

The Florida Building Code (or FBC) prescribes performance and construction requirements for exterior windows and glass doors installed in wall systems. It requires windows to be impact-resistant or protected by a shutter if the structure is located within one mile of the coast where the wind speed is 100 mph or greater.

Are impact-resistant windows required in Florida?

Although not all of Florida is required to have impact-resistant windows, Miami-Dade County has the most stringent requirements in the country when it comes to rain, wind, and wind-borne debris tests. The HVHZ applies to all Miami-Dade and Broward counties, regardless of how far from the coast the building is located.

Do you meet the Florida building code for impact windows?

We can meet the Florida building code for impact windows with ease. What are Hurricane Impact Windows? Many consumers may assume that tempered and impact-resistant are the same, but they are not. Tempered glass is a heat-treated glass. When it breaks it typically fractures into small fragments.

What are the wind requirements for impact shutters in Florida?

HVHZ requires stronger impact products than the other parts of Florida, meeting wind speeds between 170 mph and 200 mph, depending on your exact location. Other areas in Florida require impact products or shutters that meet Wind-Borne Debris (WBD) certification.