You may have seen on our website that our main headquarters is in Coral Springs, Florida. Of course, that means we talk about hurricanes most days of the week. Obviously, there isn’t a hurricane brewing quite that frequently, but hurricane preparedness requires constant, diligent effort, especially since severe storms can occur with varying frequency in this region.

Every structure built in South Florida needs to be ready to stand up to a hurricane and everything that comes along with it — gale force winds, flying objects, and torrential rainfall. Building products, such as hurricane certified windows and doors, have become a major focus because they’re the most likely to fail. In many cases, they’re movable pieces that have multiple failure points (glazing, hinges, locks, etc). Certified impact resistant windows not only help protect against windborne debris and water intrusion during severe storms, but also block harmful UV rays, providing added safety and preservation for your home.

The Florida Building Commission is the regulatory authority responsible for overseeing and enforcing building codes and product approvals related to hurricane protection in Florida. They ensure that products approved for use in hurricane-prone areas meet stringent standards through rigorous testing and certification processes. A common test for hurricane certified windows and doors includes impact and cycling tests, which are standard procedures for regulatory compliance in these regions. Test results from these procedures are documented and used to verify that products meet the required standards for approval and installation.

Here’s what goes into hurricane certification for windows and doors in Miami-Dade County and the State of Florida, and what that means for homeowners looking to prepare their gorgeous homes for the next hurricane, whether for new construction or renovations.

Introduction to Hurricane Windows

Hurricane windows are a vital line of defense for homes in coastal communities, especially those located in the High Velocity Hurricane Zone. Engineered to withstand the extreme forces of nature, these windows are specifically designed to protect your home from the destructive impact of hurricanes, tropical storms, and the high winds that often accompany them.

Unlike standard windows, hurricane windows—also known as impact resistant windows—feature laminated glass and robust frames that work together to maintain the structural integrity of your home, even when faced with flying debris and severe storm conditions. The laminated glass consists of multiple layers bonded together, making it difficult for windborne debris to penetrate and helping to prevent dangerous air leakage during a storm.

For homeowners in South Florida, where hurricanes are a regular threat, installing hurricane windows is more than just a precaution—it’s a necessity. These impact resistant windows are rigorously tested to ensure they can withstand high winds and the pressure changes that occur during a hurricane. By choosing hurricane windows, you’re not only protecting your property from storm damage, but also ensuring the safety and comfort of everyone inside.

Whether you’re building a new home or upgrading an existing one, hurricane windows offer peace of mind and reliable protection against the unpredictable forces of nature that define life in Florida’s coastal regions.

What is Hurricane Certification?

Hurricane certification is a standard set by various government bodies to ensure that structures are being built strong enough to protect them during hurricanes (and of course, tropical storms and any other unpredictable severe weather that comes through).

Doors and windows are put through specific tests designed to penetrate the house in three different ways. A key part of the certification process is the impact test, which simulates windborne debris impact and pressure cycling to ensure compliance with building codes:

• Water pressure: Also known as a water test, the seal on the opening must be completely water-tight so that sustained rain cannot seep through and enter the structure. In most cases, this means having sweeps on the door. The water test simulates storm conditions by pouring high volumes of water onto the product and applying air pressure to mimic wind-driven rain, ensuring the product's waterproof integrity.

• Air pressure: As Floridians know well, wind is just as destructive as water — it can rip pieces of your house apart all on its own, even if it doesn’t throw a large object into it. The product itself (the door or window) and all of the products used to install it must be able to withstand high winds. (Up to 75 pounds per square foot in residential settings.)

• Flying objects: Even a Category 1 hurricane can have winds up to 95mph (119-153 km/h), which is enough to break limbs off of trees, uproot entire trees with shallow root systems, and rip shingles and siding off of houses. Obviously, it only gets more destructive from there. The danger of flying objects that may damage your windows or doors is very real during a hurricane, and therefore, one of the hurricane certification processes involves a large missile impact test, in which a two-by-four (2x4) or similar heavy object is forcefully thrown at the door or window to simulate heavy storm debris striking windows and doors, especially on lower floors. This is not the only test performed; small missile impact tests are also conducted, which involve firing high-velocity small ball bearings to simulate debris impact at higher elevations of a building during hurricane conditions.

Florida hurricane certification can be confusing because Miami-Dade County has its own hurricane certification process, while the state of Florida has its own process. The important thing to remember here is that the actual standards are the same. Both the county and the state require passing these impact and water tests as part of the certification process and have two levels of certification:

• A regular hurricane certification that is suitable for almost the entire state of Florida

• A high velocity hurricane zone (HVHZ) certification that is necessary for homes often in the direct path of hurricanes, such as those on the southeast of the peninsula

The good news is, your manufacturers and contractors should be on top of these processes for you. The manufacturers have to seek hurricane certification from the proper authorities so their products specifically can be tested (we know from experience). Your contractors should be able to look up the status of any product you’d like to install in your luxury home.

Benefits of Hurricane Certified Products

Investing in hurricane certified products—such as windows, doors, and pivot doors—offers a host of benefits for homeowners in coastal communities. These products are specifically engineered to withstand high winds, flying debris, and the intense conditions brought on by severe storms, providing a critical layer of safety and security for your home.

One of the most significant advantages of hurricane certified windows and doors is their ability to protect your property and loved ones from the dangers of windborne debris. Featuring impact resistant glass and reinforced frames, these products are designed to remain intact even when struck by objects carried by hurricane-force winds. This not only helps prevent costly damage but also reduces the risk of injury during a storm.

Hurricane certified products can also lead to lower insurance premiums, as many providers recognize the added protection they offer. Additionally, installing these products can increase your home’s value, making it more attractive to potential buyers who prioritize safety and durability.

Beyond storm protection, hurricane certified windows and doors offer year-round benefits. The impact resistant glass helps block harmful UV rays, protecting your interiors from fading and reducing heat transfer for improved energy efficiency. Many homeowners also notice a reduction in outside noise, creating a quieter, more comfortable living environment.

In regions like Miami-Dade County, where hurricane certification is required by law, choosing hurricane certified products ensures compliance with local building codes and provides peace of mind knowing your home is prepared for whatever nature brings. Whether you’re installing new windows and doors or upgrading to pivot doors with custom finishes, hurricane certification is an investment in safety, comfort, and long-term value.

Materials and Construction of Hurricane Certified Products

When it comes to hurricane certified windows and doors, the materials and construction methods are absolutely critical to their ability to withstand the harsh realities of Florida’s hurricane season. These products are engineered specifically for high velocity hurricane zones, where high winds and flying debris are a constant threat.

Hurricane impact windows, for example, are built with impact resistant glass—often a laminated glass that sandwiches a tough interlayer between two panes. This design helps the window maintain its structural integrity even if the outer layer is struck by windborne debris. The frames themselves are reinforced with durable materials, such as heavy-duty aluminum or steel, to further resist the forces of hurricanes and tropical storms.

Pivot doors, which are increasingly popular in luxury homes, are also constructed with these challenges in mind. They feature robust, reinforced frames and can be fitted with large panels of impact resistant glass, ensuring that even expansive entrance doors can withstand high winds and the impact of debris.

All hurricane certified windows and doors must meet the rigorous standards set by the Florida Building Code. This means they undergo extensive impact testing, water infiltration tests, and air leakage assessments to ensure they can handle the extreme conditions brought by hurricanes. The goal is to prevent water intrusion, maintain air-tight seals, and ensure the product remains secure and functional even after being subjected to repeated impacts.

Ultimately, the combination of advanced materials and meticulous construction ensures that hurricane certified products provide reliable hurricane protection, helping to safeguard your home against the unpredictable forces of nature.

Can I Get a Hurricane-Certified Pivot Door?

Pivot doors are more complicated than traditional hinge doors to hurricane certify because you cannot block the pivot point of the door. And unlike hinge doors — where you only have to worry about one side of the door — pivot doors have a pivot point at both the top and the bottom. It doesn't make it impossible to obtain hurricane certification, but it definitely makes the process more complex.Up until this point, obtaining a hurricane certification for a pivot door has meant installing one of two extra systems surrounding the door itself:

• A drainage system - This involves extra work from the architect, as well as the contractors. In order to keep water away from the pivot points (that again, cannot be covered), a drainage system is typically needed to divert the water away from the door. It may not be the end of the world, but when you're spending millions of dollars on a luxury home, an ugly drainage system at the front door doesn't really go with the overall aesthetic. 

• An overhang - Conversely, you could choose to skip the drainage system and go with an overhang above the pivot door. Now, if your aesthetic and architectural plans already involved a portico or even a drive-through portico, then perhaps this isn't a big deal to you. But if you wanted a clean face to your home, this is a pretty big deal breaker.

The major consideration to overhangs on your pivot door is that the overhang has to be as long as the door is tall. And of course, with pivot doors, people love going for larger designs because they canHinge doors are limited in size because the hinges can only support so much weight from the door itself. But with pivot doors, there's no hinge — there are only pivot points. What this means is that we can make doors that are literally feet larger than a traditional hinge door, and without turning the opening into a double door. 

All of this is to say that the size of the overhang is a very big deal. If you have a 10-foot tall pivot door, you need a 10-foot long portico, or some other sort of overhang in order to divert water from directly hitting the door. Our top-of-the-line hurricane certified pivot door  is made of steel and is nearly 9 feet wide by 14 feet tall (9x14), finished any way you want. Our coverings are completely customizable and can be adapted to fit whatever aesthetic and architectural style you've chosen for your luxury home, whether that means clean lines of wood veneer or extravagant stylings like marble or fine stone. Additionally, we could build you a hurricane certified glass pivot door — gorgeous and sleek, but also a bit dull. We'd suggest choosing a solid door (again, finished any way you want) with a glass insert. We can insert a piece of glass up to 5 foot wide by 11 foot tall (5x11), or you could choose to have multiple smaller inserts. This way, you can get as creative as you want with the door. The choice is yours, as always. When you're designing (or remodeling) a luxury home, you might not be looking at your ideal design choices — you, your architect, and your interior designer are likely looking at what's available. At FBS, we want something to be right… not just available.  We're incredibly excited about this development, and we can't wait to see them in use.

The Myth of Hurricane Proofing

When we talk to clients and potential clients about their needs, they often ask about “hurricane-proof” doors and windows. This is an understandable question, considering that it's such a common phrase. Tactics for hurricane-proofing are all over the internet, it's a major topic of discussion in coastal communities, and as we see the frequency and intensity of hurricanes increasing, people are doing whatever they can to batten down their hatches.  However, we are very careful to focus on the term “hurricane certified” rather than “hurricane proof” because no matter what anyone tells you, there is no such thing as hurricane proof. This isn't something we need to tell longtime residents of South Florida. Those who survived Hurricane Andrew aren't likely to forget the fallout any time soon, if ever. There are many stories of families who huddled in closets or bathrooms for the entire night, clutching the doorknob for dear life, just trying to ride the storm out.When the storm finally passed and they felt safe to vacate their temporary shelter, they barely recognized the world around them — roofs had been ripped off, street signs were gone. One woman reported that the winds were so strong (165mph) that it literally ripped the wallpaper off the walls of her daughter's bedroom.

Now, things have changed since Hurricane Andrew. Building codes have been specifically updated to strengthen structures and prepare them for higher categories of hurricanes, but we're still talking about extreme forces of nature at work. You can have hurricane certified doors and windows installed in your home — which will undoubtedly protect you from most hurricanes you experience in South Florida — but if a hurricane rips off part of the roof, the seals on those openings will be rendered useless. This is why we're so adamant about the details of hurricane certification. South Floridians don't joke around about hurricane preparedness. We're not going to lie to you and tell you that our doors and windows will “hurricane proof” your luxury home.  

Hurricane Protection and Safety

Hurricane protection and safety are top priorities for anyone living in coastal communities, where the threat of hurricanes and severe storms is ever-present. Hurricane windows and doors are specifically designed to shield your home from the dangers of windborne debris, air leakage, and water intrusion—three of the most common causes of storm-related damage.

These products undergo rigorous testing to ensure they can withstand both positive and negative pressure, which are the powerful forces exerted on a building during a hurricane. Positive pressure pushes against the exterior of your home, while negative pressure can pull at windows and doors, potentially causing them to fail. By meeting strict building codes and passing impact tests, hurricane certified windows and doors help maintain the structural integrity of your home, even in the face of extreme weather.

The devastation caused by Hurricane Andrew in 1992 was a turning point for hurricane protection in South Florida. In its aftermath, building codes were strengthened to require the use of impact resistant windows and doors, ensuring that homes are better equipped to handle the intense pressures and flying debris that hurricanes bring.

Installing hurricane certified windows and doors is one of the most effective ways to safeguard your property and loved ones. These products are tested to resist air and water infiltration, helping to keep your home dry and secure during a storm. For homeowners in Florida and other hurricane-prone areas, investing in hurricane protection is not just about meeting code—it’s about ensuring safety, peace of mind, and resilience in the face of nature’s most powerful forces.

Security and Notices of Approval (NOA)

An important note about our hurricane certified doors and windows is that we participate in NOAs (Notices of Approval) a little bit differently because of the nature of our business. Miami-Dade County typically lists all their approved products on their website, and you can get a list of approved products from the state of Florida, but we don't go through either of those channels directly. Instead, we use an independent, accredited third party called the National Accreditation and Management Institute (NAMI). They verify that we pass all of the necessary certification tests for the state of Florida and then provides us with the certificates. This method is actually more expensive than going straight through the state of Florida and/or Miami-Dade County, but again — our clients' safety and security is far more important than us saving some money. It's imperative that we keep proprietary information (and all client information) under wraps, which means we can't publish it on public websites.  

Installation and Maintenance of Hurricane Certified Windows and Doors

Even the most advanced hurricane certified windows and doors can only perform as intended if they are installed and maintained correctly. Proper installation is essential—not just for meeting the requirements of the Miami-Dade County code and Florida Product Approval, but for ensuring your home is truly protected when a hurricane or tropical storm hits.

Installation should always be handled by experienced professionals who are familiar with the specific testing requirements and building codes in your area. This includes making sure that all fasteners, seals, and frames are correctly fitted to prevent water infiltration and to withstand the design pressures of high winds and flying debris.

Once installed, regular maintenance is key to keeping your hurricane certified windows and doors in top condition. This means routinely cleaning the glass and frames, checking for any signs of wear or damage, and ensuring that all seals remain intact. In coastal communities, it’s also important to consider salt spray resistance, as the salty air can accelerate corrosion and affect the longevity of your windows and doors.

When selecting hurricane certified products, homeowners should also look for features like custom colors to match their home’s aesthetic, and verify that all products have the necessary product approvals and meet the latest testing standards. Staying informed about product approvals and testing requirements helps ensure that your investment continues to provide the highest level of hurricane protection.

By prioritizing professional installation and ongoing maintenance, you can be confident that your hurricane certified windows and doors will help protect your home from windborne debris, water infiltration, and the many challenges that hurricanes and tropical storms bring to South Florida.

FBS Hurricane-Certified Doors and Windows

Many companies sell hurricane windows and doors in South Florida, but none of them are doing exactly what we're doing: designing and building custom hurricane doors and windows that are also security certified (oh yes, and they can also be ballistic, if that's a concern for you). While security is our first concern, we recognize that some people just want a really beautiful door for their front entrance — and of course, if you're in South Florida, you need it to be hurricane certified.

The good news is that we have you covered on breathtaking, elegant, one-of-a-kind front doors, as well as any interior doors you'd like to incorporate.  Furthermore, our hurricane certified windows are unlike anything you've ever seen in the United States. We embrace the old-world European style of opening from the middle, rather than sliding up and down. We believe this style offers an extra layer of elegance not typically found in luxury homes today, and from a security standpoint, they're easier to secure than a typical up-down model. Trust us when we say that you'll love our hurricane certified windows almost as much as you love our doors. If you're interested in learning more about our hurricane certified doors and windows, check out our page, or give us a call. We love talking to potential clients because it helps us get a feel for who they are, which is helpful when we're designing your doors. And remember, all new orders now come with one year of our Platinum Level Service guarantee, which gives you one single point of contact no matter what's going on — even if a contractor cut the wires leading to your door's control panel. We'll still coordinate someone to fix it, regardless of whose fault it was.  We look forward to talking to you!