Are Impact Windows Required In Tampa Florida

The florida building code or fbc prescribes performance and construction requirements for exterior windows and glass doors installed in wall systems.

Are impact windows required in tampa florida.

High impact windows are not required in the entire state of florida but are required in coastal areas with some counties being more strict than others. Hurricanes and other forms of inclement weather pose a threat to homeowners who live in this coastal region and it is crucial that all residents take the necessary precautions to toughen their homes to these. However impact windows offer several advantages to both safety and quality of life and are advisable even if not legally required. Impact windows are a smart investment for homes in tampa fl all of the bay area.

Large missile resistant testing and small missile resistant testing. When you choose pgt custom windows doors you re getting a product we trust in our own homes. Impact windows are designed to be strong and tough. Since the building codes changed in 3 2012 all new construction has to have opening protection and to put in all impact rated windows would be upward of 70 000 for a typical 4 000 sf high end home.

Large missile impact tests involve launching a 6 foot long two by four weighing 9 pounds into a window at 34 mph. We are very excited about this new niche for our business frank griffin has long been licensed as a building contractor an appraiser a home inspector and. There are some specific zones in florida where these windows are required. But why would you need impact windows if you re not in these zones.

Impact windows also known as hurricane or storm windows are a requirement for many homes in tampa palm harbor florida and elsewhere in the bay area but they are a wise investment for all. In florida and more specifically areas around the miami dade or broward counties it is mandatory to have impact windows installed on homes given the prevalence of hurricanes. Built with multiple layers these windows are not easy to break. The florida building code imposes additional requirements on windows placed in hazardous locations.

All replacement windows and doors must comply with the minimum 130 miles per hour wind speed resistance specification. As always consult your local laws and country requirements when upgrading your windows. The florida building code outlines the two most common types of impact resistant testing. 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.

If you install impact protection shutters on your replacement door and window it must have an approval number from the state of florida and an evaluation report from the manufacturer. Hazardous windows include glass set into swinging doors fixed or sliding door panels storm doors unframed swinging doors or interior doors and enclosures for baths showers saunas and other bathing facilities. In fact they are far much better than using plywood or hurricane shutters to mitigate tornadoes and other deadly storms that ravage homes at the beach. Tampa bay shield is approved as one of the few storm smart screen companies in the central florida area for this amazing product.

That s why we work every day with a clear purpose.