Impact Doors for South Florida Homes
Patio sliders, French doors and front entries are usually the largest glass openings in a house, and they take the brunt of a storm. National Glass & Construction helps homeowners in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties choose impact-rated doors that fit the opening, the budget and the approval rules for the address, then installs them under permit.
What to Decide Before You Order an Impact Door
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Style and Layout: Sliding glass doors suit wide patio and balcony openings, and larger openings can take more panels or a pocketing layout that disappears into the wall. French doors give a full-width, traditional opening, pivot doors make a bold front entry, and folding doors connect a living room to the yard. Which one works depends on the opening, the furniture around it and how often it gets used.
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Glass and Hardware: Every impact door is built around laminated glass: layers of glass bonded to a tough interlayer that holds the pane in the frame even when it cracks. On top of that you can choose insulated laminated glass for comfort, a Low-E coating to cut solar heat, tinted or privacy glass, a frame finish such as white, bronze or black, and locking hardware, which on hinged doors is commonly multi-point.
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Swing Direction and Sill Height: Many South Florida entry doors open outward so that wind pressure pushes the door into its frame rather than away from it. On sliding doors, a taller sill generally holds back wind-driven rain better than a low or flush threshold, at the cost of a small step. We go over these trade-offs at the estimate, before anything is ordered.
From First Measurement to Final Inspection
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An Estimate at Your Property: The free estimate starts with a visit. We measure each opening, check the condition of the frame and the wall around it, ask how the door will be used, and confirm which county rules and wind loads apply. Your proposal then names the product, glass and finish for every door.
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Approvals and Permits Handled: Each door we quote carries a product approval that covers its location and required design pressure. We assemble the permit application with those documents, submit it to the building department and schedule the inspections, so you do not have to chase paperwork yourself.
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Installation You Can Check: On installation day the crew protects floors and furniture, removes the old door, prepares the opening and anchors the new unit the way its approval specifies before sealing and finishing the edges. We adjust locks and rollers, show you how everything operates, and see the permit through final inspection. National Glass & Construction was founded in 1986, is headquartered in Doral, and is licensed, insured and bonded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do impact doors need a Miami-Dade NOA everywhere in South Florida?
Not everywhere. Miami-Dade and Broward counties are in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ), so doors installed there need a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance or a Florida Product Approval that is valid for the HVHZ. Palm Beach County is outside the HVHZ, and a Florida Product Approval is the usual reference there. In every county, the door must be rated for the wind loads at the specific opening.
How is the design pressure for my door determined?
Design pressure is worked out for each opening from the height of the building, its exposure to open land or water, and where the door sits on the wall, since openings near corners see stronger suction. The approved rating of the door you choose has to meet or exceed that requirement. We confirm it before ordering so there are no surprises at inspection.
Will my HOA or condo association need to approve new doors?
Often, yes. Homeowners associations commonly review exterior changes such as frame color, glass tint and grid patterns, and condominium associations usually set specifications that every unit has to follow. We can provide product literature and approval documents for your application, and we schedule the work once the association has signed off.
Why do impact door quotes vary so much?
Price is driven by the size and type of door, the number of panels, the glass package, the frame finish and hardware, and the design pressure the opening requires, since higher ratings call for heavier systems. The condition of the opening matters too: rotted wood, damaged concrete or a change in opening size adds work. Comparing quotes on those points shows where the difference really comes from.
Are impact sliding doors heavier to open and close?
Laminated impact glass makes each panel heavier than a standard pane, but a well-built door on good rollers, adjusted properly at installation, should still slide smoothly. Keeping the track free of sand and debris, and rinsing salt off the frame and hardware if you live near the water, goes a long way toward keeping it that way.
Should I replace my doors and windows at the same time?
It is not required, but doing both together usually means a single round of measuring and installation, matching frame finishes throughout the house, and full protection right away. Phasing the work spreads out the cost, with the trade-off that the openings left for later still need shutters or panels when a storm approaches.
Where We Install Impact Doors
Choose your city to see how we handle impact doors there.
Miami-Dade County
We also work in Palm Beach County. See all service areas
Thinking About New Doors?
Call (305) 599-0909 or request a free estimate, and we will measure your openings and explain your options.
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