Living in Northwest Florida and Southeast Alabama means facing severe storm conditions for about half the year. Hurricanes and strong storms can cause significant damage to the exterior of homes, making it essential for coastal residents to reinforce their homes against such weather as much as possible. Doors and windows are particularly vulnerable to harm from high winds, water intrusion, flying debris, and other hurricane-related dangers. At Hometown Contractors, Inc., we assist homeowners in Florida and Alabama by providing top-quality hurricane shutters and storm doors to protect their homes and families. If you’re curious about the advantages of impact-resistant doors for your home, explore this information to understand how this crucial installation can help your Emerald Coast residence withstand any approaching storm.
Hurricane-proof storm doors are designed to endure very strong winds and heavy impacts from debris during storms. These doors are typically constructed from materials such as wood, aluminum, or PVC and fiberglass, and they can be tailored to fit various styles to suit different preferences.
The three primary types of impact doors are full-view, retractable screen, and ventilating doors. Selecting the appropriate storm door for your home depends on factors such as your local climate, the architectural style of your house, and other considerations. Choosing the wrong door or improper installation can significantly reduce its effectiveness and durability, so it’s essential to work with a reliable home contractor for professional installation. Before consulting a home remodeling expert for your storm door installation, keep the following points in mind to help choose the right model:
Full-View: These storm doors feature large glass panels, making them a pricier option, but they offer superior protection during hurricanes and severe storms. Their energy-efficient impact glass enhances insulation, helping maintain indoor temperatures. Additionally, full-view doors are ideal for coastal homes as they resist salty air and corrosion. They also provide excellent visibility, allowing you to see outside clearly.
Retractable Screen: Designed primarily for storm protection, retractable screen doors offer less defense for your main door compared to full-view impact doors. However, they excel at providing ventilation during warm weather, keeping insects out, and are a good choice for homes that don’t rely heavily on air conditioning.
Combination: For those seeking the benefits of both types, it’s possible to install a full-view storm door along with a retractable screen door. Though this option is more expensive, it offers maximum versatility—helping reduce cooling costs in summer and heating expenses in winter while providing comprehensive protection year-round.
In coastal regions, the salty ocean air can be very corrosive and may cause damage to your home’s structure. Similar to energy-efficient impact windows, storm doors—especially full-view models—provide an additional layer of protection for wood and aluminum doors, which are particularly vulnerable to salt air and corrosion. Storm doors consist of glass and screen panels and are installed over the main entry door to shield the home from severe weather conditions. They play a crucial role during hurricanes by protecting the door from impact damage. Additionally, storm doors improve the home’s energy efficiency in all weather conditions, offer excellent insulation and security, and help keep insects out.
Hurricane-resistant doors are required in many coastal areas to meet strict building safety standards. The Florida Building Code mandates their use statewide, with Miami-Dade County enforcing even stricter requirements in High Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZ) to withstand the most extreme wind and impact forces.
Additionally, Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast states have building codes that require hurricane-rated products in designated windborne debris regions. These regulations help architects, builders, and property owners quickly determine when hurricane-resistant doors are necessary to protect lives, property, and ensure code compliance.
When specifying hurricane rated doors, it’s important to:
