Florida’s warm and humid weather is wonderful, but the severe storms can wreak havoc on your home. Taking the time to protect your home can mean the difference between weathering a hurricane and having to spend months on repairs.

Installing a specialized entry door is one of the first lines of defense, but how do you choose the right high impact door?

High Impact Doors Explained

Unlike traditional doors, high impact doors are specifically designed to withstand hurricanes and tropical storms, keeping you, your family, and your belongings safer.

These doors are made with stronger glass and a sturdier frame and panels. This is what helps them stand up to strong winds and debris. Some additional benefits of these doors are improved noise reduction and energy efficiency.

And to ensure maximum protection, high impact doors are put through rigorous air, water, and structural testing and need to meet the necessary building code requirements.

How to Choose the Right High Impact Door

Step 1: Set a Budget. Start by deciding how much you want to spend on impact doors and general storm protection.

Step 2: Plan the Installation. Decide which of your home’s entrances will require new doors.

Step 3: Decide on Materials. The materials that your door is made of make a significant difference and should be a key consideration. Vinyl and wood are two of the top choices, each of which has its own pros and cons. For example, vinyl doors offer better insulation, keeping your home cooler during those hotter days, but wooden doors have a more classic look.

The material you choose will also impact the price of the door. Over and above this, you will have the option to choose between doors with laminated or impact-resistant glass. Laminated glass is generally the preferred choice because it’s made with a super-strong polymer.

Step 4: Decide on a Style. Just because you are protecting your home from hurricanes doesn’t mean you need to forgo style completely. The good news is there are a number of styles to choose from for each entrance that you want to reinforce. From beautiful French doors to modern sliding doors, you can find a style to match your home.

Step 5: Find Out About Building Code Compliance. Make sure that the doors you’re considering meet the necessary building code requirements before you install them. Each state and town tend to have different building codes so be sure to check yours. Doing so is also necessary for insurance purposes.

Ready for Installation

Now that you know which high impact doors are right for you, you can decide on an installer. It’s essential to choose an installer with a good reputation and experience.

How doors are installed can make a difference to how sturdy and reliable they are, which is why it’s critical to take the time to find the right installer.

By following the steps outlined above, you can rest easy knowing your home and everything inside it is much better protected from severe storms and hurricanes.