How to Tell If Your Windows Are Impact Resistant

To tell if windows are impact resistant, look for a permanent approval marking that matches that exact window. Thick glass or a heavy frame proves nothing on its own. In Florida, replacing windows generally needs a building permit, and impact products need an approval that fits the wind rules for the location.

The Short Answer: Impact Windows Need a Permit and a Matching Approval

Impact windows in Florida generally need a permit, and the product needs an approval that fits local wind rules. Installing or replacing exterior impact windows generally requires a permit, subject to the building official’s determination, according to Opa-locka permit guidance.

The rule isn’t about how the glass feels. It’s about proof. Florida law says a product may not be advertised, sold, or marketed as hurricane or impact protection from wind-borne debris unless it is approved. Anyone who sells an unapproved product that way can face action under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (§ 553.842).

Under § 553.844, for site-built, single-family residential structures, any activity requiring a building permit, excluding roof covering replacement or repair work associated with the prevention of degradation of the residence, that is applied for on or after July 1, 2008, and for which the estimated cost is $50,000 or more, must include provision of opening protections as required within the Florida Building Code for new construction for a building located in the wind-borne debris region as defined in s. 1609.2 of the International Building Code (2006) and that has an insured value of $750,000 or more, or, if the building is uninsured or for which documentation of insured value is not presented, has a just valuation for the structure for purposes of ad valorem taxation of $750,000 or more. Roof covering replacement or repair work associated with the prevention of degradation of the residence is excluded from this requirement.

How to Tell If a Window Is Impact Resistant

Start by finding a permanent label or etched marking on the frame or glass. It should name the product and show an approval number. No marking means no proof.

• Check the frame and glass. Markings are usually on the frame, in a glass corner, or on a label near an edge.
• Read the approval type. Miami-Dade products often carry a Notice of Acceptance (NOA). The Miami-Dade County Product Control Division is one of the evaluation entities named in § 553.842. Statewide products carry a Florida product approval. A certification mark or listing from an approved agency needs no further paperwork to show compliance (§ 553.8425).
• Match the marking to the window. An approval covers a specific size, configuration, and opening type. A marked sample doesn’t prove the installed unit is rated.
• Tempered glass isn’t impact glass. Impact-rated glass is usually laminated, with a plastic layer between panes, and tested for debris impact. The PNNL impact-rated glass guide covers impact-resistant construction and ASTM impact testing.
• Weight doesn’t count. An unmarked window can’t be treated as impact resistant just because it looks thick or heavy.

If the marking is missing or doesn’t match the installed window, contact our team before you rely on it.

Wind Zones: Why the Approval Has to Match Your Location

An approval must match the wind requirements at the building’s location, not just the product name.

A product approved for one design pressure may fall short of a higher one. Florida law says that, upon review of the compliance documentation and a finding that the product complies with the code, the authority having jurisdiction or a local building official deems the product approved for use in accordance with its approval and limitation of use (§ 553.8425). Those limits are what the permit checks.

The same product can fit one opening and fail another. Height, width, and wall position all matter. Homes in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Naples, Fort Myers, and Kendall each need this check opening by opening, not just by model.

What a Window Permit File Usually Contains

A window permit file usually holds the product approvals, a window schedule, and installation details. Ask for these before work starts.

• Product approval papers for each product type, with approval numbers.
• A window schedule listing each opening, its size, its location, and the product going in.
• Installation details showing how each unit attaches to the wall.
• The permit application, which names the property, the scope of work, and the products.

Our team can discuss these with you. A local building department shall not issue a building permit to a contractor who lacks a valid active certificate or registration in the right category (§ 489.13). Contact our team before crews arrive with any questions about permits or the license number listed on your contract.

How Inspections Are Scheduled During a Window Replacement

The local building department inspects the finished work against the permit and the approval papers. A typical window job runs in this order: permit issued, installation, then final inspection.

Your contractor usually schedules inspections through the permitting office and coordinates access to the house. The inspector checks that the installed products match the approval and permit documents. A mismatch in size or opening type is the kind of gap an inspector can catch.

Keep copies of the permit, the product approvals, and the final inspection record. You may need them when you sell the home, talk with your insurer, or plan a later renovation.

What Happens If Impact Openings Are Installed Without Approval

Openings installed without a permit or a matching approval can fail inspection. The fix can include correction work, removal and reinstallation of non-compliant openings, added cost, and delay.

Florida law applies its consumer protection rules to anyone who sells a product as impact protection without approval (§ 553.842). For unlicensed contracting, the state may impose an administrative fine of up to $10,000 on the unlicensed person (§ 489.13).

Unpermitted work can also complicate a future sale, insurance questions, or a later renovation. Checking the paperwork before work starts is the simpler path.

Shutters are another way to handle wind-borne debris. Miami-Dade guidance describes approved shutters or plywood boarding for securing windows and doors (Miami-Dade hurricane guidance). Pinellas County notes that approved permanent accordion shutters are an option for large openings like sliding glass doors (Pinellas County retrofit guidance). Whether a given opening is compliant depends on its approval and the local requirements.

Next Step: Scope the Permit for Your Openings

Knowing how to tell if windows are impact resistant is the first step. If you own an older home with windows of unknown rating, or you plan to replace specific openings, start with a review of each one.

ASP Superhome offers a free first consultation, which is confidential and carries no obligation to continue.

If your windows have no approval marking, or you’re weighing a replacement for certain openings, reach out through our contact page. Our team can look at each opening, explain what the permit file needs, and scope the work with you.