Specifying for the Storm: What to Know About Hurricane-Rated Windows and Doors

When hurricanes strike, homes face two powerful threats: powerful winds and wind-driven rain. Standard windows and doors usually aren’t built to handle that kind of force. That’s where hurricane-rated windows and doors come in. These certified products are designed to withstand both higher wind pressures and intense wind-driven rain, offering homeowners vital protection when it matters most.

All code compliant residential window and door products must pass rigorous testing; but, hurricane-resistant products must comply with even higher performance requirements. They have to meet stricter standards laid out in the International Residential Code (IRC), the Florida Building Code (FBC), Miami-Dade County Product Approval, and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) testing protocols. 

So, what sets them apart? For starters, they typically feature impact-resistant glass—often laminated—to stay intact even when shattered. Their reinforced frames are built with stronger materials such as extruded aluminum or reinforced vinyl. Often, these windows and doors also contain special compression seals, multiple weatherstrips, and specialized drainage systems built to perform under hurricane conditions.  

Windows and doors undergo testing to determine two key ratings:  

• Design Pressure (DP): Represents the maximum wind load (in pounds per square foot) the product can withstand, with typical hurricane-zone values falling between DP40 and DP70.  

• Performance Grade (PG): Builds on DP by also measuring resistance to wind-driven rain. For instance, in Biloxi, Mississippi, with a 140-mph design wind speed, most windows and doors need to be certified to a minimum rating of approximately PG40 to PG45. 

In many storm-prone areas, hurricane-rated products aren’t just a smart choice—they’re required under most building codes: 

• Florida: Hurricane-resistant products are required by the Florida Building Code, especially in the High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ). 

• Coastal areas in the Gulf and Atlantic Seaboard: Local requirements are often based on the International Residential Code (IRC), which dictates minimum requirements for windows and doors based on wind speed maps. 

• U.S. Caribbean Territories: Strict hurricane window requirements apply due to frequent severe storms. 

To pass testing, products must meet impact standards like ASTM E1996/E1886 and Florida’s TAS protocols. These common standards are used to assess the resistance of windows and doors to wind-borne debris, inclusive of the large missile impact test, which impacts products with heavy debris. One key test? In simulation, a 9-pound 2×4 shot at 34 mph must not penetrate the window. 

Even in areas where they aren’t required by code, hurricane-rated windows are often recommended by insurance companies (sometimes earning homeowners a discount!) and by builders looking to add resale value.  

Before installation or replacement, check with local building officials to be sure you are specifying the right products for your project’s location. 

A strong and high-performance window is only as good as its installation. To perform properly, hurricane-certified windows should be installed by licensed or certified professionals.  

Qualified installers will properly prepare the window opening, secure anchoring and sealing, and comply with the manufacturer’s instructions and building codes. These steps ensure the windows can withstand high winds and flying debris during a hurricane. For more information on the handling of large products like hurricane-resistant windows, review our field guide. 

To ensure windows maintain their high level of performance over their lifetime, hurricane-certified windows and doors require periodic inspections and occasional maintenance. The inspections consist of checking seals, gaskets, and caulking for cracks and wear, maintaining weep holes, ensuring that debris has not impeded drainage, and looking for signs of leaks.