Hurricane Impact Windows: What Capistrano Includes and How They Are Tested
In this article
"Hurricane impact windows are windows with special glass that is tested to take a hit from flying debris in a storm. In Miami-Dade County, the test is strict: the glass must not let the test object through and must not break behind it. Capistrano's features sheet lists impact resistant glass windows and sliding glass doors as included in the Destin and Fraser homes. This guide explains what that means, how it differs from shutters, and what to ask before you buy.
What are hurricane impact windows?
Most people picture hurricane damage as wind. But flying pieces of wood, branches and other objects cause a lot of trouble too. Once a window breaks, wind and rain can get inside the home.
Impact windows are built to stop that. The glass and frame are made to take a hit from debris and stay in place. They are also called impact-resistant windows or impact glass. You may also hear ""hurricane windows."" The names are often used for the same thing, though the exact meaning depends on the product and the tests it passed.
The key point: a product is only called impact-rated if it passed a set of tests. The next section shows what those tests are.
What the standards say about hurricane impact windows
Florida has rules on where impact protection is needed. We checked the state's Florida Hurricane Retrofit Guide. It describes a ""wind-borne debris region."" That is an area where the design wind speed is 120 mph or more, or an area within 1 mile of the coast where the design wind speed is 110 mph or more.
The guide also explains how products are tested:
A large test object is a 9-pound piece of 2x4 lumber.
It hits the window or shutter end-on at 34 mph.
The product also goes through repeated pressure changes, about 9,000 of them over roughly four hours. This copies the push and pull of a storm.
Miami-Dade and Broward counties are the ""High-Velocity Hurricane Zone."" They use tougher test protocols called TAS 201, TAS 202 and TAS 203. In this zone, the test object may not go through the product, and the glass behind it may not break.
The rest of Florida uses other standards called ASTM E1886 and ASTM E1996. Those are a bit different. They allow some holes if the opening does not grow and a 3-inch ball cannot pass through.
Cutler Bay is in Miami-Dade County, so the tougher rules apply here.
Miami-Dade approved impact windows: how to check one
Miami-Dade County has a Product Control Section. It reviews products used to protect a building's outer shell and gives approvals or denials. The types include windows, exterior glass, exterior doors, shutters and more.
The county keeps a search tool for these approvals. You can look up products on the Miami-Dade Product Approval page.
Here is how a buyer can use that:
Ask your sales contact which window product is used in your home.
Ask for the product approval information for that window.
Look it up in the county's search tool and read what it says.
Not sure what to ask for? Write down the question and bring it to your visit. It is a fair thing to ask.
What Capistrano says it includes
Capistrano is a community of one-story homes by D.R. Horton in Cutler Bay. Its features sheet lists these items that relate to storm protection:
Impact resistant glass windows and sliding glass doors
Engineered roof with hurricane clips and bracing
Reinforced concrete monolithic slab
Masonry exterior walls
Baked-in-color cement roof tile
The front door is a Therma-Tru insulated fiberglass door. The sheet lists the impact resistant glass for the windows and the sliding glass doors. It does not say the front door is impact rated, so do not assume it. If that matters to you, ask.
Impact glass is one part of a bigger picture. The roof, walls, slab and glass work together. We cover the full list in our guide on what is included and the warranty at Capistrano.
Hurricane windows vs impact windows vs shutters
Let's clear up the names and the options in plain words.
Impact windows | Storm shutters | |
|---|---|---|
Where they are | Always in the window opening | Put up or closed before a storm |
What you do | Nothing extra in most cases | Install or close them each time |
What they do | Glass built to take a hit | Cover the glass to take the hit |
Tested to a standard | Yes, if rated | Yes, if rated |
The state guide says both a ""shutter or product"" is tested with the same kind of hit. So shutters can be rated too.
The main difference is daily life. With impact glass, protection is built in. With shutters, someone has to put them up before a storm and take them down after. That takes time and work.
Impact windows also have to be maintained like any window. Ask about cleaning and care for the frames and seals.
Impact windows cost: what we can and cannot tell you
Many people search for ""impact windows cost."" We do not give a price for windows alone, because at Capistrano the impact glass is part of the home, not a separate add-on on the features sheet.
What we can say is that the homes have recently started in the low $900,000s for the Destin and the high $900,000s for the Fraser. Call 561-704-0091 for today's numbers. Ask what is included in the price you are quoted, and ask what incentives are available today.
Wind mitigation inspections in plain words
You may hear the term ""wind mitigation inspection."" My Safe Florida Home is a state program. On its website, it describes this inspection as an assessment of a home's ability to hold up in hurricane forces. The report can be shared with your insurance company so it can apply any discounts that are available to you.
The program also lists impact windows and doors among the improvements it can help with. Rules and who qualifies can change, and a new home may not fit. Check mysafeflhome.com for the current details, and ask your insurance agent how a report would be used for your home.
We are not insurance experts, so we do not promise any savings. It is a good question to bring to your agent before you close.
A short checklist for your visit
Ask which window product is used, and for its approval information.
Ask what is listed as impact resistant: windows, sliding glass doors, front door.
Open and close each window and door. Check the locks.
Look at the seals and the frames.
Ask how to clean and care for them.
Read the actual warranty papers before closing. See our new construction home inspector guide if you plan to bring your own inspector.
Space matters too. Our guide on 3-car garage sizes at Capistrano covers the garage, and Destin vs Fraser at Capistrano helps you compare the two plans. Both are on the Capistrano community page.
Want to see the glass in person? Call 561-704-0091 or Look at the Impact Glass at Capistrano - Schedule a Visit.
Common Questions
Do the homes at Capistrano have hurricane impact windows?
Capistrano's features sheet lists impact resistant glass windows and sliding glass doors. Ask your sales contact for the product details.
Is the front door impact rated?
The features sheet lists the front door as a Therma-Tru insulated fiberglass door. It does not call it impact rated. Ask if that matters to you.
What is the difference between hurricane windows and impact windows?
The names are often used for the same thing. What matters is whether the product passed the required tests for your area. In Miami-Dade, that means the stricter TAS protocols.
How are impact windows tested?
According to the Florida Hurricane Retrofit Guide, a 9-pound 2x4 hits the product at 34 mph, and the product goes through repeated pressure cycles.
How do I check if a window is Miami-Dade approved?
Ask for the product approval information, then look it up in the county's search tool on the Miami-Dade Product Approval page.
Are impact windows better than shutters?
They are different. Impact glass is always in place. Shutters must be put up each time. Both can be tested and rated, so check the rating for either one.
What is a wind mitigation inspection?
It is an assessment of how well a home can hold up to hurricane forces. The report can go to your insurer for any discounts that apply. See My Safe Florida Home for details.
Ready to walk it in person? Call 561-704-0091 or see Capistrano - schedule a visit. "