Impact resistant doors are built and tested to stay intact when hurricane winds throw debris at your home, which keeps wind and rain from blowing in and pressurizing the house. They also add everyday security, insulation and noise control. For homeowners in Central Florida and Polk County, that makes them one of the smartest upgrades available. Our team at Central Window Sales has protected local homes since 1963, and this guide explains how impact doors work and what to expect.
Comparing materials first? See our guide to wood doors vs fiberglass doors for Florida homes.
What makes an impact resistant door different?
An impact door is a complete system, not just a thicker slab. The door, frame, glass and hardware are tested together, and every part has a job.
Reinforced slab and frame
The slab is usually fiberglass or steel with a dense core. The frame and anchoring are designed to hold up under extreme wind pressure.
Heavy duty hardware
Reinforced hinges, upgraded strike plates and multi point locks keep the door tight against the frame when wind pushes and pulls on it.
Laminated impact glass
Any glass inserts use laminated layers, similar to a car windshield. If struck, the glass may crack but stays bonded in place.
Testing typically involves firing a piece of lumber at the door to simulate flying debris, then putting it through repeated cycles of pushing and pulling wind pressure. A door only earns its rating if it stays closed and intact through the full sequence.
Why does that matter? When a door or window fails in a storm, wind rushes in and pressurizes the house, which can lift the roof from the inside. Keeping every opening closed is one of the best ways to protect the whole structure.
Are impact doors required by Florida Building Code?
It depends on where your home sits. The Florida Building Code requires protected openings in designated windborne debris regions, and impact rated doors are one way to meet that requirement.
Impact products must pass pressure and missile impact testing, and many carry statewide approval through the Florida Building Commission. Requirements differ based on your home's design wind speed and location, so we confirm what applies to your address during the estimate and pull the permit for you.
Even where impact doors are not required, many homeowners in Lakeland, Winter Haven and across Polk County choose them anyway. Hurricanes regularly bring damaging winds well inland, and an impact door means one less opening to worry about when a storm is on the way.
Impact doors vs storm shutters
Shutters can protect a standard door, but someone has to put them up before every storm, and they only work when they are in place. An impact door is always ready, which matters when a storm changes track overnight or you are away from home.
How do impact doors improve everyday security?
The same features that stop flying debris also make forced entry much harder. That protection works every day of the year, not just during hurricane season.
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Reinforced fiberglass or steel skins
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Laminated glass that holds together when cracked
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Stronger frames and anchoring
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Multi point locking systems
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Heavy duty hinges and strike plates
Security also depends on fit. A door that sags or leaves a gap at the strike side is easier to pry, so a square, properly anchored installation is part of what makes an impact door hard to defeat.
Standard glass can be broken out in seconds. Laminated impact glass is designed to stay in the frame even after repeated blows, which buys time and makes a break in far less likely to succeed.
Do impact doors help with energy efficiency and noise?
Yes. Insulated cores, tight seals and laminated glass help with comfort as well as safety.
Energy efficiency
Less heat moves through the door and less air leaks around it, which takes some strain off your air conditioning. For the best performance, ask about models that meet ENERGY STAR criteria for doors.
Laminated glass can also filter much of the sun's UV, which helps protect floors and furniture near the door from fading.
Noise reduction
Thicker construction and laminated glass help quiet traffic, lawn equipment and storm noise, which homeowners near busy roads tend to notice right away.
Can impact doors lower your insurance costs?
They may. Florida requires insurers to offer discounts for qualifying hurricane mitigation features, and protected openings are one of the items a wind mitigation inspection records.
The Florida Department of Financial Services guide to hurricane mitigation discounts explains how this works. Credits and savings vary by insurer and policy, so talk with your agent before you count on a specific discount.
During a wind mitigation inspection, a licensed inspector documents features such as how your roof is attached and whether your doors, windows and garage door are protected. Keep the product approval paperwork from your installation, since inspectors may ask for proof that each opening is rated.
How long do impact doors last and what upkeep do they need?
Because most impact doors are fiberglass, they resist warping, rot and rust far better than wood or basic steel. Upkeep is simple.
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Clean the door and glass occasionally
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Check weatherstripping and seals once a year
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Lubricate hinges and locks
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Look for loose hardware or damage after a storm
A well installed fiberglass impact door can serve your home for many years. Paying for quality once usually costs less than replacing a weathered standard door again and again.
If a storm does damage your door, have it inspected before the next one. Cracked laminated glass or a bent frame may still be holding, but it will not perform as tested until it is repaired or replaced.
We install impact rated options from Therma-Tru, ProVia and PlastPro. Browse our exterior doors or read about the cost of new entry doors in Florida to plan your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are impact doors worth it in Central Florida?
For most homes, yes. They protect against storm damage, improve security and insulation, and may help with wind mitigation credits.
Do impact doors look different from regular doors?
Not really. They come in the same styles, colors and wood grain finishes, with or without decorative glass.
Do impact doors replace the need for shutters?
A properly rated and installed impact door protects that opening on its own, so you do not need to shutter it before a storm.
How much does an impact door cost?
It depends on size, glass and hardware. Our guide to entry door costs and budgeting covers what drives the price, and a free estimate gives you an exact number.
Can impact doors be installed on back and side entries?
Yes. Impact rated options are available for back doors, side entries and patio openings, and protecting every opening gives your home the most complete storm defense. Explore our entry doors to see styles.
Who handles the permit and inspection?
We do. Our team pulls the permit and handles inspections for every door replacement we install.
Want a door that stands up to Florida weather? Central Window Sales is a family owned, third generation company based in Winter Haven, licensed and insured (CBC1257644), serving all of Polk County. Call our team at (863) 293-2977 or request your free, no obligation estimate and we will measure, walk you through your options and give you an exact price.
Last updated: November 2026
