Whether welcoming your family home from work or protecting your house during hurricane season, the right front door is a vital part of your property. Choosing the right entry door involves more than just selecting the right architectural style and finish.
In storm-prone South Florida, homeowners need front doors that can resist powerful winds and rapid pressure changes. These doors should also keep out unwanted visitors and withstand the scorching sun.
Impact-Rated
Your front doors are a major line of defense for your home from damaging weather conditions and intruders. While standard front entry doors do their job adequately under ordinary conditions, they’re not designed to withstand the force of Hurricanes and other severe weather events.
Unlike traditional doors, impact doors are built to withstand the high winds and flying debris that often accompany Hurricanes in Florida. They’re constructed with thick aluminum frames and impact-resistant glass to hold up against the elements.
They also undergo additional testing to achieve a WBD or HVHZ rating, including cyclical and missile tests. The latter test subjects doors to the force of projectiles fired from a large missile at varying distances and angles. This type of protection is mandatory in areas that are prone to extreme weather.
Wood
Many homeowners prefer the look of a wood entrance door. Its beautiful grain and rich coloring complement a wide variety of design styles, from traditional to contemporary. However, it is important to select a wood that will stand up to the wet and humid environment of South Florida.
Mahogany and teak are two of the strongest exterior front doors for Miami, FL homes. They also add a touch of luxury to your home, with their rich color and ornate designs.
PF(tm) frames from Plastpro incorporate a poly-fiber core that resists moisture absorption, warping and rotting. This helps to protect the doors from the elements, and they are approved for use in Miami-Dade HVHZ areas. The Fiber-Classic collection offers the classic wood-grained texture and style of traditional entry doors without the splintering and cracking that often occurs with hardwood construction.
Glass
A popular design choice for Miami homeowners, a glass front door lets in ample natural light to make your home feel open and bright. Sidelites and transoms can also be used to enhance the effect. Glass options include obscure, frosted or patterned glass that can match your style preference and complement any home décor.
South Florida’s constant rain, tropical storms and potential hurricanes require your entrance doors to be impact rated. Our impact entry doors are constructed with a sturdy aluminum frame and shatter-resistant glass. They have been tested to withstand the debris generated by high-velocity hurricane winds.
They help you save money by reducing your energy consumption and are more attractive than traditional doors. They can even lower your insurance premium. This durable door also has a thermal barrier that helps keep your home cool and comfortable all year round.
Shutters
Adding shutters to your front door is a good way to protect it from wind-driven debris during a storm. However, many people choose to have impact windows instead of shutters because they look great year-round and don’t require extra steps in a crisis.
Most of Broward, Miami-Dade and Coastal Palm Beach counties are designated as High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ). In these areas, there are strict building codes to ensure that homes can withstand severe weather. These requirements include having a hurricane-rated entrance door. These doors are made of glass and other materials that have been tested to meet these strict codes. They can withstand repeated smashing, banging and pushing without breaking. This makes them a great choice for protecting your home against intruders. They also reduce the risk of shattered glass from accidental impacts.
Pull Handles
Your front door sets the tone for your entire home and serves as the main, inviting point. SIW’s impact contemporary entrance doors are made according to specific measurements and personalized to reflect your personal style. They can also be as decorative and elaborate as you like, while still providing superior impact-resistant properties.
If you prefer a more minimalist, streamlined look, concealed handles are the way to go. These door pulls are designed to blend seamlessly into the door’s frame, making them a perfect choice for contemporary homes.
Because Miami-Dade, Broward, and Coastal Palm Beach counties are in a high-velocity hurricane zone, it’s essential to have an impact-rated front door. These doors have beefed-up hinges and frames that can withstand higher wind speeds, as well as multipoint locking systems that prevent the door from swinging open.