Hurricane Impact Front Doors

Hurricane-impact front doors or exterior impact doors are your first defense against one of nature’s most powerful weather phenomena. Hurricane impact doors possess unique features that protect your home better against tropical storms and hurricanes.

Entry doors are your first line of defense against inclement weather, which is why you must pay attention to how durable your current entry doors are in terms of protecting your home. Entry doors should also be compliant with local building codes especially if you live in a High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) location.

Hurricane impact doors also remove the necessity to install additional precautions against powerful weather phenomena, such as adding plywood to seal doors or installing storm shutters. Instead, all you need to do with hurricane-impact doors are lock them up in the event of a hurricane.

At DSA Doors, we’ve devoted a lifetime to engineering and crafting the most durable and hard-wearing hurricane doors. Our work has been tested against reliable standards like Miami-Dade NOA, DP-70, DP-50, and FL Code.

If you’re ready to take the next step in making your home more hurricane-proof this year, click here to

 

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Your home’s entrance should be safe, sound, and private. Reinforcing your home with custom wood hurricane doors is a great way to ensure security and privacy, even during harsh weather conditions. The residents of states like Florida know hurricanes are a regular occurrence, which is why most homes here are outfitted with residential hurricane-impact doors. Does your home need hurricane-impact front doors that can withstand all the forces of a storm?

Homes sustain significant damage from hurricanes. Damages from wind and flooding caused by Hurricane Ian cost homeowners over $50 billion. Hurricane impact front doors help protect your property, investments, and most importantly, your loved ones.

Twenty climate disasters and extreme weather phenomena costing $1 billion or more occurred in 2021. At $145 billion, 2021’s total cost was the third highest ever recorded in the United States, behind only 2005 and 2017.

Disasters costing $1 billion or more hit the United States for the seventh year in 2021. Over one-third of total costs from natural disasters over the past 42 years ($2.155 trillion) have occurred in the last five years. This amounts to an annual cost of almost $149 billion every five years.

The costs of repeated weather disturbances and climate disasters are a critical threat to coastal homeowners, and protecting your home with the right set of hurricane-impact front doors is one of the first steps to securing your property.

Many Americans love to live on the coast. However, these homeowners and property management companies have much more on their minds regarding hurricane safety.

You’re probably concerned with repairing, maintaining, and installing new hurricane-impact front doors. Florida, among many other states, has stringent building codes that became even more specific and strict after Hurricane Andrew struck on August 16, 1992.

Hurricane Andrew was an exceedingly destructive category-five hurricane that hit Louisiana, Florida, and the Bahamas. Andrew is one among just five tropical cyclones that made landfall in the US as a category five hurricane. The last one before Andrew made landfall decades ago was in 1969.

The most hurricane-hit states are Florida, Texas, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, New York, Mississippi, Virginia, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maine, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire. The Sunshine State, Florida, has historically received the highest number of hurricanes.

The acronym HVHZ also refers to the section of the Florida building code that addresses construction in areas likely to experience high winds during hurricanes. You are in an HVHZ if you are a coastal Palm Beach County, Broward County, or Miami-Dade County resident.

You can ask a contractor or review your state’s local building codes to see if any equivalent regulations are in effect. If you reside in an HVHZ zone, you’ll need to find a fit in your home with doors and windows that comply with relevant regulations.

If you’re not sure if your door is hurricane-proof and would like a second opinion, get in touch with a local DSA Dealer today.

If you’re a resident of a coastal area, you’re likely used to dealing with various climate extremes, from intense heat and humidity to violent winds and hurricanes. Homeowners in Florida already have a lot on their plates without worrying about whether their houses will survive a sudden downpour or a swarm of flying trash.

High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) residents take extra measures to prepare their homes for hurricane season, due to the frequency of severe weather events.

Hurricane-impact doors, from the frame to the glass pane to the manufacturing methods, are made to withstand extreme weather events. Coastal homes benefit the most from this type of door as coastal homes are exposed to the most significant hurricanes and other extreme weather events throughout the year.

Everyone needs excellent hurricane protection. But this doesn’t mean that you must spend unnecessarily on plywood to seal your doors. Instead, thanks to tireless engineering and technological improvements in the past years, you can now take advantage of cost-effective hurricane-impact doors year-round for reliable security (and lower energy bills).

Whether you plan to stay home during the hurricane season, you can’t afford to give up an additional vital layer of defense against hurricane damage. Because whether you’re home or not, hurricanes can form anytime and pass through densely populated areas in your state. Installing an impact-rated front door will give you peace of mind and physical security like no other.

DSA Doors offers impact DP-50 units, DP-70 HVHZ units, and Miami-Dade NOA-certified units.

Some of our most popular Hurricane Door styles include:

Here Are Essential Factors to Think About Before Buying Hurricane-Impact Doors

Hurricane-Resistant Glass

One of the most crucial parts of hurricane impact front doors is the glass used by the manufacturer. Impact-resistant or laminated glass can withstand the wind, rain, and dynamic pressure from extreme weather events.

Hurricane-resistant glass will not shatter or crack in the event of a hurricane. Regular glass will almost always crack and shatter. This causes many risks, including air and water infiltration, risk of injury, and debris entering the home.

DSA’s NOA certified hurricane impact doors feature high-quality Clear Laminated Impact Glass for maximum protection. Our 1” thick insulated safety glass will remain secure in the frame and continue to protect your home, even if damaged. This is due to the SentryGlas ionoplast interlayer.

Secure Door Frame

A door’s frame material is equally important as the strong glass it supports. DSA’s hurricane impact doors are constructed exclusively with premium Mahogany, without any other soft-wood components. Our 2 ¼” thick luxury doors feature 11-ply construction to last for generations. Every DSA impact door is reinforced with steel bars and utilizes shoot bolts along with an Ashland Multipoint Locking system for maximum safety and security.

Who has time to install plywood in preparation for every storm? With DSA’s hurricane impact doors, you can provide long-lasting physical security for your family, including at-risk children and elders, without any additional steps. Simply lock the door.

Compliance With DP Standards and Building Codes

When deciding on hurricane impact front doors, pick one that prioritizes known standards and complies with these standards from start to finish. In addition, it’s crucial to consider local building codes.

In HVHZ areas, every part of your house, including the doors and windows, must adhere to strict building codes. These regulations are put in place because the risk of property damage from hurricanes is substantial, and these regulations give homes and other structures a better chance of withstanding severe storms.

DSA Doors have been certified for a variety of regions through rigorous testing, including DP-50, Impact DP-50, FL Building Codes, DP-70, and Miami-Dade NOA. Our doors have been proven to withstand direct impact with large wind-borne debris (TAS 201: Large Missile Impact), Air & Water Infiltration, Positive & Negative Design Loads (DP-70), and Forced Entry Resistance.

For more information, we suggest contacting your local DSA Dealer.

Understanding Design Pressure Ratings for Hurricane Impact Front Doors

In Florida, North Carolina, and other states where hurricanes and other severe weather events are common, it’s essential to have sturdy windows and doors. You want to feel secure in your home during storms, whether they bring heavy precipitation, high winds, or the possibility of flying debris.

Checking ratings is the best way to determine what’s recommended for your home. We’ll explore the basics of common door and window ratings.

  • Door manufacturers test their products to determine what conditions their products can withstand, and are assigned Design Pressure Ratings or DP Ratings.
  • DP ratings are based on a door or window’s ability to prevent water and air infiltration and to withstand mechanical stress. Ratings on the DP scale are usually between 20 to 70.
  • A higher number on the DP rating system indicates a more robust door or window. A higher rating also means your home (and family) will be better protected during an extreme weather event. So how do you make sense of the DP score of a hurricane door?
  • A DP-50 rating indicates that hurricane impact front doors are resistant to 75 psf of force, equivalent to 200 mile per hour wind speeds.
  • Any product rated for dynamic pressure must withstand 1.5 times that amount without breaking. So, for example, if a door has a DP-50 rating, it should be impenetrable to wind gusts of up to 75 miles per hour and to rain of up to eight inches every hour.

Understanding Design Pressure Ratings for Hurricane Impact Front Doors

In Florida, North Carolina, and other states where hurricanes and other severe weather events are common, it’s essential to have sturdy windows and doors. You want to feel secure in your home during storms, whether they bring heavy precipitation, high winds, or the possibility of flying debris.

Checking ratings is the best way to determine what’s recommended for your home. We’ll explore the basics of common door and window ratings.

  • Door manufacturers test their products to determine what conditions their products can withstand, and are assigned Design Pressure Ratings or DP Ratings.
  • DP ratings are based on a door or window’s ability to prevent water and air infiltration and to withstand mechanical stress. Ratings on the DP scale are usually between 20 to 70.
  • A higher number on the DP rating system indicates a more robust door or window. A higher rating also means your home (and family) will be better protected during an extreme weather event. So how do you make sense of the DP score of a hurricane door?
  • A DP-50 rating indicates that hurricane impact front doors are resistant to 75 psf of force, equivalent to 200 mile per hour wind speeds.
  • Any product rated for dynamic pressure must withstand 1.5 times that amount without breaking. So, for example, if a door has a DP-50 rating, it should be impenetrable to wind gusts of up to 75 miles per hour and to rain of up to eight inches every hour.

For more information, we suggest contacting your local DSA Dealer.

The Benefits of Having Hurricane Impact Front Doors

While most people buy impact-resistant doors to keep their homes safe from storms, they also offer several other advantages.

Impact doors provide significant benefits, beyond their primary purpose of residential hurricane protection. Impact-resistant doors can add beauty and value to your home by enhancing its energy efficiency, lowering its noise level, and more. In addition to your front door, installing impact patio doors is another popular upgrade for coastal homes.

DSA manufactures premium quality hurricane impact doors for every home, including square and arched, inswing and outswing, solid panel wood doors, contemporary full-view doors, patio doors, and fully custom-designed doors.

In addition, investing in hurricane-proofing improvements for your home can keep your property and everyone inside safer. Suffice it to say, these unique doors offer a higher and more consistent degree of defense against hurricanes than plywood.

If you’re ready to make your home safer, find your local DSA Doors dealer today.

Hurricane Doors Offer Enhanced Noise Suppression

Multiple panes of impact-resistant glass are used to construct DSA’s hurricane impact doors, along with a specialized insulating layer. This unique glass helps keep your home safe by keeping the glass in its frame. Due to its thickness, our insulated impact glass also has a noise-blocking effect when it comes to common outdoor disturbances such as traffic, animal noise, or loud neighbors. The materials used in custom wood hurricane doors prevent shattering and help reduce noise by blocking sound waves more effectively than regular glass. Of course, an impact-resistant door can block noise at various frequencies, too.

Residential Hurricane Impact Doors Secure your Home During Extreme Weather Conditions

Having your home protected from hurricanes is the main benefit of having hurricane-proof doors. Heavy-duty, hurricane-resistant materials are used to create custom wood hurricane doors, giving them the strength to withstand destructive winds. Unfortunately, there is currently no equivalent home security system that can do what this one does.

Residential Hurricane Impact Doors Create Beautiful and Aesthetic Improvements to Any Home

With DSA Doors, there’s no need to sacrifice aesthetics in order to get high-caliber hurricane protection. We have hundreds of hurricane impact door styles available, as well as impressive custom capabilities to create the perfect entryway for your coastal home. Browse some of our most popular hurricane impact doors below: Contact your DSA Dealer today to design your perfect hurricane impact door today!

Hurricane Impact Doors May Help Reduce Insurance Premiums

Installing hurricane-resistant doors can help you save money. Not only could you save on post-storm repairs, but you could pay lower insurance premiums or be eligible for rebates as a result of your decision to install hurricane impact doors. Offers vary based on location, but overall, states and insurance providers are passing the benefits they experience when homes are better protected by hurricane impact doors back to the homeowners that install them. In Florida, the Home Hardening Tax Exemption reimburses sales tax on hurricane doors purchased from July 1, 2022 to June, 30, 2024. Also in Florida, the state requires insurance companies to discount policies of well-protected homes. Homeowners with impact-resistant windows and doors can save up to 15% on insurance policies.

Hurricane Doors Offer Enhanced Noise Suppression

Multiple panes of impact-resistant glass are used to construct DSA’s hurricane impact doors, along with a specialized insulating layer. This unique glass helps keep your home safe by keeping the glass in its frame. Due to its thickness, our insulated impact glass also has a noise-blocking effect when it comes to common outdoor disturbances such as traffic, animal noise, or loud neighbors. The materials used in custom wood hurricane doors prevent shattering and help reduce noise by blocking sound waves more effectively than regular glass. Of course, an impact-resistant door can block noise at various frequencies, too.

This makes it the perfect time to add or upgrade your home’s storm protection. Contact your local DSA Dealer today to get started!

How Can You Protect Your Home from Hurricanes?

Hurricanes can cause severe damage to your home and neighborhood. Follow these guidelines if you want to prevent damage to your home and ensure safety during the next hurricane.

Safeguard Your Windows

Debris carried by strong winds can break glass panes. If a window or door in your home breaks, it can expose your family to the elements and pose a safety risk.

Wooden boards, such as plywood, are the cheapest alternative to hurricane-tempered glass windows for protecting your home during a storm. It is unnecessary to board your windows if they are made of hurricane-resistant tempered glass. Having hurricane shutters installed on your home may be standard in regions prone to hurricanes.

You can roll down the shutters or open them accordion-style when a hurricane approaches. The best way to protect your home from hurricane damage is to install hurricane shutters on your windows permanently. 

It is a common belief that if your window breaks, you can lessen the amount of glass that shatters by taping an ‘X’ on it. This is not only untrue but also extremely risky. The glass used in hurricane impact windows that have been taped can shatter into even more dangerous large shards. 

Some people also believe that leaving a window open just a little bit can help equalize the pressure inside their home. Unfortunately, this is also not true. If an open window allowed flying objects to enter at high speed, everyone could be in danger.

A home exposed to a hurricane is not aloft, or in a vacuum, so the idea of “equalizing” anything is dangerous. Windows need to be always secured when you’re up against a hurricane as well as your custom wood hurricane doors.

Fasten Your Roof

In extreme hurricanes, roofs can and do blow off. Using hurricane straps or clips is the best way to prevent damage to your roof during a hurricane. Roof clips and straps can help your roof stay attached during a storm, protecting your home from potential damage.

Trim Your Trees

Damage to people, property, and vehicles can be severe when trees and branches fall. All trees and bushes should be trimmed before hurricane season to protect against high winds and flooding. The best solution may be to get rid of an unwanted tree or plant if that’s the case.

Secure Your Outdoor Items and Equipment

When hurricane season rolls around, backyard pools, patio sets, and other outdoor fixtures can quickly become a hazard. Whenever a hurricane is in the forecast, bringing in as many of your outdoor belongings as possible is a good idea. However, you’ll need an alternative security method for items like pool chairs, kayaks, and lawn care tools that are too large or dirty to bring inside.

Submerging watertight items is a sensible way to ensure their security if you have a pool. Then, the furniture will sink and be secure even in extreme weather conditions like high winds and heavy rain.

Place your equipment and valuables in a safe place or secure them. For example, if you have large items that the storm’s winds could damage, you may want to secure them with rope and stakes or move them to a safer location.

 Seal the Gaps in Your Window and Residential Hurricane Impact Doors

Caulk the spaces around the doors and windows where water might seep in. Heavy rain can still cause significant flooding and home damage, even if the hurricane has been downgraded by the time it reaches your location.

Don’t Forget to Get Insurance

Think about getting wind and flood insurance if you live in a hurricane-prone area.

How To Ensure Personal Safety During a Hurricane?

Prioritizing the safety of yourself, your loved ones, and your pets during a hurricane is imperative. However, a hurricane can be dangerous, so here are some ways to protect yourself:

Start Early: Install Hurricane Impact Front Doors

Hurricane-impact front doors are a necessity. These doors are not only practical, but they prevent wind and rain from entering your home without the need for additional preparations in the event of a storm. Simply lock your doors, no need to worry about plywood.

Remain Inside

Venturing outside can seem like an exciting adventure during a severe storm or hurricane. You could be injured by flying debris, knocked over by a strong gust, or swept away by rushing water if you try to walk in high winds or during a flood.

Keep inside until the severe weather event passes, and it is safe to go outside again as announced by the authorities. Ensure you have things to do indoors to stave off cabin fever and the urge to venture outside. 

To keep the family entertained, stock up on board games, card games, and books. Power stations are now commonplace, and wireless connectivity persists even during the hurricane.  

Stay Clear of Downed Power Lines

As a result of hurricanes and other severe storms, downed power lines pose a significant risk to the public. Do not risk electrocution by walking through puddles near downed poles and lines.

It’s the same with your furry friends. If you see someone unconscious near downed power lines, stay away from them. Avoid electrocution by keeping your distance and calling for help.

The Bottom Line: DSA Hurricane Impact Front Doors Protect Your Home and Family

Exterior hurricane impact doors are one of the best ways to protect your coastal or HVHZ home from severe weather conditions. After completing rigorous testing, DSA Doors offers many hurricane impact door options to protect your home without sacrificing aesthetics. Our Doors are constructed with premium mahogany and laminated impact glass, include protective construction features, and are available in traditional, modern, or custom styles. Unlike most competitors’ Hurricane Impact doors, DSA Doors are constructed with 100% premium mahogany and available in a wide variety of sizes, styles and finishes, including square, arched, inswing, outswing, and custom. 

In order to ensure homeowners get the perfect fit and a professional installation experience, DSA works exclusively with a network of dealers. Find your local DSA Dealer today to find out more about Hurricane Impact Door options at DSA Doors!

Learn more about the Port Collection:

  • Approved for use in Miami-Dade and High Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZ) with Design Pressure Rating of ± 70.0 PSF (DP-70)
  • Constructed with our premium solid-core Mahogany,
    Multipoint locks and 2 ¼” slabs
  • Kept in-stock for minimal dealer lead times of 4-6 weeks
  • Available unfinished or in your choice of four stain colors
  • Featuring Simulated Divided Lite (SDL) Bars for efficient production
  • Exclusively available to DSA’s Dealer Network
  • View Testing Links

Port Collection Doors

Biscayne
  • Single and Double square-top doors
  • Three-quarter view
  • Raised panel
  • 6’8″ & 8’0″ heights
  • All configurations are Miami-Dade NOA certified
Naples
  • Single and Double square-top doors
  • Full view
  • 6’8″ & 8’0″ heights
  • All configurations are Miami-Dade NOA certified
Clearwater
  • Single and Double doors
  • Square and arch-top configurations
  • Full view arched glass
  • 8’0″ height
  • Not yet Miami-Dade NOA certified
Lucie
  • Single and Double doors
  • Square and arch-top configurations
  • Three-quarter view
  • Arched glass over raised square panel
  • 8’0″ height
  • Lucie styles except Solid Panel are Miami-Dade NOA certified
Venice
  • Single and Double doors
  • Square and arch-top configurations
  • Three-quarter view
  • Arched glass over raised arched panel
  • 8’0″ height
  • Venice styles except Solid Panel are Miami-Dade NOA certified
Testing Links
Accreditations

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