Florida Building Code Explained: Window and Door Replacement Requirements The Florida Building Code is updated every 3 years to accommodate changes in climates, the housing market, and building material industries. The newest version of the FBC will go into effect January of 2021, and it will be referred to as Florida Building Code 2020 (FBC 2020), as it will be created this year. FBC 2020 will be the 7th edition of the Florida Building Code. A common question among Florida property owners is "Are impact windows required in Florida?" The short answer is no. However, when it comes to replacing or installing new windows and doors, the Florida Building Code has very specific requirements as to what is acceptable. According to FBC 2017, the version currently being enforced in our state, all glazed openings within a structure need to either be impact-resistant or use impact coverings (like shutters). Some single-family homes can get approval for using plywood, but there must be pre-approved fastening systems in place. All window and door projects, both replacement and new construction, need to be permitted with the local municipality. Therefore, no matter the type of product being installed, it must be proven to the building department when applying for the permit and during inspections that there is proper hurricane protection either installed or on property. Since the Florida Building Code requires either shutters or hurricane windows (another name for impact windows), homeowners and property managers must decide which protection is right for their property. Since both options are acceptable within FBC 2017, the decision will likely come down to other factors like cost, labor, aesthetics, or what other additional benefits there may be. If you are trying to decide between hurricane shutters or impact windows and doors to protect your home and family, visit our shutters vs impact page to download a free copy of our comprehensive analysis on the subject. South Florida is a unique place when it comes to home building, and windows and doors are no exception. While all of Florida must follow FBC, areas throughout South Florida, like South East Florida, have even more stringent codes. One such example is the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, aka HVHZ. HVHZ is an area consisting of coastal Palm Beach County, Broward County, Miami-Dade County, and Monroe County. HVHZ requires stronger impact products than the other parts of Florida, meeting wind speeds between 170 mph and 200 mph, depending on your exact location. Other areas in Florida require impact products or shutters that meet Wind-Borne Debris (WBD) certification. These products can be certified as impact-resistant but would not be authorized in the HVHZ unless they pass those tests as well.