Every impact-resistant window we offer goes through the rigorous testing requirements set by Miami-Dade County, the strictest wind-borne debris standard in the nation. Choosing hurricane impact windows will not only protect and better insulate your home, but it can also improve energy efficiency.
At Blue Diamond Impact, we provide and install impact-resistant windows for many different types of residences and commercial properties throughout South Florida. Our collections offer aluminum and vinyl products, laminated and insulated glass, energy-efficient options, and more. From classic styles, like single-hung windows, to fixed architectural windows, we can help you find the ideal windows that fit your style and budget.
Types of impact windows
Which type fits which opening
| Type | How it opens | Best for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural Fixed | Doesn't open | Big views, tall walls and high openings | Adds no airflow, so the room needs another window that opens |
| Casement | Swings outward on a side hinge | Rooms that need the most airflow, and spots that are hard to reach | The open panel sticks out, so check walkways and pool decks |
| Single-Hung | Bottom sash slides up | Openings taller than they are wide, and rooms along walkways or patios | Only the lower half opens, and you lift the sash by hand |
| Horizontal Roller | Slides sideways on a track | Wide openings, and windows beside walkways or pool decks | Only part of the window opens, and tracks need an occasional clean |
What makes a window an impact window
An impact window uses laminated glass: layers of glass bonded to a clear inner layer. If flying debris strikes it, the glass can crack, but the inner layer is built to keep it in the frame. That helps keep the opening closed, which an ordinary window can't do once it breaks.
Miami-Dade and Broward are both in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, or HVHZ. Windows approved for the zone go through large-missile impact testing (TAS 201), static air pressure testing (TAS 202) and cyclic wind pressure testing (TAS 203). No window is hurricane-proof. Tested and approved means the result can be checked.
How to check a window's approval yourself
A product approved by Miami-Dade County has a Notice of Acceptance, or NOA. It names the product, what it was tested to and when the approval expires. Ask any installer for the NOA number on the windows they're quoting, then look it up in Miami-Dade's product control search. Statewide approvals are in Florida's product approval search.
You can check a contractor the same way. Search any license on the state's license lookup. Ours is CGC #1525419.
What we'll go over at your estimate
- Window style. Which of the four types suits each room. Many homes use a mix.
- Frame. Aluminum or vinyl, and the frame color. Our recent jobs include white, black and bronze.
- Glass. Laminated or insulated glass, and Low-E options that help with the sun's heat.
- Bedrooms. Which openings need to work as emergency exits.
From first call to final inspection
- Free in-home estimate. We come to you, measure and explain the options. Destiny S. wrote that Jonathan "spent nearly 3 hours explaining the products." There's no pressure to decide that day.
- Proposal. You get a proposal for the openings you want done, and you take the time you need.
- Permit and HOA. We handle the permit. If your HOA or association needs product details, we provide them. Captiva O. wrote that our team "provided specs for me to submit to my HOA board."
- Order. Your windows are ordered to the measurements of each opening.
- Installation. Our own installers do the work, never subcontractors. We set up plastic to protect your things from dust, and we clean up when the job is done.
- Final inspection. We see the job through to the end. Max L. wrote that we "walked it all the way through inspection."
Insurance and grants
New impact windows may qualify you for windstorm mitigation discounts. Savings vary by insurer and inspection, so talk to your agent before you count on one. Insurers usually rely on a wind mitigation inspection, recorded on Florida's Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form (OIR-B1-1802).
The state's My Safe Florida Home program offers inspections and grants when it has funding. Check its site to see whether it's open and whether you qualify.
Common questions
How much do impact windows cost? It depends on how many openings you have, their size, the frame and the glass. We give you a price for your home at the free estimate, with no pressure.
Do I still need shutters? An approved impact window is its own protection, so that opening needs no shutters or panels before a storm.
Will my house be quieter? Laminated glass helps cut outside noise. How much you notice depends on your home and what's outside it.
Can you replace just one or two windows? Yes. We do single windows as well as whole homes. See what customers say about small or tricky jobs.
Benefits of impact windows and doors
Hurricane protection
South Florida's hurricane-force winds can be extremely destructive, wreaking havoc on your windows and doors and leaving your home susceptible to water damage. Impact windows and doors are tested to Miami-Dade HVHZ standards to help keep your home and loved ones safe.
Noise reduction
Impact windows and doors can offer better sound protection by significantly reducing outside noise, such as barking or traffic. Our impact-resistant glass is designed to absorb sound so you can enjoy peace and quiet at home.
Increased security
Impact windows and doors offer an extra line of defense against intruders. Constructed with heavy-duty glass that creates a strong barrier and is built to remain intact when struck, our impact products can help keep your family and home more secure.
Energy efficient
Impact windows and doors are built to maximize energy performance. Our low-E coatings and glass windows help deflect the heat of the sun and reduce the heat transmitted through windows which can boost energy savings while keeping your indoor climate more comfortable.
What our customers are saying
Read all 68 reviews on GoogleHighly recommended. Honest quality work. They are very professional and give reasonable pricing without upselling or using high pressure sales tactics. The best part is you get a local company that use their own employees, not subcontractors. So their work is guaranteed to be done right the first time.These guys are amazing!!! I was in a rush to get my door replaced before my tenants came in and they rushed the impact door and installed it on a Saturday morning on a holiday week. They were willing to do everything to satisfy me as a customer. They were fast efficient, beyond accommodating, and always kept me informed and up to date on the entire process. Could not have asked for a better experience!!! They are truly the best to interact with!