The Short Answer
Most window installers won’t touch impact glass on a home with older or non-standard framing without first assessing the structure. Impact windows require a specific rough opening size, proper structural support around the frame, and a Florida Product Approval number that matches the installation method — so the window itself is only part of what gets evaluated before a permit is issued.
If your home was built before the mid-1990s, there’s a real chance the framing around your windows needs reinforcement or modification before any new unit goes in.
What Contractors Actually Check Before Installing Impact Windows
The Rough Opening and Frame Condition
Before a single measurement gets quoted, a qualified installer looks at what’s around the existing window. Wood rot, corroded concrete anchors, and out-of-square openings are common in South Florida homes that have dealt with decades of humidity. Rotted or compromised framing has to be repaired first — you can’t anchor a high-performance window into soft wood and expect it to pass a Miami-Dade or Broward County inspection.
The rough opening also has to match the product specs closely. Impact units don’t flex to fit; the opening fits the window. That sometimes means concrete cutting on CBS (concrete block structure) homes, which adds time and cost most homeowners don’t anticipate.
Product Approval Numbers and Code Compliance
Florida requires every impact window sold and installed in the state to carry a Florida Product Approval (FL#) issued by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. This number confirms the product has been tested to withstand the wind loads required for its intended zone.
In Boca Raton and the surrounding Palm Beach County area, wind speed design requirements are set by local building codes based on the Florida Building Code. A window approved for central Florida may not be rated for coastal Palm Beach County’s higher wind zones. Your contractor needs to match the product to the specific exposure category of your property — not just pull whatever is in stock.
Curious about which manufacturers carry the right approvals? The manufacturer page at STS lists the brands they work with and the product lines available for South Florida installs.
Permit Pulls and the Inspection Process
Any licensed window contractor in Florida is required to pull a permit before installation begins. This isn’t optional or a formality — it’s what protects you. A permit means the job gets inspected by a municipal building official who checks that the anchoring pattern, flashing, and installation method all match the approved shop drawings submitted with the permit application.
Skipping permits is one of the most common ways homeowners get burned. When it’s time to sell or file an insurance claim, unpermitted work creates serious problems. If a contractor suggests going without a permit to save money or speed things up, that’s a clear sign to look elsewhere. You can learn more about what separates a qualified installer from a questionable one on the STS Why Us page.
The City of Boca Raton’s official website has building department resources where you can verify permit status on any active project at your address.
What About Impact Doors — Are the Rules the Same?
Impact doors follow the same Florida Product Approval process, but the structural requirements around a door opening are often more involved. Doors carry different load patterns than windows, and the sill, threshold, and surrounding masonry all have to meet specific criteria. If you’re replacing both windows and doors at the same time, it’s worth asking your contractor how they sequence the work — doors often require more prep time.
STS installs impact doors across Florida with the same permitted, inspected process used for windows.
Related Questions
Can a homeowner pull their own permit for impact window installation in Florida?
Technically, Florida law allows homeowners to act as their own contractor on their primary residence, which includes pulling the permit. In practice, though, the product approval requirements, engineer-stamped drawings, and inspection process are complex enough that most people who try it end up hiring a licensed contractor anyway to avoid failed inspections or code violations. If you want to explore this, call your local building department first and ask exactly what they require for a residential impact window permit submittal.
How do I verify that an impact window product is actually approved for my county's wind zone?
The Florida Building Commission maintains a searchable online database of all approved products. You can look up any product by its FL# to confirm the wind speed rating, approved installation methods, and any limitations. Your contractor should be able to provide the FL# for every product they propose — if they can’t, ask before signing anything. You can also check the STS FAQ page for common questions about product selection and code compliance in South Florida.
