Hurricane season in South Florida runs June 1 through November 30, but the damage your impact windows and doors suffer during a storm doesn't always reveal itself immediately. Delaminated glass, failed seals, bent frames, and damaged hardware may pass a visual inspection right after the storm but cause serious problems for months afterward. At Impact Glass Services LLC, we specialize exclusively in the repair and restoration of impact windows and doors in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. Since 2009, we have responded to post-storm damage in thousands of residential and commercial buildings throughout South Florida, restoring them to Florida Building Code compliance. Call (786) 245-4595 for a free post-storm inspection or use the form below.
Impact windows are designed to stay in their frames even when the glass shatters — this is the fundamental difference between impact-rated glazing and regular glass. The laminated interlayer (PVB or SGP) holds the broken pieces in place. However, this does not mean the window or door is undamaged or still performs to its rated specifications. Here are the most common ways that impact glazing systems fail or degrade after a storm:
Delamination occurs when the laminated interlayer separating the two panes of glass begins to separate, creating a cloudy, bubbled, or hazy appearance. This is one of the most common post-storm findings — the intense pressure differential of a hurricane stresses the laminate bond even when the glass doesn't crack. A delaminated panel has significantly reduced impact resistance and must be replaced. It will not self-heal.
The structural silicone seal that bonds the glass to the frame, and the weatherstripping seal between the sash and frame, are both stress points during a storm. High wind pressure, flying debris impact, and water infiltration at 100+ mph can break down these seals even if the glass survives intact. A failed seal leads to water intrusion, air leaks, and loss of the structural integrity that makes the window code-compliant.
Aluminum frames can bow, twist, or shift out of square under extreme wind load. A distorted frame causes the sash to bind, prevents proper locking, and gaps the seal around the perimeter of the glass — creating a water and air infiltration path even with intact glass. We assess frame distortion and, where possible, restore alignment. Severe distortion may require a full frame section replacement.
Handles, locks, multi-point locking bars, hinges, and operating hardware take significant stress during a storm. Forced-entry attempts during or after a storm also frequently damage locking mechanisms. Non-functional hardware is a safety and security issue and must be addressed immediately.
For sliding glass doors, the track system and rollers are vulnerable to storm debris that enters the track channel. Bent tracks and seized rollers are among the most common post-storm complaints for sliding door systems.
After a hurricane or tropical storm passes, inspect your impact windows and doors for the following warning signs. If you notice any of them, schedule a professional inspection before the next weather event:
Cloudy, hazy, or bubbled appearance in the glass — indicates delamination of the laminated interlayer
Visible cracks or chips in the glass, even if the panel is still in the frame
Water on the interior sill or frame after rain — indicates failed weatherstripping or sealant
Drafts or wind noise around window edges that were not present before the storm
Difficulty opening, closing, or locking windows and doors
Visible gaps between the glass and frame, or between the frame and the wall opening
Discoloration or staining around frame corners — early signs of water infiltration
Hardware that feels loose, spins freely, or does not engage the lock
Important: An impact window can appear completely normal after a storm while having sustained structural damage to the interlayer, seals, or frame. A post-storm professional inspection is strongly recommended for any property that experienced direct exposure to tropical-storm-force or hurricane-force winds, regardless of visible damage.
A licensed technician from Impact Glass Services visits your property and conducts a systematic assessment of every impact window and door. We document all findings with photos and a written condition report.
We provide a detailed written estimate itemizing all repairs needed, parts required, and associated costs. This report can be shared with your insurance adjuster for claim purposes.
We are experienced in working with insurance claims for storm damage. While we do not submit claims on your behalf, we provide documentation, photos, and written estimates in the format that most insurers require.
Impact glass panels, hardware, and weatherstripping are ordered to match your existing units' NOA (Notice of Acceptance) and Florida Building Code configuration. Lead times for glass panels vary by size and specification — typically 1 to 3 weeks.
All repairs are performed by our licensed and insured glass and glazing technicians. We restore your windows and doors to code-compliant operational condition.
After repairs are complete, we conduct a final performance check and provide documentation of the completed work for your records and any ongoing insurance needs.
The best time to identify and repair impact window and door problems is before hurricane season begins — not after a storm has passed. Impact Glass Services offers pre-season inspection programs for residential properties and multi-unit buildings throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach. A pre-season inspection identifies weatherstripping degradation, hardware wear, seal failures, and glass delamination that may not yet be causing noticeable problems but will compromise your protection when a storm arrives.
We recommend scheduling your pre-season inspection between March and May each year. Properties that are especially high priority include oceanfront and bayfront buildings, properties on barrier islands (Miami Beach, Bal Harbour, Key Biscayne), older impact installations (10+ years), and any property that experienced damage in a previous storm season without a follow-up professional inspection.
A: An impact window can appear completely intact after a storm while having sustained delamination of the laminated glass interlayer, micro-fractures, seal failure, or frame distortion. These issues significantly reduce the window's impact resistance and weather protection, but may not be visible to the untrained eye. A professional post-storm inspection is the only way to confirm your windows still perform to their original specifications.
A: Many homeowner and condominium insurance policies in Florida cover storm damage to impact windows and doors, subject to your deductible and policy terms. We provide detailed written estimates, condition reports, and photo documentation in the format that insurance adjusters typically require. We recommend contacting your insurer to confirm your coverage before scheduling repairs.
A: We prioritize post-storm inspection requests during and immediately after storm events. Response times vary depending on storm severity and the number of requests in the affected area. Call (786) 245-4595 to be placed on our post-storm inspection schedule. We serve Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.
A: No. A cracked impact glass panel — even if the interlayer is holding the pieces together — has lost its structural integrity and impact resistance. It must be replaced before the next storm event. Do not rely on a cracked panel for protection.
A: 'Hurricane windows' and 'impact windows' are terms used interchangeably in South Florida. Both refer to laminated glass windows tested to Florida Building Code standards for wind resistance. The difference lies in the specific testing certification: Miami-Dade County has the strictest approval process in the country, known as the Notice of Acceptance (NOA). All impact glass products installed in Miami-Dade must hold a valid NOA.
A: Yes. We provide pre-season inspection programs for condominium and apartment buildings, working directly with Community Association Managers (CAMs) and property management teams. We can inspect and report on all units in a building and provide a master condition report covering the entire property.
Don't wait until the next storm to find out your impact windows need repair. Contact Impact Glass Services LLC today to schedule your free post-storm or pre-season inspection. We serve all of Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. Call (786) 245-4595 or complete the form below.
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