Impact Entry Doors in Sarasota, FL

Impact entry doors close one of the most overlooked weak points in a house. Double front doors, French doors to a lanai and doors with tall glass sidelights all have large surfaces and a seam where two panels or a panel and frame meet. If a door blows in, wind pressure inside the house rises the same way it does when a window breaks. An approved impact door is tested with its frame, hinges and locks as one assembly, so the whole unit stays put.

Door types we install

• Single front doors in fiberglass or steel, solid or with impact glass inserts
• Double doors for wider entries, with a fixed or active second leaf and top and bottom bolts
• Doors with sidelights and transoms that keep the entry bright, all in laminated glass
• French doors opening onto pool decks and lanais
• Side and utility doors from the garage or laundry, which still count as openings

Swing direction

Many Florida entry doors swing out. An out-swing door closes against its frame stop, so wind pressure pushes it tighter into the frame instead of forcing it open. That said, the approval for the specific product governs. If you want to change the swing, steps, landings and the porch floor may need to change too.

Glass in a hurricane door

The glass in an impact door uses the same laminated build as an impact window, set into a frame designed to hold it under load. You can choose clear, textured, frosted or decorative glass for privacy. Larger glass areas generally mean a more expensive unit, and some decorative designs are not available with impact ratings, so we check the approval list before you fall for a style.

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Fiberglass or steel

Fiberglass resists dents and does not rust, which suits salty air near the Gulf, and it can be finished to look like wood. Steel doors are strong and usually cost less but can rust where the finish is chipped, so they need touch-ups near salt water. Wood doors with impact approval exist but need far more upkeep in this climate. For most homes we suggest fiberglass in coastal areas and either material inland.

Hardware and security

Impact doors use multipoint locks that engage the frame at the top, middle and bottom, which also helps them resist storm pressure. Hinges, strike plates and threshold are part of the approved assembly, so we use the components listed for the product. Smart locks can usually be fitted if they work with the multipoint system.

Permits, sills and the insurer

Door replacement goes through the same permit and inspection as windows. At the sill we check for rot and water damage, which is common where rain blows against an entry. After installation, the door counts toward your opening protection on the wind mitigation form.