Complete guide to hurricane door wind load requirements, impact ratings, and Florida Building Code compliance for Palm Beach County projects.
Side-by-side specifications for FBC-compliant hurricane doors in Palm Beach County.
Standard protection
Elegant openings
Maximum protection
Hurricane doors in Palm Beach County must be designed for wind speeds of 150-170 mph depending on location. Coastal areas require higher ratings. Design pressures typically range from +/-45 PSF to +/-75 PSF for residential applications, with commercial applications potentially requiring higher ratings.
Not all areas require impact-rated doors. The Wind-Borne Debris Region (WBDR) within Palm Beach County requires impact-rated doors or approved shutters. Areas outside the WBDR may use non-impact doors with appropriate wind load ratings. Check your specific location requirements.
Impact-rated doors have passed missile impact and cyclic pressure tests per ASTM E1996/E1886. Hurricane-resistant doors may only meet wind load requirements without impact testing. In WBDR areas, impact rating is mandatory unless shutters are provided for protection.
Impact-rated entry doors range from $2,500-$6,000 installed. French doors cost $4,000-$10,000 depending on size and rating. Premium impact doors with decorative glass can exceed $12,000. Standard hurricane-resistant doors without impact rating cost 30-40% less.
PE-stamped wind load calculations specific to your Palm Beach County project location and door specifications.
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