In South Florida, hurricane impact windows and doors are a major selling point and a meaningful factor in home insurance costs. But not all impact products are equal, and installation matters as much as the product itself. During a home inspection, a thorough inspector will evaluate impact openings as part of the overall wind mitigation picture — here’s what gets checked and why it matters.
What the Inspector Looks For
The inspector checks whether windows and doors have impact ratings — look for the Miami-Dade NOA (Notice of Acceptance) sticker or Florida Product Approval label. They’ll note any broken seals (indicated by fogging or condensation between panes in insulated glass units), cracked or chipped glass, damaged frames, and hardware condition. Door threshold seals and weatherstripping are checked for integrity — gaps in the door system compromise the wind-resistant assembly even if the door itself is rated.
Installation quality is a frequent issue. Impact windows installed without proper anchoring into the rough opening, missing perimeter sealant, or improper flashing can fail under wind load even if the product itself is rated. The inspector will flag visible installation defects. For a full wind mitigation report — which your insurance company may require — a separate wind mitigation inspection provides the detailed documentation needed for insurance discounts.
Mixed Protection Systems
Some South Florida homes have impact windows but non-impact garage doors, or impact products on most openings with one or two older windows that haven’t been replaced. The inspector notes any openings that are NOT impact-rated, since a single unprotected opening compromises the whole-house wind protection system. Buyers should understand exactly what protection they have before closing — and budget for any gaps.
For a thorough South Florida home inspection including wind mitigation review, call MIS Home Inspections at (954) 833-0405 or visit mishomeinspections.com.
