Wind Borne Debris Region Florida: What to Know
Learn About Wind-Borne Debris Regions and How to Protect Your Home in Them!
IMPACT WINDOWS & DOORS
Request Your FREE Quote in Under 10 Seconds Below
Protect Your Home with Award-Winning Impact Window Installation Services!
Wind Borne Debris Region Florida: The Basics
Generally speaking, the areas along Florida’s coast are considered wind-borne debris (WBD) regions. When hurricanes pass through Florida, these zones are the ones most likely to face the highest winds and heaviest rainfall during the storm because, when the eye of a hurricane makes landfall, it will quickly start to weaken.
As you can see from the My Florida Fact map, the southern tip of the Florida peninsula has higher wind speed risks compared to the inland regions of the state. The whole of Pinellas County, a large portion of Hillsborough County, and a small piece of Pasco County are all considered wind borne debris regions in Florida.
Energy Savings Calculator
Improve Impact Resistance AND Energy Efficiency
In addition to helping you protect your home from storm debris and other hurricane hazards, a well-made and optimally-installed impact window can help you save money on your monthly electricity bill. How much could you save? Use the slider below to check your approximate annual savings* based on your monthly electric bill:
*Estimate based on an average 12% energy savings as highlighted by ENERGY STAR when replacing single-pane clear glass windows with ENERGY STAR compliant windows.
What Florida Wind Borne Debris Regions Mean
140 Miles Per Hour… or More
If your home is in a WBD region, then it will face winds of 140 mph or more for sustained winds. So, your home’s windows and doors would need to be able to resist winds at least that strong.
Flying Debris Risks
While strong winds do pose a danger to homes, sometimes it’s what the wind is blowing that poses the greatest threat. Hurricane-force winds can pick up and throw rocks, loose boards, and vehicles
Evacuation Routes
Homeowners in one of Florida’s wind borne debris regions may be required to evacuate when a major storm hits. Going to the “Know Your Zone” map could help you know where you need to evacuate to.
Impact Window Requirements
The Florida Building Code requires homes within a mile of the coast that are in wind borne debris regions to use impact windows as opposed to less durable non-impact windows.
Potential Risks of Broken Windows
If your window is broken by strong winds or flying debris, there are numerous forms of damage that can happen as a result. For example, mold growth, pest infestations, and even total structural collapse.
Impact Testing Standards for Florida
If you live in a wind borne debris region in Florida, your windows and doors need to pass both Large and Small Missile Impact D testing to verify their efficacy against storm impacts.
Top WBD Region Window Brands
When you want windows to safeguard your home against hurricane-blown debris impacts, you need to know that the windows you get are reliable. That’s why Karoly Windows & Doors partners with the best window manufacturers in Florida!
Simonton and PGT are two top-rated brands that provide some of the best impact windows for Floridian homes. They have decades of experience making impact windows to protect homes from wind borne debris and extensively test and vet their products to meet AAMA Gold Label standards.
By working with multiple window brands, Karoly can offer a better variety of impact window options and negotiate the best price for them on your behalf. Get the best value on the best wind borne debris resistant windows in Florida!
Windows for Wind Borne Debris Regions Florida
Impact Windows
Double Hung Windows
Sliding Windows
Picture Windows
Casement Windows
Awning Windows
Bay Windows
Custom Windows
Buy Now, Pay Later with Window Financing for WBD Windows!
Want complete protection for your home but don’t have enough money on hand to pay for replacing all of your windows at once? Window financing might be the right choice for you!
With a variety of flexible financing options, including offers that don’t require a down payment, from top financial institutions like GreenSky and Synchrony Financial, Karoly Windows can help you protect your home now and pay later!
Use the calculator below to see what your monthly payments might look like for your window financing:
0% Interest Financing Options
Two great plans — see which one fits your budget best.
GreenSky 12-Month Plan
- No payments required for 12 months
- Pay it off within 12 months = 0% interest
- $0 Down Payment
- If paying after 12 months → fixed payments over 84 months
Synchrony 24-Month Plan
- Lower monthly payments starting right away
- Pay it off within 24 months = 0% interest
- $0 Down Payment
- Minimum payment ≈ 3% of balance each month
See Your Actual Monthly Numbers
Loading your options...
WBD Regions and Florida Doors
Windows aren’t the only openings in your home that need to be able to stand up to impacts from wind-borne storm debris. Doors are also a major point of impact for many Florida homes in WBD areas.
This is why it’s important to get a door that is impact-rated for all of your home’s entryways. Both your front door and your back door can be subjected to unexpected flying objects.
Doors for Wind Borne Debris Regions in Florida
Sliding Glass Doors
Standard Sliding Patio Doors
Pocket Sliding Doors
Bi-Parting Doors
Exterior Doors
Entry Doors
Double Entry Doors
French Doors
What to Look for in a Window Installation Company
Most people assume that, when a hurricane comes through Florida, the wind (and thus, the wind pressure and debris) will all come from one direction. However, as a hurricane moves through a region, the direction of the wind pressure can change.
For example, say a hurricane makes landfall just south of Tampa. The initial winds will be coming from the south, moving north. However, as the eye of the storm goes deeper inland, the wind hitting Tampa will start coming from the east, moving west. As the position of the eye of the storm changes, the direction of the winds acting on your home will change with it. This can mean that windows and doors previously sheltered from the storm might take the direct impacts later on.
Additionally, even the side of your home that is opposite the windward pressure may be subject to force. As noted by Science & Society, “As the wind flows over or around the home, it exerts a negative force or ‘suction’ on the walls or roof planes parallel to or away from the direction of the wind (the leeward side).” This negative pressure can cause non-impact windows to crack from the stress as the suction force tries to pull them from your home’s walls.
To protect your home from hurricane force winds and debris, you need to have impact-resistant windows and doors in every opening of your home.
Check Out Our Reviews
Wind Borne Debris Region Florida FAQs
What Is a Wind Borne Debris Region in Florida?
A WBD region is an area defined by the state government of Florida as being subject to winds of 140 miles per hour or more. Much of the coast of Florida is designated as a wind borne debris region under the Florida Building Code.
Homes in these regions are subject to stricter requirements for wind mitigation resistance than homes in areas further from the threat of hurricane season. This is a measure meant to help protect the lives and property of those who live in WBD regions, as structural failures during a storm can lead to catastrophic damage.
Can High-Speed Winds Really Throw Cars?
Yes. A strong enough wind can pick up and throw a car. How much wind is required to do this? That depends on the vehicle in question. The larger and lighter-framed the vehicle is, the easier it will be for strong winds to move or even lift it off the ground. The smaller and denser a vehicle is, and the more aerodynamic it is, the harder it will be for the wind to throw.
ABC7 Chicago posted a video showing a mathematical equation that can be used to calculate how much wind is needed to move an object. The required wind to move an object is equal to the square root of 195 multiplied by the weight of the object over its area in square feet.
Under this formula, a car weighing 2871 lbs with a surface area of 69 sq. ft. would only require 90 mph (2871/69 = 41.60869565, multiply by 195 to equal 8,113.695652, the square root of which is 90.07) winds to make the car move. Much higher, and the car could actually be physically lifted off the ground or toppled.
If a vehicle weighing over a ton can be lifted and moved with only 90 mph winds, imagine how much other debris a major hurricane can pick up and throw.
What Is Wind-Borne Debris?
Wind-borne debris can be literally anything that a strong wind can pick up and throw. It can include things like rocks, tree branches, whole trees, trash cans, trampolines (very common because of how large and light they are, making them easy to pick up and throw), loose nails, pieces of other houses, cars… the list of possible wind-borne debris objects is endless.
This is why impact windows should be tested using both the Large and Small Missile Impact testing standards to show off their versatility in resisting hits from differently-sized and shaped objects.
What Are the HVHZ Zones in Florida?
There are currently only two counties in Florida that are classified as high-velocity hurricane zones (HVHZs): Miami-Dade County and Broward County. These two areas are considered especially high-risk for high-speed hurricane winds, so windows and doors installed there need to be especially strong and durable to comply with local building codes.
However, homes in other areas of Florida can still benefit from installing HVHZ-rated windows and doors, as Miami-Dade and Broward aren’t the only counties that may face Cat 5 storms. The Miami-Dade County Seal of Approval for a window is a mark of a highly durable and reliable window product.
How Long Does a Window Installation Take?
When hurricane season is close (or currently active), it’s important to get your new hurricane windows installed in a timely manner so you can protect your home from wind-borne debris and other hurricane hazards.
So, how long does it take to install a new hurricane window? The answer is: It depends.
The specific windows you choose, the manufacturer, global supply chain issues, local weaher, and the availability of installation crews can all affect the timeline for your new window installation. Once started, however, a work crew can install between eight and fifteen windows per day (depending on size and where the windows need to be installed). Most jobs finish within half a week or less once started.
When you request a quote for window installation from Karoly, the installation tech who does your in-person assessment can provide you with a timeline for your installation project.
Why Use Custom Windows over “Standard” Ones?
Why not go to a hardware store to buy your own windows? Especially if you have a standard window opening? Because there’s more to window installation than getting a new window that’s roughly the right size for your opening.
New windows need to be shimmed, insulated, caulked, taped off, leveled, and carefully secured to ensure that they won’t fall out from a stiff breeze or let in moisture from the outside.
Also, in some homes, a structure may ‘settle’ over time, causing window openings to warp slightly with the building frame. Installing windows without accounting for this warping may lead to gaps, cracked windows, and worse.
At Karoly, we always perform an in-person inspection of your window openings before providing a quote for service. This way, we can account for any oddities with your window openings in the initial quote for service so there aren’t any surprises in your bill.
Why Buy New Impact Windows?
The reasons to buy new impact windows rather than simply replacing the glass in your existing windows are numerous. First, impact resistance is a system. Switching out non-impact glass for tempered glass doesn’t automatically make the whole window assembly impact-resistant. The frame, glazing, and other materials also need to be designed around impact resistance to ensure that a window can take storm impacts without failing.
Second, window replacement can help you maximize your home’s energy efficiency. Older aluminum window frames transfer a lot of heat into your home, making it warmer. This means that your air conditioning system needs to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature, increasing the amount of energy it uses. Replacing aluminum windows with vinyl-framed windows that restrict the amount of heat transferred to your home can save you money on your energy bills.
Finally, some homeowners choose to replace their windows simply to enhance the curb appeal of their home. Replacing windows entirely, frame and all, gives you more control over the appearance of your windows so they more closely match your style preferences.
How Does Your No Interest Window Financing Work?
For the 0% interest financing offers that Karoly has, the 0% interest rate is what financial organizations would call an “introductory rate.” The introductory period varies depending on the specific offer, but after the introductory period ends, the loan reverts to a standard interest rate (the specific interest rate will vary depending on the loan terms, your credit score at the time of application, and other factors at the lender’s discretion).
There are different ‘no interest’ plans available.
One is a no money down offer with no payments or interest for 12 months. This lets you put off making payments for a full year from the contract date—though making payments during the no interest period can help you reduce the total amount of interest you pay. In fact, if you pay off the balance in full during the introductory period, you won’t owe any interest at all!
The other ‘no interest’ plan has no money down at the contract signing date, but does have monthly payments. However, the introductory period for that plan is 24 months, giving you more time to pay down the principal balance before it starts accruing interest.
Note: all window financing plans are subject to credit approval by the financing organization.
Why Get Your Impact Windows from Karoly?
So, why should you get new hurricane impact windows from Karoly? What makes buying new windows for your wind borne debris region Florida home from us such a good idea? Here are a few reasons to get your windows from Karoly:
Our Long Track Record of Successful Installs. We’ve worked with Florida homeowners for over 20 years, earning accolades and positive reviews for our dedication to quality and service. Homeowners trust us because we’ve proven ourselves time and time again for decades.
We Work with Several Top Window Manufacturers. We work with multiple window and door manufacturers so we can get the best deals on new windows and doors for your needs. This also allows us to “mix and match” different window and door brands to suit your preferences, too!
Karoly Does the Work the Right Way Every Time. Our installation techs are all in-house employees who are held to our company’s high standards. With Karoly, you never have to worry about an unskilled third-party contractor doing the job incorrectly. You get experienced techs who are on the Karoly payroll and follow a set process to ensure consistent results.
We Specialize in Florida Residential Windows. We’re a locally-owned Florida business that specializes in windows and doors made for the Florida market. We know the Florida Building Code and how to uphold it so you can trust your new windows to last.
Our Platinum Standard Lifetime Guarantee. We back every window installation with a lifetime guarantee that includes a 25-year installation warranty and a 50-year material warranty so you can have peace of mind.
Get your new windows and doors from Florida’s most trusted window replacement company so you and your family can rest easy knowing that your windows are reliable enough to withstand wind-borne debris.
Areas We Serve
Looking for windows to protect your home from flying storm debris? Karoly is here to help! We provide our best-in-class window installation services for customers throughout:
Get the Latest Impact Window Videos from Karoly!
Curious about impact windows and want to learn more? Subscribe to the Karoly Windows YouTube channel for videos about impact windows and other topics related to the industry!
Over Two Decades of Award-Winning Service!
