Impact Window Permits and Installation: What to Expect

Replacing windows and doors is one of the bigger projects a homeowner takes on, and much of the uncertainty comes from not knowing the sequence. How long before anything happens? Who handles the permit? What does installation day actually look like? This guide walks through the typical process for impact windows and doors in Florida, so you know what to expect and what to ask along the way.

Details vary by city, building type and product, so treat this as a general roadmap rather than a rulebook. When you talk to us or any installer, ask them to explain the steps for your property. You can read more about the products themselves on our impact windows and impact doors pages.

Step 1: The estimate and measuring

Everything starts with someone visiting the property. During the estimate, the installer looks at every opening you want replaced, notes the style and operation of each, and takes measurements. They will also look at the surrounding conditions: whether the walls are concrete block or wood frame, the state of the stucco and sills, and anything that might complicate removal or installation.

This is your chance to talk about what matters to you, such as noise, privacy glass, color, or keeping a particular view. It is also the time to ask what will be included in the price. Our estimates are free. For a deeper look at how pricing works, see our article on what drives the cost of impact windows and doors.

Step 2: Choosing products and approvals

Once the scope is clear, you choose the products. Style, frame material and glass package all come into play, along with colors and hardware finishes. Behind the scenes, there is another layer: the product must be approved for use where you live.

In Florida, impact products are generally expected to carry a Florida Product Approval. In Miami-Dade and Broward counties, which make up the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, products typically need a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance, often called an NOA, which reflects the stricter testing in that zone. Each approval document lists the sizes, configurations and design pressures a product is approved for. Your installer should be able to tell you which approval applies to each opening and show you the document if you ask.

Step 3: The permit application

Window and door replacement generally requires a permit from your local building department. The application normally includes details about the property, the products and their approvals, and the scope of work, and in some cases drawings or engineering for the installation. Requirements, forms, fees and processing times differ between cities and counties, so check with your building department or your installer for what applies in your municipality.

One question worth asking up front is who files the permit. Practices differ among contractors, and some homeowners prefer to know exactly who is responsible for each document. Ask your installer who files the permit, who pays for it, and who schedules the inspections, and get the answer in writing. We will explain the steps for your property when we meet.

Step 4: HOA and condo approvals

If you live in a condo or a community with an association, you may need approval before work begins. Associations commonly ask for details about the product, color, frame style and glass, the contractor's insurance information, and the dates and hours of work. Some require approval of the specific window design, and some control how work is scheduled around elevators and common areas.

Start this early. Association review can run in parallel with product ordering, but submitting late is one of the most common causes of delays. Ask your board or management company for their application and any written rules before you finalize your product selection.

Step 5: Ordering and lead times

Impact windows and doors are made to your measurements, so they are not pulled from a shelf. After approvals and any deposit, the order goes into production. How long that takes varies with the manufacturer, the product type, the current order volume, and the season, and lead times can change from one month to the next. Ask for the current estimate and treat it as a range. If a storm is in the forecast, expect demand to rise and schedules to tighten.

While you wait, it helps to plan for installation day. Think about moving furniture and window treatments away from the openings, protecting floors, and making sure access to each room is clear.

Step 6: Installation day

Installation is usually organized room by room or wall by wall, so that your home is not left open for long. A typical sequence looks like this:

Protection and prep. The crew covers floors and moves items back from the openings.
Removal. The old window or door and its frame are taken out. Depending on the existing opening, this can disturb the surrounding stucco or trim.
Opening check. The opening is inspected for damage, rot or rust and for squareness, and any needed repair is made before the new unit goes in.
Installation and anchoring. The new unit is set, leveled and anchored through the frame into the structure using fasteners appropriate to your wall type and the product's approval.
Sealing. Sealant is applied around the frame to keep out water and air, on both the interior and exterior sides as the product requires.
Finishing. Interior and exterior trim, caulking and any agreed stucco or paint touch-ups are completed, and the crew cleans up and removes debris.

How long this takes depends on the number and size of openings and the conditions of the walls. Ask your installer for a realistic schedule, and about what could extend it.

Step 7: Inspections and final walkthrough

After installation, the building department typically requires inspection of the work, and inspectors may check that the installed product matches the approval and was anchored as required. Keep the product approval documents, the permit paperwork and the final inspection record together, since you may need them later for insurance or if you sell the home.

Before you consider the job complete, do a walkthrough with the installer. Open and close every window and door, check the locks, look at the sealant lines and trim, and check the glass for scratches or marks. Raise anything you find at that point, while the crew is still there.

After installation: the wind mitigation inspection

Once the work is finished and permitted, consider having a wind mitigation inspection done. A qualified inspector documents your home's wind-resistant features, including opening protection, and the report can be sent to your insurer. Whether it leads to a credit, and its size, depends on your insurance company and your home, so ask your insurance agent how they handle it. We also explain how opening protection is viewed in our comparison of impact windows and hurricane shutters.

Caring for your impact windows

Impact windows are low-maintenance, but they are not no-maintenance. A few simple habits help them last and work smoothly. Always follow the care instructions that come with your specific product.

Clean the glass gently. Use mild soap and water or a gentle glass cleaner with a soft cloth. Avoid abrasive pads and harsh chemicals, which can scratch glass or damage coatings and finishes.
Keep the tracks clear. Sliding windows and doors collect dirt, sand and insect debris in the track. Vacuum or wipe them out regularly so rollers move freely.
Check the weep holes. These small openings at the bottom of the frame let water drain out. If they clog, water can sit in the frame, so clear them gently with a soft brush or a thin plastic tool.
Look at seals and caulking. Once or twice a year, check the sealant around the frame and the gaskets around the glass for cracks, gaps or peeling. Small issues are easier to fix early.
Lubricate hardware. Hinges, locks, rollers and operators may benefit from a light application of a lubricant recommended for your product. Ask your installer which type is suitable.
Report problems early. If a window sticks, leaks, or no longer locks smoothly, do not wait for the next storm to find out why.

Planning your project

The process has several moving parts, but each step is manageable when someone walks you through it. We serve homeowners across Coconut Creek, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Orlando, and we are glad to explain the steps for your property. Call (954) 352-3599 or reach us through our contact page. We reply within 1 business day.

Impact Window Permits and the Installation Process in Florida: What to Expect