A technician installas a set of hurricane sliding doors

Are Hurricane Windows Required on Your Home in Florida? 

According to insurance company Universal Property, Florida experienced 120 hurricanes between 1851 and 2018, the most of any US state.
As a Florida homeowner or renter, you’ve thought of getting hurricane windows, but you’re still debating. One thing that may be holding up your decision is a lack of knowledge on whether they are optional or required by Florida law.

The front of a building with hurricane shutters rolled down over the windows

Hurricane Shutters vs. Windows (What’s the Difference?)

If you live in a hurricane-prone state, the homes in your area are usually built differently than in states where hurricanes are rarer or nonexistent. For example, your house might come equipped with hurricane windows or hurricane shutters.
Both of these technologies protect homeowners from the destructive forces of a hurricane. However, there are distinct differences between the two.

a 2 part framed picture showing a palm tree in the hurricane strong wind and a map of the southern states in the USA

Are Hurricane Windows Required In My State? (We Check)

Specific hurricane building code requirements are outlined in state and residential codes, which state the minimum safety standards that must be adhered to during house design, construction, and maintenance.
Requirements for hurricane windows and other hurricane protection measures can vary from state to state, so it can be a little tricky to determine the requirements for your area.