Why the entry door deserves its own plan

The front door is the most-used opening in the house and the first thing anyone sees. It has to carry the design of the facade, open and close thousands of times a year, and stay secure. In South Florida it also has to be impact-rated like every other exterior opening. An impact entry door is tested as a complete unit, slab, frame, glass, and hardware together, so choosing the door and choosing its approval happen at the same time.

Glass and solid options

• Full-lite glass: an aluminum-framed door with a single large laminated panel. Bright and modern, and the glass can be clear, tinted, or obscure depending on how much of the foyer you want visible from the street.
• Partial glass: a solid slab with a glass insert, or a door with divided lites, balancing light with privacy.
• Solid panel: no glass in the slab itself, with light brought in through sidelites or a transom if wanted. Finishes vary by manufacturer and include painted, textured, and wood-look options.

Sidelites, transoms, and double doors

Most South Florida entries are wider or taller than a single standard door. Fixed sidelites on one or both sides and a transom above fill the opening and bring light into the foyer. A pair of double doors suits a wide, formal entry, with one active leaf and one secured with top and bottom bolts. The full assembly, door, sidelites, and transom, has to be covered by the product approval at the opening’s design pressure, so we design it as one unit rather than adding pieces later. For a single oversized panel instead of a pair, see pivot doors.

Hardware and security

Impact entry doors commonly use multi-point locks that engage at several points along the edge of the door, which keeps the slab tight in the frame under pressure and makes it harder to force. Laminated glass stays in place when it cracks, so a glass door does not leave an open hole. On top of that, you choose the handleset, deadbolt style, and finish, and whether to plan for a smart lock. We confirm that the hardware you want is compatible with the door’s approval, since swapping in parts outside the tested assembly can affect compliance.

Approvals, permits, and swing

Replacing an entry door requires a building permit from the city, or the county in unincorporated areas. In Broward County, part of the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, the door must be approved for HVHZ use, typically shown with a Miami-Dade NOA. In Palm Beach County, a Florida Product Approval or Miami-Dade NOA is accepted, and the opening must meet its required design pressure. Many impact entry doors here swing out, but in-swing doors are available where the approval covers them. Condo and HOA communities usually require approval of the door style before work starts. We handle the permit, approvals, and inspections, with every step visible in your client portal.

Brands and related pages

We install entry doors from ES Windows, PGT, CWS, ETI, and Velocity. Explore the rest of our impact doors, including French doors, sliding glass doors, and folding glass doors, and match the front elevation with impact windows. We serve Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs, Weston, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and the rest of our service areas.

Entry door questions

Is a glass front door secure?

Impact glass is laminated, so it holds together when struck instead of falling out. Combined with a multi-point lock and a reinforced frame, a glass entry door is a strong opening.

Can I keep my existing sidelites and replace only the door?

Usually the door, sidelites, and transom are replaced together, because they are approved as one assembly. We review your opening and explain the options.

Can I change from a single door to double doors?

If the opening is wide enough, or can be widened, yes. Enlarging an opening is structural work that may need engineering, and we scope it during your consultation.