HVHZ-rated as a complete door assembly
Impact entry doors pass TAS 201/202/203 as a sealed unit — door + frame + multi-point lock + threshold + any laminated glass lite. Sidelites and transoms are tested in the same composition.
Service · Entry Doors
Impact Entry Door Installation in South Florida
Impact entry doors deliver hurricane-rated structural performance + multi-point locking forced-entry resistance + the architectural finish your front entry deserves. SafeGuard installs single and double entry doors with sidelite + transom configurations under FL DBPR CGC1532033 — Miami-Dade NOA, full permit pathway, in-house crews — never subcontracted.
Last updated May 2026Reviewed by Aldo Dellamano, FL CGC1532033
Call (954) 408-4000or fill out the form for a free estimate
- Single + doubleConfigurationsSidelites + transoms supported
- Up to 175 mphWind ratingSame HVHZ standard as impact windows
- Fiberglass · aluminum · steelFrame materialsMulti-point locking standard
- CGC1532033License of recordFL DBPR Certified General Contractor
Reviews
What South Florida Homeowners Say
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Forced-entry resistance · architectural finish
Why impact entry doors stack three benefits in one upgrade
Multi-point locking standard
3-5 lock points engage when the deadbolt is thrown — meaningfully harder to defeat than the standard 1-2 lock points on residential entry doors. Forced-entry resistance is engineered in, not added later.
5 manufacturer lines + Therma-Tru architectural
PGT, CGI, ES Windows, CWS, Eco for standard impact entry doors; Therma-Tru's impact-rated catalog for architectural specialty + custom panel designs.
At a Glance
Impact entry door — key facts
- Configurations
- Single · double · single+sidelites · double+sidelites · with transom
- Frame materials
- Fiberglass (premium) · aluminum · steel · vinyl-clad steel
- Manufacturers
- PGT · CGI · ES Windows · CWS · Therma-Tru (impact-rated)
- Wind rating
- Up to 175 mph design wind
- Code approval
- Miami-Dade NOA + Florida Product Approval
- Locking
- Multi-point standard · 3-5 lock points typical
- Glass options
- Full lite · half lite · 3/4 lite · solid panel · decorative
- Cost band
- $3,000-$8,000 (single) · $5,000-$12,000 (double)
- Lead time
- 4-8 weeks (stock) · 8-12 weeks (custom panel)
TL;DR
Impact entry doors are structurally reinforced front-entry doors — fiberglass, aluminum, or steel frame, multi-point locking hardware, laminated glass for the lite — tested as a complete sealed assembly to TAS 201/202/203 HVHZ standards and carrying Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance.
Entry doors are the third-largest opening in most South Florida homes (after sliders + windows) and the opening that combines hurricane-protection requirements with forced-entry-resistance and architectural-finish requirements. The right impact entry door covers all three: HVHZ-rated structural performance under TAS 201/202/203, multi-point locking + laminated-glass forced-entry resistance, and the architectural finish (panel design, hardware finish, glass treatment) that fits the home's curb appeal.
Frame material decides the price point. Fiberglass entry doors are the premium-tier residential default — won't dent, warp, or rot, accept paint and stain like wood, and carry the longest manufacturer warranties. Aluminum entry doors are the architectural specialty — slim sightlines, custom finishes, used on contemporary architecture. Steel entry doors are the value-tier security option — strongest forced-entry resistance, lowest upfront cost, but require more maintenance (paint, weatherstripping). Vinyl-clad steel combines the steel core's security with vinyl's exterior finish durability.
Multi-point locking is the security differentiator. Standard residential entry doors typically have a single deadbolt + a doorknob latch — 2 lock points. Impact entry doors come standard with 3-5 lock points (top of door, mid-door, bottom of door, plus the deadbolt + handle). When the multi-point lock engages, the door is held tight against the frame at multiple positions — meaningfully harder to kick in or pry open than a standard door, and significantly stronger against the wind-pressure differential during a hurricane.
SafeGuard installs entry doors from PGT, CGI, ES Windows, CWS, and Therma-Tru's impact-rated catalog. Every install goes through the full HVHZ permit pathway under FL DBPR CGC1532033 — sealed engineered plans, NOA verification per opening, Notice of Commencement filing, and both rough + final inspections.
Entry door configurations we install
Answer
Single doors (most-installed front-entry configuration), double doors (architectural specialty for grand entries), single + sidelites (single door flanked by 1-2 fixed glass panels), double + sidelites + transom (full architectural composition).
Single entry door is the most-installed configuration — a single hinged door, typically 36 inches wide × 80 inches tall (some new construction at 96" tall). Best fit for standard residential front entries, secondary entries, and any opening where a 36" doorway is enough.
Single door + 1 sidelite flanks the door with a fixed glass sidelite — typically 12-18 inches wide. Adds light + architectural symmetry. Common on Mediterranean Revival + traditional Florida architecture.
Single door + 2 sidelites flanks the door with sidelites on both sides for symmetric architectural composition. Total opening width typically 5-7 feet. Most-installed sidelite configuration on architect-spec custom homes.
Double doors (sometimes called grand-entry doors) are two doors meeting at a center post or astragal — typically 5-6 feet total width. Better for visual impact + occasional moving-day operation (both doors open for furniture). Premium architectural-tier — Spanish-Revival + Mediterranean estates + luxury custom builds.
Double doors + sidelites + transom is the full architectural composition — 8-12+ feet wide × 9+ feet tall. Custom architectural product on premium lines (CGI Sentinel, ES Windows Elite, Therma-Tru Premium). Lead time runs 8-12 weeks.
Frame material comparison
| Fiberglass / aluminum | Steel | |
|---|---|---|
| Forced-entry resistance | High (multi-point lock + laminated glass) | Highest (solid steel core) |
| Curb-appeal aesthetic | Architectural finish range — paint or stain | Limited finish range (steel) · vinyl-clad available |
| Maintenance | Low — won't dent, warp, or rot | Higher — paint + weatherstripping cycle |
| Insulation value | Excellent (foam-filled) | Good (some products foam-filled) |
| Cost band | $3,500-$8,000 single · $6,000-$12,000 double | $2,500-$5,500 single · $4,500-$9,500 double |
| Manufacturer warranty | 10-25 yr (lifetime on premium fiberglass) | 10-15 yr typical |
| Best fit | Premium residential · architectural-spec | Value-tier · maximum-security applications |
Entry door HVHZ certifications
- PassTAS 201Large-missile impact (door + glass)
- PassTAS 202Cyclic pressure cycles
- PassTAS 203Uniform static pressure
- StandardMulti-point lock3-5 lock points
From our project library
Entry door installations across South Florida
Real SafeGuard installs from the JobNimbus library — single, double, and architectural compositions across the four counties we serve.
Project scope
Entry door configurations + adjacent door services
Single entry door
36-inch single hinged front-entry door. Most-installed configuration. Fiberglass, aluminum, or steel frame.
Learn moreSingle + sidelites
Single door flanked by 1-2 fixed glass sidelites. Adds light + architectural symmetry. Common on Mediterranean Revival.
Learn moreDouble entry doors (grand entry)
Two-door grand-entry configuration. Premium architectural product on Spanish-Revival + Mediterranean estates + luxury custom builds.
Learn moreDouble + sidelites + transom
Full architectural composition — 8-12+ feet wide × 9+ feet tall. Custom architectural product on CGI Sentinel + ES Windows Elite + Therma-Tru Premium.
Learn moreFrench doors (back-entry)
Back-of-house lanai or pool-deck hinged double doors. Different aesthetic from front-entry French doors — more architectural, less security-focused.
Learn moreImpact sliding glass doors
Patio-side alternative to French entry doors. Largest single opening category — 2-, 3-, 4-, 6-panel + pocket configurations.
Learn more
Frequently asked
Impact entry doors — common questions
How much does an impact entry door cost?
Impact entry door installation in South Florida runs $3,000-$8,000 per single door installed, $5,000-$12,000 per double door pair, depending on frame material (fiberglass premium, aluminum architectural, steel value), glass tier, hardware finish, and any HOA color rules. Premium architectural compositions (double doors + sidelites + transom) run $12,000-$25,000+. Pricing always includes the door + permit + sealed plans + NOA verification + both rough + final inspections.
Are impact entry doors hurricane-rated?
Yes — impact entry doors pass the TAS 201/202/203 HVHZ test protocols and carry Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance. The structural rating applies to the entire assembly: the door slab, the frame, the hinges, the multi-point lock, the threshold, and the laminated glass lite (if applicable). Wind ratings reach 175 mph design wind on engineered configurations. Standard residential front-entry impact doors clear any HVHZ exposure category.
How much forced-entry resistance do impact entry doors offer?
Significant — meaningfully more than standard residential doors. Two factors stack: multi-point locking (3-5 lock points engage when the deadbolt is thrown vs the standard 1-2) and laminated glass for any lite (the glass holds together when struck rather than shattering, eliminating the 'break the glass + reach in to unlock' attack vector). Combined with the heavier door slab + reinforced frame + architectural-grade hinges, impact entry doors are categorically harder to defeat than standard residential entry doors.
What's the difference between fiberglass, aluminum, and steel entry doors?
Fiberglass: premium residential default — won't dent, warp, or rot, accepts paint and stain like wood, longest manufacturer warranties. Aluminum: architectural specialty — slim sightlines, custom finishes, used on contemporary architecture. Steel: value-tier security — strongest forced-entry resistance, lowest cost, but requires more maintenance. We typically recommend fiberglass for residential front-entry (best balance of aesthetic + security + maintenance) and aluminum for architectural specialty + custom homes.
Will my HOA approve an impact entry door?
Yes — most South Florida HOAs encourage impact-rated front-entry upgrades and have published color + finish rules. We submit manufacturer color samples and panel-design renderings as part of the proposal so the HOA can approve before we order materials. Standard color requests (white, dark bronze, espresso, mahogany stain) typically need no HOA back-and-forth. Custom hardware finishes and decorative glass treatments may need separate HOA submittal.
How long does entry door installation take?
Permit review runs 21-50 business days. Once permitted, the actual installation on a single entry door takes a half day; on a double door pair takes a full day; on a full architectural composition (doors + sidelites + transom) runs 1-2 days. End-to-end timeline from contract signing to permit-closed is typically 6-10 weeks (longer for premium architectural configurations on custom panel design).
Ready for an impact entry door?
Free in-home estimate that includes the panel-design + hardware finish + permit pathway in writing — sealed plans, NOA verification per opening, Notice of Commencement, and both rough and final inspections.