Impact windows

A state fact sheet from 2007 says windows are a key point of entry for wind, rain and wind-borne debris. Impact-resistant glazing is usually laminated glass: panes bonded with a plastic layer that holds the glass together when it cracks.

Whether a new home needs them depends on the wind-borne debris region rules in the Florida Building Code. Confirm the current rule with the building department. The fact sheet adds that they may be a good idea even outside the required area. Read about hurricane-resistant construction.