Impact Windows and Doors in Palm Beach County: Cost, Options, and What the Code Requires

On a coastal Palm Beach County home, the window and door package is one of the three largest line items in the budget, and reliably the longest lead time in the schedule.

It is also the decision homeowners tend to make last, which is exactly backwards.

What the code requires

New construction and substantial renovation in this county require protected openings. That is satisfied either with impact rated glazing or with an approved shutter system over standard glazing.

Every product has to carry a current Florida product approval or Notice of Acceptance for the specific size, configuration, and design pressure of that opening. This is why you cannot simply pick a window you liked at a showroom. The engineer specifies design pressures per opening, and the product has to be approved for those numbers.

A note on timing that matters this year. The Florida Building Code 9th Edition takes effect December 31, 2026, and projects permitted before that date generally proceed under the current 8th Edition. If your project is close to that line, discuss it with your builder and design team now rather than in December.

The material choice

**Aluminum.** The workhorse of the South Florida custom market. Strong, allows narrow sight lines and very large openings, and available in thermally broken versions that improve energy performance. Most high end coastal homes here use it.

**Vinyl.** Lower cost and good thermal performance, but frame sizes are heavier visually and there are practical limits on very large openings. More common in renovation than in high end new construction.

**Steel.** Minimal sight lines and a distinctive look, particularly on modern and transitional architecture. The most expensive option by a wide margin.

**Wood clad.** Warm interiors with a protective exterior cladding. Requires careful specification and maintenance in a salt air environment.

What it actually costs

For a custom home in Palm Beach County in 2026, installed impact rated packages commonly run roughly $70 to $150 per square foot of opening. Premium thermally broken aluminum and steel systems run above that.

What moves the number:

• **Opening size.** Large fixed glass and multi panel sliding systems cost dramatically more per opening than standard windows.
• **Design pressure.** Coastal and oceanfront locations require higher rated assemblies.
• **Configuration.** Pocketing sliders, corner glass, and operable systems cost more than fixed.
• **Finish.** Custom colors and premium finishes add cost and lead time.
• **Hardware.** On a coastal home, corrosion resistant hardware is worth specifying and is not standard everywhere.

On a typical 4,000 to 5,000 square foot coastal custom home, the window and door package frequently lands in the low to mid six figures. It deserves the same attention as the kitchen.

Lead times drive your schedule

Twelve to twenty four weeks is normal for a custom package. Longer for steel and for large specialty systems.

This is why the window package is one of the first selections in pre construction, not one of the last. Windows also have to be ordered from approved shop drawings, which means the openings are fixed in the structure before the order goes in. Changing your mind after that point is expensive.

The most common preventable schedule slip we see on coastal homes is a window package ordered four weeks late.

Insurance credits

Florida carriers commonly offer wind mitigation credits for approved opening protection. The credit is applied after a wind mitigation inspection documents what was installed.

It is not the reason to install impact glazing, but on a large home it is a real annual number, and it compounds over the life of the house.

Practical guidance

• Lock the window package during design development, not after permit
• Have the engineer set design pressures per opening before you shop
• Confirm every product approval covers the exact size and configuration
• Specify corrosion resistant hardware and finishes on coastal properties
• Budget the package as its own line item rather than burying it in an allowance
• Order from approved shop drawings and hold the structure to those dimensions

If you are planning a coastal build or a renovation that includes opening replacement, our guide to building on the water in Palm Beach County covers the related elevation and structural requirements.

Want a real number for your project rather than a range? Send us your plans and we will price the opening package as its own line.

Frequently Asked Questions

Planning a project in South Florida?

SouthShore Builders is based in Delray Beach and builds across Palm Beach County and Broward County.