MULTI-SLIDE DOORS
BALCONY & PATIO SLIDERS
Impact Sliding Glass Doors
Heavy-gauge aluminum multi-slide panels with tandem stainless rollers and water-rated sill risers.
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IMPACT GLAZING • DIV 08
FL CGC1517295 • CCC1329271
Storm Panel Installation in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Storm panels are the most affordable hurricane protection — and when installed properly, they perform as well as more expensive systems. We install storm panel systems with the right tracks and hardware to make deployment quick.
Miami-Dade NOA
Large Missile Impact
HVHZ Certified
+/- 100 PSF Design Pressure
100% In-House Crews
Dual-Licensed Quality
FL STATE LICENSED
CGC1517295 • CCC1329271
100%
In-House Crews • Zero Brokers
HURRICANE IMPACT GLAZING • FIELD EXPERTISE
Storm Panels Done Right Are Real Protection
Storm panel installation in Fort Lauderdale is the most affordable path to code-compliant hurricane protection for windows and doors — making genuine storm protection accessible for Fort Lauderdale properties where budget is the primary constraint. Storm panels — corrugated aluminum, galvanized steel, or clear polycarbonate — slide into track systems permanently mounted at each window and door and are stored off-site when not in use. They aren't the most convenient protection solution, but they work. At Planet Construction FL, we install storm panel track systems correctly and to code, and we provide the panels in the right sizes to cover every opening completely.
Structural Masonry Anchoring
Engineered sub-buck installation with 5/16" stainless Tapcon masonry anchors meeting high-pressure wind envelopes.
Laminated PVB & SentryGlas
Multi-layer impact glass resistant to 9-lb 2x4 projectile strikes at 50 feet per second (Large Missile D).
Dual-Licensed Permitting & Execution
General Contractor (CGC1517295) and Roofing Contractor (CCC1329271) single-source warranty accountability.
Storm Hazard Reality • Envelope Breaches
Most Storm Panel Systems Are Hard to Deploy
Cheap storm panel installs come with poorly placed tracks, missing hardware, and panels that don't fit cleanly — making deployment slow, frustrating, and incomplete when the storm is coming. The result is homeowners who skip the install or cover only some windows.
Mandatory Building Department Benchmark • FBC Standards
Engineered Protocol • Quality Assurance
Storm Panel Systems Engineered for Quick Deployment
We install storm panels with proper headers, tracks, and stud-anchored hardware — labeled and organized for fast deployment. Panels are sized to fit precisely, and we walk you through installation so you can deploy quickly when the time comes. The result is affordable storm protection that actually works.
Fully permitted with signed & sealed engineering calculations
COMMERCIAL • MULTI-FAMILY • RESIDENTIAL
Types of Storm Panels — Aluminum, Steel & Polycarbonate
Storm panels are available in three primary materials, each with different performance characteristics and price points. Aluminum storm panels are the most popular choice — lightweight enough for one-person installation, corrosion-resistant in Fort Lauderdale's salt air, and available in standard corrugated profiles that are easy to store. Galvanized steel panels provide slightly greater impact resistance than aluminum but are heavier, making large panel installation more physically demanding. Clear polycarbonate panels — often called "clear-lex" panels in the South Florida market — provide the same hurricane protection as aluminum with the added benefit of allowing natural light to enter even when the panels are deployed. For interior spaces that become unusable in the dark when opaque panels are installed, polycarbonate panels are a meaningful quality-of-life upgrade over aluminum for the same cost of protection. All three materials are available in Florida Building Code-compliant designs for Broward County's HVHZ designation.
MULTI-SLIDE DOORS
IMPACT WINDOWS
SINGLE-HUNG & CASEMENT
Hurricane Impact Windows
Energy-efficient Low-E insulated glass packages with argon fill, heavy sashes, and stainless multipoint hardware.
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ARCHITECTURAL DOORS
FRENCH & PIVOT DOORS
Luxury Impact Entry Systems
Custom oversized impact entrance systems combining high security, three-point deadbolts, and designer finishes.
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COMMERCIAL GLAZING
COMMERCIAL STOREFRONT
Commercial Storefront & Glass
Thermally broken heavy-gauge commercial framing, panic hardware, and impact glass for retail and plazas.
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STORM SHUTTERS
EXTERIOR PROTECTION
Accordion & Motorized Shutters
Extruded aluminum curved blades, keyed center locks, and Somfy motorized roll-down systems for wide lanais.
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GARAGE DOORS
WIND-CODE ENFORCED
Hurricane Impact Garage Doors
Reinforced steel strut backings, heavy-duty commercial track assemblies, and insulated quiet openers.
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Regulatory Code Standards • FBC & Miami-Dade NOA
Benefits of Storm Panels in Fort Lauderdale
Storm panels' primary advantage is cost — they typically cost 60–75% less than accordion shutters and 70–80% less than motorized roll-down systems for an equivalent level of hurricane protection. For Fort Lauderdale property owners who need code-compliant hurricane protection now but face budget constraints, storm panels provide the protection while leaving financial capacity for other improvements. For seasonal properties that are vacant during most of South Florida's hurricane season, storm panels are often the most practical solution — the panels are installed once before departure for the season and removed upon return, without the ongoing operational considerations that motorized systems involve. Storm panels also have the simplest mechanical system of any shutter type — the only failure mode is a broken or bent panel, which is inexpensive to replace.
Licensed CGC1517295 • CCC1329271 Execution
Full Permit Coordination & Building Inspection Sign-Offs
Glazing Verification Criteria
DESIGN PRESSURE SPECIFICATION
Up to +/- 100 PSF Wind Load
Calibrated structural calculations for exposure category and building height.
IMPACT CERTIFICATION
ASTM E1886 & E1996 Large Missile
Passes repeated missile strike and 9,000 cyclical positive/negative wind cycles.
ENERGY & THERMAL PERFORMANCE
Energy Star & Low-E Coating
Substantial solar heat gain reduction and significant annual FPL power savings.
FIELD APPLICATION SPECIFICATIONS
Installation & Storage Considerations
Storm panel installation involves two components: the permanent track system mounted at each window and door opening, and the removable panels that slide into the tracks before each storm. Planet Construction FL installs the track systems permanently during the initial project — anchoring top and bottom header and sill tracks at each opening per the product NOA requirements. Panels are delivered in custom-cut lengths for each opening, labeled for easy reference when installation is needed. Storage of the panels is the primary ongoing consideration for storm panel owners — a typical Fort Lauderdale home's storm panel set weighs 200–400 pounds and requires storage space in a garage, storage unit, or shed. We discuss panel storage solutions during the initial project consultation so the storage plan is in place before the panels are delivered.
01
Precision laser opening measurements, wind pressure calculations, and city permit package submittal.
02
Sub-buck inspection, rot replacement with pressure-treated lumber, and liquid waterproof sill flashing.
03
Setting heavy-gauge aluminum frames plumb, leveling sills, and securing Tapcons into concrete block.
04
Tooling continuous polyurethane perimeter expansion joints and passing final municipal building inspection.
Asset Managers • HOA Boards
Preparing for a Storm with Storm Panels
The storm panel installation process is manageable with advance planning and preparation. For a typical Fort Lauderdale home with 10–15 openings, two people can typically install a complete set of storm panels in 2–4 hours. The key operational requirements are having the panels labeled and organized for quick identification, having the installation hardware (bolts, wing nuts, or clips depending on the track system) stored with the panels, and beginning installation as soon as a storm watch is issued rather than waiting for a warning — the 24–36 hours of storm watch time is typically adequate for a well-prepared homeowner, but the time shrinks rapidly if installation is delayed until a warning is declared.
Multi-Unit Program Support
Phased window installation schedules, resident notifications, HOA board architectural review submittals, and clean master permitting.
HOA Architectural Board Presentations & Color Match Submittals
100% Financing & PACE Capital Programs for Qualified Properties
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Direct Qualifier CGC1517295 • No Obligation Glazing Review
RECENT REGIONAL PERFORMANCE • VERIFIED SITES
Documented Impact Glazing Projects • South Florida Portfolio
Engineering-compliant impact windows, sliding glass door retrofits, and commercial storefront assemblies across Broward and Palm Beach counties.
WESTON • LUXURY RESIDENTIAL
Weston Luxury French Door Retrofit
Custom bronze anodized French patio impact doors with multi-point locking and laminated Low-E energy glass.
FORT LAUDERDALE BEACH • CONDOMINIUM
Oceanfront High-Rise Impact Glazing
Turnkey replacement of 120 sliding glass balcony doors and casement windows engineered for high-altitude wind loads.
POMPANO BEACH • COMMERCIAL PLAZA
Retail Storefront Impact Curtain Wall
Commercial storefront aluminum framing with impact-rated laminate safety glass and commercial ADA entry doors.
FIELD EXPERTISE • CLARITY FOR OWNERS & BOARDS
Frequently Asked Questions • Impact Windows & Doors
Direct answers on NOA ratings, insurance premium reductions, installation lead times, and financing options in South Florida.
Can I install storm panels myself?
The track system installation — which requires proper anchoring in structural masonry per the product NOA — must be done by a licensed contractor for code compliance and permit purposes. The panel installation process itself — sliding panels into the installed tracks before a storm — is intended to be done by the property owner and requires no special tools or skills. We walk through the panel installation process with property owners at project completion so they are confident and prepared when storm season arrives.
How long does storm panel track system installation take?
A storm panel track system installation for a typical Fort Lauderdale home with 10–15 openings takes 1–2 days. The panels are fabricated to the measured opening dimensions and typically delivered 2–4 weeks after the track installation, depending on the manufacturer's production schedule. The entire project — from contract to having panels on-site and ready for use — is typically 4–8 weeks including permit approval.
Do storm panels qualify for insurance wind mitigation credits?
Yes — properly installed storm panels with valid Florida NOA documentation, installed on a permitted project, qualify for the same wind mitigation insurance credits as accordion shutters and roll-down shutters. The wind mitigation credit applies when all openings are protected with qualifying products — a home with storm panels on most windows but an unprotected garage door would not qualify for the full credit. We confirm full opening coverage at the project design stage to ensure every opening is addressed.
What is the difference between storm panels and impact windows?
Storm panels provide hurricane protection only when installed — they must be deployed before a storm and removed afterward. Impact windows provide continuous hurricane protection 365 days per year, require no pre-storm action, improve energy efficiency and noise reduction year-round, and eliminate the storage requirement. Storm panels have a significantly lower initial cost but no energy, noise, or daily convenience benefits. The choice is typically determined by budget — storm panels for immediate protection at lower cost, impact windows when budget allows for the comprehensive upgrade.
IMPACT GLAZING ESTIMATE • DIRECT RESPONSE
Get Your Storm Panel Installation in Fort Lauderdale, FL Quote & Consultation
Request on-site laser measurements, product sample demonstrations, or line-item quotes for your building. Fully permitted under CGC1517295.
Direct consultation with Licensed Qualifier John Kraja
Dual State Licensed: CGC1517295 (General) • CCC1329271 (Roofing)
Zero Subcontractor Hand-offs • Certified Factory Glazing Installers