When you’re responsible for a commercial property in a hurricane-prone area, doors are not just doors. They’re part of your building’s protective shell, the first line of defense against flying debris, wind pressure, and wind-driven rain.
Picking the right materials for commercial hurricane doors isn’t about one “best” product. It’s about matching the material to your location, risk level, and how the opening is used (main entrance, back-of-house, storefront, loading, shelter area).
Below is a guide to the best hurricane door materials for businesses, plus the testing and code details that actually determine performance.
What Makes A Door “Hurricane-Rated” For Commercial Use?
Despite the marketing, hurricane performance isn’t a slogan; it’s a test report. Two things matter most:
- Impact + cyclic pressure testing.
In wind-borne debris regions, openings must either be protected with an impact-resistant system or be built with impact-resistant glazing/assemblies that pass standardized tests (ASTM E1996 + ASTM E1886). These tests simulate a 2×4 lumber “missile” striking the door or glass, followed by thousands of positive/negative pressure cycles to mimic the push-pull of hurricane gusts. - Florida/Local approvals and labeling.
In Florida, exterior doors must be tested by an approved independent lab and labeled to show compliance (for example, AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440 or TAS 202 in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone). That label connects your installed door to a specific certification, critical for permits, inspections, and insurance.
If your property is in the HVHZ (Miami-Dade/Broward), expect products to be evaluated to TAS 201 (large-missile impact), TAS 202 (structural pressure), and TAS 203 (cyclic pressure) in addition to the ASTM set. It’s a tougher bar for good reason.
The Big Three Door Materials
The top contenders for commercial hurricane doors are aluminum storefront systems with laminated impact glass, hollow metal (steel) assemblies, and fiberglass-reinforced polymer (FRP) units.
Each offers a different mix of impact resistance, corrosion performance, and day-to-day durability, so the “best” choice depends on the opening’s location, traffic, and the specific approvals and hardware it requires.
1) Aluminum Storefront/Entrance Systems
Where they fit: Retail, lobbies, multi-tenant buildings, showrooms, anywhere visibility matters.
Why choose aluminum: It’s light, strong, corrosion-resistant (especially with quality anodizing or PVDF/Kynar finishes), and designed to integrate with curtain wall and storefront frames. When paired with laminated impact glazing (think PVB or ionoplast interlayers like SGP), aluminum systems can achieve very high design pressures and excellent debris resistance, while keeping the aesthetic you want at the front door.
Watch-outs:
- Specify HVHZ-approved packages where required. Look for the Florida Product Approval/Miami-Dade NOA that lists the exact glass make-up, interlayer, frame, and hardware set.
- Use continuous geared hinges and multi-point latching for large leaves to keep deflection down under load.
- In coastal spray zones, request stainless (316) fasteners and hardware to reduce corrosion over time.
2) Hollow Metal (Steel) Doors and Frames
Where they fit: Back-of-house exits, stair enclosures, mechanical rooms, schools, healthcare, and egress doors that need panic hardware.
Why choose steel: Steel door and frame assemblies can be absolute tanks when hurricane-rated, with excellent impact performance, high design pressures, and robust security. Many assemblies also carry fire ratings, ideal where you need both life-safety and hurricane performance.
Watch-outs:
- Choose galvannealed or stainless skins for harsher coastal environments and specify factory paint systems designed for salt-air exposure.
- Verify compatibility of panic/exit devices and hinges listed on the same approval report as the door and frame; mix-and-match can void ratings.
3) Fiberglass-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Doors
Where they fit: Coastal resorts, wastewater and industrial buildings, food service, and anywhere corrosion is a constant battle.
Why choose FRP: FRP door leaves and frames resist rot and corrosion better than almost anything. Many manufacturers offer hurricane-rated FRP packages (some also fire-rated) with heavy-duty cores, reinforced edges, and stainless hardware options. For salty, humid sites, lifecycle cost can beat metal systems.
Watch-outs:
- Confirm that the exact FRP model and hardware are listed on the Florida/Miami-Dade approval; details matter.
- Confirm hinge and latch reinforcement thicknesses for large or frequently used doors.
Don’t Forget The Glazing (It’s Half The System)
If your commercial hurricane door includes a vision lite or is part of a glazed entrance, specify laminated impact glass. That’s what keeps the opening intact after an impact and under repeated pressure cycles.
The interlayer is a big deal. PVB interlayers are the most common and budget-friendly option, delivering reliable impact performance for many standard configurations. Ionoplast (SGP) interlayers go a step further with higher post-break strength and a stiffer response, an advantage for larger lites or projects with higher design pressures.
Finally, remember that the exact glass make-up is part of the approval, down to thicknesses and interlayer type. Swapping glass later may void the rating and compromise code compliance, so lock the spec before you order and stick to it during installation.
Codes, Egress, and Day-to-day Usability
Hurricane performance is one side of the coin. Life safety is the other. For commercial buildings, exit route doors must be openable from the inside at all times without keys, tools, or special knowledge. Panic bars that lock only from the outside are permitted, and exit access widths have minimums. In short: don’t let hurricane upgrades accidentally compromise egress.
FEMA guidance for high-wind areas states: “Use windows and doors capable of withstanding increased wind pressures. In wind-borne debris areas, use impact-resistant glazing or shutters.” That’s the baseline for protecting your building envelope (and everything inside) during hurricanes.
NIST’s broader research also underscores the point: envelope system failures (doors, windows, cladding) take too many facilities offline during major wind events, emphasizing why tested, correctly installed openings matter to business continuity.
Main Public Entrance (Retail, Office, Hospitality)
For storefronts and lobbies where visibility and brand matter, an aluminum entrance system with laminated impact glass is usually the sweet spot. You get daylight and a clean, modern look without sacrificing performance. To make it work in high-risk zones, specify a system with statewide Florida approval or HVHZ approval where required. For larger vision panels, ask for laminated glass with an SGP interlayer to control deflection after impact. Pair the frame with a continuous geared hinge and a multi-point or heavy-duty latch set, and don’t forget ADA-compliant thresholds and 316 stainless fasteners to handle coastal environments.
Back-of-House Egress and Stair Discharge
Service doors and exits take more abuse and need to meet egress rules every hour of the day. A hurricane-rated steel door and frame with listed panic hardware is the workhorse here, durable, secure, and simple to maintain.
Make sure the panic device, hinges (or a continuous hinge), and latch set are the exact models listed on the same approval as the door and frame. In coastal areas, choose corrosion-resistant base metals or finishes, and pay attention to sill and threshold anchorage. Always confirm that your final hardware and clearances satisfy applicable egress requirements before you order.
Industrial, Coastal Utility, and Food Processing
Where salt, chemicals, humidity, and wash-downs are a fact of life, fiberglass-reinforced polymer (FRP) doors and frames shine. They offer superb corrosion resistance and long service life, especially when paired with stainless hardware. Verify that the specific FRP leaf, frame, and hardware combination carries Florida or Miami-Dade approval.
Check hinge reinforcement thickness for heavy or frequently used doors, and if you’re including a vision lite, make sure the laminated lite kit is the one listed in the approval.
Storm-Shelter or Critical-Use Rooms
Some spaces aren’t just “hurricane tough,” they need shelter-level performance. These openings should use assemblies specifically tested to shelter standards (such as ICC-500/FEMA), which are different from typical hurricane door approvals.
If you think a room may require this level of protection, involve your design team early. Shelter-rated doors are a separate category with their own testing, hardware, and installation requirements, so getting the spec right up front avoids costly changes later.
The Procurement Checklist
- Get the Approval Number First.
Ask for the Florida Product Approval and, in HVHZ, the Miami-Dade NOA. Make sure door leaf, frame, glazing, hinges, latches, and panic hardware match that listing. If anything changes, get a revised submittal before ordering. - Confirm Design Pressures.
Your address sets wind speed and exposure; your engineer/installer converts that to required pressures on each opening. The door assembly’s tested design pressure must meet or exceed those values. - Prioritize Corrosion Resistance.
Near the coast, specify anodized or PVDF finishes, stainless hardware (316 where practical), and sealant systems compatible with the approval. - Mind Egress and ADA.
Panic hardware, clear widths, and accessible thresholds must stay compliant. Don’t “over-secure” an exit and create a code problem. - Plan Installation.
Anchors, edge distances, substrates, sealants, and sill details must follow the approval and shop drawings exactly, or the rating doesn’t count.
Material Matchups: Quick Picks
For image-driven storefronts, aluminum entrance systems with laminated impact glass are the go-to. They deliver clean sightlines and strong performance, and when spans get large, specifying an SGP interlayer helps control deflection and maintain post-break integrity.
High-traffic exits and delivery doors demand durability and code-compliant egress. A steel door and frame paired with listed panic hardware provides robust impact resistance, reliable security, and straightforward maintenance for busy back-of-house locations.
In salt-spray or frequent wash-down environments, fiberglass-reinforced polymer (FRP) doors and frames excel. Combine them with stainless hinges and locks to maximize corrosion resistance and extend service life.
On mixed campuses, there’s rarely a one-material solution. Blend systems to match the use case: aluminum for where you want glass and visibility, and steel or FRP for applications with heavy use, security, or corrosion resistance requirements.
Bringing It All Together
Choosing the right materials for commercial hurricane doors is really about picking the right assembly for each opening: the door leaf, frame, glazing, and hardware, all tied to a valid Florida/Miami-Dade approval and installed per that listing.
Do that, and you’ll have doors that resist debris, hold design pressures, stay code-compliant for egress, and keep your business open when it matters most.
FEMA says it plainly: in high-wind areas, use doors capable of withstanding increased wind pressures—and in wind-borne debris regions, use impact-resistant systems. Build around that principle and you’ll be in great shape.
Let’s Spec the Right Doors for Your Site
At Absolute Window LLC, we’ll determine your wind zone, confirm the required design pressures, and recommend the best hurricane door materials for businesses, including aluminum, steel, or FRP, with the exact approvals and hardware your openings require. We handle submittals, permitting, and installation so you can focus on running the business.
Ready to protect your building and keep doors open, literally and legally?
Contact Absolute Window LLC for a no-pressure walkthrough and a clear, code-compliant plan.
