Impact Windows & Doors in Kendall
Protecting one of Miami-Dade's largest suburban communities — HVHZ-compliant impact solutions for Kendall's family homes.
Kendall is one of the largest suburban communities in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, stretching across a broad swath of land roughly bounded by the Snapper Creek Expressway to the north, the Turnpike to the west, and Kendall Drive (SW 88th Street) and its surrounding corridors forming the commercial spine. Home to tens of thousands of families, Kendall developed primarily during the 1970s through the 1990s, producing vast neighborhoods of single-family CBS block homes, townhouse communities, and garden-style condominiums. This era of construction is particularly significant for impact window and door replacement because most of these homes were built before modern hurricane protection standards existed.
As part of unincorporated Miami-Dade County, every property in Kendall falls within the High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ). All replacement windows and doors must carry a valid Miami-Dade County Notice of Acceptance (NOA). This is a stricter standard than the general Florida Building Code, requiring products to pass both large and small missile impact testing along with higher wind pressure ratings. Our Florida Building Code guide explains the full scope of HVHZ requirements and how they affect product selection.
Kendall's Suburban Neighborhoods
Kendall's appeal as a family-oriented community means that homeowners here tend to invest in their properties for the long term. Impact window and door replacement is consistently one of the most popular home improvement projects in the area, driven by the combination of storm protection, insurance savings, noise reduction, and property value increases it provides. The specific needs vary by neighborhood and home type.
Common Home Styles and Product Recommendations
Kendall's predominantly suburban character means that a relatively small number of home styles account for the majority of the housing stock.
1970s-1980s Single-Family CBS
The backbone of Kendall's housing stock. Standard single-hung aluminum windows with clear glass, sliding glass doors, and basic entry doors. White and bronze aluminum frames are the most popular choices, and horizontal roller windows are increasingly selected over single-hung for ease of operation and superior ventilation.
1990s Larger Single-Family
Bigger homes with more windows, often including picture windows, bay or bow window configurations, and French doors. These homes benefit from a mix of impact product types tailored to each opening. The larger window counts make whole-house replacement more expensive but also more impactful for insurance savings.
Townhomes and Patio Homes
Fewer but often larger windows than single-family homes. HOA requirements frequently dictate product specifications. White aluminum frames dominate in these communities. Fire-rated impact products may be required on zero-lot-line walls or walls adjacent to neighboring units.
Two-Story Homes
Second-floor windows require proper scaffolding or lift equipment for safe installation, which can add to project cost. Products on upper floors may need higher Design Pressure (DP) ratings depending on the wind exposure category of the property.
Hurricane Risk in Kendall
Kendall's location in central Miami-Dade County places it squarely in the path of Atlantic hurricanes. Hurricane Andrew in 1992 passed just south of the most developed neighborhoods, but the community still experienced damaging hurricane-force winds. Hurricane Irma in 2017 reinforced this lesson when sustained hurricane-force conditions swept across all of Kendall. Homes retrofitted with impact products fared markedly better than those still relying on plywood or improperly maintained accordion shutters.
For the many pre-2002 homes in Kendall that have not yet been upgraded, the combination of storm protection and insurance premium reductions makes impact window and door replacement one of the highest-return home investments available.
Unincorporated Miami-Dade Permit Process
After installation, a county inspector conducts a final inspection to confirm the products match the permit and that the installation was performed according to the NOA specifications. This inspection generates the documentation needed for your wind mitigation report. Because Miami-Dade County handles a large volume of permits across its unincorporated areas, working with a contractor who submits complete and accurate applications from the start avoids the delays that result from plan review corrections.
For a comprehensive look at pricing for impact windows and doors, including factors that affect cost in suburban communities like Kendall, see our cost guide.
Get a Free Estimate in Kendall
National Glass serves Kendall and all of Miami-Dade County. Contact us for a free, no-obligation estimate on impact doors and windows for your home.