Every impact window and door installed in Florida carries a permanent label that identifies the manufacturer, the product and its approval. If you are buying a home, filing an insurance claim, or trying to figure out whether your existing windows are impact-rated, that label is where to start. Here is how to read it and what to do if it is missing.
Where to find the label
- Permanent label on the frame. Usually a small etched or riveted plate on the frame edge, visible when the sash is open, or on the jamb of a door. It lists the manufacturer, series or model, and the approval number.
- Etching on the glass. A small mark in a corner of the glass gives the glass manufacturer, the glass makeup and sometimes the impact standard it was tested to.
- Temporary sticker. New windows ship with a removable sticker summarizing the approval and energy ratings. It is often removed after installation, so do not rely on it.
What the numbers mean
| Marking | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Miami-Dade NOA number | The product passed Miami-Dade County’s impact and pressure protocols; required in Miami-Dade and Broward |
| FL number (Florida Product Approval) | The product is approved by the Florida Building Commission; required outside the HVHZ |
| ASTM E1886 / E1996 or TAS 201, 202, 203 | The test standards the product passed |
| Large missile / small missile | Impact ratings; small missile applies to openings more than 30 feet above grade |
| Design pressure (DP) or +/- PSF | The wind pressure the unit is rated for; must meet your home’s requirement |
| Laminated / insulated laminated, interlayer type and thickness | The glass makeup; laminated glass is what makes a window impact-rated |
How to verify an approval
- Miami-Dade NOA: search the number on the Miami-Dade County Product Control website to confirm it is current and see the approved drawings.
- Florida Product Approval: search the FL number on the Florida Building Commission’s product approval site.
- Compare the label to the closed permit and the NOA documents the installer provided. The product on the label should match the permit.
If there is no label
A window without a permanent label cannot be verified as impact-rated, and an inspector or insurer will treat it as unprotected, even if the glass is laminated. If you bought a home with unlabeled windows, check the county permit records for the original window permit, which should list the products. If there is no permit, assume the windows are not impact-rated for insurance and code purposes. What a Miami-Dade NOA is.
Why it matters
- Wind mitigation inspectors verify opening protection from the labels and permits
- Insurers can deny the opening protection credit, or a claim, if protection cannot be documented
- Buyers and their inspectors check labels at closing
- Unpermitted or unlabeled windows may need to be replaced to pass a later inspection
Elevate Impact Windows provides the NOA or FL documents and the closed permit for every window and door we install, so your labels, your paperwork and your permit all match. How the insurance credit works.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if my windows are impact-rated?
Look for a permanent label on the frame edge or jamb listing a Miami-Dade NOA number or a Florida Product Approval FL number, plus a laminated glass etching in a corner of the glass.
Where is the NOA number on a window?
On a small etched or riveted label on the frame, usually visible when the sash is open or on the door jamb.
My windows have laminated glass but no label. Are they impact-rated?
Not for code or insurance purposes. Without a label and a permit, inspectors and insurers treat the opening as unprotected.
How do I verify a Miami-Dade NOA?
Search the number on the Miami-Dade County Product Control site. It shows whether the approval is current and includes the approved drawings.
What if the previous owner installed windows without a permit?
Check county permit records first. If no permit exists, the windows may need to be permitted after the fact or replaced to be recognized as opening protection.