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Impact Doors

Impact Sliding Glass Doors

2, 3, and 4-panel and pocketing impact sliders in Kendall and Miami-Dade: large-missile-rated, multi-point and foot/head-bolt locked, and anchored to NOA spec. Wide openings protected, with structural review when the span calls for it.

2, 3, 4-Panel & Pocketing

Configured to your span

Foot & Head Bolts

Panel held top and bottom

Structural Review

Flagged early on wide spans

Anchored to Spec

County-inspected installation

Big Glass, Big Loads

The Widest Opening in the Wall

A sliding glass door is often the largest opening in the house, and the more of it you open, the more wind load the assembly and the surrounding structure have to carry. That's why the configuration, the approval, and the anchoring all have to match.

Diagram of a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance showing its five key fields and what to check on each.
Check the NOA covers the exact door and configuration. Open full size

We install 2, 3, and 4-panel impact sliders and pocketing systems that disappear into the wall. Security comes from laminated impact glass plus locking that grips at multiple points, including foot and head bolts at the top and bottom of the active panel, which is what holds it in the track against wind trying to suck it out, and against the lift-and-pry move that defeats ordinary sliders.

On wider spans we flag a structural review early, because the header and supporting structure have to carry the load. We'd rather raise it on day one than have it surface at inspection.

Sliding Door At a Glance

Configurations
2, 3, 4-panel; pocketing
Glass
Laminated impact glass to NOA
Locking
Multi-point + foot/head bolts
Wide spans
Structural review flagged early
On-site time
1–3 days per opening
Total timeline
~6–10 weeks incl. manufacturing

Why the glass-only shortcut doesn't work on sliders

A true impact slider is an approved frame-and-glass system: the frame, track, rollers, and locking are rated together to the NOA. Dropping impact glass into an old, non-rated frame does not produce a rated opening, no matter what the glass costs. If your slider is failing, the honest answer is usually a full approved-system replacement. We'll explain exactly why, rather than sell you a glass swap that won't comply or hold.

Step by Step

How a Sliding Door Runs

Measure & check the span

We measure the opening and assess whether the width and configuration need a structural review of the header and supports.

Configure & estimate

Panel count, pocketing or standard, finish: line-item, naming the approved system and NOA.

Engineering (if needed)

For wide spans, we coordinate the structural review so the opening is engineered correctly before permitting.

Permit & order

Permit filed with approval numbers; custom panels go into manufacturing.

Set & adjust

Frame set level, anchored to NOA spec, rollers and track dialed in, foot/head bolts adjusted; sealed and flashed.

Inspect & document

County inspection and a closeout package with approvals and photos.

Common Questions

Sliding Glass Door FAQ

How many panels can an impact sliding door have?+
Common configurations are 2, 3, and 4 panels, plus pocketing systems where the panels slide back into a wall cavity to open the whole span. The right setup depends on your opening width, how much of it you want to open, and the design-pressure requirement for that span. Wider openings and bigger glass mean higher loads — which is exactly why the approval and anchoring have to match the configuration.
Do wide sliding openings need a structural review?+
Often, yes. A wide impact slider transfers significant wind load into the surrounding structure, and the header and supporting structure have to be able to carry it. On wider spans we flag a structural review early so the opening is engineered correctly and it doesn't surprise the permit or the schedule. We'd rather raise it on day one than discover it at inspection.
How is a sliding glass door secured against storms and break-ins?+
Impact sliders use laminated impact glass plus locking that engages the frame at multiple points — typically including foot and head bolts at the top and bottom of the active panel, not just a center latch. That holds the panel in its track against wind pressure trying to suck it out or push it in, and resists the lift-and-pry technique used to defeat ordinary sliders. As always, the anchoring of the frame into the structure is what ties it all together.
Can you replace just the glass in my old slider?+
Generally no — a true impact slider is an approved frame-and-glass system, and the rating depends on the frame, track, rollers, and locking working together to the NOA. Dropping impact glass into an old non-rated frame doesn't make a rated opening. If your slider is failing, the honest answer is usually a full approved-system replacement, and we'll explain why rather than sell you a glass swap that doesn't actually comply.
Will a new impact slider operate more smoothly than my old one?+
Usually, noticeably — a properly installed new system has fresh rollers, a clean track, and a level sill, so even heavy impact panels glide. The catch is installation: a slider set out of level or anchored poorly will bind no matter how good the product is. Smooth operation and weather-tightness both come down to the install, which is why we set and adjust carefully and the county inspects it.
How long does a sliding glass door project take?+
On-site, typically one to a few days per opening. Total timeline runs about 6 to 10 weeks with manufacturing lead time on custom-sized panels, and longer openings that need a structural review add some time on the front end. We'll give you a realistic schedule that accounts for the review if your span needs one.

Open the Whole Wall, Safely

Free sliding door estimate that names the approved system and locking, and flags any structural review your span needs before it becomes a surprise.

Call (954) 546-4161