Broward County sits entirely within Florida’s High Velocity Hurricane Zone. That’s not a designation most homeowners think about until they’re standing in a home improvement store trying to figure out whether a product is approved for their county, but it has real consequences for how storm protection is permitted and installed here.
The HVHZ sets the strictest building product standards in the country. Products that aren’t tested and certified to HVHZ standards cannot be used for permitted hurricane protection work in Broward County. It’s not a preference, it’s a code requirement.
Awning Stars installs HVHZ-approved hurricane screens throughout Broward County. We carry Atlas Armor, the only roll-down fabric hurricane screen system approved for the HVHZ, and Progressive Screens, which also carries HVHZ certification. Both systems are installed by our own crews and permitted through the county and individual municipal building departments.
The HVHZ in Practice for Broward County Homeowners
When you install a hurricane screen in Broward County, the permit application requires the product’s NOA number from Miami-Dade County’s product approval database. The NOA certifies that the product has been independently tested to the HVHZ standard.
This requirement exists because the consequences of product failure during a major storm are severe. Broward County’s building code has been tightened repeatedly after each significant hurricane, most significantly after Andrew in 1992. The HVHZ standard exists because South Florida learned the hard way what happens when products aren’t tested to realistic conditions.
What this means for you practically: you cannot call any shutter company and assume their product is HVHZ-compliant. When you work with Awning Stars, we install systems that we know are compliant, pull permits that require that documentation, and close out inspections that verify the installation meets code. That’s the process.
Broward County Home Characteristics That Shape the Installation
Post-Andrew construction vs. older stock. A significant portion of Broward County’s housing was built before 1992. Those homes often predate the modern HVHZ code and were built with windows, doors, and structural details that were never intended to meet the current standard. Hurricane screens for these homes are often the most cost-effective way to add meaningful protection without tearing out windows.
High-rise and multi-story properties. Broward County has a large concentration of mid-rise and high-rise residential buildings, particularly in Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood. Hurricane screens for upper-floor units require specific mounting details and, in some buildings, co-op or condo association approval. We have experience with these installations and can walk through the association documentation process with you.
Dense urban lots. In cities like Plantation and Davie, many homes have tight setbacks and mature landscaping. Installation logistics matter, particularly for motorized systems that require electrical work. We account for site conditions during the consultation.
Coastal and Intracoastal exposure. Properties along Fort Lauderdale’s barrier island, Hollywood Beach, and the Intracoastal corridor face consistent saltwater air exposure that accelerates corrosion on untreated metal components. The housing and frame systems we install use powder-coated aluminum specifically rated for coastal environments.
Broward County Cities We Serve
Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Davie, Dania Beach, Plantation, Parkland, Southwest Ranches. Don’t see your city? Call our Broward line or use the quote form and we’ll confirm coverage.
Permits and Inspections in Broward County
Broward County building permits for hurricane screen installations are pulled through the County Building Division or the individual municipality, depending on where your home is located. Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and other incorporated cities handle their own permitting; unincorporated Broward routes through the county.
We handle the permit application, coordinate the inspection, and close out the permit after the work passes. You don’t need to manage that process. What you do need to know is that the permit and inspection are not optional steps we skip for convenience. A hurricane protection system that isn’t permitted and inspected isn’t officially recognized by your county, and some insurers won’t extend a mitigation discount for unpermitted work.
Get a Quote in Broward County
Call our Broward line at 954.626.8056 or use the quote form on this page. We offer free on-site consultations and written quotes before any work begins.
