Consider Requirements for Your Specific Location

The Florida building code requires that all buildings--including doors--be able to handle wind forces that result from design wind speeds. There are some exceptions, however, and when it comes to commercial storefront doors and windows in South Florida, it all very much matters exactly how far you are from the coast.

For those within a mile of the coast, the structure has to be able to handle winds of 120 mph or more. A mile inland, that drops to 110 mph. But if you're in Broward County, your structure has to be rated to handle 140 mph winds, and in Miami-Dade County, it's 146 mph. It's a good idea to get your storefront double doors from someone familiar with specific Florida regulations and be familiar with these yourself before you begin.

Be Aware of Special Glass Door Requirements

Glass doors normally must meet the same requirements as windows or commercial architectural glass panels. For South Florida, this means the door needs to bear an approved label that identifies who made the door, what its performance characteristics are, and that it has been approved after a product evaluation. A glass door must also be anchored to the main wind force resisting system of the building, and a commercial architectural glass wall or door will need to be able to withstand a certain minimum amount of pressure depending on other structural elements of your building.

Don't Neglect the Look
With all the regulations and concerns about Florida's special weather issues, it's easy to focus solely on finding a storefront door that meets all the regulations and stays within budget without really considering whether the door is doing perhaps the most important job of all: drawing people in.

Glass is usually the preferred aesthetic option over steel or aluminum. It makes your store look more inviting than other choices. Just remember it also has to be cleaned and properly maintained. Cracks and smudges make the door look sloppy and the business unprofessional.

If you go with glass, be sure to invest in good quality systems, as this will minimize maintenance and security issues while maximizing aesthetics. You can also minimize the issues that come with glass by installing automatically opening systems so no one needs to touch the door and using security film to make it harder to crack.

As you can see, building your commercial storefront doors is really about knowledge of what you need. Start with your need-to-knows and you'll easily be able to narrow down the options to the right door for you.