The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), Window and Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA), and Keystone Certifications, Inc. conduct voluntary design pressure tests for structural pressure, air infiltration, water penetration, and operational force. For those living in hurricane prone areas, purchasing new windows with high performance ratings in these rigorous tests is a good idea. (Contact your local government building permit office for assistance in choosing windows specific for your location.) Some Florida insurance companies may give a reduction in hurricane insurance premiums for windows that have been tested for impact resistance. Impact resistance is particularly important because if a window breaks, providing an opening into the home, pressure can build up inside, increasing the chance of the roof blowing off and/or significant water damage to the structure.

Additional Resources

UF IFAS Energy Efficient Homes: Windows and Skylights - http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FY1045  

Building a Safer Florida, Inc., University of Florida's Program for Resource Efficient Communities, and the Florida Department of Community Affairs. May 2006. Window Systems http://www.dca.state.fl.us/fbc/publications/Fact_Sheets_0307/WindowSystems061506revised.pdf