Impact Windows: What Juniper Cove Homes Include
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Impact windows are windows made with laminated glass, built to stand up to flying debris in a hurricane. If something hits the glass, it may crack, but it is made to hold together in the frame instead of breaking open. At Juniper Cove in Homestead, D.R. Horton's features sheet lists impact resistant glass windows and sliding glass doors as standard. So there are no storm panels to hang over those windows before a storm.
What Are Impact Windows?
An impact window has two main parts: tough glass and a strong frame. The glass is usually laminated. That means two layers of glass are bonded to a clear plastic layer in the middle, a bit like a car windshield.
When a branch or a roof tile hits it, the glass can crack. But the plastic layer is there to keep the pieces stuck together and the opening closed. That matters, because a broken window lets wind and rain rush inside. Once that happens, water can soak the home and wind can push on the roof from the inside.
Impact glass vs regular glass
Regular window glass | Impact window glass | |
|---|---|---|
What it is | Plain glass panes | Glass bonded to a plastic middle layer |
When hit hard | Can shatter and leave a hole | Usually cracks but is made to stay in the frame |
Before a storm | Needs shutters or panels put up | Nothing to put up on the window |
Laminated glass can also soften outside noise and block much of the sun's UV light, though results vary by product.
Impact Windows vs Storm Panels and Shutters
Many Florida homes use storm panels or shutters instead.
Storm panels are metal or plastic sheets. You store them, then fasten them over each window when a storm is coming. That can mean a ladder, a drill and a long, hot afternoon.
Shutters stay attached to the house and close by sliding, rolling or folding. They are faster, but you still have to close them in time.
Impact windows are always in place. Nothing to store, nothing to put up, and nothing to forget.
Impact windows | Removable storm panels | |
|---|---|---|
Work before a storm | None on the windows | Carry, lift and fasten each panel |
Storage | None | Panels take up garage space |
If you are away | Nothing to put up | Someone has to put them up |
Inside during a storm | Light comes in | Dark rooms |
The trade-off is cost. Impact glass costs more to build into a home, and a cracked impact pane has to be replaced. Some other new communities in South Florida list storm panels on their features sheets instead of impact glass. When you compare builders, check this line first.
Why Impact Windows Matter in Miami-Dade
Juniper Cove is in Miami-Dade County, which has some of the toughest building rules in Florida. In a 2025 county news release, Miami-Dade said it ""has the most advanced code requirements of the Florida Building Code"" because it sits in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone.
The same release says every product in a building's outer shell needs a county approval before it can be used in Miami-Dade. That includes windows, doors, shutters and roofing. It tells residents to look for the ""Miami-Dade County Product Approved"" seal or mark.
The county's Product Approval page explains who reviews these products. Its Product Control Section approves or denies products like windows, exterior doors, skylights and shutters. It also has a search tool where you can look up approved products.
Ask about the windows in the home you pick, and keep any paperwork you get at closing. Call 561-704-0091 and we will help.
Impact Windows and Your Home Insurance
Storm features can matter when you shop for home insurance. Florida's Office of Insurance Regulation says all residential property insurance companies must file a range of premium discounts for features that reduce hurricane damage.
To get credit, you usually need a wind mitigation inspection. A licensed inspector checks the home and fills out a state form called the Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form. Florida's Department of Financial Services says state-admitted insurers must accept a valid form. Those are insurers licensed by the state. A completed form is good for up to five years if the home has no major changes.
We cannot tell you what your discount will be. It depends on your insurer. Ask your agent early, before you lock in a policy.
The Rest of Juniper Cove's Storm-Ready List
Impact glass is one piece. Here is what else the Juniper Cove features sheet lists for the shell of the home, in plain words:
Feature on the sheet | What it means |
|---|---|
Reinforced concrete monolithic foundation slab | The floor slab is poured in one piece of concrete with steel inside |
Masonry exterior walls | The outside walls are built of masonry, a hard material such as concrete block |
Engineered roof with hurricane clips and bracing | Metal connectors and bracing help tie the roof to the walls |
IKO dimensional roof shingles | Thick, layered shingles on the roof |
Durable metal garage door | A metal door on the garage |
Therma-Tru insulated fiberglass front door | A fiberglass front door with insulation inside |
Impact resistant glass windows and sliding glass doors | The windows and the patio slider use impact glass |
The sheet does not list storm panels, shutters, or impact ratings for the front door or garage door, so we do not claim them. The sheet also says included features can change without notice. Confirm the list on the home you pick.
The garage door matters in a storm too. See how big each garage is in 2 car garage dimensions at Juniper Cove.
Living With Impact Windows Day to Day
Clean them like any window.
Keep sliding door tracks clear. Dirt in the track can stop the door from closing tight.
Check for cracks after a storm. A cracked pane still needs to be replaced, even if it held.
Still follow evacuation orders. Strong windows do not replace an order from the county to leave.
Inside, you will be looking at more than glass. Juniper Cove uses Mohawk RevWood laminate floors in the main living areas. Read laminate vs vinyl flooring to see how it holds up. D.R. Horton's Home Is Connected package adds a video doorbell and a smart lock, so you can check on the house from your phone when you are away. That is covered in what is a smart home.
About Juniper Cove
Juniper Cove is a D.R. Horton Express Series community on the west side of Homestead, along SW 192nd Avenue. It has eight floor plans: three two-story townhomes, three single-story homes and two two-story single-family homes. Impact glass is on the features sheet for all of them, from the Jade townhome to the 5-bedroom Robie.
Townhomes have recently started around the low $400,000s. Single-story homes like the Dakota have recently started in the high $520,000s. Call 561-704-0091 for today's numbers, and ask what incentives are available today.
Compare all eight homes in Juniper Cove floor plans compared. For life outside the house, see things to do in Homestead FL.
See the Windows for Yourself
Slide the patio door open and shut, and look at the frames. We will walk you through every storm feature on the list and help you gather what your insurance agent will ask for.
Call 561-704-0091 or See Juniper Cove's impact windows — Schedule a Visit.
Common Questions
What are impact windows?
Impact windows use laminated glass, two layers of glass bonded to a plastic middle layer, set in a strong frame. They are built to resist flying debris in a hurricane. If hit, the glass may crack but is made to stay in the frame.
Do Juniper Cove homes come with impact windows?
Yes. D.R. Horton's Juniper Cove features sheet lists impact resistant glass windows and sliding glass doors as included. The sheet says features can change without notice, so confirm them on the home you pick.
Do I still need hurricane shutters if I have impact windows?
Impact windows are made to protect the opening on their own, so you do not put panels over them. Ask your insurance agent how your policy treats them. And always follow evacuation orders, whatever windows you have.
Can impact windows lower my home insurance in Florida?
They may. Florida requires home insurers to file discounts for features that reduce hurricane damage. You usually need a wind mitigation inspection to get credit. Ask your agent what your policy offers.
What does Miami-Dade product approval mean?
Miami-Dade County requires approval for products in a home's outer shell, such as windows, doors, shutters and roofing. Its Product Control Section reviews them, and the county tells residents to look for the product approved seal or mark.
Can impact glass still break?
Yes, it can crack. The plastic middle layer is there to hold the pieces together so the opening stays closed. A cracked pane should still be replaced after the storm.
Ready to see it in person? Call 561-704-0091 or book a Juniper Cove features tour.
Related reading: What Is a Smart Home? Juniper Cove's Package Explained · Laminate vs Vinyl Flooring: What Juniper Cove Uses · Juniper Cove Floor Plans: All Eight Homes Compared · 2 Car Garage Dimensions: Real Sizes at Juniper Cove · Things to Do in Homestead FL: A Juniper Cove Guide · Juniper Cove community page