In 1994, EXTECH became the first U.S.-based company to receive Dade County (now Miami-Dade County) product approval for a hurricane resistant window system. This milestone came at a pivotal time, shortly after Dade County implemented new hurricane mitigation standards in response to Hurricane Andrew. The updated codes introduced some of the most rigorous testing protocols in the country, including large missile impact and cyclic pressure testing designed to ensure that building envelope systems could withstand the most severe storm conditions.
EXTECH’s window system passed all three core tests: TAS 201 for large missile impact, TAS 202 for air and water infiltration, and TAS 203 for cyclic pressure loading. The approval allowed EXTECH’s window to be legally specified for projects in Dade County’s High Velocity Hurricane Zone and set a new bar for performance in coastal fenestration.
Before this approval, most glazing options for hurricane zones either required exterior shutters or relied on laminated glass that would shatter but remain intact—still leaving the opening visibly damaged after impact. EXTECH’s system advanced the field by offering a solution that resisted penetration while maintaining visual clarity and operability even after testing conditions that simulated hurricane-level debris and pressure.
In a televised news segment during the mid-1990s, EXTECH founder Bill Voegele stood behind the company’s hurricane-resistant window as it was subjected to an impact test. The segment, which also featured home improvement host Bob Vila, offered a clear demonstration of the system’s performance and the confidence EXTECH placed in its engineering.
The product approval highlighted EXTECH’s capability to meet extreme code demands with precision-engineered solutions. The confidence shown in early demonstrations underscored the strength of its design. Today, EXTECH continues to manufacture architectural glazing systems including windows, skylights, and custom translucent walls that combine resilience, clarity, and reliable performance in projects where these attributes matter most.
