A front entry can be much more than one door slab.
Many Florida homes use sidelights beside the door and a transom above it to bring in natural light and create a larger architectural entrance.
For hurricane protection, those pieces should not be treated as decorative add-ons.
The approved configuration matters as a complete system.
What is a sidelight?
A sidelight is a narrow framed glass panel beside an entry door.
A system may use:
- One sidelight
- Two sidelights
- Fixed glazed sidelights
- Sidelights integrated into a continuous frame
The product approval defines the permitted configuration.
What is a transom?
A transom is a framed glass section above the door.
It can be:
- Rectangular
- Fixed
- Integrated with the door frame
- Part of a larger approved entry assembly
Like a sidelight, it must match an approved condition when impact protection is required.
Do sidelights and transoms need impact approval?
If the opening is required to be impact protected, the complete entry configuration needs appropriate documentation.
Florida Product Approval records include:
- Impact doors with optional sidelights
- Impact doors with transoms
- Separate sidelight/transom frame systems
- Combined door-and-glass entry assemblies
For example, current Florida approvals include impact swinging-door systems with sidelights and transoms.
Why can’t I just add impact glass?
Because the glass is only part of the system.
The approval can also depend on:
- Frame
- Mullions
- Door panel
- Sidelight width
- Transom dimensions
- Glass construction
- Anchors
- Locking hardware
- Substrate
- Design pressure
Replacing non-impact glass with laminated glass does not automatically create an approved impact assembly.
What should appear on the proposal?
Ask the contractor to identify:
- Door manufacturer and series
- Sidelight model or configuration
- Transom configuration
- Florida Product Approval or NOA
- Impact classification
- HVHZ status
- Glass
- Maximum dimensions
- Design pressure
- Installation/anchorage details
What about French doors?
French-door systems can also use sidelights and transoms.
Some current Florida approvals cover double doors, single doors and sidelight combinations under the same product family.
Our impact French doors vs sliding doors guide explains broader door-style differences.
Can sidelights affect privacy?
Yes.
Entry sidelights can use different approved glass options depending on the product, including clear, tinted or decorative configurations.
If privacy matters, review the actual sample and approved glass option before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
Is a sidelight just a narrow window?
Architecturally it may look similar, but in an entry system it can be part of the approved door assembly.
Can a transom be impact rated?
Yes. Approved impact transom configurations exist.
Can I mix a door from one manufacturer with sidelights from another?
Do not assume so. The complete combination must match an approved configuration or project-specific engineering where permitted.
Does an impact door guarantee the sidelights are also impact rated?
No. Verify the approval for the exact door-plus-sidelight/transom configuration.
Authoritative sources
- Florida Building Commission — Product Approval Search
- Florida Product Approval FL18506 — Impact Transom/Sidelight Frame
- Florida Product Approval FL22227 — Impact Door with Sidelights/Transom
- ODL — 2026 Impact Rated Entry Door Catalog
The bottom line
For a Florida impact entry, the door, sidelights, transom, glass, frame and anchors should be reviewed as one documented system.
Explore AA Glass & Windows’ impact door service or request a free estimate to plan your entry.
