With memories of recent Kona lows still fresh, Hawai‘i builders are looking for windows, doors and floors that enhance Hawai‘i’s indoor-outdoor lifestyle while offering robust structural protection.
To meet this demand, Hawai‘i’s leading vendors are offering a wide variety of fortified 2026-2027 products for residential and commercial projects.
Windows and Doors: Impact-Rated Glass
“We have seen a steady increase in replacement requests across the islands following the recent Kona low storms,” says Ian Wilson, director of windows, doors and millwork at HPM Building Supply, a statewide building materials vendor. “Demand for impact-rated windows and doors has been growing steadily across Hawai‘i, and the recent storms have accelerated that conversation with customers.”
HPM carries impact-rated PGT windows and glass doors designed to withstand strong winds and flying debris.
“In some areas of Hawai‘i, building codes already require impact-rated windows for new construction, which has further driven interest across both the residential and commercial markets,” Wilson reports.
PGT’s WinGuard products feature laminated glass on the exterior paired with a thermoplastic spacer system. This creates an airtight seal, improving both impact resistance and energy-efficiency.
HPM offers PGT’s WinGuard line of impact-rated windows and glass doors, available in vinyl and aluminum, through special order.
Fiberglass and Storm Doors
“Demand for composite and fiberglass exterior doors has been growing … Homeowners are looking for doors that can deliver on both performance and [water-intrusion] protection,” says Wilson.
“Products led by Therma-Tru continue to set the standard in that category.”
Therma-Tru doors are distinguished by “their system approach, where every component is designed, engineered and manufactured to work together, resulting in exceptional defense against air and water infiltration,” he explains. “They also carry a lifetime warranty, which speaks to the confidence behind the product.”
Through HPM, customers can also access Larson’s Platinum Series storm doors “which can be ordered with security laminate glass, a particularly well-suited option for Hawai‘i given the combination of storm exposure and security considerations,” Wilson notes.
High-Performance Interior Flooring
At American Floor & Home (AF&H), an O‘ahu flooring and interior design center with locations in Honolulu and Kapolei, “we’re seeing a huge surge in demand for high-performance [interior] laminate and advanced waterproof carpet,” says Daniel Arita, AF&H business development executive.
“Laminate,” Arita reports, “has evolved incredibly over the last few years. The wood visuals are stunningly realistic, but the real draw is just how tough it is against heavy foot traffic, scratches and dents.”
Engineered laminate performs so well, Arita says, that “we now confidently install it in every room of the house, including kitchens, bathrooms and even laundry rooms.”
The Mauka to Makai Collection, one AF&H performer, brings “the natural beauty of Hawai‘i from the mountains to the ocean straight into the home … [with] textures that look and feel exactly like real hardwood,” Arita says.
Crowd-pleasers include Sandbar Oak, Lanikai Maple, Windward Walnut and “our hugely popular Pali Notch Koa.”
“But,” Arita confides, “the real magic is in the engineering.”
Island homes take a beating from sandy feet, high humidity and constant indoor-outdoor living, he notes. “To handle that, we built this line as a high-performance waterproof laminate.”
Arita cites the Collection’s “incredible structural stability and scratch-resistance. Plus, because it’s engineered to lock out moisture, you can confidently run these beautiful island styles through every single room in the house.”
Still, some homeowners “want the cozy feel of carpet without the traditional maintenance anxiety,” Arita says. For them, he recommends AF&H’s High-Performance Polyester and Pet Perfect lines.
These carpet fibers “naturally fight off stains, but the true gamechanger is the waterproof backing,” he explains. “If there’s a spill or a pet accident, the liquid stays completely on the surface. It eliminates the worry of lingering odors and makes cleanup effortless.”
At HPM Building Supply, softer wood aesthetics also lead 2026 interior flooring demand, reports Paul Mendoza, HPM flooring design manager.
“One of our most talked-about additions this year is Vanilla Creme, now available exclusively at HPM through the Roca Evolux Iris Collection.”
HPM worked directly with Evolux to bring the line to the store in a 20-mil wear-layer SPC (stone plastic composite) format.
Mendoza says its installation system is key.
“All our Evolux collections utilize the Unilin click-locking system — the strongest locking system out there,” he says. “The result is a bright, warm-toned luxury vinyl plank that is 100% waterproof, resistant to dents and scratches and backed by a limited lifetime residential warranty and a 15-year commercial warranty.”
HPM is adding more warm wood tones to its Roca Evolux Iris Collection stocking program with Harvest and Palm Coast, both available in a 22-mil wear layer for added durability.
High-Performance Exterior Flooring
“For exterior spaces like lānais, entryways and commercial porticos, we really have two standout products this year that serve very different needs,” AF&H’s Arita says.
For exterior hard surfaces, Arita says ceramic and porcelain tile is “still the undisputed king of the outdoors.”
“You just can’t beat its durability,” he says.
Porcelain, for example, is dense, completely waterproof, won’t fade in the sun and can include textured, slip-resistant finishes.
“On the softer side,” Arita says, “Foss indoor/outdoor carpet has been incredibly popular for patios and transitional areas.”
The carpet is engineered from recycled polyethylene terephthalate plastic, which makes it “tough as nails,” Arita says. Fibers are locked in, “so it won’t ever fray, zipper or unravel, no matter how much heavy foot traffic it gets.”
Moreover, “it breathes, which naturally resists mold and mildew. And when it gets dirty, you can literally just wash it down with a hose.”
At HPM, Fiberon Sanctuary in Espresso has been this year’s standout performer for outdoor living spaces.
“Much of its appeal comes down to practicality,” reports Daniel Matsuura, HPM senior buyer. “Customers love that they can have a beautiful lānai without the ongoing maintenance that traditional wood demands.”
“No staining, sealing or painting, just occasional cleaning,” he verifies.
Fiberon Sanctuary boasts a three-sided Permitech cap layer, engineered to resist humidity, heavy rain, salt air, ultraviolet exposure and termites.
Made from 95% recycled materials, it’s also backed by a 40-year limited warranty covering stain, fade and structural performance.
“For both residential lānais and commercial outdoor spaces, it’s a sound long-term investment,” Matsuura smiles.
