Hurricane season is upon us. Are you doing everything you can to protect your home?
Anyone who lives along the coast knows the sheer power of hurricanes and tropical storms. High winds can shatter glass, rip off siding and tear off roofs. And then there’s water damage and the devastation caused by flooding.
One thing is for sure: Your windows are vulnerable. That’s where impact windows, also known as hurricane windows, can make all the difference, even if they cost a pretty penny.
Are hurricane windows worth the cost? Experts scream a resounding “YES!” This is “particularly [true] if you live near the water,” says Danny Niemela, the vice president and CFO of ArDan Construction, LLC, in Scottsdale, Arizona. “If you live in Florida, impact windows will get credited by your home appraiser as an upgrade. When it’s time to sell, you can expect to recoup between 60% and 75% of your investment.”
In this guide to hurricane windows, USA TODAY covers technology, cost and expert opinion.
Key takeaways
- Hurricane windows are designed to withstand high winds and flying debris by cracking, not shattering.
- In addition to storm protection, impact windows offer benefits like noise reduction, energy efficiency and UV filtering.
- While more expensive upfront than storm shutters, hurricane windows provide constant, effortless protection.
What are hurricane windows?
Hurricane windows are designed to withstand heavy winds (100 miles per hour or more) and flying, windborne debris. Designed similarly to a car windshield, impact windows feature specialized laminated glass with a polymer layer that cracks rather than shatters when struck. Unlike typical windows, they can protect your home during extreme weather.
How hurricane windows work
“The core intent [of impact windows] is to keep the building envelope intact, even when the glass is struck,” says Nicole Willits, a design trend, product and sustainability manager at Pella Corporation, a window manufacturer with nationwide reach. When a window shatters, your entire home is at risk of collapse or even being blown away.
“Think of it as heavy-duty bubble wrap,” says Niemela of ArDan Construction. Instead of shattering the window, debris will simply bounce off the glass without smashing through the opening. Glass might “spider web,” but won’t break. The house and everything inside stay put. “This is important because once a window is broken, wind can pressurize the home and literally lift the roof from the inside,” he says.
The core technology that sets hurricane windows apart from standard windows includes:
- Laminated glass technology: Hurricane windows work thanks to a 0.09-inch-thick laminated interlayer that binds the two pieces of glass together. “In testing, these windows can survive impacts at speeds up to 34 miles per hour using a nine-pound 2×4,” Niemela explains.
- Pressure resistance and debris impact testing: “The windows themselves are also more specifically tested and rated to specific design pressures (DP ratings) which measure in pounds per square foot,” says Willits. Standard windows are rated with DPs of 15 to 35, whereas impact windows often have a DP of 50 to 100, allowing them to withstand winds of 140 miles per hour or more. “Standard windows aren’t held to those same standards and ratings,” says Willits of Pella Corporation. Impact windows are designed to keep hurricane-force winds at bay.
- Frame strength: Impact windows are reinforced with stronger anchoring into the rough opening in your exterior. “Frames themselves are usually reinforced aluminum or heavy vinyl that is secured into the house,” Niemela adds.
Benefits of hurricane windows
Storm protection is often what gets homeowners interested in impact windows, but there are more benefits to impact windows than just home protection.
“In addition to helping protect homes during hurricanes and coastal storms, impact-resistant windows can provide year-round benefits including noise reduction, energy efficiency, UV protection and enhanced security,” says Willits. “Many homeowners appreciate that they’re investing in a product that provides value every day, not just when severe weather is in the forecast.”
- Storm protection and safety: Impact windows are designed to crack and not shatter when hit with debris, which protects your home during hurricane season.
- Energy efficiency and insulation: Impact windows often feature the most advanced window energy efficiency technology, like low-emissions (low-E) coatings, argon filling and more.
- UV filtering: Impact windows can filter out up to 99% of harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
- Noise reduction: Multiple layers of glass reduce noise, creating a more peaceful home.
- Potential insurance discounts: You can save hundreds of dollars per year on home insurance by installing hurricane windows.
How much do hurricane windows cost?
For a basic double-hung or slider window, you can expect to pay between $500 and $1,200 for the materials and labor. But for more complex projects or custom windows, a single hurricane window can cost up to $4,000.
“Full house prices for 12 to 15 windows work out to $12,000 to $35,000 when you factor in installation,” says Niemela. “Glass size drives cost up or down, then frame material. Anything difficult to install falls on top of that.”
| Material or labor | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Individual impact window (double-hung) | $500 to $1,200 each |
| Custom windows | $1,500 to $4,000 each |
| Labor | $100 to $300 per window |
| Full home installation | $12,000 to $35,000 total |
Where to buy hurricane windows
Most of the top window replacement and installation companies, like Renewal by Andersen, offer impact or hurricane windows. Some top choices for hurricane windows include:
Hurricane windows vs shutters
| Type of window | Average cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane window | Between $500 and $1,200 installed | Effortless storm protection |
| Storm shutters | $15 to $50 per square foot | Lower budgets |
Both storm shutters and hurricane windows serve the same purpose, but it comes down to convenience and cost. “I actually find this question splits down the middle,” says Niemela. Whereas storm shutters can be cheaper upfront, the work you need to put in before every storm might not be worth the money saved, especially if your tropical home is only your part-time residence.
“Here’s the thing with shutters,” says Niemela. “Someone has to get out there and close them when the storm is approaching. Hurricane windows are always on. If you tend to travel for work, live in a hurricane-prone region or don’t like climbing ladders, hurricane windows tend to be the winner despite their higher sticker shock.”
In many cases, investing in hurricane windows is the better option. “Shutters protect the glass but often leave the window itself vulnerable if the shutter fails or isn’t deployed,” says Willits. “Impact windows protect the entire assembly and do not require any method of deployment.”
Bottom line: With impact windows, homeowners don’t have to worry about closing the shutters every time a storm is projected.
Do hurricane windows add home value?
Hurricane windows offer more than just home protection: they make your home more appealing to buyers if you live in a storm-prone area and offer home insurance benefits.
“In active hurricane markets, impact windows are increasingly a baseline expectation rather than a premium feature and it can be considered a significant selling point,” says Willits. Buyers expect impact windows or some form of storm protection and are willing to pay for it.
Depending on your location, “the most concrete financial return is often tied to insurance savings,” says Willits. In regions where home insurance premiums are double or triple those of homeowners in more geographically stable areas, installing impact windows is the obvious choice.
Home insurance rates are higher in hurricane-prone areas, but hurricane windows can help lower that cost.
“Insurance companies that write policies in hurricane alley often give you credits ranging from 10% to 45% when you have impact-rated windows per a wind mitigation inspection,” says Niemela. “Imagine cutting your annual 3,200-dollar policy by $300 to $1,400 bucks.” And, insurance claims tend to process more quickly when you have impact windows.
Are hurricane windows worth it?
If you live in a coastal region, impact windows are worth the cost every time. They save you money on insurance premiums, protect your home from storm damage and deliver peace of mind knowing your home is protected if a weather event happens when you’re away.
If you live in a region spared from extreme weather like hurricanes or tornadoes, then you don’t need impact windows.
“It all depends on where you’re located and how long you plan on staying,” says Niemela. “If you plan on staying five years or more and live on the storm side of town, hurricane windows are a fantastic choice every time.”