Hurricane season has arrived. Are you doing everything you can to protect your home?
Anyone who lives along the coast knows the power of hurricanes and tropical storms. Strong winds can break glass, peel off exterior walls, and tear off roofs. And then there are the disasters caused by water damage and flooding.
One thing is for sure: Windows is vulnerable. That’s where impact windows, also known as hurricane windows, can make a big difference, even if they cost a lot of money.
Are hurricane windows worth the cost? Experts shout “Yes!” Danny Niemela, vice president and chief financial officer of ArDan Construction, LLC in Scottsdale, Arizona, says this is “especially (true) if you live near water.” “If you live in Florida, impact windows are recognized by home appraisers as an upgrade. When you sell, you can expect to get back 60% to 75% of your investment.”
USA TODAY covers technology, costs and expert opinion in this guide to hurricane windows.
Important points
- Hurricane windows are designed to withstand high winds and flying debris by cracking without breaking.
- In addition to storm protection, impact windows offer benefits such as noise reduction, energy efficiency, and UV filtering.
- Although more expensive upfront than shutters, hurricane windows provide ongoing and easy protection.
What is a hurricane window?
Hurricane windows are designed to withstand high winds (over 100 miles per hour) and debris blown by the wind. Impact windows, designed similar to car windshields, feature special laminated glass with a polymer layer that cracks rather than shatters when impacted. Unlike regular windows, they can protect your home during extreme weather.
How hurricane windows work
“The core purpose[of impact windows]is to keep the exterior walls of a building intact in the event of glass impact,” says Nicole Willits, design trends, products and sustainability manager at national window manufacturer Pella Corporation. If a window breaks, the entire house is at risk of collapsing or being blown away.
“Think of it like heavy-duty bubble wrap,” says ArDan Construction’s Niemela. Rather than shattering the window, the debris simply bounces off the glass without breaking through the opening. Glass can become “spider-webbed” but will not break. The house and everything in it will remain intact. “This is important because if a window breaks, the wind can put pressure on the house and literally lift the roof from the inside,” he says.
The core technologies that distinguish hurricane windows from standard windows include:
- Laminated glass technology: Hurricane windows work thanks to a 0.09-inch-thick laminate interlayer that joins the two panes of glass together. “In testing, these windows were able to withstand impacts at speeds up to 34 mph using a 9-pound 2×4,” Niemela explains.
- Pressure resistance and debris impact test: “The windows themselves are also more specifically tested and rated based on a specific design pressure (DP rating) measured in pounds per square foot,” Willits says. Standard windows have a DP of 15 to 35, while impact windows often have a DP of 50 to 100 and can withstand winds of 140 miles per hour or more. “Standard windows are not held to the same standards or ratings,” says Pella Corporation’s Willits. Impact windows are designed to protect against hurricane force winds.
- Frame strength: Impact windows are strongly fixed and reinforced in rough openings in the exterior. “The frame itself is usually reinforced aluminum or heavy vinyl and is fixed to the house,” Niemela added.
Advantages of hurricane windows
Homeowners are often interested in impact windows for storm protection, but impact windows have benefits beyond just protecting your home.
“Impact-resistant windows not only help protect your home from hurricanes and coastal storms, they also provide year-round benefits such as noise reduction, energy efficiency, UV protection, and enhanced safety,” says Willits. “Many homeowners appreciate that they are investing in a product that provides value every day, not just when inclement weather is expected.”
- Storm protection and safety: Impact windows are designed to not shatter or shatter when hit by debris, protecting your home during hurricane season.
- Energy efficiency and insulation: Impact windows often feature cutting-edge window energy efficiency technologies, such as low-emission (Low-E) coatings and argon filling.
- UV filtering: Impact windows block up to 99% of harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
- Noise reduction: Multiple layers of glass reduce noise and create a more peaceful home.
- Possible insurance discounts: Installing hurricane windows can save you hundreds of dollars a year on home insurance.
How much do hurricane windows cost?
For basic casement or slider windows, expect to pay a fee. Between $500 and $1,200 for materials and labor. However, for more complex projects or custom windows, a single hurricane window can cost up to $4,000.
“The price of a full house with 12 to 15 windows is $12,000 to $35,000 “When you factor in installation, the cost goes up or down for a glass-sized drive, and then there’s the frame material,” says Niemela. Anything that is difficult to install will be layered on top of it. ”
| materials or labor | average cost |
|---|---|
| Individual impact windows (double hung) | $500 to $1,200 each |
| custom window | $1,500 to $4,000 each |
| labor | $100 to $300 per window |
| Full home installation | Total $12,000 to $35,000 |
Where to buy hurricane windows
Most of the top window replacement and installation companies, such as Renewal by Andersen, offer impact windows and hurricane windows. The main options for hurricane windows include:
hurricane windows and shutters
| window type | average cost | Ideal for these people |
|---|---|---|
| hurricane window | Installation prices range from $500 to $1,200 | Easy storm protection |
| shutters | $15 to $50 per square foot | budget cuts |
Both storm shutters and hurricane windows serve the same purpose, but in the end, convenience and cost matter. “We actually found this question to be split down the middle,” Niemela says. Although installing storm shutters is cheaper upfront, the work required after each storm may not be worth the money saved, especially if your home in the tropics is only a part-time residence.
“This is the one with the shutters,” Niemela says. “When a storm is coming, someone has to go outside and close the windows. Hurricane windows are always there. If you travel a lot for work, live in a hurricane-prone area, or just don’t like climbing on ladders, hurricane windows tend to be a winner, despite the sticker shock.”
Investing in hurricane windows is often a better option. “Shutters protect the glass, but if the shutters fail or don’t open, the window itself is often vulnerable,” says Willits. “Impact windows protect the entire assembly and do not require a deployment method.”
Conclusion: With impact windows, homeowners no longer have to worry about closing shutters every time a storm is predicted.
Do hurricane windows increase the value of your home?
Hurricane windows do more than just protect your home. If you live in a storm-prone area and offer home insurance benefits, your home will be more attractive to buyers.
“In the active hurricane market, impact windows are becoming less of a premium feature and more of a baseline expectation and can be considered a key selling point,” says Willits. Buyers expect impact windows and some form of storm protection and are willing to pay for it.
Depending on where you live, “the most tangible financial benefits are often tied to insurance savings,” Willits says. In areas where home insurance premiums are two to three times higher than homeowners in more geographically stable areas, installing impact windows is an obvious choice.
Home insurance premiums are high in hurricane-prone areas, but you can lower your premiums by installing hurricane windows.
“Insurance companies that write policies on Hurricane Street often give credits ranging from 10% to 45% if there is an impact assessment window from wind mitigation testing,” Niemela says. “Imagine taking a $3,200 annual policy and reducing it by $300 to $1,400.”Additionally, claims tend to be processed more quickly when there is an impact period.
Are hurricane windows worth it?
If you live in a coastal area, impact windows are worth the cost every time. It saves you money on insurance, protects your home from storm damage, and gives you the peace of mind that your home is protected if a weather event occurs while you’re away.
If you live in an area where you can escape extreme weather events like hurricanes and tornadoes, you don’t need impact windows.
“It all depends on where you are and how long you plan to stay,” says Niemela. “If you plan to stay for more than five years and live on the storm side of town, Hurricane Windows is always a great option.”
