Impact-Resistant Windows Vs. Hurricane Shutters: Which Is Better?

Impact-Resistant Windows Vs. Hurricane Shutters: Which Is Better?

28 April 2020
 Categories: , Blog


If you live in a coastal area, then protecting your home from hurricanes and tropical storm damage is a top priority. Flying debris in a hurricane or heavy wind storm can cause severe damage to your home, including broken windows. For this reason, many coastal homeowners choose to install impact-resistant windows, hurricane shutters, or both on their properties.

By understanding the key differences between hurricane shutters and impact-resistant windows, you can make an informed decision regarding which is best for your home.

Key Differences

While both hurricane shutters and impact-resistant glass are designed to protect your home during a hurricane or tropical storm, they do so in very different ways. Specifically, hurricane shutters are designed to be installed directly over your existing windows. When properly installed, these shutters create a shield for your windows.

Impact-resistant glass, on the other hand, can replace your existing window glass. This extremely durable type of glass is similar to what you would find on your car's windshield, so it is able to offer a lot of protection even if it is struck with debris.

Hurricane Shutters: Pros and Cons

There are many advantages of installing hurricane shutters on your home. For starters, they are relatively budget-friendly, with prices ranging between $1 and $55 per square foot depending on the material. These shutters also come in a wide range of styles to suit your tastes and budget. 

Hurricane shutters are very reliable, but only when they are properly installed. If you're thinking about buying hurricane shutters, you'll want to hire a professional to handle the installation, which may cost you more. You'll also need to know how to operate your shutters so they can be closed in the event of an approaching storm.

Impact-Resistant Windows: Pros and Cons

Generally, impact-resistant windows offer better protection against storm debris, with many windows being rated to withstand wind speeds of 175 miles per hour. Furthermore, once the impact-resistant glass is installed, you don't need to take any additional steps to protect your home. This means that even if a hurricane hits while you're away, your home will still be protected. If you'd like to invest in impact-resistant windows, contact a company near you for help today.

Impact-resistant glass usually costs more than hurricane shutters — but you may be able to offset some of the higher costs with savings on your home insurance policy, so check with your agent.

Which Best Suits Your Needs?

Ideally, you'll have both impact-resistant glass and hurricane shutters protecting your home. Of course, this isn't a practical option for many homeowners, so you'll want to consider your budget and other factors when deciding whether impact-resistant glass or hurricane shutters are right for you. Ultimately, either one will provide you with extra protection and peace of mind, especially during your area's hurricane season.

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Windows: The Glass We Admire

When was the last time you simply sat and looked through a window? This is such a relaxing experience. Looking through a window can feel like you're catching a glimpse of a different world, even if you're just looking at the yard outside your home. So often, our windows go unappreciated, but surely, our homes would be less enjoyable without them. On this blog, we hope to teach our readers more about windows in order to increase their appreciation for this home element. Learn about the different styles of windows, materials used to make them, how to keep them cleaner, and much more.

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