Blog: Impact Windows

Impact windows are designed to provide Florida homes with protection from windborne debris and severe weather, but homeowners sometimes notice water around a window during heavy rain and immediately assume the impact window has failed.

Fort Myers and Lee County homeowners know that hurricane preparation is an important part of owning a home in Southwest Florida.

Impact windows are built differently from many standard residential windows. Their reinforced construction, impact-resistant glazing, frames, locks, and hardware can make them feel more substantial during operation. However, an impact window should still open, close, and lock as intended.

Florida homeowners comparing impact windows often come across two names: ES Windows and Custom Window Systems, commonly called CWS. Both manufacturers may appear on impact window quotes, but choosing between them should involve more than comparing brand names.

Impact windows are a long-term investment in a Florida home, but like other building components, they should not be assumed to remain in exactly the same condition forever.

Impact windows are designed to provide Florida homes with added protection against windborne debris and severe weather, but impact-resistant does not mean indestructible. Glass can still become scratched, chipped, cracked, or otherwise damaged.

Many Florida homeowners know that their home has newer windows, but they may not know whether those windows are actually impact-rated. This is especially common when someone purchases a home after the windows were installed by a previous owner.

Florida impact windows are exposed to environmental conditions that homeowners in many other parts of the country do not experience to the same degree. Intense sunlight, high temperatures, humidity, heavy rain, and coastal salt exposure can all affect exterior building materials over time.

Florida homeowners have several options when preparing their homes for hurricane season, and two of the most commonly researched are impact windows and hurricane shutters.

Impact windows are designed to help protect Florida homes from windborne debris and severe weather, but homeowners may still become concerned if they notice water around a window during or after heavy rain. A small amount of visible water does not always mean the impact window itself has failed.