Blog: Hurricane Windows

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.

Impact windows are designed to provide long-term hurricane protection while still functioning as everyday windows. Depending on the style, homeowners should be able to open, close, lock, and operate their windows according to the manufacturer's design.

If you are researching impact windows for your Florida home, one of the first questions you probably have is: How much will impact windows cost? There is no single price that applies to every impact window project.

Impact windows are designed to provide long-term protection for Florida homes, but like other building products, they contain multiple components that can perform differently over time.

When comparing impact window quotes in Florida, homeowners may come across terms such as argon gas, insulated glass, Low-E glass, laminated glass, and double-pane impact windows.

Florida homeowners comparing impact windows often focus on hurricane protection first, but glass options can also affect comfort, appearance, natural light, privacy, and energy performance. Two options homeowners may encounter while comparing impact window quotes are tinted glass and Low-E glass.

When Florida homeowners shop for impact windows, one of the most confusing parts of comparing products can be the glass. Terms such as laminated glass, insulated glass, impact glass, Low-E glass, and double-pane glass are often used during the buying process, but they do not all mean the same thing.

When choosing impact windows for a Florida home, homeowners have more options than single-hung, horizontal roller, casement, and picture windows. Another style worth considering is the awning impact window. Awning windows are hinged near the top and open outward from the bottom.