| Impact windows | Hurricane shutters | |
|---|---|---|
| Storm prep | Nothing to put up | Must be closed or installed before each storm |
| Protection when you are away | Always on | Only if someone closes them in time |
| Upfront cost | Higher | Lower |
| Everyday benefits | Noise reduction, UV and heat control, security | None when open |
| Natural light during a storm | Yes | No, the house is closed up |
| Insurance opening protection | Can qualify when every opening is protected | Can qualify when rated and covering every opening |
| Replaces old windows | Yes | No, old windows stay |
Homeowner Resources
Impact Windows vs Hurricane Shutters: Which Is Right for Your Home?
Impact windows and hurricane shutters both protect openings from wind-borne debris, but they work differently. Hurricane shutters cost less up front and have to be closed before every storm. Impact windows cost more, protect the home all the time and improve comfort and security every day. Here is how they compare for Florida homeowners.
Side by side
Impact Windows vs Hurricane Shutters at a Glance
This comparison covers the questions homeowners ask most. Impact windows and hurricane shutters can both meet Florida Building Code for opening protection when they are properly rated and installed.
Shutters
How Hurricane Shutters Work
Shutters cover your existing windows during a storm. Common types include storm panels that are stored and bolted up before each storm, accordion shutters that fold out from the sides, roll-down shutters that lower from a housing above the window and fabric storm screens.
Their strength is cost. Panels in particular are an inexpensive way to meet code. The tradeoff is labor and timing: someone has to deploy them, often in the days before a storm when time and help are short, and the house is dark while they are up. Second story windows can be hard to cover without a ladder.
Impact windows
How Impact Windows Work
Impact windows use laminated glass, two panes bonded to a tough interlayer, set in reinforced frames. If debris hits the glass, it may crack but is designed to stay in the frame and keep the opening closed. There is nothing to put up and nothing to store.
Because they replace your old windows, they also bring everyday benefits: quieter rooms, less heat and UV coming in with low-E glass, and glass that is hard to break through. Learn more on our impact windows and energy-efficient impact windows pages.
Cost and insurance
Cost, Insurance and Resale
Cost. Hurricane shutters cost less up front. Impact windows cost more because they replace the windows themselves, and the price depends on the number, size and style of openings. See our impact window cost guide.
Insurance. Either option can count toward wind mitigation opening protection when it is rated and covers every glazed opening. A new wind mitigation inspection documents what you have on the uniform form from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.
Resale. Buyers and their insurers in Florida ask about opening protection. Impact windows are always in place and visible, which makes them easy to document.
Programs. The My Safe Florida Home program and the sales tax refund can help eligible homeowners with impact window costs.
Which to choose
Which Should You Choose?
Hurricane shutters may make sense if your budget is tight, your windows are in good shape and someone is always home to put them up.
Impact windows make more sense if you travel or live part of the year elsewhere, if your windows are old or drafty, if you have second story openings, if you are tired of storm prep or if you want quieter, cooler rooms every day.
Many homeowners combine the two over time, starting with impact glass on the largest openings such as the sliding glass door. Storm Pro installs impact windows and doors only, so we can explain what that path involves. For a full upgrade, see whole-home impact window replacement.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Are impact windows better than hurricane shutters?
Impact windows protect the home all the time with no storm prep and add daily comfort and security. Shutters cost less up front. Which is better depends on your budget, your windows and whether someone can deploy shutters before a storm.
Do impact windows need shutters too?
No. Properly rated impact windows are opening protection on their own and do not need shutters to meet code.
Do shutters lower insurance as much as impact windows?
Both can qualify for opening protection credits when properly rated and covering every glazed opening. The credit depends on what your wind mitigation inspection documents and your insurer.
Are impact windows worth the extra cost over shutters?
For many Florida homeowners, yes, because they remove storm prep, protect the home when no one is there and improve comfort daily. If budget is the main concern, shutters are a lower cost way to meet code.
Can impact glass break?
Impact glass can crack when hit, but it is designed to stay in the frame and keep the opening closed. A cracked unit should be replaced after the storm.